Re: ZebraLight SC600 MkII interface and tint observations
Received my SC600 MkII today, fulfilled by Amazon, from seller named "TorchLight" (I wanted it soon, and liked that I could get this light in 2 days with Amazon Prime.) There has been some discussion about how batteries, especially protected types might fit, so I'm giving some detailed info in case it helps others.
Battery fit observations and measurements:
I only have Orbtronic protected 3400s, and happy to say that they do fit, although to remove one of them a gentle shake was required. This is because the diameter of the cell at the base is just a little wider, (I think due to the protection circuit installed back there, or just manufacturing tolerance differences.) The battery glides down all the way via gravity, but needs a very gentle "push" (just barely more than a touch,) to get the final 3mm to seat into the tube. To remove, a gentle shake is needed to dislodge that 3mm, then the battery glides out by itself. The other battery glided in and out without issue. Doing the best I can, my inexpensive digital calipers measure the diameter of the battery tube opening as approximately 18.8mm, and the widest dimension across the of that Orbtronic battery base seems a hair over 18.8 (but I don't trust the calipers much in the hundredths range too much.) Anyway, point is the batteries DO fit width-wise. Length-wise, my two batteries measure 68.8mm and 68.9mm respectively. (I imagine soldering technique etc. in manufacturing accounts for variation.)
Once the battery is seated and resting on the positive terminal, (which is a spring,) the base of battery just barely sticks out (0.35mm) from end of the tube. The positive terminal spring seems to be able to depress 2.65mm. The spring in the tail cap, which measures about 11.8mm long, protrudes 2.6mm beyond the lip of the cap. The result of all of this, in the case of my Orbtronic batteries, is that the tail cap spring will be effectively/probably depressed to maximum with the tail cap screwed down. Whether this tight fit will have any negative consequences (no pun intended,) down the road, I do not know. Speaking of the tail cap, the light came with threads lubricated, and the screw action is extremely smooth and precise.
LED tint and other observations:
The tint of the XM-L "cool white" LED, unfortunately for my tastes, has the [expected] "green" emanating around from the edge of the hotspot. The hotspot, itself, seems a rather clean white. The green tinted ring dissipates further outward into the less bright floody area, which has a purple tint. The beam tints are quite similar to my SC52 (same cool white XM-L version), although the SC52 hotspot itself seems green whereas the SC600 hotspot is "whiter". Also, in highest output settings, my SC600 has a more pronounced purple outer flood area than the SC52. That purple tint on the outside of the beam tends to accentuate the "green" appearance of the inner flood area, as the two colors contrast somewhat. I have not yet viewed outdoors, which I expect to look less jarring than a white wall/ceiling, but the tint issue is definitely noticeable indoors.
I barely notice the raised nub for the lanyard attachment ring, which others have complained about. I have large hands, which might account for the placement of that spot not bothering me much. The light is in all other respects as I expected, based on reviews and comments. Finish and quality appear excellent. Brightness modes work nicely, and as expected for Zebralight UI, although they do take some getting used to, especially the timing and duration of presses, as well documented in the forums.
Lastly, following some others' observations of the sound of button presses: While both the SC600 II and SC52 buttons have a definite tactile "click" sensation, the SC600 actually has more of an audible "click" sound, whereas the SC52 barely makes a sound. At arm's length, pressing the SC52 button I can just make out the "click", but the SC600 "click" sound is a fair bit louder and more apparent. However, for comparison, it's still softer than traditional "clicky" buttons on other lights. Personally, the sound is not an issue for me.
Those are my impressions and observations. I hope they have some use to other readers.