I just got a SC53w, after having liked a H53fc and SC53c.
I was measuring tailcap current at a few modes and noticed the 53w seems to be drawing more than the others. I’m used to M1 being about 300-350mA, and H4 being about double that around 700mA. The 53w is pulling about 350-400 on M1 (65lm) and way more than expected on H4 (122lm): 1100-1200mA! 1800mA on H3 (198lm).
I tested the runtime and it’s about half the spec: H4: 2h (vs 3.4h) and M1 4.5h (vs 6.8h)
The spec times are adjusted down (–20%) as I’m using a regular Eneloop vs the Pro that they test with.
The 30lm mode is about 100mA so the problem doesn’t seem to be there in M2 and below.
It’s annoying, as H4 and M1 are the modes I use most often. I’m not sure if the circuit is just defective and inefficient, or if the calibration is just off. I don’t really have a way of measuring lumens, apart from comparing with other ZLs or the ceilingbounce app. It is a little brighter than the 53c on M1, and a good bit brighter on H4. Maybe more than the normal difference between “c” and “w”. Still, something seems off about the over 1 amp H4 mode.
I asked this to ZL a few weeks ago, haven’t heard back yet, and thought I’d see what you guys think. Unless they have something to say about the normal calibration range, can’t imagine finding out any tech details. Not sure it’s worth paying return shipping for a light that … basically works.
Just checked with my camera as a light meter and I think I’ll be sending the light back. It’s the same ratio (about 1 EV, 2x the illuminance) for my SC53c between M1 and H4 and the SC53w. So the new light is taking 3 times as much power to double output vs the old one taking 2x as much power.
I’d keep it if it was just the calibration of the steps being off, but it seems there’s just something wrong with the boost circuit in this one.
Sorry for being too late. I bought an sc53c from Nkon last summer that had a similar problem. With an eneloop pro, runtime on the setting that should last 4 hours was closer to 2.
I asked another copy. Nkon was very nice and had a free replacement. The other one was better, but still not fully on spec.
It is a very nice flashlight, and now use it more than any other. So for me it is a keeper. But I would say from my experience specs are not always met. It would not stop me from recommending it; it is my nicest flashlight and I can see why it cost more than say an FW3A. It is very efficient even though not meeting specs fully, it has high CRI (although for tint snobs it may be a bit green, I don’t care that much), it is very compact, and it has survived a couple of falls to a hard stone floor from 1.5 metres without even scuffing the anodization.
Still waiting for mine to come back from service. The SC5 has been great, instead, though, just a bit bigger.
The other end of the ZL range came in handy today. Was going to mess with a flash for some indoor photos: instead, just ceiling bounced a SC700. No need for the flash. Wonder how many lumens it puts out.