The long-awaited 719a SC64 is here.
Must be just in.
One of the advantages listed is “0.5mm shorter”. Lol just love it.
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I had checked the site earlier today, wondering when this was gonna drop. Probably gonna pass on this for now, since the SC64c LE is good enough for my use, but I’m excited to see some reviews once it’s out.
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I think I was the first customer to place my order: I completed the purchase 5 seconds after it showed up on the “Flashlights” page and long before the spreadsheet was updated. I chose expedited shipping, so I’ll let you all know my thoughts once it arrives in July. I am curious to see how the smaller 8-degree hotspot compares to the SC64c LE’s 12-degree. I usually prefer a fat hotspot.
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Is there really anything super compelling for the 719a or is this just exciting because the XHP35 isn’t available anymore? I don’t think I have seen any tests that show a significant advantage over LEDs that already exist.
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I’m curious about this too, because in the threads I’ve seen discussing the 719a it seemed like it didn’t really have any advantages over other emitters, so it was an interesting choice for zebralight to go with it. I guess time will tell!
719a has a smaller LES than the XHP35 Hi, so it will have higher intensity at equivalent lumen output. The XHP35 is also very inconsistent in tint (usually Green) in the high CRI options. Nichia will offer much better light quality with a neutral DUV.
The upside of XHP35 is that its a larger LED and can hence be pushed harder to make up a little for lower intensity.
Going back over the tests so far I misread the CRI as the R9, I didn’t realize it was in the 90s and thought it was 70s. Looks like Zebralight sold another preorder…
I believe the original SC64w HI only used good bins of XHP35. I have two units and all have gorgeous tint.
Also SC64w HI uses low-CRI XHP35 (80+ instead of 90+) to strike a good balance between lumen and beam color.
I’ve ordered the SC65c, but I’d be surprised if it is any better than SC64w HI in overall real-life performance.
Agreed, the XHP35 80 CRI was well chosen by Zebralight. In my mind though, an 80 CRI LED is still low CRI because the R9 Value is still 0. I believe Nichia is working on releasing a CRI8050 LED and I think that will be a big step forward. Low CRI efficiency without compromising on Red reproduction.
I think in a side by side comparison, the 719A vs 80CRI XHP35 on red and brown earth tones will be significantly different (719A will be much better). As for overall performance, that’s subjective as in each case there is compromise so it depends on user preference.
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some collected quotes from posts by Bob_McBob:
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User/Date
Staff (Adminstrator) (6/8/2023 12:54:44 PM)
Message
We’ll open pre-orders for an SC65c HI in a few days. The SC65 series will come with a new, more efficient driver circuitry along with some better spec’ed components (for example, the inductor is more than double the size of what’s in the SC64 series), and 0.5mm shorter.
I preordered my SC65C.
I wish Zebralight would update the body design though. The SC65 uses a body that looks identical to the SC63 which came out in 2016. The style looks a bit dated.
It’s also not perfect. The body is quite slippery. Some knurling would be nice. And the clip isn’t deep carry.
I much prefer the body styling of the SC65w II. If only Zebralight used that styling in the SC65.
The SC600 is grippy and has better ergonomics, but it is much too fat and bulky for pocket EDC in my opinion. The SC63 size is better, but it’s so slippery.
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I believe they use knurling only on “powerful” models like SC600 and SC5. “Slim” models like SC64 and SC53 doesn’t get knurling.
Whether that’s for saving weight? Easier to slip in/out pockets? I don’t know.
Lynch NW deep carry clips for PM2 works perfectly for SC64. Whether that’s a coincidence or intentional I don’t know.
On the last light in March (SC53c N) they started shipping 10 days after they took payment and 10 days before they said they would start shipping.
I bet he has the same time cushion built-in on this shipment. If nothing goes wrong!
Just wanted to apologize to anyone bidding on a new-in-box ZebraLight SC64w HI on eBay moments ago. I really wanted it badly for my collection. 
Price wasn’t going to stop me.
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^ $200 USD for a SC64w HI? Yikes, these things have sure spiked up.
SC65c - Light Output (runtimes)
- High: H1 Lm (PID, hrs) or H2 Lm (PID, hrs)/ Lm ( hrs)/ Lm ( hrs)
- Medium: M1 Lm ( hrs) or M2 Lm ( days)/ Lm ()/ Lm ()
- Low: L1 Lm () or L2 Lm ()/ Lm ()/ Lm ()
Well… that’s sure helpful.
Zebralight mentions improved performance but then don’t show a direct SC64c to SC65c comparison. I have to wonder how much it has really changed, aside from better tint and slightly better throw. For $90 USD… I’d expect the price to actually come down (not up) from the SC64c given how little has changed.
SC65w HI is now advertised as 660 lumens on H1. Mine shipped today (Friday, 7/14). Nothing beats that SC65 form factor!
Did you get it? If not, there’s another up there now.
USA only.
EDIT: SC65c is listed as “Back Order”. So it’s probably being produced and may be shipped a few weeks after an order has been placed? 
@Punga32 Yes, I received my SC64w HI. It’s a great light. Noticeably brighter than any other SC6X version I have.
@TimMc “Back Order” for ZebraLight means it could ship next day. I have ordered many lights that were Back Order status and I got the shipping notification the next day. With that said, many of us pre-ordered the SC65c HI and received the shipping notification yesterday. I already have a tracking number. Very exciting!
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