I really like my SC600w MkIV HI for outdoor use. It throws quite well for a small light, and is a great all-purpose outdoor light. But as others have said, the hotspot is a little small for close-up use.
For EDC, I much prefer one of my smaller AA Zebra’s, such as an SC52w/53w. SC5w is also okay, but it’s a little larger, and less floody than the smaller 52/53. I prefer the SC52w, since it can take a 14500 for 500 lumen output, while being smaller than the SC5w (which can do 500 lumens on an Eneloop). The SC53 is newer, but can’t take a 14500 so has lower output.
Do you have an Emisar D4? I’ve been searching for a side-by-side photo of a D4 and SC600.
I was also considering an SC64w XHP35 (4500K) for EDC, but don’t like that there’s no knurling, so I’m wondering if an SC600 would do. Everyone talks about how small the D4 is, and many state they use it for EDC, but it’s mentioned a lot the SC600 is “kind of big”…
However it looks like they’re basically the same size (within 1-2 mm):
SC600:
Head Diameter: 30 mm
Length: 96 mm
Body Diameter: 25 mm
D4:
Head diameter: 30 mm
Length: 94 mm
Body diameter: 24 mm
(D4 head 30 mm at widest point, bezel diameter: 28.0 mm, length 94 mm is with 18650)
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Here are the SC600’s I’m considering:
SC600w IV Plus XHP50.2 4500K
SC600w Mk IV XHP35HD 4500K
The hot spot size of the XHP35 HD version is in between the XHP35 HI and the XHP/50.2:
XHP35 HI……8 degrees
XHP35………10 degrees
XHP/50.2……14 degrees
I’m thinking XHP35 will have more throw than the XHP50.2 but not as concentrated of a hot spot as the XHP35 HI, so it may be a good compromise between flood and throw. Also wondering how much longer the XHP35 will run on high before thermal step down kicks in compared to the XHP50.2.
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On the extreme other hand, I’m considering these for the High CRI (no hot spot):
SC600Fc IV Plus (High-CRI floody) XHP50 4000K
SC600Fd IV Plus (High-CRI floody) XHP50 5000K
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$90-$100 for one small flashlight is an extremely high price for me so I have to try and pick the right one!
For the SC600w I’d also really like to know how long before thermal step down on H1 for the XHP50.2 vs XHP35 versions, I’m thinking the XHP50.2 would step down sooner?
It really depends. Zebralight’s thermal control is very good, and you can program it to maintain a temperature +/- 5C from the default. Outside, I find it never drops in output, at least during the winter/spring. Inside, left alone to tail-stand, it’s maybe 3 minutes before I notice it starting to dim. If I hand-hold it (to absorb heat), it can be much longer.
Agree WalkIntoTheLight, the PID is pretty awesome and very hard to spot even when looking for it! I have tried with the mkIII HI and mkIII plus, both lights aimed and deliberately looking for the tiny step downs. Lights get warm yes, never too hot, also i can only really tell its stepped down after(not during). Then i can tell the difference in output(guess 600lm ish) and made more obvious when at max again.
Zebra’s may just be my most fav chinese brand right now, i kind of find them in between manufactured and custom(yes you can get a custom zebra to your spec if you want). Super light and compact, solid/tough ano and decent efficient drivers with programming.
I prefer the clips on the 62/63/64 series over the sc600 clip on(hate clip on clips). All subjective, but they have certainly kept my interest in the last 6 months or so. I prefer the 18650 fed over the AA for example, also the xhp35/HI suffer less tint variation over the xp-l2 . I have opted to play safe with the mkIII over mkIV, simply with the odd gremlin on the UI. Down side i can not program the levels out of all 12 in any order on G6 and G7, but i can get by fine with the old UI, so no deal breaker personally.
My fav is still the older sc62d, 320lm is nothing today compared to many, but the luxeon T 85CRI 5000k is super nice………….nice enough for me to not care! In fact my most used level is the 145lm H2…………plenty for general use, 7hrs+ of use if required!
The mkIII plus is the 5000k xhp50, around 1500lm and a touch towards yellow(nothing like the xp-l2 anyway, more in ways to the 219c 4000k is)
If the ultimate goal is compact, the sc63/64 would be my choice in xhp35 4500k. If throw or reach is most important, the nice xhp35 HI 4500k would be my choice. For a floody higher output, the plus. Trouble is……………….you need all of them as there are enough differences to justify them imho
My specs are listed here for the mkIII plus, of course a variable depending on cell used(vtc6 in mine)
For example, the 270lm is super useful for me, not too much or too little light, heat of course no issue. I know around 4hrs of use with that level.
I tend to think of the most used level i will be on, so on the sc62d as an example, its the 145lm H2. I know on that level i am good for 7hr ish………….and so on with pretty much most of my lights.
Not sure, the frosted lens I think is to more smooth out the xhp50(think +). Beam wise , hot spot can be noticed close range. It’s quite hard to explain, think like a mule but with more focus in centre. It’s certainly more flood than throw. I don’t think light loss will be too dramatic, more an actual different beam(throw lost instead).
The newer mkIV jumps the lumens from 1500 to near 2300lm. But what holds me back and from what I have seen/read still does, the xhp50.2 . I hate too much yellow and crazy tint shifts . I need a nice beam, colour temp and tint before output. The high outputs are short use anyway, 600lm ish is about the max constant output for a light this size.(+ or - 100 as a variable depending on ambient temp). So give me a more consistent beam any day over a minute of short lived output. If i need 2000+lm for any duration (more than a minute or two), single cell lights are not the answer. Still it’s nice to have and not need (much) ,than to need and not have
For me , if I need some reach I grab the HI instead. It’s hard to find a zebra (or most lights) that can do it all and do it well.
Just to add my 2 cents, I have owned a SC600w II L2 for a little over two years. It was my EDC, and is still my bkup. I now own the SC600w IV Plus. The tint is indeed yellowish, but to me more like an incandescent bulb. When in use outside it really just produces a decent-sized wall of light of all one color, that shows object colors and textures pretty well. My guess on throw would be about 50 - 60 feet where you can actually see that an area or object is noticeably lit up.
Also, the apparent increase in output to my eye between the II and the IV is about 50% or so. And the stepdown keeps the light nice and bright: when I compare the IV after having been on for 3 or so minutes, to the II having just turned on, the IV is still noticeably brighter. This is with the IV held in the hand in a Room Temp house.
More fodder to chew on I guess :) Enjoy whichever light(s) you end up getting!
