Jetbeam M1X

[Sean]

Got my JETBeam M1X today. Full specs can be found at the bottom of this page: http://www.jetbeam.com.cn/links/pro/m1x.aspx

The good:
Box is nice. It gives the light a safe home and a cushy ride to your doorstep. Fit and finish are very good, fits nicely in your hand. HA is nice and dark. Knurling is not aggressive, but it doesn't really need to be. Comes on high if head is tight (rated @ 450 lumens out the front), if you loosen the head it goes into low mode. Low mode light output can be adjusted to your liking by following the included instructions (the process was pretty easy to perform). Clickie tailcap works well and locks out if you loosen it a quarter turn. Stainless bezel and tailcap are a plus. Came with extra o-rings & replacement rubber tailcap piece. No obvious battery rattle unless you really shake it just right. Seems bright but it's still daytime so I can't do anything meaningful until the sun goes down. It's noticeably brighter than the Fenix T1 (rated at 225 lumens).

The not so good:
Will not tailstand (in case you were wondering). It's a bit front heavy. No lanyard included but Surefire lanyard ring fits. Donut "cross" is visible up close. It goes away after a few feet but seems to come back again after 10 feet or so and continues on for some distance. Also, when you change the user defined brightness level higher than factory default you begin to hear what sounds like inductor whine all the way until near full brightness. Not a big deal but it's there.

M1X with body extender. This gives you the ability to use 4 CR123 cells or 2 18650 cells:

Jetbeam M1X @ max -vs- Fenix T1 @ max (8 feet from wall):

Jetbeam M1X -vs- Surefire L6 (modded w/Cree XR-E):

Jetbeam M1X -vs- Surefire M3 (w/MN10 125 lumens):

Fenix T1, Surefire L6 & JetBeam M1X:

Same 3 lights outdoors. Distance 45 feet. First is the M1X (all shots on manual exp):

Second is the Fenix T1:

Third is the modded KL6 with a Cree XR-E:

Last is the Surefire M3 with MN10:

Below are some beamshots at an unknown distance. The target is a tree branch. M1X:

Fenix T1:

Surefire Cree XR-E modded KL6:

Vector rechargeable 1MCP Spotlight:

Surefire M3 w/MN10:

 

[Sean]

Night shots added to the original post.

 

[richardcpf]

Great looking light, in fact one of the best looking P7 for me. Would like to see some distance shots...

 

[Sean]

I added one set of outdoor shots, more to come later. Sorry I don't have any other lights, unless you want me to compare it to my Stanley HID
I do have a 1MCP spotlight, I'll get that out next.
This thing is bright! :twothumbs

 

[Sean]

Great looking light, in fact one of the best looking P7 for me. Would like to see some distance shots...

Ok, I've added more outdoor distance shots. That's probably all I'm going to do for now, so enjoy. :nana: I also included a Vector 1 MCP spotlight. Nothing special but it's something.

 

[mmajunkie]

What is the actual output, the following has me a bit confused.

Max Output: 450 Lumen (Torch Lumen) / 700 Lumen (LED Lumen)


What is the difference between Torch Lumen and LED lumen?

 

[nohcho]

Don't quote me on this, Led lumens are rated at actual naked emitter itself, Torch lumens are rated out the front, after reflector and lens eats up some lumens, hence the difference.

 

[Sean]

What is the actual output, the following has me a bit confused.

Max Output: 450 Lumen (Torch Lumen) / 700 Lumen (LED Lumen)


What is the difference between Torch Lumen and LED lumen?

It means the LED can produce 700 lumens, but only 450 lumens make it out the front of the light due to losses from the reflector and lens, etc.

 

[BIGLOU]

OMG where do I send my $. I will also take a photo of it next to my SF M3T. My M3T is a shelf queen would'nt mind this. They should make like a SF SW01 or SW02 tailcap. Sorry if the do already.

 

[HKJ]

It means the LED can produce 700 lumens, but only 450 lumens make it out the front of the light due to losses from the reflector and lens, etc.

Usual about 85% or the light makes it out the front. I think that maybe the 700 lumen specification is the leds max output at full current and that Jet is driving it at a lower current.
The output from the M1X is definite way below the Fenix TK40, my measurement puts it at 70% of the TK40. This fits very well with the specification of 450 for M1X and 630 for TK40.

 

[Patriot]

Thanks Sean. Nice work! I'm a big JB fan. Wow that MN10 is really football shaped isn't it....I mean, even more so than most of them.

 

[Centropolis]

Same 3 lights outdoors. Distance 45 feet. First is the M1X (all shots on manual exp):

Hi Sean, looking at this picture above, it looks like the hotspot has a hole in it due to the fact that it is a multi-die LED.

My question is, do you notice this 'hole' at further distances? My experience with taking pictures of beamshots, under normal exposure, something like this 'hole' should even be more visible and noticeable in real life compared to a picture.

I am thinking of getting the M1X as well. But I want the 'hole' not to be that visible. My DBS MC-E's beam has this dark hole in the middle and it is bugging the hell out of me. Now I know it is normal to have a faint hole with a multi-die but I didn't think it would be that visible.

 

[Sean]

Hi Sean, looking at this picture above, it looks like the hotspot has a hole in it due to the fact that it is a multi-die LED.

My question is, do you notice this 'hole' at further distances?

Yes, it's noticeable at further distances, just not "as" noticeable. The weird thing is, if I stare at the hole long enough, my eyes begin to adjust to it. But yes, it's there at longer distances. A bummer indeed. Especially if it bugs you. I figured the TK40 would be brighter. I may have to pick one up and try it, especially since people are saying they have no hole in the beam.

 

[Dragon64]

I play with my TK40 and yes there aren't any hole in the middle of the hotspot. However, i would have thought that the TK40 with 630lumens would throw more than the TA30 or TK11 R2(250 lumens) but i'm quite disapointed to see that there not such a big difference.
That's why i'm looking forward to buying the Jetbeam M1X as i need a real thrower. I think the M1X throws more than the DBS V3 with an R2 but if you have both, tell me what you think!:thinking:

 

[Helmut.G]

I think the M1X throws more than the DBS V3 with an R2 but if you have both, tell me what you think!:thinking:

It doesn't.

 

[PsychoBunny]

Yes, the M1X does indeed have a dark spot smack in the middle.

When I am using the light outside (which I assume is it's main purpose)
I do not notice it. So for me, it's only noticeable if your looking for
flaws.
I like this light alot. It has a great combination of flood and throw,
and when I walk with it, I can see where my feet are going, plus I
can see a good 200 meters in front of me with wide illumination.

I would recommend this light to anyone.
I dont know anything about how many "actual" useful lumens I am getting,
all I know is it's damn bright, and I cant imagine why it would let anyone
down in "real life" use.

 

[PsychoBunny]

It doesn't.

I do have both, it does not out-throw the DBS V3, but it's pretty bamn
close. They really are 2 different types of beams. The DBS is not as
good at putting light at your feet if your walking in the woods or a field.

However, if you want to see a object at 300 meters, the DBS is your best
bet (out of the 2 lights, of course).

P.S.
Also, if you need to see a target at 300+ meters, I would not use either
of these lights, I would use my Stanley 35W HID.

 

[moerush04]

I got my jetbeam a few months ago and man it is really a well built light. The quality is amazing. I was thinking about how much a retailer would list something like this at a store. I was thinking with the sales pitches and packaging. I bet they could try and get $300 for these lights.

Anyways, I have to comment that the light's strongest weakness is that donut hole. Wow it is really prominent. I have the Olight M30 and there is not anything that resembles a donut hole like the M1X has.

Also I was looking at pics of the M1X next to the RRT-1. It looks like the RRT has a much more tightly focused beam than the M1X.

 

[Darkwall]

:huh: GOT JETBEAM M1X DONUT HOLE????? Im suprised no one else has posted how to eliminate the famous black hole... Of course i can only comment on Version 4 as this is the verison i own... Unscrew the head of the flashlight, it is kinda tight, certainly more so than the twist to achieve 2nd mode.. Now of course only a 1/4 to 1/2 turn from a fully tightened head should be more than plenty. It adjusts the beam ever slightly to virtually elinmate the black center hole. :thumbsup: Visually no 'lost' light, but rather ALOT smoother beam from center to edge!

:thinking: I could take a guess that this could be achevied also with versions 1 and 2, but the main led unit would be unscrewed the same amount, while the head of the flashlight was off.....

 

[Helmut.G]

:welcome:

I don't own one so I can't test it, but the M1X is a light that is built for huge throw, that is it can light up things very far away (the donut usually disappears as you point a flashlight further away) and this would probably reduce its capability to throw by a little.
It's up to you to choose what you want.