Zebralight SC60

[cave dave]

Got a SC60w today. Not my first ZL so its about what I expected. Love the UI.

Two things I wasn't expecting.
1) PWM is noticeable on all the sub level and is particular bad on the moonlight level. Maybe around 50hz on moon. H2, H3, M2 PWM isn't quite as bad. M2 would have been my most used level but the PWM may drive me crazy enough to not use it. I'm sad about this because I am very sensitive to and dislike PWM and ZL seems inconsistent with the use of PWM. My SC50 shows no PWM on any level. On H51W only the moon has noticeable PWM.

2) There is another High level (H3) that isn't documented. It appears to be between Max and H2. Anybody know the estimated Lumens on this level?

 

[flatline]

2) There is another High level (H3) that isn't documented. It appears to be between Max and H2. Anybody know the estimated Lumens on this level?

The SC51w had 2 possible sub-modes (not counting strobe) according to the Zebralight website, but there's no mention of it in the SC60w description.

--flatline

 

[JA(me)S]

PWM is noticeable on all the sub level and is particular bad on the moonlight level. Maybe around 50hz on moon.

That seems to confirm what radellaf said on 01-18-2011:

"The only modes that aren't PWM seem to be the highest option for each of the three main settings. The lowest low is the worst, and you can see it out the corner of your eye, but I find it unnoticeable in normal use."

Perhaps jhc only tried the main levels when he said:

I noticed bad PWM especially on low with the H51 but absolutely none with the SC60.

How noticeable is it on H2?

- Jas.

 

[JA(me)S]

:thinking:I think I remember reading the SC60 stepped down as the battery discharged; does anyone know at what voltage this occurs?

- Jas.

 

[jhc37013]

:thinking:I think I remember reading the SC60 stepped down as the battery discharged; does anyone know at what voltage this occurs?

- Jas.

I use to know this but I forgot, if your really want to know I can run a battery down until the max drops out and test it with my meter.

 

[JA(me)S]

I use to know this but I forgot, if your really want to know I can run a battery down until the max drops out and test it with my meter.

Thanks for the offer jhc, but not really necessary. I was hoping somebody might just know this off the top of their head. The reason I asked: was hoping it stepped down around 3.8 (or less under load) - would be a handy reminder...

- Jas.

 

[StandardBattery]

Opened my SC60w today! :twothumbs

It will now be in my cargo pocket for quite a while for some serious testing. Still keeping the LD01-SS on the keychain, but dumping the NiteCore Extreme Infinity that ended up in my pocket lately. Nice and dark and foggy here right now, and the Zebra blew away the Infinity in outdoor tests. Jet Beam III-Mw worked well; lots more throw of course, and the TK35 even with the fog and moisture in the air did super.

Got a H51wf in the package as well, my first frosted lens one, just to test it out. Didn't get to that yet, noticed the black pocket clip has very poor anodizing. Looks good on the top, but the clip under the bend has no anodizing at all, completly missed. don't know how a blind person could miss that. Has this been a problem with the H51 style clips? I'll probably try the H51wf tonight with the kindle, can't imagine it being better than the H50 but I wanted to see this frosted solution.


The SC60w :rock:

 

[jhc37013]

Glad you like your SC60 StandardBattery I think it's still one of the two best EDC pocket lights (production) available with the other being an HDS. About the H51 clip I just looked in my H51 box and I don't have a clip I think I gave it to another member on CPFM because I never use them however looking at my H31 clip for the first time I just noticed it has no anodizing at all, I guess I didn't even realize they anodize them these days because I've had mine for awhile.

I'm sure if you want a quick e-mail or call to Zebralight will net you a new clip.

 

[HIDblue]

Does anyone know if Zebralight is going to put an XM-L in the SC60?

 

[Sparky's Magic]

Does anyone know if Zebralight is going to put an XM-L in the SC60?

Give Lillian at Zebralight an email. She is most helpful, will tell you all you want to know and she always replies.

 

[StandardBattery]

Does anyone know if Zebralight is going to put an XM-L in the SC60?

Yes there is a thread on it, it's called the SC600. Give it another month or so.

 

[StandardBattery]

Glad you like your SC60 StandardBattery I think it's still one of the two best EDC pocket lights (production) available with the other being an HDS. About the H51 clip I just looked in my H51 box and I don't have a clip I think I gave it to another member on CPFM because I never use them however looking at my H31 clip for the first time I just noticed it has no anodizing at all, I guess I didn't even realize they anodize them these days because I've had mine for awhile.

I'm sure if you want a quick e-mail or call to Zebralight will net you a new clip.

Yup, HDS is a top pocket light, just wish I could buy the one I want and it would work as advertised. I have a Clicky, a couple Twisty, and a few NovaTac. The Lightflux AAA light is also one of my top pocket picks. I like to use 18650, and love warm/neutral tints so that's why the NovaTac is not in my pocket right now, and I like the slightly slimmer profile of the SC60w, even it is probaly is a bit longer.

I'd like a slim lens cover for the SC60 that protects the switch, I do find it some what inconvienent to have to lockout the tailcap on the Zebra, as it makes deployment and stowage a two hand operation.

 

[mitro]

as it makes deployment and stowage a two hand operation.

Not necessarily. Try it a few times. I can easily flip it around in my hand and twist the tailcap in a second. Tightening the tailcap doesn't mean you have to have a pipe wrench to get it loose. I don't like having to lock it out, but I still haven't found a light that is better. A 18650 light that is comparable to the size of a lot of AA lights is hard to beat.

I got a neutral Thrunite Neutron 1A this weekend, and while its a nice light (and bright!), I can't see why I'd give up all that capacity (I'd only use a 14500 most likely) over the SC60W which is still plenty bright and about the same size.

 

[hatman]

Mitro,
So for size, brightness, flood and reliability, you'd recommend the SC60W series over the Neutron 1A or 1C?

I'm looking at either a Neutron or the ZL and will likely order today.

Thanks!

 

[mitro]

Mitro,
So for size, brightness, flood and reliability, you'd recommend the SC60W series over the Neutron 1A or 1C?

I'm looking at either a Neutron or the ZL and will likely order today.

Thanks!

I REALLY was hoping that the Neutron 1A would "wow" me. I love the reflector in the Neutron. Its very deep and does a good job narrowing the spill (making the spill brighter) but the side effect is that the light is LONGER than an SC60. Unfortunately the threads are also pretty sloppy and the tailcap boot is really soft and balloons up, making tailstanding wobbly. It just feels a level below the ZL. The Neutron is surely brighter, but there's no way I'd pick it over the SC60w.

I finally broke down and ordered an SC51w so that in the upcoming summer months I can travel even lighter. 🙂

 

[jhc37013]

I had the 1C and 2C and I thought the 1C was a good light but not even close to anything that would replace my SC60, have you guys experienced and accidental activation in the pocket with the SC60 because I've had mine since it came out and maybe it happened to me once.

Usually I'm the one with that problem just like when I had my NC D10's and EX10's they always turned on in my pocket and I could not carry them even though I was very fond of those lights.

 

[hatman]

I had the 1C and 2C and I thought the 1C was a good light but not even close to anything that would replace my SC60, have you guys experienced and accidental activation in the pocket with the SC60 because I've had mine since it came out and maybe it happened to me once.

Usually I'm the one with that problem just like when I had my NC D10's and EX10's they always turned on in my pocket and I could not carry them even though I was very fond of those lights.

jhc,
How do your HDS 170 and 200 compare with the SC60 for reliability, flood and brightness?
Thanks.

 

[jhc37013]

jhc,
How do your HDS 170 and 200 compare with the SC60 for reliability, flood and brightness?
Thanks.

I don't have any reason to doubt the SC60 it's never failed on me and I've used the H501 for many many hours without any problem, plus I have a few of ZL's other models and had zero problems. I just carry them in my everyday life and don't use either in hardcore action or anything like that. I guess the worse thing that I could do with them is drop them on concrete and see which holds up best but that not going to happen, I nominate anyone but me for that job.

Just to sum it up yes I trust the SC60 just as much as the HDS 200 given my experience with both brands and the things I do daily, others who use their lights for different reasons like door to door searches in a war zone may feel differently and who could blame them.

 

[JA(me)S]

Does anyone have any updated info/release date on the "SC60+"?

-Jas.

 

[StandardBattery]

Not necessarily. Try it a few times. I can easily flip it around in my hand and twist the tailcap in a second. Tightening the tailcap doesn't mean you have to have a pipe wrench to get it loose. I don't like having to lock it out, but I still haven't found a light that is better. A 18650 light that is comparable to the size of a lot of AA lights is hard to beat.

I got a neutral Thrunite Neutron 1A this weekend, and while its a nice light (and bright!), I can't see why I'd give up all that capacity (I'd only use a 14500 most likely) over the SC60W which is still plenty bright and about the same size.

OK It's true, I can do it one handed, but it's much slowerand if my hands were cold or wet it might now work so well. I tried it a few times and it works, I still forget sometimes though and that's anoying.

I had the 1C and 2C and I thought the 1C was a good light but not even close to anything that would replace my SC60, have you guys experienced and accidental activation in the pocket with the SC60 because .....

Actually I've never had the SC60 activate in the pocket because I just got it and I locked it out, because of habit. I had the other models activate a couple of times after they had been good for a while, so that was that.

I did notice the switch is quite recessed on the SC60, so starting tomorrow I'm going to try it clipped in a cargo pocket without lockout and see how it goes. If I can go a month without it activating I'll consider it good-enough.

Still loving the light and it makes not being able to get an HDS with a LED I like much easier to live with.

I got a Shiningbeam S-mini in the mail... but now I'm wonder why I did that... well I'll test it on the weekend.