EDC Flashlight Awesomeness

[Rinspeed]

I'm not real big on suggesting products unless I've had a chance to really use them and see if they live up to expectations. I've carried the Zebralight SC51 every day for six or seven months and this thing is the real deal. As with anything you carry all the time it's going to see some abuse and I haven't babied the SC51 at all.

There's a slight possibility of finding a brighter single AA light this size but I don't think there is any that sips power from rechargeables and is as bright. I use either Sanyo Eneloops or GP Recykos, both are great rechargeable AAs. The price might seem steep but buy once cry once, I use it several times every day so to me $60 is nothing.



LED: Cree XP-G Cool White (color temperature 6100-6500 K)
User Selectable Levels: 3 main levels (High, Medium and Low). Each main level can be configured to one of its two sub-levels. The second sub-level of the High can be further configured to different brightness levels or strobes.
Light Output
High: H1 200 Lm (0.9 hrs) or H2 100 Lm (2.4 hrs) / 140 Lm (1.7 hrs) / 4Hz Strobe
Medium: M1 30 Lm (10.5 hrs) or M2 8 Lm (26 hrs)
Low: L1 2.5 Lm (3 days) or L2 0.2 Lm (16 days)
Light output are out the front (OTF) values. Runtime tests are done using Sanyo 2000mAh Eneloop AA batteries.
The 200, 140, 30, 8 and 2.5 Lumen output levels are current regulated. The 100 and 0.2 Lumen output levels are PWM generated.




http://www.zebralight.com/SC51-Flash...00Lm_p_43.html




http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Rinspeed/DSC01772.jpg




http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Rinspeed/DSC01767.jpg

[mkmckinley]

Thanks for the review. I've wondered about this light as I like the form factor and I've been very impressed with thier headlamps. The best thing about the headlamps is the wide spread of the beam with not hot spot. That arrangement is great for a headlamp but I'm not sure of I'd like it in a handheld. Does the SC51 have a pretty wide beam too?

[DWood]

The entire range of Zebra Lights offers awesome lights at a great value. I am a ZL fan too.

EDC has taken on a new context for me since discovering candlepwerforums.com and learning more about modern light technology. My EDC at work, where I can't carry a gun, is the new Zebra Light SC600W. AWESOME as a utility light, but not tactical in any way. The biggest fault is a lack of momentary on. The side switch and user interface are very handy, but not when I want to use it in conjunction with a pistol. 600 lumens are amazing, but the beam is floody rather than a thrower.

When I get home and put my gun on my belt, I swap the ZL out for my Nova Tac 120T with rear clicky. Works great when I just need a light and works well with my handguns. 120 lumens are plenty for my needs.

Both fit just fine in the Kydex Shooting Gear holster I cut down to fit the Nova Tac.

Anyway, ZL makes awesome lights at a very good price, but they are pure utility rather than tactical, in my opinion. I also use the ZL HL 51 with one AA Eneloop for moving around the house at night without disturbing the wife.

ZL SC600W - 600 lumens on high, 2 very low lows, and 2 mid settings
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/DWood13/Lights/IMAG0221.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/DWood13/Lights/IMAG0216.jpg

Nova Tac 120T - momentary on at high 120 lumens
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/DWood13/Lights/EDCLightonBelt.jpg

[Rinspeed]

Just wanted to update this as it's been close to two years that the SC51 has been carried and used every single day. It has been dropped, kicked and took a tumble off the top of my basement stairs onto the concrete floor.

This is one tough reliable light. Great customer service as well even with parts coming from China. Lost a tail cap and broke a pocket clip that were both my fault. Both times they sent two of each at no cost and no shipping.