Can you help me choose between these 2 lights?

Hi everybody!

I’m trying to make up my mind before purchasing a light from one of my co-worker, he has a Zebralight SC600w II L2 and a Nitecore MH20 (not the GT) - Both lights are almost new and I was thinking on getting the Zebralight but I’m concerned about the narrow battery tube because it won’t take just any protected 18650 beside the Zebralight brand battery. On the other hand, the Nitecore has a USB cable and accepts any brand of protected 18650 batteries. Any recommendation on which one to get?

Thank you for your help guys! :slight_smile:

If you have to make a choice between these two for me your battery compatibility story is the answer.

You don’t need protected batteries for the Zebralight. It has built in low voltage protection

Personally, I’d pick the Zebralight because it:

- has a nicer (smoother) beam profile,

- has a Neutral White tint, and

  • has a customizable UI (variety of choices as to what outputs to set as Low, Medium and High).

However, you might choose the Nitecore because it:

- has a slightly tighter, throwier beam (220M throw vs. 200M for the Zebralight),

- is more convenient because it has a built-in charger, and

  • has a simpler UI.

I have the Zebralight SC600w II L2 and it accepts all of my protected cells — which include some Eagletac in various capacities — and more importantly the Sanyo/Panasonic NCR18650GA Protected 3500mAh cells. There isn’t a lot of extra room for the NCR18650GA, but they don’t “stick” — they just slide out slowly.

Not to be sarcastic, but why do you need to buy one from your co-worker when you can most likely buy something better. He is probably selling to get a better light.

No.

You don’t really have a “right” or “wrong” choice here.

I’d probably go with the Nitecore, then agonize over it until I went back & talked him into selling me the Zebralight too.

Real helpful, I know…

Why?..For the same reason people buy a pre-owned car instead of a new one. PRICE $$…and because it fits my needs :wink:

I wouldn’t buy a Zebralight anymore because I don’t like the UI. It always ramps through all the modes, beginning with a short break at the mode you are in. That’s annoying!

If you want to go from MID to HIGH for example it doesn’t simply make one step up, but ramps MID-LOW-MID-HIGH

I don’t own a MH20, but I have a Manker U11 and that I would recommend! Especially considering the price!

I don’t own any Nitecore products… But I own a Zebralight H52W, and I need to be honest here, it is the light I always go back to, no matter what.

I bought another for my dad and he isn’t what you would call a flashlight guy but the other lights I’ve bought and given to him are either in his van our on a shelf. The Zebralight lives in his pocket.

I am a fan of their product.

Well guys, decided to go for the Zebralight, the price he offered to me is ridiculous low, hard to pass. I was concerned about the batteries but not anymore since the light has a built in low voltage protection posted by RobertB, good to know I can use non-protected batteries, less $ and slightly thinner, plus I like the customizable UI, the mode steps doesn’t bother me.
Who knows, I probably go back on Monday and get the Nitecore, I don’t need two lights but the price is great! :money_mouth_face:

Thanks everybody for your help with comments and suggestions!

Good choice, plus Zebralight is in Irving Texas if you ever have any problems with it. Nitecore has no service center in the US.