Wiggle
Flashlight Enthusiast
I have had my Zebralight SC52 for almost two years and wanted to post some long-term impressions for anyone considering this torch.
My Usage
This light is my typical EDC (every day carry) torch. It is usually carried in my front jeans pocket along with a wallet and, beginning about 5 months ago, a small Gerber Paraframe folding pocket knife. I try to keep the knife and SC52 separate but sometimes they rub against each other, especially the protruding thumb stud on the knife. I carry this light at least 90% of the time I go out. Only occasionally I will go for a slimmer fitting penlight while wearing certain types of dress pants.
I also use the light around the house, sometimes using it to provide ceiling bounce soft lighting. The SC52 is excellent for this as it provides a very stable, non-wobbling stance. Better than any other 1xAA light I have encountered. I tend to favor other lights for dedicated outdoor tasks as I sometimes prefer the longer runtimes and punchier output of 18650 lights but the SC52 still sees use in outdoor and rougher scenarios periodically. I've used the SC52 almost exclusively on 14500 li-ion cells. In fact I've used the same Zebralight Panasonic based 14500 for almost all of the usage of this light for two years.
The SC52 is treated reasonably well but has seen some drops onto some hard surfaces and exposure to rain water, puddles and cold temperatures.
Performance/Impressions
I am happy to report that the SC52 has met or exceeded all my expectations for performance of a small EDC-style light. The output capability relative to battery source and physical size is still at or near the top of the class even two years later. The output levels are well selected and are capable of providing the right output for almost any scenario I can envision needing. The 500 lumen Turbo mode is particularly impressive even if its runtime is limited due to thermal concerns. The lower levels are well spaced and, even though the moonlight modes do not meet their specification, I find there is rarely or never a time when I am unable to find an output level appropriate for the task I am doing.
One feature I find particularly helpful is the integral battery meter. While some have reported that theirs does not work well with AA cells I know that personally my meter works very well with my cell of choice: the 14500 Li-ion. This feature is useful because I like being able to have a quick confirmation that my cell is full so I don't waste my time charging a full or nearly full cell. This is a big time saver because, with a Li-ion cell especially, I feel that there is no good reason to not have a full cell at all times but at the same time it doesn't require me to open the light and take a voltage reading to make that choice.
Physically the light has held up quite well. Considering all the usage it has received it is still in excellent condition. The anodizing has held unexpectedly well well and only shows some light wear on the sharpest transition points on the aluminum body. It has held up noticeably better than my previous EDC (a Quark AA-Tactical XP-G R5). There was only one physical aspect of the light I was not a huge fan of, the stock clip. It was not the worst clip I had ever seen but I had a hard time with it and found the pressure excessive. I replaced it with a Nitecore Titanium clip that performs better and also, in my opinion, looks better.
I am also a big fan of the UI. For a dedicated outdoor task I tend to prefer torches with forward clicky switches and a mode selection style usually involving head position or a control ring. But for EDC use, I feel like this UI is very close to ideal. I am able to very quickly and consistently get into the right mode and all while only requiring one hand. The only issue I have ever had is when I want to get into my alternative "High" mode. This sometimes can result in getting into low by accident if enough delay is not left between the first single-click and the follow-up double-click but this is rare. On a side note as well, I've never had a single accidental activation of the SC52 in the entire time I've owned it.
My SC52 after two years of EDC and general use:
Please leave your comments or any other long term impressions below.
My Usage
This light is my typical EDC (every day carry) torch. It is usually carried in my front jeans pocket along with a wallet and, beginning about 5 months ago, a small Gerber Paraframe folding pocket knife. I try to keep the knife and SC52 separate but sometimes they rub against each other, especially the protruding thumb stud on the knife. I carry this light at least 90% of the time I go out. Only occasionally I will go for a slimmer fitting penlight while wearing certain types of dress pants.
I also use the light around the house, sometimes using it to provide ceiling bounce soft lighting. The SC52 is excellent for this as it provides a very stable, non-wobbling stance. Better than any other 1xAA light I have encountered. I tend to favor other lights for dedicated outdoor tasks as I sometimes prefer the longer runtimes and punchier output of 18650 lights but the SC52 still sees use in outdoor and rougher scenarios periodically. I've used the SC52 almost exclusively on 14500 li-ion cells. In fact I've used the same Zebralight Panasonic based 14500 for almost all of the usage of this light for two years.
The SC52 is treated reasonably well but has seen some drops onto some hard surfaces and exposure to rain water, puddles and cold temperatures.
Performance/Impressions
I am happy to report that the SC52 has met or exceeded all my expectations for performance of a small EDC-style light. The output capability relative to battery source and physical size is still at or near the top of the class even two years later. The output levels are well selected and are capable of providing the right output for almost any scenario I can envision needing. The 500 lumen Turbo mode is particularly impressive even if its runtime is limited due to thermal concerns. The lower levels are well spaced and, even though the moonlight modes do not meet their specification, I find there is rarely or never a time when I am unable to find an output level appropriate for the task I am doing.
One feature I find particularly helpful is the integral battery meter. While some have reported that theirs does not work well with AA cells I know that personally my meter works very well with my cell of choice: the 14500 Li-ion. This feature is useful because I like being able to have a quick confirmation that my cell is full so I don't waste my time charging a full or nearly full cell. This is a big time saver because, with a Li-ion cell especially, I feel that there is no good reason to not have a full cell at all times but at the same time it doesn't require me to open the light and take a voltage reading to make that choice.
Physically the light has held up quite well. Considering all the usage it has received it is still in excellent condition. The anodizing has held unexpectedly well well and only shows some light wear on the sharpest transition points on the aluminum body. It has held up noticeably better than my previous EDC (a Quark AA-Tactical XP-G R5). There was only one physical aspect of the light I was not a huge fan of, the stock clip. It was not the worst clip I had ever seen but I had a hard time with it and found the pressure excessive. I replaced it with a Nitecore Titanium clip that performs better and also, in my opinion, looks better.
I am also a big fan of the UI. For a dedicated outdoor task I tend to prefer torches with forward clicky switches and a mode selection style usually involving head position or a control ring. But for EDC use, I feel like this UI is very close to ideal. I am able to very quickly and consistently get into the right mode and all while only requiring one hand. The only issue I have ever had is when I want to get into my alternative "High" mode. This sometimes can result in getting into low by accident if enough delay is not left between the first single-click and the follow-up double-click but this is rare. On a side note as well, I've never had a single accidental activation of the SC52 in the entire time I've owned it.
My SC52 after two years of EDC and general use:
Please leave your comments or any other long term impressions below.
Last edited: