greenstuffs
Banned
Having owned both lights i feel like its good to let people know about my impressions
Packing Fenix packing is a box, while jetbeam uses a Blister nothing odd here
Inside the box
Fenix you get light, sheath, set of o-rings, lanyard, extra tailcap.
Jetbeam you get light, sheath, set of o-rings, lanyard, 3 extra tailcaps.
Fit and Finish;
Fenix has a good finish, their HA is thinner than Jetbeam and the head threads are not annodized. They look pretty cheap. Light has 1 threads have 1 o-ring at head and switch. Finish is somewhat slippery.
Jetbeam has a better finish. Their HA is pretty thick even tho' they are not in the same league as SF its pretty close. I like it. Its not as slipery as the Fenix.
Sheath
Fenix sheath is a open carry sheath, its made with 1 inch nylon strap, with 2 rubber bands on each side, i feel that with wear and tear set it the flashlight will be very unsecure. Not a sheath i would trust my $54 light The attachment system to the belt is a close loop.
Jetbeam sheath is made with a tougher nylon and has a cover secured by velcro. The attachment system to the belt is secured by nylon and snap button. Its easier as you don't have to take out your belt in order to attach it but is not secure either. If the sheath gets grabbed onto something you'll have a chance of dropping your flashlight/sheath.
Neither sheath are secure enough.
UI
Fenix in this department fenix wins hands down, Turn the head get turbo or normal mode.
Jetbeam's advanced mode is somewhat tricky sometimes it is stucked in either mode. I do like the Fenix better but i can live with the Jetbeam's UI is not bad after you get used to.
Reflector/BEAM
Fenix has a smooth or very thin ringed texture reflector, the beams are pretty awefull to look in indoors and they aren't as usefull as a smooth beam
Jetbeam wins hands down here with the OP reflector its better, you will not notice much the decrease in throw as the jetbeam has higher lumen at high and this somewhat offsets the lack of throw from having a smooth reflector.
In the beam department i like the jetbeam better its got a smoother transition between the hot spot to the outer edge.
Batteries.
Using regular Alcalines brand new energizer the fenix is somewhat brighter because of the usage of a smooth reflector Jetbeam isn't far behind but can't expect more from a 1.5v alkaline.
Using a 14500 Li-Ion battery Jetbeam wins hands down with all modes working correctly this is the truly pocket rocket you were looking for. With Fenix only works the highest, strobe and sos. No need to buy the CR123 tube or in Fenix case the P1D CE as their cr123 tube isn't due anytime soon.
I have to add that even fenix's l1D CE is a longer light the 14500 AW protected ipurchased from lighthound barely fitted, there is a little gap in the head and you'll have to work your way down to get the strobe mode. It takes some force the threads will have give up little shavings but it makes the light smoother.
Tint
I didn't get lucky with my fenix and got a green tint. Not noticeble at High yet very noticeble in low. Jetbeam i got a white tint i love it. Its pretty nice tinto not too warm not too cold.
Real life usage.
I've carried my fenix L1D CE for 2 weeks having owned surefires i got disappointed because of their finish. isn't as good as SF their clicky is somewhat weaker compared the one of the L1D CE. Neither of them will be your tactical light that you can depend on but they are nice nevertheless.
I have carried the Jetbeam for couple hrs so far and same feeling as fenix but the switch has a more pronounced click. I do like the option of using a regulated 14500, with the fenix you lose all modes this is a plus, i use 14500 and i don't feel guilty for the lumens.
Both lights gets hot at high using 14500 and i don't have a thermometer but i feel that both lights are about the same warmth give or take 3/4 C in each case.
Having owned both my conclusions are that fenix makes a nice light they were the first ones to deliver a cree into a AA package while rushing they didn't revise the reflector nor they added regulated 4.2 li-on.
Fenix costs $55 shipped and the Jetbeam costs about $80 shipped. They both are great lights but in the Jetbeams case you don't get the extra features for free. Yet is not a flashlight that will disapoint you. I do love having a better HA of the Jetbeam better threadding and better compatibility with 14500 battery.
It all goes down to how much you want to pay and how does the ring bother you.
Packing Fenix packing is a box, while jetbeam uses a Blister nothing odd here
Inside the box
Fenix you get light, sheath, set of o-rings, lanyard, extra tailcap.
Jetbeam you get light, sheath, set of o-rings, lanyard, 3 extra tailcaps.
Fit and Finish;
Fenix has a good finish, their HA is thinner than Jetbeam and the head threads are not annodized. They look pretty cheap. Light has 1 threads have 1 o-ring at head and switch. Finish is somewhat slippery.
Jetbeam has a better finish. Their HA is pretty thick even tho' they are not in the same league as SF its pretty close. I like it. Its not as slipery as the Fenix.
Sheath
Fenix sheath is a open carry sheath, its made with 1 inch nylon strap, with 2 rubber bands on each side, i feel that with wear and tear set it the flashlight will be very unsecure. Not a sheath i would trust my $54 light The attachment system to the belt is a close loop.
Jetbeam sheath is made with a tougher nylon and has a cover secured by velcro. The attachment system to the belt is secured by nylon and snap button. Its easier as you don't have to take out your belt in order to attach it but is not secure either. If the sheath gets grabbed onto something you'll have a chance of dropping your flashlight/sheath.
Neither sheath are secure enough.
UI
Fenix in this department fenix wins hands down, Turn the head get turbo or normal mode.
Jetbeam's advanced mode is somewhat tricky sometimes it is stucked in either mode. I do like the Fenix better but i can live with the Jetbeam's UI is not bad after you get used to.
Reflector/BEAM
Fenix has a smooth or very thin ringed texture reflector, the beams are pretty awefull to look in indoors and they aren't as usefull as a smooth beam
Jetbeam wins hands down here with the OP reflector its better, you will not notice much the decrease in throw as the jetbeam has higher lumen at high and this somewhat offsets the lack of throw from having a smooth reflector.
In the beam department i like the jetbeam better its got a smoother transition between the hot spot to the outer edge.
Batteries.
Using regular Alcalines brand new energizer the fenix is somewhat brighter because of the usage of a smooth reflector Jetbeam isn't far behind but can't expect more from a 1.5v alkaline.
Using a 14500 Li-Ion battery Jetbeam wins hands down with all modes working correctly this is the truly pocket rocket you were looking for. With Fenix only works the highest, strobe and sos. No need to buy the CR123 tube or in Fenix case the P1D CE as their cr123 tube isn't due anytime soon.
I have to add that even fenix's l1D CE is a longer light the 14500 AW protected ipurchased from lighthound barely fitted, there is a little gap in the head and you'll have to work your way down to get the strobe mode. It takes some force the threads will have give up little shavings but it makes the light smoother.
Tint
I didn't get lucky with my fenix and got a green tint. Not noticeble at High yet very noticeble in low. Jetbeam i got a white tint i love it. Its pretty nice tinto not too warm not too cold.
Real life usage.
I've carried my fenix L1D CE for 2 weeks having owned surefires i got disappointed because of their finish. isn't as good as SF their clicky is somewhat weaker compared the one of the L1D CE. Neither of them will be your tactical light that you can depend on but they are nice nevertheless.
I have carried the Jetbeam for couple hrs so far and same feeling as fenix but the switch has a more pronounced click. I do like the option of using a regulated 14500, with the fenix you lose all modes this is a plus, i use 14500 and i don't feel guilty for the lumens.
Both lights gets hot at high using 14500 and i don't have a thermometer but i feel that both lights are about the same warmth give or take 3/4 C in each case.
Having owned both my conclusions are that fenix makes a nice light they were the first ones to deliver a cree into a AA package while rushing they didn't revise the reflector nor they added regulated 4.2 li-on.
Fenix costs $55 shipped and the Jetbeam costs about $80 shipped. They both are great lights but in the Jetbeams case you don't get the extra features for free. Yet is not a flashlight that will disapoint you. I do love having a better HA of the Jetbeam better threadding and better compatibility with 14500 battery.
It all goes down to how much you want to pay and how does the ring bother you.
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