both lights are nice, the SC600w isn’t much bigger than the SC5W
The tint of the SC5W is warmer, and has tint shift through the beam. The SC600W has the same tint in every part of the beam and it’s also a little cooler but still neutral.
Zebras are fun. Here are some of my more recent ones:
SC64w - Nice tint, long runtime, very small and fits into the pocket nicely. My EDC for the last month.
SC600w IV Plus - great feel in hand. Nice grip. Excellent 2300 lumen output. Maintains high brightness much better than a D4. A little wide for EDC pocket carry. Wider spot than the III HI and much brighter spill.
SC6000w III HI - decent throw…. throws better than my other Zebras. However, unless you actually need extra throw I don’t think I’d recommend this one. For up-close use which is mostly what I use my EDC for, the intense hotspot is distracting. The beam pattern from other 2 lights is much better for up close.
If you’re looking for a light for general up-close EDC use get the 64w or 6000w IV Plus. If you want some throw get the 600 HI. If your primary goal is long-range viewing, get an Emisar D1, Emisar D1S or customize a zoomie for throw.
I have both the SC600Fd III Plus, and the SC600w III HI. The SC600Fd III uses a XHP50 that doesn’t have the tint shift of the 50.2. Really like them both
I really like my SC600w MkIV HI for outdoor use. It throws quite well for a small light, and is a great all-purpose outdoor light. But as others have said, the hotspot is a little small for close-up use.
For EDC, I much prefer one of my smaller AA Zebra’s, such as an SC52w/53w. SC5w is also okay, but it’s a little larger, and less floody than the smaller 52/53. I prefer the SC52w, since it can take a 14500 for 500 lumen output, while being smaller than the SC5w (which can do 500 lumens on an Eneloop). The SC53 is newer, but can’t take a 14500 so has lower output.
Do you have an Emisar D4? I’ve been searching for a side-by-side photo of a D4 and SC600.
I was also considering an SC64w XHP35 (4500K) for EDC, but don’t like that there’s no knurling, so I’m wondering if an SC600 would do. Everyone talks about how small the D4 is, and many state they use it for EDC, but it’s mentioned a lot the SC600 is “kind of big”…
However it looks like they’re basically the same size (within 1-2 mm):
SC600:
Head Diameter: 30 mm
Length: 96 mm
Body Diameter: 25 mm
D4:
Head diameter: 30 mm
Length: 94 mm
Body diameter: 24 mm
(D4 head 30 mm at widest point, bezel diameter: 28.0 mm, length 94 mm is with 18650)
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Here are the SC600’s I’m considering:
SC600w IV Plus XHP50.2 4500K
SC600w Mk IV XHP35HD 4500K
The hot spot size of the XHP35 HD version is in between the XHP35 HI and the XHP/50.2:
XHP35 HI……8 degrees
XHP35………10 degrees
XHP/50.2……14 degrees
I’m thinking XHP35 will have more throw than the XHP50.2 but not as concentrated of a hot spot as the XHP35 HI, so it may be a good compromise between flood and throw. Also wondering how much longer the XHP35 will run on high before thermal step down kicks in compared to the XHP50.2.
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On the extreme other hand, I’m considering these for the High CRI (no hot spot):
SC600Fc IV Plus (High-CRI floody) XHP50 4000K
SC600Fd IV Plus (High-CRI floody) XHP50 5000K
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$90-$100 for one small flashlight is an extremely high price for me so I have to try and pick the right one!
For the SC600w I’d also really like to know how long before thermal step down on H1 for the XHP50.2 vs XHP35 versions, I’m thinking the XHP50.2 would step down sooner?