Zebralight SC64w HI

[likethevegetable]

Yeah on my 4 other ZLs the click does vary slightly in loudness and response, and I don't expect them to be exactly the same, but my SC64w HI has noticeable "play" in the rubber, about 1 mm before activating the switch. I'm going to return it, it will bother me in the long run.

 

[Mr. LED]

Better to return than be unhappy.

 

[likethevegetable]

Well, I got lucky and it turned out NKON had 1 left in stock (despite their webpage saying out). Asked them to check the switch and they compared it to 10 other Zebra's (hopefully they knew what I meant when I asked them and my request didn't get lost in translation).

Now it's time to play the Tint and Ano lottery again... hah.

Another two weeks! I can wait...

 

[WalkIntoTheLight]

I find there's a long afterglow with both my XHP35 HI Zebras (64w HI and 600w IV HI). I think it's normal with their driver design. Probably some capacitor slowly discharging.

As for the button, mine is fine. But, as mentioned, all my Zebras are a bit different, from soft to hard. The only one that I don't like is a very mushy SC52w switch. But, it has held up for years, so I don't think it causes problems.

 

[Stefano]

As for the button, mine is fine. But, as mentioned, all my Zebras are a bit different, from soft to hard. The only one that I don't like is a very mushy SC52w switch. But, it has held up for years, so I don't think it causes problems.

Even some of my old Zebralight have a very soft button, it must be pressed carefully and using a fingernail.
This often happened on old models (2012/2013) but not on all .
On all those bought later I found a good button.
Except for the problem of some buttons that are too soft, all these switches have proved to be reliable.

 

[likethevegetable]

ZL said it could be the dimension/shape of the silicone cover, retaining ring, or casing is slightly off and it likely shouldn't be an issue for longevity. Returned anyways because I prefer the feel of the normal ones.

 

[xevious]

ZL said it could be the dimension/shape of the silicone cover, retaining ring, or casing is slightly off and it likely shouldn't be an issue for longevity. Returned anyways because I prefer the feel of the normal ones.

I wonder if there have been different tolerances on buttons over the course of different production runs. I have an SC52w L1 from 2008 and it has a somewhat "mushy" button, in that there's about 1~2mm travel before the button clicks. However, the precision control after that travel is great. It's a VERY quiet button too.

My new SC64c LE has a very tight button. No mush at all. An audible click that's pretty subtle (but is about twice as loud as the SC52w).

I picked up an H54F recently that was sold as used, but had pretty much been in the box for the years it was owned (it was a backup, according to the seller, and the pristine body support that). So, essentially like new. That button is very tight like the SC64c LE, but it's about twice as loud when clicking. Louder than my Astrolux S43, and probably the loudest of all the flashlights I own.

So apparently there's a button lottery as well. I'm just glad that the best button came on my SC64c LE. I'm really happy with this light!

 

[likethevegetable]

I think the odds of losing the lottery are very low: of the 6 Zebra's I've handled, only 1 lost. Just a fluke.. I hope lol

 

[Mr. LED]

Here are some beamshots comparing SC64w, SC64w HI and SC600w Mk IV HI. The house is 120 meters away (360 feet). Shot with an iPhone but locked exposure and focus for the 3 pictures.

 

[NPL]

Sc64w hi and sc600w hi look surprisingly similar!

 

[likethevegetable]

https://ru.nkon.nl has a bunch of ZL's in stock - including the SC64w HI and SC64c LE for a great price (especially for Canadians).

 

[Tachead]

https://ru.nkon.nl has a bunch of ZL's in stock - including the SC64w HI and SC64c LE for a great price (especially for Canadians).

Seems like pretty much the same price(maybe $5Can cheaper with shipping?). Is the shipping faster then from ZL or?

 

[likethevegetable]

It's actually 23+ CAD cheaper, I paid 4 euro shipping from NKON for 68 total = 103 CAD (note the SC64c LE is 2 euro less expensive), the same price from ZL with shipping is 94 USD = 126 CAD. Plus, if you have to return (like I did), return shipping is about the same cost from Canada Post, and if you have to pay for shipping the second time around it's cheaper.

Takes about the same time from ZL direct, about 10 days, but less tracking info.

 

[Tachead]

It's actually 23+ CAD cheaper, I paid 4 euro shipping from NKON for 68 total = 103 CAD (note the SC64c LE is 2 euro less expensive), the same price from ZL with shipping is 94 USD = 126 CAD. Plus, if you have to return (like I did), return shipping is about the same cost from Canada Post, and if you have to pay for shipping the second time around it's cheaper.

Takes about the same time from ZL direct, about 10 days, but less tracking info.

But, there is a free shipping option direct from ZL. When I run the numbers with the free shipping option it is only about $5 cheaper.

Either way, good to know there is another option for us Canadians. I have dealt with Nkon before too and they were great. What I would really like to see is ZL start shipping direct from Irving for us Canadian neibours.

 

[likethevegetable]

They don't offer free shipping for Canadians at all though... their website is misleading. Maybe I should have specified - great deal IF you're Canadian.

 

[WalkIntoTheLight]

Yeah, IIRC, it's about $15 or $16 for their cheapest shipping option to Canada.

When I asked Zebralight why they didn't offer free shipping, they responded with something about Canadians ripping them off and Canada Post doesn't allow for signatures with free shipping. So, they had to go with EMS to get a signature for delivery proof.

 

[likethevegetable]

Hah.. Canada Post is ridiculous. It's cheaper to send something to the Netherlands than it is to ship from Winnipeg to Toronto.

 

[Mr. LED]

Actually every post in every country is deemed ridiculous by its citizens, because all of them are bad. Today I sent a flashlight from Germany to Brazil, cost was 16 Euro. Last week I sent one from Germany to Portugal, which is in EU, cost was 17.99.

Sent another from my town in Germany to Hamburg last week, was supposed to arrive next day, took 6 days, was rerouted a few times due to mistakes in handling. Lost a SC32 last year sending from my town to another, just vanished. The stories go on and on...

 

[JimIslander]

Actually every post in every country is deemed ridiculous by its citizens, because all of them are bad. Today I sent a flashlight from Germany to Brazil, cost was 16 Euro. Last week I sent one from Germany to Portugal, which is in EU, cost was 17.99.

Sent another from my town in Germany to Hamburg last week, was supposed to arrive next day, took 6 days, was rerouted a few times due to mistakes in handling. Lost a SC32 last year sending from my town to another, just vanished. The stories go on and on...

Thankfully not every country. US Postal service is awesomely reliable and the cost is reasonable. There are exceptions, but the vast majority of packages get delivered in a few days or less and can cost less than $10 for virtually all flashlights. For example, a 2-Day Priority padded envelope is $8 and includes some insurance and delivery confirmation.

 

[JimIslander]

Oh! Just received word that the SC64w HI I ordered on 2/19 shipped today.