The Zebralight SC52 L2 AA Battery EDC Flashlight: The Full Nick Shabazz Review

The Zebralight SC52 L2 is a tiny little EDC light, taking a single AA (or Eneloop or 14500) battery. It puts out lots of light, it's pretty durable, and it's tiny in the pocket, but coupled with poor battery light, low quality light, an iffy interface and a bunch of unnecessary ribbing puts this one out of "gem" territory.
So, although the SC52 is not a bad choice, it's not at the top of the pile, either, and if you can save up and size up slightly, the EagTac D25A Ti is a much more compelling choice.

[@steveh.3370]

Zebralight specializes in single battery flashlights and headlamps. The UI is actually easy to learn. The basics of their UI is the same for all models. It simplifies things if you have more than one model. Many options with that single button. Cool or neutral tints available. They are nice lights with excellent customer service. I use my H502c frequently. Pure flood for close work or reading and a pleasing warm tint.

[@jacobmanalang8162]

i have the zebralight h52 because i wanted a right angled headlamp i could also use as an edc aa pocket light. i like that i can keep the pocket clip on it or use it as a headlamp or even pocket light or clip it to my pants. theres a lot of zebralight variants its hard to keep them straight. sc52 used to be my favorite aa edc light but i think that d25a ti has won me over! klarus mi7 has a lot of potential as well especially since it supports 14500's to get 700 lumens, 300 lumens with alkaline or lithium primaries as well as eneloops/nimh. no pocket clip from the factory, side switch activation, can tail stand, does have lanyard hole.

[@jacobmanalang8162]

dammit, im ordering the d25a ti right now. I CAN RESIST ANYMORE

[@NickShabazz]

+jacob manalang Goooooood! Come to the bright side!

[@jacobmanalang8162]

i bought it after watching this video and a hennessy binge hahahaha im going to be happy with it i already know

[@asilaydying1984]

I actually love the color rendering and look of the light lol

[@TurboGlenn]

Zebralights interface is the very best! You'll quickly learn it and it allows you to reach L1, M1, H1 from off. Or just hold the button to circulate. A double click to get to either L2, M2, H2. Also you can easily program the 2nd levels by double tap 5 times. Couldn't recommend enough.

[@Damen0530]

This has been my EDC light for quite some time, perfect size, output, and modes in my opinion. Give it some time, your opinion may change....

[@NickShabazz]

Next to the EagTac D25A, this little guy just didn't stand a chance.

[@cloudcleaver23]

I've had battery leakage in mine. Not sure if I should blame the light or the battery, as this is the only AA light I've owned.

[@NickShabazz]

Probably the battery. Alkalines love leaking.

[@cloudcleaver23]

Would an Eneloop mitigate that? I'm pretty low-information on batteries.

[@NickShabazz]

Yep, Eneloop's fine. As are Lithium AAs.

[@Cujobob]

When this light came out, it was probably the best AA flashlight available. Its output on high is fantastic, it's very floody (better for city dwellers), and it is very small. I like the build quality a lot. Eagtac has a few nice lights but they feel cheaply made by comparison. I prefer the button on the Zebralight to that on the Olight S1 baton (too small and flimsy) and once you memorize the settings, I find the SC52s interface very very easy to operate. I dislike the twisty interface, personally. The SC52 is very easy to grip on with the ribbed-for-her-pleasure body, but my biggest gripe is the green coloring. Military folk likely won't be using this light given its size and floody nature. That and the pocket clip are my only real complaints. To me, Zebralights feel like the best made flashlights in their price range.

[@inoname99]

Turn them on!!! Bye...

[@jimboutilier7552]

Most Zebralights are also available in Neutral White versions at the cost of a bit of brightness. While the lights are butt ugly, they are very efficient and compact which is thier main strength. And once you are used to the UI it's powerful and versatile if a bit finicky. They can be great EDC lights but the UI would not be great for any stressful applications. As usual great review.

[@mitchelldelmar9682]

Whilst researching these guys, the new gen SC5W lit up my wallet (neutral color rendering). Significantly brighter than the SC52 and not quite as funky-looking. Amazing what a AA battery can do with the right emitter.

[@franky3fingers337]

Nick you really need to review the king of all AA light. The Malkoff MDC AA.

[@bdcochran01]

I post this comment 3 years later. I received the light in today - discounted. I want the low, moonlight settings. I want it in a small flashlight. Within the next few days, I will program the same and practice just with the moonlight and low settings.

[@jacobmanalang8162]

also i feel if youre a security guard or doing search and rescue that you'd want one surefire or elzetta, hell even a streamlight just as your serious light. but for making your rounds and day to day task usage you'd want a light that runs on 18650's as well as cr123a, 16340, and rcr123a. if i got free cr123a's id just carry my elzetta bravo with avs head and get a pocket clip from prometheus or something, BUT SINCE I DONT, i dont carry that light. i do have a surefire fury that works well with orbtronic 16650 cells and you could also get a pocket clip from prometheus which i think i like more than the thrym switchback, or even more than the solarforce pocket clip with a key ring and rubber o ring for spacer. the fury is a great light, so is the g2x. little big for edc but if youre security, leo, military, first responder or search and rescue it should be fine. thrunite tn12, fenix pd35, and even the nitecore p12 are some really great choices for primary work use. keep the surefire/elzetta/streamlight for backup. if you vape and already have 18650's its a no brainer

[@powerofzeus]

Washed twice from my mother ...60celcius for 1 hour ! no problem except a failed battery !

[@randyaguililla6963]

How strike are carry laws in Mass? Knifes and guns if you please.

[@ACBCallahan]

Coincidentally, I also have a large knife collection (probably about 200 knives and other pointy objects), but more importantly (to me) I have a flashlight collection as well. My favorite and by far best flashlights are the Olight X6 Marauder and the Olight SR95S UT. The two are the best combination with the X6 being a massive flood light and the SR95S UT being a crazy throw light. If you start doing more flashlight videos, I'd recommend checking those out. They are very fun flashlights.

[@jasonz777z]

No delica for scale? IMPOSTOR

[@NickShabazz]

Hah, the Delica was on loan for this review, I think!

[@NickShabazz]

Down two, actually. My Dragonfly flew away while carrying it recently. :(

[@randallkelley3599]

Nick: You are a smart guy, I thought you knew your alphabet. A comes before B on all baseball caps, as in Oakland AAAAAAAAAA's....hehe

[@bigmac3006]

HOLD STILL!

[@Traderjoe]

I'm not a big fan of Zebralight

[@JessHull]

thanks for the review! however that is one ugly light! If I saw some one pull that out...eh.

[@NickShabazz]

+Jess Hull I know, right? It's like somebody found a surplus of hollowed rollers from a condom factory and figured "Oh, screw it, I'll make flashlights!"