Can a SC31W replace my HDS?

al93535 · Mar 23, 2012

What do you guys think? I love the low low of my HDS 170 E. Of course it has 24 different setting I can utilize. It has auto off After 10 minutes, the electronics are potted and will protect my rechargeables. It's an awesome light. I have bought many many EDC lights, not one has replaced the HDS in my pocket every single day.

The SC31W has a nice tint, 6 modes and a very nice switch. It looks very rugged. Any opinions?

Shooter21 · Mar 23, 2012

nothing can replace an HDS.

HotWire · Mar 23, 2012

What Shooter 21 said. +1

hook63 · Mar 23, 2012

Yes it is smaller and will fit in your pocket better.

al93535 · Mar 23, 2012

Well, I suppose it will entertain me until Harry can catch up. Then I can order a high cri HDS.

al93535 · Mar 24, 2012

The SC31W has a over-discharge protection circuit?

Colonel Sanders · Mar 24, 2012

al93535 said:
The SC31W has a over-discharge protection circuit?

Yes. The SC30w (the version just before the SC31w) is the only light that I *ALWAYS* have on me. A very fine EDC. And yes, EXTREMELY durable. It's my one can't live without light.

..And if anyone ever questioned the durability of an SC30/31, just check this out! http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...bralight-Torture-Test&highlight=light+torture

edc3 · Mar 24, 2012

I had to sell all three of my Clickies last year and I turned to my SC51w for consolation. In a lot of ways I like it better than my HDS lights. It's smaller, runs on Eneloops, is brighter than two of my HDS lights were, has a MUCH better tint and I can easily afford afford to replace it if something happens to it. It's an excellent light. I will definitely be buying more HDS lights in the future, but in the meantime I haven't found a better EDC than my SC51w.

Vesper · Mar 24, 2012

Dumped in a situation where your edc is going to take a ton of use or abuse, there's no way a ZL can compare. It's just not built for that purpose... HDS is. In all other ways it's just as worthy if not more-so in some ways. Force me to pick just one I'll go with the HDS (and I own 6 Z-lights and love and use them all - my favorite brand)

edc3 · Mar 24, 2012

I agree. The ZL torture test is very impressive, but if my life depended on a light I'd want an HDS. Fortunately that is seldom the case for me.

kaichu dento · Mar 24, 2012

I think the ZL lights are great all purpose lighting devices, but it sounds from your own first post that you would be missing the low mode of the HDS at very least.

Personally it's the complete lack of a low setting that makes my SC51w a great light to leave in the car, but not in my pocket. There's also the ease with which they turn on accidentally and the delicate build to take into consideration.

Erzengel · Mar 24, 2012

The biggest issue with the Zebralights (except sc600 and sc80) is the very sensitive clicky. It can light up in Your pockets very easy. The low mode of the Zebralights can also be very low (0.2 Lumen) but You need a good timing to switch it on on low level and not medium level.
The SC31 is really tiny, too tiny for me. The HDS are very solid built, but this makes them also very large and heavy.

edc3 · Mar 24, 2012

I found the SC31 too small also and sold mine. I've got the timing for low down pretty good but every so often I blind myself in the middle of the night. A good work around is to cover the bezel and triple click. Its a more reliable method of turning the light on in low mode when you're half asleep.

shane45_1911 · Mar 24, 2012

al93535 said:
Well, I suppose it will entertain me until Harry can catch up.

*Henry.

think2x · Mar 24, 2012

My SC31w can't replace my 140GT but I do have a special place for the little fella..........

CarpentryHero · Mar 24, 2012

think2x said:
My SC31w can't replace my 140GT but I do have a special place for the little fella..........

That's awesome

kaichu dento · Mar 25, 2012

Erzengel said:
The low mode of the Zebralights can also be very low (0.2 Lumen) but You need a good timing to switch it on on low level and not medium level.

The low on the Zebralights is good enough for many people, but still very, very bright for anyone wanting a super-low level and even though the .07 lumens coming from the Clicky will throw about 30' or so in situations with no atmospheric light problems, it's still far, far lower than .2 coming from the Zebralight.

al93535 · Mar 25, 2012

Well I ordered one. We will have to see how it goes. I didn't realize the switch was so easy to activate. Thanks for the replies, and I loved the zebralight durability thread!

kaichu dento · Mar 25, 2012

Please give us a short narrative of how it works out for you after you've had a bit of time to play with it. Regardless of my preference for the Clicky, the SC51w is a light I can't let go of and I'm constantly hoping for a newer version with lower low and less sensitive switching.

thaugen · Mar 25, 2012

Personally I find my H31w and HDS High CRI Clicky to be the perfect combination for my daily needs and camping. I can use both as a handheld, but like having the option of using the H31w as a headlamp when necessary. The HDS is bombproof, ultra reliable and just amazing to use and hold. Both these lights use the same battery type and I could not imagine living without either of them.

Can a SC31W replace my HDS?

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