Which JET to Get? Jet 1 Pro v3, or Jet III SP BVC?

[BigBluefish]

I've become seriously impressed with my 1 x AA JETBeam Jet 1 Pro v3. I like the UI, it is surprisingly bright for a 1 x AA light on Eneloops, has good throw, takes the SureFire F04 diffuser (instant flood light) and the size and feel are just "right."

Of course, it's always nice to have something brighter, or with longer runtime. Or both.

So...enter the Jet III Pro ST BVC. 2 x CR123a format. 225 lumens (says JB) in Q3 form vs. 145 (again, says JB) for my Jet 1 Pro. Longer runtimes than my 1 x AA Jet 1 Pro. Same emitter, same reflector (I think) so, same beam. Same UI. The form factor looks good to me, too. Some say the Jet III Pro is a bit chunky for a low-profile 2 x 123a light. But I have an Olight T20 T, and while I like it, it is actually a bit small, and I would like a light that has a bit more diameter to hold onto. So the Jet III SP looks good to me.

Now, my only question is, can I get the same output offered by the Jet III SP from my Jet 1 Pro v3 by simply running it on a 14500 instead of an NiMH? If so, it might make more sense to just finally give in and buy a couple of AW 14500s and a Pila, rather than another light. (Of course I'd probably end up getting another light anyway, but that misses the point here.) I know I won't get the runtime the 2 CR123a's will give me, but that's OK.

Does anyone own both these lights and have some observations of the outputs of the Jet 1 Pro on a 14500?

 

[Chauncey Gardner]

The Jet thrives on lithium ion's. No other way I'd run one. Get some 14500's first.

Definitely try it out.

 

[grunscga]

I would strongly recommend against the Jet III Pro ST BVC. The UI is so different as to make it unusable. Yes, they are both IBS, and the UI is "identical", except that the timing circuit on the Jet III allows for about 3x as much time between clicks, which means when you use it the same as your Jet I, you will end up deep in a programming menu, setting a different mode than you started on (which ends up completely destroying your carefully selected modes).

It's sad, really, because otherwise, the Jet III ST is an awesome light. I had to return mine, though, because it really was unusable after getting used to the Jet I.

The Jet thrives on lithium ion's. No other way I'd run one. Get some 14500's first.

+1

Be aware, though, that the awesome brightness comes with an issue: if you leave it tailstanding on max with a 14500, it will quickly get quite hot. As long as you keep it in your hand it will be fine. Not a light to hand to a child, though, if one of the settings is max.

 

[gnicky11]

+1 on getting some 14500s first (may be AWs). I also have to agree with grunscga on the UI sensitivity of the Pro ST BVC, although the timing problem (for me) is mostly when running 18650 rather than 2xRCR123.

 

[Chauncey Gardner]

I would strongly recommend against the Jet III Pro ST BVC. The UI is so different as to make it unusable. Yes, they are both IBS, and the UI is "identical", except that the timing circuit on the Jet III allows for about 3x as much time between clicks, which means when you use it the same as your Jet I, you will end up deep in a programming menu, setting a different mode than you started on (which ends up completely destroying your carefully selected modes).

It's sad, really, because otherwise, the Jet III ST is an awesome light. I had to return mine, though, because it really was unusable after getting used to the Jet I.



+1

Be aware, though, that the awesome brightness comes with an issue: if you leave it tailstanding on max with a 14500, it will quickly get quite hot. As long as you keep it in your hand it will be fine. Not a light to hand to a child, though, if one of the settings is max.

Yes, I had a first gen model that got much hotter than my NDI on high/14500. It was also the only light on the market at the time that was brighter than the Defender on the lion's. Not with the alkalines, though.

He'll be very pleasantly surprised. Great little light with a bunch of throw for an AA format.

 

[jhc37013]

I would strongly recommend against the Jet III Pro ST BVC. The UI is so different as to make it unusable. Yes, they are both IBS, and the UI is "identical", except that the timing circuit on the Jet III allows for about 3x as much time between clicks, which means when you use it the same as your Jet I, you will end up deep in a programming menu, setting a different mode than you started on (which ends up completely destroying your carefully selected modes).

It's sad, really, because otherwise, the Jet III ST is an awesome light. I had to return mine, though, because it really was unusable after getting used to the Jet I.

I agree with this and I had the Jet-III BVC and it was impossible to program easily now my 18650 model programs flawlessly just like my Jet-I Pro. Also while running the Jet-I Pro on 14500 it's is every bit as bright as the Jet-III. My Jet-I is actually just a bit brighter then my Jet-III 18650 and my BVC. The only reason you may want to consider the Jet-III is if you EDC the Jet-I in your pocket and then have the Jet-III in a holster for times you may need longer runtime.

The Jet-III is still one of my best looking and best quality light's I own but given the program issue on the BVC I can't recommend it but I have had no problems with the 18650 only model. As mentioned by other members get yourself a couple AW 14500's, the Jet-I absolutely rocks with it.

 

[BigBluefish]

I agree with this and I had the Jet-III BVC and it was impossible to program easily now my 18650 model programs flawlessly just like my Jet-I Pro. Also while running the Jet-I Pro on 14500 it's is every bit as bright as the Jet-III. My Jet-I is actually just a bit brighter then my Jet-III 18650 and my BVC. The only reason you may want to consider the Jet-III is if you EDC the Jet-I in your pocket and then have the Jet-III in a holster for times you may need longer runtime.

The Jet-III is still one of my best looking and best quality light's I own but given the program issue on the BVC I can't recommend it but I have had no problems with the 18650 only model. As mentioned by other members get yourself a couple AW 14500's, the Jet-I absolutely rocks with it.

It's discouraging to hear that there is still a programming issue with the Jet III. There were a couple threads from '08 and '09 discussing the different versions with the different circuitry, 18650 only, BVC, the two level "M" circuit, etc. I had thought that the current version had gotten all the 'kinks' out. It would seem to me that it would be relatively simple to use the same programming interface, with the same time intervals, in all of the IBS lights.

On the other hand, from what I'm hearing, if I grab a couple of 14500s, my Jet 1 Pro v3 should be smokin'. Uh, ok, poor choice of terms in this context. But if it really does get a significant brightness boost, it seems I ought to just get the li-ions for the Jet 1 (and maybe pick up the OD colored R2 model, too - I have the gray anodized model with the Q3 5A).

Heh, heh. This is gonna be fun.

 

[FlashKat]

Why not consider the Jetbeam RRT-0.

 

[BigBluefish]

Why not consider the Jetbeam RRT-0.

I handled one at a gun show earlier this spring. An interesting light, but I don't like ring, don't like the overall shape or feel of the light in my hand, don't even like the way it looks and don't like the ringy beamshots I've seen.

But other than that, ... .

No, its the current Jet 1, and maybe another Jet 1 or Jet III ST BVC, but if the programming glitch is still present in the Jet III, I think i'll stick with the Jet 1 Pro.

 

[jhc37013]

No, its the current Jet 1, and maybe another Jet 1 or Jet III ST BVC, but if the programming glitch is still present in the Jet III, I think i'll stick with the Jet 1 Pro.

I can't blame you I like the Jet-I so much I ordered a Jet-I with the Q3 neutral and I should have it Monday.

I like my RRT0 a lot also but with the 14500 tube attached it's so long I only use 1x123. Also even when both have OP reflectors the Jet-I has a smoother beam.

 

[timbo114]

...
On the other hand, from what I'm hearing, if I grab a couple of 14500s, my Jet 1 Pro v3 should be smokin'. Uh, ok, poor choice of terms in this context. But if it really does get a significant brightness boost, it seems I ought to just get the li-ions for the Jet 1 (and maybe pick up the OD colored R2 model, too - I have the gray anodized model with the Q3 5A).

Heh, heh. This is gonna be fun.

THIS is a good plan - go with it.

 

[JaguarDave-in-Oz]

My new Jet-1 v3 has just arrived at my place and I'm very happy with it. I already had a stack of 14500 and the torch is plenty bright on them. It programs perfectly and I just love the fact that I can program it to start on high or medium and still have two other modes to play with. Leaves my Quark tacticals for dead with one exception and that's the reverse click switch. I prefer the forward and the momentary but the light seems so useful I'm willing to forgive and forget. I'm sure I'll end up trying to modify a forward switch to fit at some stage anyway.

Tint on my Jet-1 V3 is perfect and the beamshape has no dark rings. I'm not super fussed on the shape of the torch, it looks to me like two or three bolt heads jammed together at the end but I guess I'm not going to be looking at the torch, I'll be looking at what it's pointing at so that's no real worry.

Funny thing is, just before the jet-1 v3 arrived, I also ordered the ST BVC though it won't be here for another week. Not sure I'll have much use for it since the Jet-1 v3 has turned out to be so good.

 

[jhc37013]

I'm not super fussed on the shape of the torch, it looks to me like two or three bolt heads jammed together at the end but I guess I'm not going to be looking at the torch, I'll be looking at what it's pointing at so that's no real worry.

This is true about the but because of this the anti-roll lug works well without the clip installed.

 

[JaguarDave-in-Oz]

First thing I did was remove that clip and install one at the tailcap end of the torch. The original clip just felt too bulky in the hand for such a thin torch.

I also sleeved the battery tube part of the body in anti-slip heatshrink because I found the whole deal a little slippery (perhaps partly cos it's narrow and partly cos my hands are a bit hard). I find I have to use the anti-slip sleeving on a lot of my smaller torches.