The Zebralight SC5Fc is an AA flashlight that uses a frosted - hence the F - lens for an even and wide beam. It is available in c (4000 K) and d (5000 K) tints. There’s also several lower CRI models available with both clear and frosted lenses.
Manufacturer specifications
- Battery type: AA (alkaline, NiMH or lithium), 14500 not supported
- LED: Cree XM-L2 EasyWhite
- Color temperature: 4000 K
- Body material: Aluminum
- Waterproof: Yes, IPX-7 (2 m, 30 min)
- Impact resistance: not specified
- Switch type: side clicky
- Battery protection: Voltage indicator, battery polarity
- Regulation: Advanced Temperature Regulation (ATR)
- Tail stand: Yes
- Tripod threads: No
- Length: 81,3 mm
- Head width: 25,4 mm
- Price: $69 (http://www.zebralight.com/SC5Fc-High-CRI-Floody-Neutral-White-AA-Flashlight_p_167.html)
- Modes: 13
- Special modes: Beacon strobe (4 Hz), Strobe (19 Hz)
- Mode memory: Only sub mode
- Button lock: Loosen the tailcap
- Direct access from off: L1/2, M1/2, H1/2, Strobe
Included in the package:
- Zebralight SC5Fc flashlight
- Two spare o-rings
- User manual
- Eneloop AA battery (only some vendors)
A single click from off puts the light to H1/2, whichever was last selected. Submode L2/M2/H2 can be selected with a double click while the light is on. A long press cycles the modes. A long press from off goes to L first, then M and finally H. There’s a half a second delay when turning the light off with a short press.
There three main modes L1, M1 and H1 with sub modes L2, M2 and H2. Single press goes to H1/2, whichever was last selected. The sub modes can be programmed to a different level from three options. Each of the modes are directly accessible from off, but the medium shortcut (double click) goes to high first.
Zebralight UI hasn’t changed for a couple of years. For operation, see the manual that covers the programming and usage here:
The fit and finish is exceptional. The removable pocket clip is very stiff.
The tailcap has pogo pins instead of a spring.
AA battery, Zebralight SC5Fc (AA), Olight S10 (CR123), Olight i3E EOS (AAA)
Measurements
Please note: lumen measurements are only rough estimates
My diy 30/40 cm integrating styrofoam spheres have been calibrated using a Fenix E05 on high with manufacturer’s claim of 85 lumens. Verified with an Olight S10 that has been measured with a Labsphere FS2 integrating sphere by valostore.fi. Results may be more inaccurate with especially throwy or floody lights.
For spectral information and CRI calculations I have an X-rite i1Pro spectrophotometer with HCFR for the plot and ArgyllCMS spotread.exe for the data. For runtime tests I use spotread.exe with a custom script and a i1Display Pro because it doesn’t require calibration every 30 minutes like the i1Pro.
Explanation of abbreviations
CCT = correlated color temperature, higher temperature means cooler (bluish)
CRI (Ra) = color rendering index consisting of 8 different colors (R1-R8), max value 100
CRI (R9) = color rendering index with deep red, usually difficult for led based light sources, max value 100
TLCI = television lighting consistency index, max value 100
CQS (Qa) = Proposed replacement for CRI, RMS average of 15 color samples
CRI2012 (Ra,2012) = Another proposed replacement for CRI, consists of 17 color samples
MCRI = Color rendering index based on the memory of colors or 9 familiar objects
x,y = coordinates on a CIE 1931 chart
My sample was a bit off form the spec’d CCT of 4000 K. I was not able to achieve the advertised lumens. Even after testing with several meters, light boxes, integrating spheres in addition to the ceiling bounce method, the maximum output lagged about 28 % behind Zebralight’s claimed output of 375 lumens. It could be that none of my methods work accurately with a frosted lens light, because I have noticed the same problem with the Zebralight H600Fd Mark III.
Spectral distribution (H1)
Color rendering (H1)
Read more on color rendering indices here: CRI vs. alternatives with measurement examples
Beam and tint
The beam is very floody and smooth with no discernible beam angle.
The tint has a smooth and linear transition towards the spill.
Tint in different brightness modes stays quite consistent.
PWM
PWM is used to control output on all modes except H1. The PWM is not visible to the eye, because of its low amplitude, but possibly shows up on camera. The cycling frequency is higher on higher output modes and ranges from 775 Hz to 5000 Hz. The amplitude however is higher on the higher modes.
Oscilloscope screenshot at H2 (“81 lm”).
Zoomed in.
See the whole album of scope screenshots here:
Runtime (H1 and H2 “81 lm”)
Batteries used: Panasonic Eneloop Pro 2500 mAh (BK-3CHDE)
Temperature and regulation
Heat is not an issue. The SC5Fc never gets very warm to hold. There’s no thermal regulation. The light has a hard stepdown at 3 minutes.