Zebralight SC64c LE w/High CRI Nichia 219B R9080 $150

Bump

Who says heroes are hard to find?

A couple updates posted to the OP.

bump for Bob

Wow, thats a really nice pair of Thing a McBobs!

now I understand why Zebra did not want to use Nichia B’s, thats a 44% lumen hit, and Zebra sells lumens

me, I think that sw45 LED is a grail led, it can turn any light into an exceptional light! And you are the first to offer it in a Zebra, which most people consider unmoddable… major respect.

thanks for all the detailed info and pics… you answered all my questions before I had a chance to ask any

not a buyer today, just a cheerleader
the lucky owners are in for a treat!

I carry sw45 in a Novatac atm, it puts my LowCRI HDS to shame…
The LED Makes the Light, much like the steel makes the blade.

glwts

It’s amazing that Bob was able to mod a Zebralight. If it was a few months ago when the sw45k 9080 was a discontinued collector’s item, I would have sprang for this and I’m sure plenty of others would too, but after Fireflies offered this same emitter in the ROT66 and the about to ship PL47 headlamp at a price lower than a stock SC64c, it becomes a bit harder to sell even though the $150 really is a bargain considering the labor and the fact it is a Zebralight. Maybe if Bob offers a 4000k 219B or other LED options, there would be more interest.

I also have sw40 and sw45 (a more neutral 4500K). Any 3V 3535 LED with XP-compatible pads will work in the SC64c (XP-L, 219C, SST-20, LH351x), but since Zebralight recently announced a 4000K LH351D version after I posted my Samsung mod, I think the high-end 219Bs are a more interesting proposition. The ROT66 and PL47 are definitely amazing value if you just want some Nichia goodness (until 219B stock runs out).

Agreed!
The ROT66 is a great value, and education for neophytes, but answers a question few would ask.
The ZL is an EDC, a light you have with you when the need arises.
Many might judge the discontinued Eagtac (92+ HiCri sw45 6 LED) MX25L3C thrower to have been more useful, and better built than the FF battery cage torch. Side by side the FF probably shows more pink, but alone, or compared to CREEns and 219Cs, nuances could vanish.

Various new headlamp offerings might be considered more practical among the current plethora of gimmick lights. Hobby models may sell well at first, but suffer from short legs.
If my eyeballs were younger, or I needed more indoor lights, the lower lumen ceiling sw45 ZL would be great for my uses. As it is, Mr. Wizard has saved me from needless love for a ZL of my dreams, and I can park my pony long from the lemming parade chasing ‘Flies by night’ companies with no track record, or dedicated production facilities, hiding their day jobs with other companies, and carrying Enogear’s spotty pedigree….thanks Bob! Seeing what you have accomplished makes it clear where I would now look for a HiCri pocket pal.

Quick update: The first batch of lights is sold out. I’m checking interest level for a second batch, probably in December, so please let me know if you’d like to get a 219B SC64c. I’ve cracked open a few lights for the current batch and will be cranking them out over the week. Photos of naughty bits to follow later :smiley:

Thanks for the update Bob_McBob, I am curious to know how many lights are in this batch.

looking forward Sir Bob to mine.
thank you so much,

Bob, you’re pretty awesome.
First you show us all how to do it, then offer the finished product to those that don’t have the skills, tools, or time to do it themselves!
Tedious work, worth the cost for a light ZL doesn’t offer.
These will be cherished.

Sir BobMcBob is onto a very good thing here, carry on my friend if life allows.

Hey guys, minor update posted. Cranking out lights this week, and they should start shipping next week if all goes well. Thankfully it looks like I’ll be getting in my order of non-sw45k 219Bs in without any major Canada Post strike delays.

I’ll be ordering some more SC64cs mid-December to fulfill interest beyond the first batch, so please get in touch if you’d like one.

Spot the Cree :smiley:

Hard to say because Cree has good and bad tint. Some of the Cree 5A and 5D tint like on the M43 XP-G2 are as nice as the 9080 but without the HI CRI. The one on top is most likely your Cree. The 90CRI XPL2 in the Zebralight SC5c MK2 I had looks greenish like that. But then it can also be the Samsung LH351D and certain batches of the 219C 4000k, which also looks green.

Left to right: 219B sw35, XP-L2 Easywhite 4000K, 219B sw45k. I’ve tried quite a few LH351Ds and none have been anywhere near as green as the stock SC64c, but it’s certainly noticeable beside any of the 219B options.

I guessed right about the XP-L2. :laughing: That was the greenest tint I’ve ever seen.

Where did you get the sw35?

Quick update: I’m a little bit behind where I intended to be at this point, but everything is going smoothly and I think shipping notices should be going out in the next few days. I appreciate everyone bearing with me since it’s my first time doing a large batch of modded lights and it’s taking a little bit longer than expected to get everything organized (I was shocked to discover cutting dozens of dc-fix rounds takes a while :person_facepalming: ).

Here is a nice family photo and a quick shot of an sw35 light.

I’m interested in a 219B sw35 if/when that will be an option.

I cut d-c-fix with a hobby-grade vinyl cutting machine.

Perhaps you have a friend or a nearby ‘maker space’ with one?

Another possibility is a ‘circle cutter,’ which works like a compass. Here’s a rotary one by OLFA.