The noob is back!! Jetbeam!?!?!

Ok, since everyone was so instrumental in helping me with my 120P questions and such.

I'm really a bit confused as to a good model to buy from Jetbeam. I've got my eye on the Jet III Military..

But I'd love to hear owner thoughts, reccomendations on the various models?

Thanks guys!

There loads of feedback for the Military on the review thread, I would put a link up but I'am on an Iphone, but it's in the review section.
Hope this helps.

I have long decided and got a Jet III Pro St, size does matter

what I would not like in the military:
* UI needs two hands twist action,
* to know on what level it will be, one would have to remember the last setting, or check with twist action
* "just" 2 levels - low and very bright - no long running "normal" level

thats why I like the I.B.S. UI of the other models:
* 1st click makes 1st level (whatever this is, but it is the same every time)
* each of the three levels can be set to fit the users needs
* single hand operation

Ah ha thank you, I wsa under the impression the Military was the same....IBS, click..

yellow said:

I have long decided and got a Jet III Pro St, size does matter

what I would not like in the military:
* UI needs two hands twist action,
* to know on what level it will be, one would have to remember the last setting, or check with twist action
* "just" 2 levels - low and very bright - no long running "normal" level

thats why I like the I.B.S. UI of the other models:
* 1st click makes 1st level (whatever this is, but it is the same every time)
* each of the three levels can be set to fit the users needs
* single hand operation

Click to expand...

That's not exactly true, one mode will always be high, for tactical use this instant high is great, and the userset mode can be any level you need or strobe ect. By the way the strobe will make you feel sick, it's that good.

Whats the orange peel/smooth option for?

yellow said:

I have long decided and got a Jet III Pro St, size does matter

what I would not like in the military:
* UI needs two hands twist action,
* to know on what level it will be, one would have to remember the last setting, or check with twist action
* "just" 2 levels - low and very bright - no long running "normal" level

thats why I like the I.B.S. UI of the other models:
* 1st click makes 1st level (whatever this is, but it is the same every time)
* each of the three levels can be set to fit the users needs
* single hand operation

Click to expand...

+1 on that, that is why i prefer the Jet III Pro ST

i can choose whichever level i want, be it low-high, to max to strobe and even the frequency of the strobe

A quick breakdown of Jetbeam's 18650-powered models:

ST - general use beam
Pro - thrower beam
Military - thrower beam (2 modes only,can also accept R/CR123s)
Ultra - super thrower beam

Choose accordingly

pltan said:

Whats the orange peel/smooth option for?

Click to expand...

Orange peel will even out the beam a bit but at the cost of some throw (better for general/everyday use), while the smooth reflector has a less even beam with more throw (better for outdoor/spotlight duty).

Just from reading the reviews on CPF, looks like the military > pro...

Which are the 2 I've narrowed it down to for now...still undecided though

I have the Jet I and Jet IIISt. I love the user interface, however the UI is designed for a reverse clicky and the Jet III is a forward clickey. It is easier to change the mode settings on the Jet I. Once the mode is set I find that the Jet III is better. To go to mode C on the Jet I you have to turn the unit on and off twice and then on. To go there with the Jet III partially press twice and then turn on.

Alan

I dont understand :thinking: do You think that is a "problem", or?
imho the switch is just a matter of personal taste, not the UI
(with my ST, there is the forward mounted and a reverse one included in package)

to go to level three, the UI needs 2 short bursts of energy for stepping through lvl 1 and 2.

forward: slight press + release, slight press + release, slight press and hold (or full press to engage clicky)
reverse: full press + release for ON, slight press + release, slight press + release --> clicky is already engaged, so ...


I have not yet seen any kind of interface running better with a specific switch.
I prefer the forward much more --> any level of light without engaging the cklicky

Gosh sounds pretty complicated....


Which of the Jetbeams has a similar UI to the Novatec 120P?

I don't have a JetBeam, but I am also considering one. I may be wrong but I think the modes you set get erased every time you change batteries. This was a turn off for me because I was considering the I(AA) version, which would require more frequent changes with rechargeables.

with my model (I.B.S.) the levels are stored in an Eprom, swapping batteries does nothing to them
(would not make much sense if it did, imho. That would be a design flaw, hard enough not to sell such a light).


@ pltan: You can set the light up to give the brightness You want at level 1, then it is just ON/OFF

(believe me, You will quickly appreciate different levels and learning the UI is a breeze.
On a recent hike a buddy of mine grabbed such a light (leaving me with just the E01) and with a few hints concerning "prefocusing", (= half press) learned to operate it. At the beginning he was not even able not to engage the clicky, but that "prefocusing" was what he needed - most anyone knows it from taking pictures with cams)

Thanks for that....

Which I guess leaves me back with the predicament of 2 programmable modes in the Jet III military, or 3 in the Pro? If I'm understanding everything correctly...

Military is two fixed levels, no change possible --> wrong


[edit]
correct, that is wrong. Must have read an incomplete description.
MAX is fixed and stays fixed in the military,
the other level can be set by the user (means it can be made anything from totally low up to max)[/edit]

From the website:

The Jet-III-M (Military/LE Series)
Specially designed for Military and Law Enforcement.
Simple and convenient UI, two modes can be switched easily
User-defined mode provides various brightness levels and different functions.
Infinitely variable brightness system, no more traditional restrictions of preset birhgtness levels.


Ok I'm very confused now...Sounds like the user mode u can change the brightness levels?

yellow said:

Military is two fixed levels, no change possible

Click to expand...

OK one more time, THATS WRONG!
It has one fixed level, a 'tactical' High. =Full output.
AND a userset mode, activated by slghtly loosening the head.
This can be set to ANY LEVEL OR MODE. Strobe ect.

Kamakazikev24 said:

OK one more time, THATS WRONG!
It has one fixed level, a 'tactical' High. =Full output.
AND a userset mode, activated by slghtly loosening the head.
This can be set to ANY LEVEL OR MODE. Strobe ect.

Click to expand...

Thank you....

And the Jet III Pro has 3 modes? 2 programmable and one full?

pltan said:

Thank you....

And the Jet III Pro has 3 modes? 2 programmable and one full?

Click to expand...

I think they are all programmable IIRC.