The Official Zebralight Thread

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"The SC64w HI has got to be the best overall light if you must choose one."

Agreed! It's the one I reach for first. It's just great in so many ways. Wish I bought two when they were available - File under: woulda/coulda/shoulda. To really light up an area I go with the SC600w - great for hiking, although I also use a H53Fw AA Headlamp a lot too. I haven't owned the SC5c long enough to get a good feel for battery life but expect it will be about like an H53Fw - using eneloop pro for all AA requirements.
 
holygeez03 said:
Several ZL's have a much higher "burst mode" when using 14500... this was supported in the H52 and SC52. The 53 series dropped official support, but it has been verified that the "burst mode" still exists with the 53's.

I use 14500 in my H52Fw and H53Fc and I really enjoy the burst mode.
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It is my understanding that I cannot use a 14500 in my H53Fw AA Headlamp.
 
Batuche said:
It is my understanding that I cannot use a 14500 in my H53Fw AA Headlamp.
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As stated many times by myself and other users... 14500 is not officially "supported" by ZL, but several of us use 14500 cells in H53 lights (and SC 53 I think) without any issues reported so far.

It is not known why official support was dropped... maybe they don't guarantee voltage protection, maybe because it temporarily goofs up the capacity check... who knows.

But it appears to work fine and does provide a "burst mode" with stepdown after a minute, just like the H52 series.

One caveat is that some 14500 cells may be too long... I can check and see which cells I am using if you need a recommendation or the info is in the other thread regarding 14500 usage in ZL 53 lights.
 
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PoliceScannerMan said:
SC65w LE with dedome 5000K 519a would be amazing
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My strong suspicion is the "SC65" will be either XHP35.2 or XHP50.3. The SC64c only exists because XHP35 wasn't available in 2-step binning for high CRI, so they had to use XP-L2 instead. It's the odd one out in the whole lineup, and realistically I don't expect that to carry forward to the next generation.
 
is sc65 just a random rumor, or was that model given as a hint somewhere by ZL?

what is sc65, and how might it differ conceptually from sc64?

is it just a number bump, or does it mean something?

the model names in zl confuse me.
 
They follow a pattern, in 2011 the SC60w was introduced. The subsequent versions were 62, 63 and 64 is the current, but introduced in 2017, so it’s 5 years old already (there was no 61, but 31 and 51 existed). So everyone thinks 65 could be next, but no clue when.

It’s a rumor, no hints from ZL.
 
Well, I don't currently own any 14500's and probably won't be purchasing any, but good to know for future reference. Zebralight did not mention them in their instruction sheet so I never considered using them.

  • Battery: One AA size NiMH, lithium or alkaline battery. Panasonic Eneloop or Eneloop Pro is highly recommended. Batteries are not included in the box.
 
Yes, it’s unofficial support to 14500. The SC52w L2 supported 14500, and then some brave fellows tested 14500 in the 53 version and it worked, and the only quirk was what I mentioned above about pressing the power button between battery changes. Even the 60 second step down from maximum works.
 
Mr. LED said:
Yes, it’s unofficial support to 14500. The SC52w L2 supported 14500, and then some brave fellows tested 14500 in the 53 version and it worked, and the only quirk was what I mentioned above about pressing the power button between battery changes. Even the 60 second step down from maximum works.
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Sorry, now I'm curious & need to back up a bit.

So, I can use a 14500 in my H53Fw headlamp, correct? Please clarify the requirement of "…pressing the power button between battery changes." Does that mean to press and hold the power button down before or after unscrewing the end cap and removing the AA cell? Then continue to hold down or release before installing the 14500 cell and screwing the cap back on? Why is this necessary?

Also:
  • Would using a 14500 harm the headlamp in any way?
  • What are the advantages to using a 14500? More brightness and/or run time?
  • Would my SC5c MkII LE also accept a 14500?
  • Are there any fit issues using a 14500, i.e., too long, short, fat, skinny?
  • Which brand/type 14500 would you recommend using?
 
When you want to change the battery type (from 14500 to NiMH/alkaline/lithium primary), remove the battery and then press the power button. Only after the button press, insert a new battery.

14500 offers more brightness for H1 level in the first 60 seconds, also provides longer runtime in all levels, compared to NiMH.

I haven’t found any fit issues, but your mileage may vary, because many 14500 brands could be too long, but most should fit.

Buy a good reputable brand, I would say Keeppower and Eagtac are good.

We don’t know if it should harm the light in any way, all we know is it works and the previous version (52) officially supported 14500.
 
Batuche said:
Would my SC5c MkII LE also accept a 14500?
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The SC52 and another AA Zebralight I believe officially supported 14500. Intrepid owners of the next generation of those lights, SC53 and idk what else, discovered those lights, while not officially supporting 14500, didn't fry. The SC5 series never supported 14500. That's something to think about before trying a cell that is 3 times the voltage of what the driver is expecting.

The SC5 is really a 3V light killer. It's so bright it competes with CR123A lights. I think that's its thing. It is an incredibly impressive light that can draw 5A out of an Eneloop, and the brightest single AA light ever produced anywhere in the history of the Earth. Shouldn't that be enough? If it ran 14500, it would be ordinary. Something to consider.
 
Can anyone tell me what models these are. I still have the boxes but I have almost twenty zebras.
 

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Batuche said:
... Please clarify the requirement of "…pressing the power button between battery changes."
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It really only takes a single click while the tail-cap is unscrewed or off. There's some kind of capacitor supporting a register that tells the circuit whether the cell is 1.5v or 3v. A single press and release drains the cap and resets the register.
So, no need to hold down the button the whole time you are changing batteries.
 
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