roger-roger
Enlightened
I wonder on flood/floody to standard beam, if the latter might shadow-cast an improved view of roots, rocks, ruts on the trail etc. Aren't shadows important in lighted darkness for depth perception and detail?
Zebralight SC600Fd III Plus - XHP50
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twistedraven
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Shadows enable us to discern texture, in which case, having both lights in your hand will yield the same results, one will just do it with a broader width, and the other will do it with more range. The range shouldn't be a concern unless you're on a bike or something.
Flashlight Junkie
Newly Enlightened
So I have to purchase an unprotected, flat-top, hybrid IMR for this new flashlight. Which one should I get?
I recently bought four (4) Orbtronic 3500mAh Protected 18650 10A Dual Protection (Panasonic-Sanyo) for a few of my other lights. They work GREAT!
After lots of internet reading, and watching scary YouTube videos of exploding ICR 18650s, I've decided that hybrid IMR is pretty safe.
It also helps that I can't use protected in this new Zebralight. The problem I have is amps.
I see lots of people saying to buy NCR18650GA, which is rated at 10A. No biggie, since Zebralight says the SC600Fd Mk III Plus XHP50 needs only 8A.
I also just read on a vaping forum that it's a good idea to use no more than 80% of max constant discharge current. Again, safe at 8A (80% of 10A).
HOWEVER, I've been reading that, over time, the internal resistance of a battery increases. If this is true, then the battery is under more strain to deliver the required amps. Right?
I recently bought four (4) Orbtronic 3500mAh Protected 18650 10A Dual Protection (Panasonic-Sanyo) for a few of my other lights. They work GREAT!
After lots of internet reading, and watching scary YouTube videos of exploding ICR 18650s, I've decided that hybrid IMR is pretty safe.
It also helps that I can't use protected in this new Zebralight. The problem I have is amps.
I see lots of people saying to buy NCR18650GA, which is rated at 10A. No biggie, since Zebralight says the SC600Fd Mk III Plus XHP50 needs only 8A.
I also just read on a vaping forum that it's a good idea to use no more than 80% of max constant discharge current. Again, safe at 8A (80% of 10A).
HOWEVER, I've been reading that, over time, the internal resistance of a battery increases. If this is true, then the battery is under more strain to deliver the required amps. Right?
Have you personally confirmed that those are a good fit length-wise? Since the NCR18650GA fits the requirements and is the recommended cell by Zebralight, I can only vouch for the MJ1 cell to some degree. It seems a bit more fragile at the positive terminal than the GA.
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markr6
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I think he meant for up close work. Like I mentioned, I was under my jeep and when my headlight was inches away from a hose or pipe, it basically cast that shadow over the entire viewing area behind it. VERY annoying, impossible to work. So I had my PD32UE to put BEHIND that object and light up everything else.
Sorry, back to the SC600Fd Plus talk...
markr6
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Have you personally confirmed that those are a good fit length-wise? Since the NCR18650GA fits the requirements and is the recommended cell by Zebralight, I can only vouch for the MJ1 cell to some degree. It seems a bit more fragile at the positive terminal than the GA.
That metal seems pretty flimsy on all batteries I've seen. I don't see it as a problem, unless it somehow got so dented that it stopped making contact (unlikely)
Personally only confirmed so far via spec sheets. However people seem to be using the SC600 Mk iii just fine with these cells. Besides these are well known very highly regarded high drain cells. And under load the voltage will sag more with the NCR18650GA because they are not designed for high drain nearly as much as the other two mentioned. I have all three cells and if you want I can measure them with calipers to compare.
It's flimsy on the GA as well, but seems more flimsy on my MJ1's.
Flashlight Junkie
Newly Enlightened
My main concern is that the battery isn't stressed, either from heat or sag. I would really appreciate it if you would measure the 3 cells to confirm the length and width for us. Thanks. [emoji4]
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If you plan on running the light on high you are better off with a higher drain cell than the GA. Less voltage sag means the battery will not be working as hard to provide current meaning it will physically degrade less and run cooler.
markr6
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^ Good stuff! I'll probably keep using GAs though since I have plenty of them sitting idle.
Not going to happen with the NCR18650GA. Mind that the ZL is not able to sustain the 1500 lumens for very long (except in a freezer/Antarctica). It will drop brightness and current consumption pretty quickly and settle at ~400 lumens after a few minutes.
snowlover91
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I doubt it drops that low unless used in a warm environment or somewhere with little to no air circulation. Keep in mind the quoted runtimes for the PID modes are HIGHLY variable and dependent upon numerous factors. My best guess is that if it operates similar to the MK3 HI that the step-down will be to the 700-1000 lumen range after a few minutes depending on air circulation, temperature, etc. and possibly lower if used in warmer conditions or with no air circulation. Mileage will vary on this one and until we have it in our hands all we can do is guess.
StandardBattery
Flashlight Enthusiast
What is normal? Gripped in someones hand? Sitting on a table? Ambient 20deg C or 25deg C? I think there is no normal, but a very wide range.
Or it could mean that Zebralight decided that the PID might be needed in certain circumstances. My guess is that under normal conditions, the Plus will be able to maintain 429 lumens for the entirety of its runtime.
I am tailstanding my SC63w as we speak on H2(580 lumens) and it is barely getting warm after several minutes. Not even warm really.
I have three of the NCR18650GA cells that I rotate through my SC63w and SC600w HI. I can confirm that they all have the dented positive end similar to the above picture. When I ordered the Plus, I ordered another NCR18650GA.
They seem to work great for me and the dented positive end doesn't seem to affect the operation. I get no premature step down due to low voltage unless the battery is fairly depleted. I throw my SC63w on H1 into the bottom of whatever I am working on and let the electronics babysit it.
It looks like the Plus might be more demanding than my 63 and HI though. We will see how it goes.
They seem to work great for me and the dented positive end doesn't seem to affect the operation. I get no premature step down due to low voltage unless the battery is fairly depleted. I throw my SC63w on H1 into the bottom of whatever I am working on and let the electronics babysit it.
It looks like the Plus might be more demanding than my 63 and HI though. We will see how it goes.
