Another example of why I think the company is in serious decline.
The Official Zebralight Thread
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jon_slider
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I can understand why you feel that way, about the future of Zebralight.
Yes, some of the new 2025 AA Zebras have a 90 second blink issue.
And the new 18650 SC65c Hi has visible PWM on the Lowest mode, but it is easily bypassed by using slightly higher Low modes. The SC65 is still a great EDC package, with a great LED, recessed switch, and securely screwed on clip with excellent retention.
Zebras have had a number of very reliable and desirable AA and 18650 models, prior to 2025. People who own reliable classic Zebras are still plentiful.
And even today there are highly desirable 18650 Zebras still available from their website, for example, the H600Fc, H600Fd, and the SC600w.
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I don’t like that the new ones only work with Eneloop. The old ones worked with all AA you can find in the world.
The new ones work with all AAs, just not 14500s. You can use alkaleaks and lithium primaries too, just not rechargeable lithiums.
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They don’t work with Alkaline and lithium primaries (at least the four defective Zebra sent to me) It won’t turn on at all, you have to losen/tighten the tail cap before it’s possible to turn on. Seems to be some kind of voltage problem, if you drain the alkaline it works but not with new ones. Mine also blinks every 90 seconds when turned of. Lots a bugs in the new Zebras.
jon_slider
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I have tried to follow your unfortunate saga, these are the details as I recall.
you received 2 AA Zebras, with the 90 second blink bug. And iirc you also received 2 AA Zebras that do Not have the 90 second blink bug. Although those two work consistently on Eneloop, you report they have trouble recognizing AA Alkaline Voltage.
iirc, the two you got with the 90 second blink bug, were refunded (returned at your postage expense), plus you got to keep the two replacements that do not have the 90 second blink bug.
Suggestion, when preparing to use Alkaline, Hold down the switch button for a couple of seconds, on an Empty light, before inserting the AA Alkaline. This may help the Zebra Reset its Voltage Detect range.
If you try that Voltage Detect Reset strategy, I would be interested to learn from you, if the two AA Zebras continue to work on AA Alkaline reliably.
GoVegan also reported recently that he received a 2025 SC54c N AA Zebra with the 90 second blink bug. (pending return and resolution)
otoh russprechtl has been very happy with his 2025 SC54c N AA Zebra. It does not have the 90 second blink bug, and it Does also work on Alkaline.
I have also had 2 AA SC54c N Zebras, with no defects.
So overall, Im not getting the impression that All 2025 AA Zebras have the 90 second blink bug. And I have not seen any other reports that 2025 AA Zebras have a problem with Alkaline.
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I have tried everything but they only work with Eneloop. The blinking ones also blink with Eneloop. I have one of each defects at home. I trust my 2011 H52 more than the new ones.
jon_slider
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makes sense, given your experience w 2025 AA models
fwiw, I posted a thread here, asking if anyone else is experiencing the bugs you are reporting
1 person said yes, 90 second blink bug
2 people said no
(very low number of replies)
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That's a shame! It sounds like you must have gotten ahold of a really bad batch. I bought a new SC54 a couple of months ago and it works beautifully on Eneloops, alkaleaks, and lithium primaries. It has no idiosyncrasies and no defects at all. Which model did you get?
H54c N
jon_slider
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I spent a bunch of time comparing an AA Zebra's batt check blinks with different battery chemistries, and their H1 outputs. My conclusion is that Alkaline is a very poor choice, and that the Zebra batt check blinks are unreliable and produce different number of blinks between two different lights.
Note the 14500 and Eneloop were not fully charged. When testing w fully charged batteries, I get much more consistent 4 blinks from both my dual fuel 2023 SC53c N, as well as my dual fuel 2023 H53c N.
Im surprised what a wide voltage range on Eneloop will continue to give 4 blinks, even down to 1.33V.
I find batt check blinks on partly discharged 14500 at 3.92V, especially unreliable. On one light it can give 3 blinks, and on the other light it can give 1 blink. These differences are only sometimes resolved by holding down the switch button, for as much as 10 seconds, before tightening the tailcap. At other times, the discrepancy in number of batt check blinks remains even after holding down the switch button before fully closing the tailcap.
I also tested with Energizer Ultimate Lithium at 1.77V. This produces 4 blinks, consistently and reliably.
imo, AA Zebras are happiest with Eneloop and Ultimate Lithium, as well as LiIon if youre lucky enough to have one of the dual fuel 2023 models.
Alkaline imo are a Total waste of time.
LiIon is a great option for my two early 2023 SC53c N and one H53c N. LiIon offers double the output on H1, plus they weigh 7.5 grams less than Eneloop.
If I was forced to use my AA Zebras without access to Eneloop or LiIon, I would absolutely trust them with Energizer Ultimate Lithium (234 lm after 10 seconds and they only weigh 15 gm, iow 11 gm less than white Eneloop). I definitely would not trust my Zebras on Alkaline.
Note the 14500 and Eneloop were not fully charged. When testing w fully charged batteries, I get much more consistent 4 blinks from both my dual fuel 2023 SC53c N, as well as my dual fuel 2023 H53c N.
Im surprised what a wide voltage range on Eneloop will continue to give 4 blinks, even down to 1.33V.
I find batt check blinks on partly discharged 14500 at 3.92V, especially unreliable. On one light it can give 3 blinks, and on the other light it can give 1 blink. These differences are only sometimes resolved by holding down the switch button, for as much as 10 seconds, before tightening the tailcap. At other times, the discrepancy in number of batt check blinks remains even after holding down the switch button before fully closing the tailcap.
I also tested with Energizer Ultimate Lithium at 1.77V. This produces 4 blinks, consistently and reliably.
imo, AA Zebras are happiest with Eneloop and Ultimate Lithium, as well as LiIon if youre lucky enough to have one of the dual fuel 2023 models.
Alkaline imo are a Total waste of time.
LiIon is a great option for my two early 2023 SC53c N and one H53c N. LiIon offers double the output on H1, plus they weigh 7.5 grams less than Eneloop.
If I was forced to use my AA Zebras without access to Eneloop or LiIon, I would absolutely trust them with Energizer Ultimate Lithium (234 lm after 10 seconds and they only weigh 15 gm, iow 11 gm less than white Eneloop). I definitely would not trust my Zebras on Alkaline.
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Just got back from an overnight camping trip, and for the first time in a while didn't have a headlamp. Gifted my last one for the sake of some tasty CPF testing. Anyway, it was annoying enough that I am on the hunt for another one. Does anyone have experience with the AA mules from Zebralight, H503c/H504c? I've had the regular version and understand you can use dc fix and all to get the flood, but lately I've come across a few mule lights and have taken to them. If you have or have used these tiny Zebra headlamps, I'd love to hear your opinion on them. Thanks!
Excuse me for being a smart *** but grams are shortened g and not gm. But I guess you Americans are not so use to the metrical system ;-)
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jon_slider
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I do not have any mule experience, I hope someone here does
Zebra lists the H504c beam as 120 degrees, which may suit you well, and it is in stock
There have been some driver problems w the 54 series, that causes them to produce a blink every 90 seconds, that can not be turned off, except by locking out the tailcap. I do not know if the mule uses the same driver, but hopefully you wont be unlucky and get a light w the 90 second blink bug.
I hope you enjoy your next little Zebra ;-)
congrats on taking yourself camping. good soul food ;-)
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Yes, aside from seeing how people like the light, curious if they suffer from any of the more recent Zebra bugs.
What AA batteries are you planning to use? My experience is that they don’t work with alkalines and lithium primaries only Eneloops.
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I am an Eneloop only guy, so no worries there. If it functions as it should I am sure it will work well for my needs. Around the house task light and campsite headlamp.
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Is your experience with older or newer ones? My h53fc purchased pre 2024 works with Leakers, Lithers, and Loops.
**also have you tried performing a battery-reset-detect by breaking contact, holding the button to purge the values, then screwing the light on with the button held until after the flash?
The experience is with four 2025 H54c N. Zebralight refunded the money because this and the 90 seconds blink bug.
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Ah, I remember that fiasco now...i'm still surprised that they didn't just test the lights before resending them over and over, lol
