Think I'm gonna try a Jetbeam M1X

[Tex S]

I have been lurking here for a few days and I wanted to say thanks for all the great info. I currently have a Surefire 9P with a Turbohead conversion. I thought this was a pretty cool light until I saw a Jetbeam dealer at a local gun show. Their lights sparked my interest, and I ultimately found this forum using my strong googlefu powers.

Wow! I had no idea that LED flashlight technology is what it is nowadays! I am thinking about picking up a M1X. This decision came after much debate between it and the Fenix TK30. I will probably end up getting a TK30 too, but pretty sure I'll start with the M1X since I am currently more interested in throw. I did have a few questions if you guys would be so kind to help me out.

1) Is my Surefire 9P w/ Turbohead even remotely close to the output of the forementioned lights?

2) What battery and charger combo (2x 18650) is currently working well for you guys that have the M1X?

3) Anybody know where I can find the best deal on a M1X, good batteries, and a charger?

Thanks! This forum has become quite addicting since I found it. I really need to log off as my GF is getting pretty ticked! She thinks its ridiculous that I would spend 3 evenings researching a flashlight purchase. Oh well!!!

 

[arewethereyetdad]

Welcome to CPF, where you can spend FAR more than three evenings researching flashlights.

Don't know anything about the M1X, but I have a couple of Ti Jetbeams and they're very nice. I think Jetbeam makes good lights.

 

[hyperloop]

1) Is my Surefire 9P w/ Turbohead even remotely close to the output of the forementioned lights?

2) What battery and charger combo (2x 18650) is currently working well for you guys that have the M1X?

3) Anybody know where I can find the best deal on a M1X, good batteries, and a charger?

1) No idea as i don't own a 9P

2) i am currently running my M1X on 2x18500s as i dont want the light to be too long, with 2x18500s you don't need the extender.

3) you can get the M1X here i think the discount code is "CPFJET" i may be wrong though. Cells and chargers can be found here



EDIT: Great choice for a first light and :welcome:

 

[brianch]

The M1X is a great flashlight. I would also recommend the links that hyperloop has shown. I was about to recommend the same thing! Which turbohead do you have on the 9P? The M1X is a big bright flashlight. Prepare your wallet for an invasion.

 

[Tex S]

Brian, I have the KT2-HA Turbohead for my SF 9P. The SF website rates it at 125 lumens for 60 minutes. It is just not enough runtime, and it cost me over $100! I'm kinda ticked off that I bought it after seeing all the lights on the market today.

 

[tx101]

:welcome:

M1X .... good choice :thumbsup:

All is not loss with your KT-2/9P
You can build yourself a LED Tower Module :naughty:
Use a Cree XPG emitter and you will get roughly 300 emitter
lumens (depending on the bin number)
Not as bright as the M1X but the beam is smoother :thumbsup:

If your handy with a soldering iron, your looking at less than $40 - $50
if not there are a number of modders on the forum who can build one for you

More details on the LED Tower Module can be found here

 

[Fender]

If you go with 18650 rechargeables, make sure you get the AW 2200mah BUTTON TOP cells, NOT the 2600mah FLAT TOP cells. The newest version of the M1X will Not work with the flat top cells. It needs the nipple on the positive side of the battery, like a standard alkaline battery would have.

I love my M1X. I would recommend it to anyone. It's a VERY impressive light.

 

[Tex S]

Wow! Thanks for all the responses guys, I really appreciate it.

I was planning on purchasing through Bug Out Gear. Does anyone know if the extension tube comes with the light? Most other websites specify that it does, but BOG does not, and I noticed they sell the extender for an additional $10. It kinda has me confused.

Also, I was wondering what would be the advantages or disadvantages to buying some rechargeable 123a's for my SF 9P. I am really tired of buying expensive batteries, and rechargeables sound great. Are there any drawbacks to them?

 

[hyperloop]

Wow! Thanks for all the responses guys, I really appreciate it.

I was planning on purchasing through Bug Out Gear. Does anyone know if the extension tube comes with the light? Most other websites specify that it does, but BOG does not, and I noticed they sell the extender for an additional $10. It kinda has me confused.

Also, I was wondering what would be the advantages or disadvantages to buying some rechargeable 123a's for my SF 9P. I am really tired of buying expensive batteries, and rechargeables sound great. Are there any drawbacks to them?

why not just email BOG and ask?

rechargeables may poof your 9P as rechargeables are rated 3.6v each (4.2 or thereabouts fresh off the charger) and your 9P is 9v using 3xCr123s, you might consider getting 2x18500s instead, you might lose a little in output but gain in runtime. Wiser flashaholics than i will surely chip in on this.

 

[LowFlux]

Love my M1X. The fact that the second level is IBS makes the light universally useful as you aren't stuck on a low that is too low or a low that is too bright.

rechargeables may poof your 9P as rechargeables are rated 3.6v each (4.2 or thereabouts fresh off the charger) and your 9P is 9v using 3xCr123s, you might consider getting 2x18500s instead, you might lose a little in output but gain in runtime. Wiser flashaholics than i will surely chip in on this.

18500s are what I use in my M1X; the trade-off is shorter run time than 2 18650s (lower mah capacity of 18500s). With the 9P on 3 primaries, you are at 9 volts and with 2 18500s you are at 8.4v. The benefit to the 18500s is the higher mah capacity of the 18500s compared to the 3 primaries. The trade-off is that the 18500s are not maximally bright for as long, instead you gain longer runtime with decreasing brightness.

Since you have a 9P and are considering a M1X, some 18500s would be a great investment for both of your lights IMO. Otherwise you would need some 18650s (plus the extender) for the M1X and then some RCR123s for the 9P...

 

[hyperloop]

One more thing to consider, the M1X's minimum level is so incredibly low, it is in fact lower than the minimum of my Nitecore EX10 and lower than my Zebralight at 3.4 lumens.