Jetbeam Jet-III M R2 SMO Review: pics, beamshots, runtime, and more!

[csshih]

Hi Everyone,

Up for review is the Jetbeam Jet-III M R2 with the SMO reflector,

Here are some of the specs from FlashlightNGear's website:

• LED: CREE 7090 XR-E (R2 bin)Max Output: 240 Lumen
• Reflector: aluminum reflector
• Lens: coated mineral glass
• Material: T6061 T6 aircraft aluminum alloy
• Finish: HA III Military grade hard annodized
• Battery: CR123*2,RCR123*2,18650 Li-ionDimension: Bezel diameter 33mm, Tail diameter 25.4mm,Overall length 138mmWeight: 118g
• Dimension: Bezel diameter 33mm, Tail diameter 25.4mm,Overall length 138mm, Weight: 118g

A bit of background:
The Jetbeam Jet-III "Military" was first announced by BugoutGear in this thread here.
The new green color was announced here.
Not much other information I can find after some research. I am considering cutting this portion from my reviews unless someone actually cares.


here is the light:

the jetbeam comes well packaged in a nice presentation box

not too many acessories -- but enough, an extra tailcap, orings, warranty card, manual, and lanyard

very nice machining, -- and great design in my opinion. The light fits comfortably in hand.

the knurling of the light is done very well, and provides good grip.

the stainless steel end of the tailcap helps prevent dents on the softer aluminum body

the 2 way clip allows for bezel up and bezel down carry

quick disassembly of the parts

close ups of the square threading

Comparisons:

White Wall Shots:

Comparison Beamshots:
Coming soon!

Outdoor Beamshots:
Jetbeam Jet-III M R2 SMO 1x18650

Runtime

hmm.. odd fluctuations in output.
I am unsure as to why those are happening. but, they should not be noticeable to human eyes.

Impressions

The sample Jetbeam kindly provided has the SMO reflector installed for maximum throw at the cost of rings in the beam profile.
I have always held Jetbeam in high regards, quality wise, and this Jetbeam Jet-III M R2 does not disappoint. One of their changes to recent models include a new dark green color to their HA III coating. A large majority of the lights on the market nowadays are black(as you can probably see in pictures of my collection, which gets mundane after a while, while the Jetbeam sports what they call, "Army Green", a color I don't see often, if at all. Fit and finish are great, but I met a bit of resistance and scraping with the head and the tailcap. Subsequent lubing and cleaning made them very smooth -- but Jetbeam could have cleaned out the threads before shipping, reducing a step for the consumer. One of the features that shows Jetbeam's quality would be their use of square threads. Square threads are harder and more expensive to machine, but, they are longer lasting than traditionional "sharp" threads. They also reduce the risk of cross-threading, which is more liikely to happen on a "sharp" threaded light.

One of the things I noticed with the "green" Jetbeam, was that the square threads were finer than that of an older Jet-III M I had, the old and new parts were not compatible. Jetbeam reports that they will only use the same threading as in the most recent models now.

The UI of the Jet-III M has been, in my opinion, one of the best on the market. There are 2 modes, high, and a user programmable mode. All one has to do to program this light is loosen the head, and quickly tap the tailcap switch a few times. This will bright the light into programming mode -- and the user can select from many brightness levels and strobe speeds. This light throws well for its size, and still has a decent amount of flood. As noted before, there are a few rings in the beam. Total ouptut seems on par with most of the lights on the market as of now. I believe we are at the point when output is generally the same, but the way the light is presented varies widely and is most important.

There is no spring at the back of the head, resulting in less shock resistance for the light. It also makes it incompatible with a few non "button-top" batteries, most notably, the AW2600. Due to the design of the head, I strongly do not recommend the use of magnet to try to counteract this problem.


As of 11/17/09 the price of this light is roughly $84.

 

[ntalbot]

I have always thought the Jet-III M was one of the best looking flashlights.
Thanks for the pics and review.

 

[JWBlack]

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[JWBlack]

What sensible reason would a manufacturer possibly assert for reducing their product's "shock absorbency," an important feature for a 'Butter Finger's.'

​

 

[csshih]

hmm. you make a good question . I never knew why flashlight manufacturers don't put springs at the head of the lights. they seem important to have.

 

[hyperion666]

I would look sick with the low profile crenulated bezel.:thumbsup:

 

[Hitthespot]

hmm. you make a good question . I never knew why flashlight manufacturers don't put springs at the head of the lights. they seem important to have.

Espescially when you read that lens are cracking. I am presently waiting on a replacement lens for my Jetbeam III M (R2). I picked it up around two weeks ago and the lens had stress cracks in it. I don't think I dropped it to cause it and have used the light very little. I was a little disapointed. I have other lights that have taken some mean punishment with no problems. Jetbeam needs to add another rubber washer on the side of the Stainless Steel Bezel. At present there is only a washer on one side. I believe this will help with the problem. The stainless steel resting right on the lens I believe will eventually cause all of the lens to develope stress cracks or out and out failure. AND until the problem is rectified with the Jetbeam design / manufacturing teams, I hope somebody at Jetbeam will get some #$%^ replacement lens in stock and take this problem a little more seriously. This is suppose to be a Military light?

Bill

 

[zs&tas]

hmmm i cant decide between the R2 or the Q3 5A. i use my lights outdoors and at distance sometimes, the warmer tint is appealing, the higher output is appealing. what do i do ? help !

 

[littlerm]

I've had both the warmer neutral is the way to go a this light is military in every sense I put this torch trough
it's paces for 6 months through jungle swimming rain and it's not got a scratch on it even the best custom builders havnt started with the square threads yet has anyone tried the dual bezel oring I'm concerned it mayaffect water tightness another thing is te attack bezels are sick got through with my
hand luggage everywhere no problems this is the jetbeam to buy forget the raptor twist rings just more to go wrong

 

[littlerm]

Jetbeam need to pull their socks up with warranty issues too that's how you keep your respect I had an issue and it took nearly 5 emails and three weeks to reply. Still they came through

 

[zs&tas]

thanks littlerm, great review csshih. love the green !

 

[Bass]

Jetbeam needs to add another rubber washer on the side of the Stainless Steel Bezel. At present there is only a washer on one side. I believe this will help with the problem. The stainless steel resting right on the lens I believe will eventually cause all of the lens to develope stress cracks or out and out failure.
Bill

Completely agree with this. It is an oversight to not have a washer / o ring between the glass and the SS bezel. One drop, or heavy knock and the glass will crack.

I thought mine was faulty when I got it; with the o ring not there. A very thin o ring would rectify the problem. A shame really, as the rest of the light is solidly put together.

 

[Bass]

Great review BTW !!

 

[NewTech]

Completely agree with this. It is an oversight to not have a washer / o ring between the glass and the SS bezel. One drop, or heavy knock and the glass will crack.

I thought mine was faulty when I got it; with the o ring not there. A very thin o ring would rectify the problem. A shame really, as the rest of the light is solidly put together.

Have you see this vid ?.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82JLxaRvAAQ&feature=player_embedded

:thumbsup:

 

[Bass]

Thanks. Yeah, seen that before. Pretty nice way to treat your new flashlight!

They must have put another o ring in

 

[littlerm]

if they used o ring on the outside wouldnt it burn away, mie doesnt have one and not cracked the glass yet

 

[zs&tas]

wasnt that hot a fire, wasnt burning for long enough. look at the ice left at the side ?

 

[gilly]

Thanks for the nice review - I love my Q5 model.

Regarding the video - I wonder if the lens was cracked/broken after the paint mixer. Amazing abuse doled out by that device - I am impressed that nothing inside the light came loose / failed...

 

[littlerm]

anyone seen the attack bezel for this...?

the m1x is a classic too they need to upgrade it:nana:

 

[csshih]

there's the "low profile crenulated bezel"
http://www.bugoutgearusa.com/lowprcrbe.html

then.. there's the pocket shredding, attacking bezel here:

http://www.bugoutgearusa.com/ststcrbe.html

rather expensive, in my opinion.