I’ve been trying to find a light that is a muggle type, that is compact, uses a 21700 battery, has a High CRI, and uses the Samsung High CRI led (Or Comparable) 4500-5000. I’m looking for an alternative comparable to my Zebralight SC700D , but under $100.00. Preferably $60.00+. Am I asking too much? Does a flashlight like this not exist?
Thanks.
What qualities does the SC700D have that you wish to avoid in your next light?
Well, the SC700D I love to pieces, but it damages my batteries if dropped. It leaves indents into the negative terminals.
This unfortunately is going to happen as it’s using spring-loaded pin contacts, rather than just plain old springs.
Battery rattle is a problem. I have to shrink wrap my batteries at least two times to avoid the rattling. This also causes poor contact when it happens.
I am tired of the special modes and programming. I just want a light that anyone can pick up and use normally. Simple Low, Med, High. Often times family members will borrow my SC700D and not understand how it works. I believe a family member left the light on and damaged the driver or put it is some weird mode that won’t reset. Whenever I go to use the High modes, It no longer stay in High like it use too. It starts to step down almost immediately. And it’s not even hot! It will step down to a medium brightness and stay that way. This is not the normal operation that my SC700D used to do. It would stay on High for at least a minute, and the step down was not even noticed. Now you actually see the ramped step downs within just a few seconds. I’ve even tried other batteries, and the end result is the same. I believe the driver circuit is damaged. I am led to believe I’ll have to send it in to Zebralight for repairs.
Wurkos ts21 if sst20 are okay, that’s usually under 60
Or
The ts25 has Samsung emitters or Nichia, it’s closer to $80 Canadian
Ah that is too bad about your sc700d 
You could see if BLF user Bob_McBob has any ideas for trouble-shooting it. He does some Zebra modding and will have seen more Zebralights than most people. Unfortunately, it does sound like something failed though.
How important is size in your next light? Are you looking for something that fits in a pocket or doesn’t that matter?
There are definitely lights out there with simpler UI. Out of the brands that I’ve tried I think Thrunite lights were the most foolproof. But I think their sustained output is kinda sad compared to a Zebralight. Some Convoys might have suitable interfaces too. When Convoy lights do have modes, the clicks required to reach them have been more precise–it’s not like a Zebralight where the light pauses at times to see if more input is coming. I think that quality of the Zebra pausing probably leads to confusion and annoyance in the uninitiated.
I don’t specialize in simple interfaces. Hopefully others will have more to add.
He has a Zebra now that originally maintained somewhere between 1500 and 2000 lumens depending on the conditions. I think he’ll be disappointed with the TS21 because the stepdown is too extreme
I don’t think the Zebralight sc700 would maintain that much but I never did get my hands on one.
I also just realized he might want to stick to 21700 batteries 
If only Acebeam had sales, the E70 might be more to his liking.
The sub $70 price preference with high output high cri just isn’t an area I have a lot of experience.
I’ll be honest, downgrading the quality of light so that you don’t damage the batteries is bound to be a tough choice. I think I’d rather Bungie cord the light to me instead of finding a replacement 
While regulation might not be quite as good as the Zebralight, what about a Convoy M21B with XHP70.3 in either 5000K or 4000K? Relatively inexpensive while offering similar output, and if you prefer the wider beam pattern, it also comes in XHP70.2, or if higher CRI is your jam, you can also find one with 519A. I’d recommend adding a pocket clip to your order though.
Or if we’re speaking about Convoys - M21H? It’s fairly compact, it’s very bright with wide beam (you can buy everen wider lens), side clicky just like Zebra. Emisar D1K is even more compact but also less bright and Anduril is far from simple.
Looking for something similar in size to the SC700D.
Thanks, I’ll have to check those out.
Hehehe
Thank you! I shall check it out.
I’ve found a Skillhunt that seems rather interesting, SKILHUNT M300 V2. I wonder if that is a good light?
M300 V2 costs about $80. Sustained output is about 700 lumens.
It’s a very nice light. While the M200 and M150 tend to get more love, the M300 works well. I had previously picked one up with the 144ART emitter, and it worked well enough. If you like the 5000K look of the XHP70.2, which is what the SC700d used, then you can’t go wrong. I found that the moonlight didn’t go quite as low as I like, so sold it, but the Skilhunt M series is good value overall.
If I get it from them direct, it will be under 80 for sure.
Glad to hear that! I might seriously consider it.
I have decided on a suitable replacement! Convoy S21D 21700 Quad Optics, using Nichia 519A 5000K. It has a muggle mode and a tail clicker. It’s the best fit, I think.
And it have inefficient driver , no low modes and its programmable too. Get something like Thrunite T2. Wait… oh no! It have no driver spring too because of hi power input like Zebra. Whatever… feel free to pickup some low-tech…
The 8A CC driver is buck, so should be fairly efficient with a decent sustained brightness