JetBeam BK135A or NiteCore D11???

[HIDblue]

I've recently discovered the wonderful world of AA form factor LED lights. Previously, I was a devotee of the 1xCR123/RCR123 lights for pocket EDC/back-up carry until I recently purchased a JetBeam E3S which turned my world upside down...okay maybe it wasn't that dramatic, but the E3S sure has turned out to be a great light using readily available AA batts.

So, of course, the evil AA bug has bitten and has led me down the dark road of wanting more 1xAA lights. :shakehead

Which leads me to the question...if given a choice of only one, which light would you purchase and why? A JetBeam BK135A or a NiteCore D11?

Both use the XP-G, have relatively the same output, and are relatively the same size. I prefer a clicky over a twisty, but have yet to try NiteCore's smart PD switch.

Thanks a bunch for the help. :wave:

 

[Dioni]

Hi

There is a big discussion about it in this thread. As I just said there, I like the ramping mode of the D11 and the possibility of have it like a tactical light unscrewing its head a bit.

Cheers,
Dioni

 

[Incidentalist]

JetBeam for two easy reasons. I LOVE the IBS and I am not a fan of 'disco' modes (strobe/SOS). If the D11 had the same UI as the original D10 with the upgraded emitter and design, it would be a much harder decision.

 

[Dioni]

I also love the old UI of D10s with instant access to high or low. I still don't know how IBS works.

 

[Incidentalist]

I still don't know how IBS works.

It's super simple. JetBeam's IBS lights are just three mode lights without memory that you use the clicky to move through like any other 3 mode light.

The IBS comes into play in allowing the user to set any (or all) of the 3 modes to be any output or flashing function that the light offers. To access the IBS you have to do a quick clicking combination and then the light starts to ramp. When the light reaches the desired output or flashing function you just turn the light off and wait a few seconds for the light to memorize that output. In use, you would rarely need to access the IBS function once you get the levels set up to your needs, but you can always change it on the fly if you need.

Among production lights, it is my favorite UI. Followed closely by the LiteFlux LF2XT and original D10/EX10 UIs.

 

[Dioni]

Thanks for the info Incidentalist, but it brought me some doubts:

1 - Can I set what I want for the first level? high, mid, low, strobe, etc?

2 - Does BK135a have strobe like others IBS?

3 - Do I need to set the modes one by one, correct? But if I want change only the first one, can I do that?

Thanks in advance!


PS: it's a pity has not memory function.

 

[mellowman]

Thanks for the info Incidentalist, but it brought me some doubts:

1 - Can I set what I want for the first level? high, mid, low, strobe, etc?
YES
2 - Does BK135a have strobe like others IBS?
YES, you can select the rate as well.
3 - Do I need to set the modes one by one, correct? But if I want change only the first one, can I do that?
YES. you only change one mode at a time, any mode but only one at a time.
Thanks in advance!


PS: it's a pity has not memory function.
Actually, it is better without memory. This way every time you turn it on you know exactly what mode and a quick tap or two to get to the other two modes if you want.

 

[LED_Thrift]

I just got a BK135a one day ago and I'm comparing it to my current favorite, the original D10 with Q5 led, to see if I like it better or not...

The IBS UI is easy to use once you learn it, and you can set any of three modes to any level. This is a very nice UI. I like the way the D10 can reach ANY desired level, but find I'm often spending time ramping up or down when clicking to a pre-set level would be quicker. However the quick min or max sequence of the D10 is GREAT. The fact that the D11 doesn't have this is a HUGE minus to me. The Jet clicky is a bit too firm, and the recessed switch doesn't make it any easier.

I'm using NiMH rechargeables and at max the Jet is only a little brighter than the Q5 D10 I have. I like the beam a little better on the Jet because of the larger hotspot with a more gradual transition. The tint of the D10 is just a bit warmer (yellower). Both tints are very good.

The D10 can go much lower - very nice feature.

The Jet is much thinner, great for neck carry, pocket carry and holding in the mouth. Length is the same as the D10.

Note: the piston 'switch' is virtually the same as a clicky in function, with the added benefit of being silent and probably more reliable.

If they made a D11 with the same UI as my D10 [instant min / max shortcuts and no strobe/disco], I would prefer that to the Jet. Without the shortcuts in the Nitecore, the Jet wins.

 

[Starchaser]

Thanks for the info Incidentalist, but it brought me some doubts:

1 - Can I set what I want for the first level? high, mid, low, strobe, etc?

2 - Does BK135a have strobe like others IBS?

3 - Do I need to set the modes one by one, correct? But if I want change only the first one, can I do that?

Thanks in advance!


PS: it's a pity has not memory function.

The link below provides a short description, features, specifications, run time, output, and a pic of the JETBeam BK135A.

There is also a short video you can click on that shows the BK135A, and how to use the UI.

www.lightjunction.com/jetbeam-BK135A-R4-flashlight.html?cPath=30_101

The Jetbeam BK135a has the I.B.S. user programmable UI, which allows 3 user-defined modes to be customized to any brightness level, and it has a clicky tail switch.

I think it has one of the nicest UI's around. I really like the slim, lightweight form factor of this light also... 17mm x 90mm 27g. :thumbsup:

 

[Starchaser]

I like the way the D10 can reach ANY desired level, but find I'm often spending time ramping up or down when clicking to a pre-set level would be quicker.

If they made a D11 with the same UI as my D10 [instant min / max shortcuts and no strobe/disco], I would prefer that to the Jet. Without the shortcuts in the Nitecore, the Jet wins.

LED_Thrift... can you please tell us why you would prefer the Nitecore D11 if it had the min/max shortcuts, over the JETBeam Bk135A?

What makes the Nitecore D11 win, with the min/max shortcuts?

 

[RedForest UK]

Please check out selfbuilts review of the upcoming zebralight SC51 before you buy either of these lights. It might just change your mind..

 

[HIDblue]

I'm leaning towards the BK135A for the simple reason that I think I prefer the tactile feel of a clicky, albeit a reverse clicky, rather than Nitecore's piston drive.

Thanks a bunch everyone for your replies and opinions.

 

[HIDblue]

Please check out selfbuilts review of the upcoming zebralight SC51 before you buy either of these lights. It might just change your mind..

Thanks RedForest, but I already had a Zebralight SC30 previously. It's a great little light, but after using it for a little while, I found that I just wasn't very fond of the way the electronic soft-touch switch felt. I much rather prefer the solid feel of a clicky.

 

[LED_Thrift]

What makes the Nitecore D11 win, with the min/max shortcuts?

As I mentioned in my post, I just got the Jet 135a, so my impressions of it may change over time.

The things I really like about the D10 are:
the piston drive, it has a great feel to it - very easy to activate and there are no internal switch parts to break.
Wide range of output. A real low low. Bright for a single AA [and I only have the Q5 version]
Solid feel and just the right size. The Jet is smaller, which is nice is some cases, but it is harder to activate the switch and easier to drop because of the small size. I don't like AAA lights as much as AA because they are a little too small for most of my uses. The Jet is [almost] an AAA size light. Kudos to Jet for getting it so small. The Jet does get warm when used on high, I don't know if it get warm enough to shorten the life of the led or not.
Ramping - choose ANY level in it's wide range. The ramping is easier to use than the Jet ramping. However, ramping takes a bit of time to do and having pre-selected levels makes for a nice UI also, especially when you can change them. At this point the UIs are a toss up. Without the min/max shortcuts on the D10, the Jet UI would DEFINATELY win.
Shortcuts - a GREAT feature. The min and max are used often, easy to get to. My D10 has no strobe / blinky modes, which is a plus for me.

The Jet [probably any XP-G] has a nicer beam for an EDC. If I need a real thrower, I'm not using my EDC anyway.

 

[Dioni]

mellowman, thanks dude!

The link below provides a short description, features, specifications, run time, output, and a pic of the JETBeam BK135A.

There is also a short video you can click on that shows the BK135A, and how to use the UI.

www.lightjunction.com/jetbeam-BK135A-R4-flashlight.html?cPath=30_101

:thumbsup:

Thanks for the link!

 

[Dioni]

I just got a BK135a one day ago and I'm comparing it to my current favorite, the original D10 with Q5 led, to see if I like it better or not...

The IBS UI is easy to use once you learn it, and you can set any of three modes to any level. This is a very nice UI. I like the way the D10 can reach ANY desired level, but find I'm often spending time ramping up or down when clicking to a pre-set level would be quicker. However the quick min or max sequence of the D10 is GREAT. The fact that the D11 doesn't have this is a HUGE minus to me. The Jet clicky is a bit too firm, and the recessed switch doesn't make it any easier.

I'm using NiMH rechargeables and at max the Jet is only a little brighter than the Q5 D10 I have. I like the beam a little better on the Jet because of the larger hotspot with a more gradual transition. The tint of the D10 is just a bit warmer (yellower). Both tints are very good.

The D10 can go much lower - very nice feature.

The Jet is much thinner, great for neck carry, pocket carry and holding in the mouth. Length is the same as the D10.

Note: the piston 'switch' is virtually the same as a clicky in function, with the added benefit of being silent and probably more reliable.

If they made a D11 with the same UI as my D10 [instant min / max shortcuts and no strobe/disco], I would prefer that to the Jet. Without the shortcuts in the Nitecore, the Jet wins.

I think you got the main point between the D11 and BK135a: access the modes quickly. :thumbsup: However I still prefer the memory mode of the D11 but as I said I also love the old UI of D10s. I have a D10 GDP as my EDC light and I love it. Nice beam, runtime and UI. I've never had ramping problems, click problems or any other, using NiMH or Li-ion. Great light!

 

[Starchaser]

As I mentioned in my post, I just got the Jet 135a, so my impressions of it may change over time.

The Jet does get warm when used on high, I don't know if it get warm enough to shorten the life of the led or not.

If they made a D11 with the same UI as my D10 [instant min / max shortcuts and no strobe/disco], I would prefer that to the Jet. Without the shortcuts in the Nitecore, the Jet wins.

Thanks LED_Thrift... please let us know if your impressions change at all after more use of the BK135A.

BTW, just out of curiosity, what do you think about the D10 SP with its 3 pre-set brightness levels? And do you think its a better or worse option than the D11?

Also, you say the BK135A gets warm on high... how warm, and does it get warm even just using a primary L91 lithium battery?