This is a mod I was hoping I could to do as soon as I saw the SC64c was announced, but it took a long time and another BLF member taking the initiative to finally get it done. The stock XP-L2 EasyWhite is ugly enough I returned my original SC64c after determining a mod would be too risky. Recently, BLF member moridin posted about modding multiple SC600-series lights with fairly basic techniques, as well as an easy method of removing the bezel, which inspired me to finally give the SC64c mod a shot.
The SC64c is interesting because the unusual 3V configuration allows a large number of useful emitter swaps compared to most current Zebralights if you can manage to navigate your way around the integrated driver and MCPCB (it’s a pain in the ass!). I documented the mod in an external gallery (see the bottom of the post), but here are some before and after shots.
After disassembling the light, I spent a long time comparing potential emitters with the bare reflector as well as in an Armytek Tiara Pro with a 4000K Nichia E21A as reference. I came to the conclusion the Samsung LH351Ds I obtained from AEDe had the nicest mix of tint, output, and hotspot size with the SC64c reflector. I think a smaller emitter like a 219B, 219C, or the Luminus SST-20-W that is gaining some traction would simply produce too small a hotspot to be useful as an EDC light. Of course, there is always the option of fitting a different reflector or TIR optic in the light if you are handy.
LH351D in SC64c reflector vs. stock SC63w:
219C:
I did some brief initial output testing and measured 743 turn-on lumens vs. 771 stock, which is quite respectable. It will probably be a touch lower after reinstalling the bezel and lens in a day or two when I’m confident everything is working well. I’ve very happy with the mod and incredibly pleased it went off without any major hiccups. This is a quick beamshot comparison with the SC63w. I won’t say it’s the most amazing emitter swap I’ve ever done, but it’s a significant upgrade over stock.
Mod documentation:
Tint comparisons for various emitters including digikey LH351Ds:
Hotspot comparison for LH351D and 219C: