What is the difference between JETBeam JET III M 3M Military R5 and XM-L 450??

[Uncle George]

Hi,

Newbie speaking..

I'm thinking to make a purchase of JETBeam JET III M 3M but not sure which one to get..

I'm intending to keep this one in the car as emergency lighting.

Those in the know please explain =)
Thanks.

 

[THE_dAY]

I don't own this light but from reading the specs it seems the only difference between the two models is the LED used.

One uses the Cree XPG in R5 bin and the other uses the Cree XML in T6 bin.

The XML LED is slightly brighter as can be seen in the specs and will give a floodier beam pattern than the XPG LED.
Both lights should have similar runtimes.

 

[Uncle George]

Ah, Thanks for clearing up.

The XPG and XML are both new-lish LED?? With similar efficiency? Except XML is a larger emitter that will provide a larger flood area?

 

[phantom23]

XM-L is a little bit more efficient but XP-G is still new and very efficient emitter. XM-L will have bigger and less intensive hotspot (significantly les throw).

 

[FlashKat]

The XML does have a larger hotspot, and a brighter spill. Although it has a larger emitter the throw is not reduced overall due to the extra brightness.
If you really want throw, then the R5 will be better, but for overall performance I prefer the XML.
I am deciding if I want to sell my R5.

 

[peterharvey73]

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...ere-be-a-JetBeam-RRT-0-with-the-Cree-XM-L-LED

This guy Pobel summed it up really well in a similar thread.

He said the ol XR-E R2 had the greatest throw.
The new XM-L T6 had the greatest flood.
The current XP-G R5 has the best compromise between the two.

Think of it that way.
Hope it helps you to make your choice...

 

[Uncle George]

=) Thank you guys so much for the help.
I think I'll go with the XP-G R5. I'll stick to the headlamp for flood lights.

 

[peterharvey73]

Actually, if you are going to use at short distances and indoors, or around the suburban back yard, then use something floody like an XM-L.
If you are going to attach it to a one inch gun mount, with laser-guided tracking, to help shoot rabbits etc, 100 meters or 100 yards away, then use a throwy XR-E R2.
If you want alround use, including both short distances, and long distances, then an XP-G R5 may be the best compromise?

 

[EnduringEagle]

This should help decide. I belive that the XPG version throws farther where the XML provides more flood. Here are two videos that may help.
JETBeam Jet III M R5 LED Flashlight (General Review)

JetBeam Jet III M XM-L Flashlight Comparison

JETBeam III M R5 Flashlight Comparison

 

[peterharvey73]

Normally the XM-L's have a much bigger hotspot, and a brighter spill too.
However, their hot spots are less bright, and consequently they have less throw.
Eg, watch these goinggear.com video comparisons:
1) Jetbeam RRT-2 R2 vs R5 http://goinggear.com/index.php?main...d=1060&zenid=0673f4a20bde520ae5b6073673ece620
2) Eagletac T20C2 R5 vs XM-L 720 lumens http://goinggear.com/index.php?main...d=2964&zenid=0673f4a20bde520ae5b6073673ece620
3) 4Sevens Maelstrom G5 S2 vs X7 XM-L http://goinggear.com/index.php?main...d=2716&zenid=0673f4a20bde520ae5b6073673ece620

However, there is one exception.
Watch this goinggear.com video of the 4Sevens Quark 123^2 Turbo Regular R5/S2 vs Turbo X XM-L!
http://goinggear.com/index.php?main...d=2869&zenid=0673f4a20bde520ae5b6073673ece620

The Turbo X XM-L not only has a much bigger hot spot and a brighter spill, it also actually has a brighter hotspot, and is more throwy too!!!
How?
No magic.
The Turbo Regular R5/S2 uses a standard 1.2" diameter head and reflector combo.
The Turbo X XM-L uses a bigger 1.52" diameter head/reflector combo [to better control the sideways spill] - try carrying that in your pocket...

 

[peterharvey73]

Actually, just one other point with XM-L's.

Although the hotspot is not as bright, and not as throwy either; ie the maximum intensity and lux, or lumens per square meter is not as intense and bright, the XM-L has other advantages up it's sleeve.
It can be driven to a higher amperage, to yield more total output, more total lumens, and the larger die is capable of absorbing more heat at the same time.

Thus, if you have two lights, with two equally bright hotspots, and the same throw each, but one light has a hotspot twice as "wide" as the other light, or the one light has a hotspot twice the size of the other light, then we say that the light with the double size hotspot has more overall light output, and more overall lumens.
So this is where XM-L's excel over the XP-G R5's - even if the hotspot intensity [the lux, or the lumens per square meter] and hence the throw isn't as good in a given limited size reflector, the XM-L's are still capable of a greater overall total volume of light, ie more lumens.

It's like comparing a car with a big SUV.
Both can be travelling equally fast, but the bigger heavier SUV has more momentum.

The XM-L emitter is bigger than the R5 emitter, so if the XM-L emitter could have a proportionately larger reflector, the XM-L will totally ambush the R5 emitter.
Obvoiusly this can't happen here coz we are comparing two of the same Jb Jet IIIM's together...

 

[peterharvey73]

An easy to understand analogy might be:

Two guys, one is 5 feet tall - the other is 6 feet tall.
The 6 feet tall guy weighs 70 kilograms or 150 pounds.
However, the 5 feet tall guy weighs 150 kg or roughly 300 pounds.

We say that the 5 feet tall guy is shorter [aka less throw], however he has much more weight and volume! That is, more total volume of light output in lumens.
Thus, the XM-L in this Jet IIIM is worthy of considerdation!!!

 

[Uncle George]

Lol, you guys are totally flashaholics. Love it.

I'm so struggling with decisions here.... I understand all the differences pointed out.. now I'm down to choosing an UI and a brand...

I like Klarus's UI... but i want a stainless steel bezel..
http://www.klaruslight.com/products/Flash_light/76.html

 

[EnduringEagle]

Lol, you guys are totally flashaholics. Love it.

I'm so struggling with decisions here.... I understand all the differences pointed out.. now I'm down to choosing an UI and a brand...

I like Klarus's UI... but i want a stainless steel bezel..
http://www.klaruslight.com/products/Flash_light/76.html

If you want a mil spec light try the Olight M20s or 4sevens G5. Much cheaper than the sure fires but really good.

 

[peterharvey73]

I'm so struggling with decisions here.... I understand all the differences pointed out.. now I'm down to choosing an UI and a brand...
I like Klarus's UI... but i want a stainless steel bezel...

Uncle, you like Klarus' one handed tail end click UI, but you want a stainless steel bezel?
Try the Sunwayman T20C.
http://www.sunwayman.com/html/products/201104/50.html
It has a stainless steel bezel.
It also has a tail end digital switch for single handed operation.
Click for momentary, full on, or full off.
Hold the tail end click down, and the light will ramp up and down in brightness.
Let go, and the ramping will stop, and the brightness will hold.
Two quick presses, and you have the strobe.
The T20C has 438 lumens and the XT10 470 lumens, but your human eye probably won't be able to notice the difference.

Talking about this XT10 and the T20C with tail end operation only, be careful.
Ask yourself, how do you intend to hold/grip the light?
By the agressive tactical overhand grip with four fingers over the light, and the thumb on the tail end click?
Or by the "relaxing" underhand hand shake grip, with four fingers under the light, and the thumb at the "neck/throat" area of the light?

If you are using the relaxing underhand handshake grip, then you must change the light position to activate the tail end click!
Then you may go back to the Jet IIIM, or even an RRT-2...

 

[Uncle George]

Still couldnt' decide on 'the' one.. so i'll buy MaelstromG5 and JetBeam JetIII M R5...

.... i just realized.. is this how you guys became flashaholics.... couldn't workout which one to buy so bought them all to have a try??? ahhahaha

 

[EnduringEagle]

Not to be a pest but you are a security guard therefore you need the tactical grip and one handed operation by definition. If you are checking perimeters for breech and dark areas you need to be vigilant. Observe/report is fine until the fecal matter hits the oscillating blade. There are plenty of stories available of security guards who let down their guard and pay the price. Stay safe.

 

[EnduringEagle]

Still couldnt' decide on 'the' one.. so i'll buy MaelstromG5 and JetBeam JetIII M R5...

.... i just realized.. is this how you guys became flashaholics.... couldn't workout which one to buy so bought them all to have a try??? ahhahaha

Can't speak to the Jetbeam but you won't be disappointed with the G5. Get a good charger, a bunch of AW batteries and a case that will hold batteries in tubes for fast loading.

 

[peterharvey73]

Uncle, remember that your body mass or weight is actually more important than your height.
All things being equal, a 100 kg 5'8" man will out-box a 70 kg 6'0" man.
Having a 3 litre V6 or a 4 litre V8 is actually more important, than whether you are using the old 3 speed gearboxes of the 70's, or a 5 speed auto gearbox of today.

Thus the total volume of lumen output from the source, is more important than the influence of the emitter/reflector size ratio on the flood/throw ratio.
The emitter/reflector ratio can affect the flood/throw ratio, but the original total volume of lumens output from the source will always remain the same.
A gearbox can alter the ratio between the torque and the speed, however the original power output from the 2 litre 4 cylinder, or the 3 litre V6 will always be the same.

Thus I'd rather get one of the 4Seven's or Jetbeams in XM-L!

Furthermore, our eyesight diminishes with age.
Flooders are more practical.
Throwers are used in special situations for long distance spotting...

 

[peterharvey73]

.... the ol XR-E R2 had the greatest throw.
The new XM-L T6 had the greatest flood.
The current XP-G R5 has the best compromise between the two.

Sorry Uncle, but orginally I may have led you down the wrong path.
This concept doesn't take into account the most important aspect - the overall output of light in lumens.
It doesn't take into account the fact that the XM-L's have the most quantity of light!

The emitter/reflector ratio merely alters the flood/throw ratio.
Flood to throw is not a single linear quantity, but a ratio.
So the more flood, the less throw.
Conversely, the more throw, the less flood.
This is merely similar to a gearbox changing the ratio of torque to speed in a motor car.

The overall output in lumens is a single linear quantity, like the overall power output of a motor car engine.