JETBeam Jet-II Mk Flashlight Review
The JETBeam Jet-II Mk flashlight uses a cr123a cell and has a Cree XP-L HI emitter. This twisty has a great fit and finish. Read on!
Official Specs
Here’s a link to the JETBeam Jet-II Mk flashlight product page.
Features
Lamp Beads: Cree XP-L HI
Beads Number: 1
Luminous Flux: 510LM
Luminous Intensity: 4800cd
Color Temperature: 6500-7000K
Switch Type: Twisty
Feature: Lightweight, Pocket Clip, Tail Stand
Function: Camping, EDC, Hiking, Household Use, Night Riding, Walking
Battery Type: 16340,CR123
Battery Quantity: 1 (not included)
Mode: 4 (High > Middle > Low > Lower)
Waterproof Standard: IPX-8 Standard Waterproof (Underwater 2m)
Working Voltage: 3-4.2V
Reflector: Aluminum Textured Orange Peel Reflector
Lens: Toughened Ultra-clear Mineral Glass Lens
Impact Resistance: 1.5M
Beam Distance: 100-150m
Flashlight Processing Technology: Aerospace Grade Aluminum Body with Anti Scratching Type III Hard Anodization
Available Light Color: Cool White
Available color: Titanium Grey
ANSI/NEMA FL1-2009 Standards
Output & Runtime
| Mode | Lumens | Duration (h) |
|---|---|---|
| High | 510 | 0.7 |
| Medium | 100 | 1.5 |
| Low | 5 | 15 |
| Ultra Low | 0.5 | 150 |
Versions
Of the Mk version, there is just this one. Of course of the “Jet-II” line, there are two, the Pro and [this] Mk. And there are many iterations of the “Pro.” But just the one Jet-II Mk.
JetBEAM Jet-II Mk Short Review
I never love twisty lights, but this one is simple and functional and has my favorite emitter. Also, I find the clip on this to be incredibly comfortable and carries the light plenty deep.
Long Review
What’s Included
- JetBEAM Jet-II Mk
- Pocket Clip (installed)
- Lanyard
- Manual
- Spare o-ring
Package and Manual
Just like the other JetBEAM Jet-II Pro (but not the Ti version) I just reviewed, this light is in an easy-open blister package, great for a hanging store display.
It’s nice and easy to open, but largely not recyclable, which is unfortunate. The package shows off the goods though, so you can see what you’re getting! The back is fairly nondescript.
The manual is also typical JetBEAM. A long page with all the info in English on one side, and non-English on the other. It’s is fairly descriptive and well written. Warranty card too.
Build Quality, Durability, and Disassembly
I love the anodizing JetBEAM has on these lights. The same as on the Jet-I Mk I reviewed a while back – so it’s nice to see such consistent, good anodizing. These threads are anodized and lubed enough to be very smooth. The light has [physical] reverse polarity protection and a thick spring on the tail side.
There’s not much to disassemble on the tail side, but the head can probably be unscrewed if you have the right tool. The bezel is exposed though so pressing and twisting at a good angle might accomplish that.
Size
The Jet-II Mk is slightly shorter than the Pro version, but that’s not really a small CR123 light.
This means that the Mk is still bigger than other commonly popular CR123 lights out now. Still, the clip being a deep carry clip makes this light disappear clipped to a pocket, and it’s a great in-hand size.
Here are some other Mk and Pro comparison shots.
Retention
The light comes with a pocket clip installed, but it comes off easily.
I don’t like how easily it spins around the light, a problem since this is a twisty light. There is also an option for a lanyard (which is included). The tail has big holes to connect with the lanyard.
There’s also the unusual option of a threaded tripod mount, a feature also seen in the Jet-I Mk.
I like the clip on this light. It’s unusual from what’s so common now – it has a nice wide opening where it would ride on a pants pocket and doesn’t have that little nib designed to grab pants to keep a light from jumping out. This clip is very smooth and very useful and usable. I didn’t opine about this with the Pro version but it also had a very useful clip.
Note that if you have the clip off, this light will be roll freely. And of course, the light will head and tailstand.
Power
A single cell powers this light, and that can be a CR123a or a 16340. I used a 16340 from Keeppower – the 700mAh protected button top. That’s what all the runtime test below are run with.
This runtime had a voltage cutoff at 3.16V.
User Interface and Operation
Twist for on. This has the “good” kind of twisty – it’s not ramping: It requires that you twist the light off to change modes. I have never had a ramping user interface that I liked, particularly the quantum tunneling variety. This kind is just fine for me, provided the threads stay clean and well-lubed. Anyway the light cycles Ultra Low > L > M > H, requiring a twist to Off between each change.
The knurling on the head also provides a great grip for one hand operation, though overall the light is short enough to make that difficult.
The Jet-I Mk I reviewed seemed to have unintentional mode memory (which disagreed with the manual). This Jet-II Mk works as described in the manual, and is great – it reverts to low if it’s off for more than 1 second. That’s the way I prefer it (as you probably know, I do not like mode memory).
LED and Beam
This small twisty light utilizes a Cree XP-L HI.
Like the Pro version, I wasn’t able to find the tint info for this XPL-HI. Of course the “HI” means it’s dedomed (“High Intensity”), and of course dedomed emitters typically mean more throw. The reflector is lightly textured, leading to a smooth beam profile. Functionally it’s very similar to it’s Pro brother, the Jet-II Pro.
Beamshots
These beamshots always have the following settings: f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure. These photos are taken at floor level, and the beam hits the ceiling around 9 feet away.
Tint vs BLF-348 (KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b version) (affiliate link)
I keep the test flashlight on the left and the BLF-348 reference flashlight on the right.
The Mk is on High in this photo.
Someone asked me why I love XP-L HI so much. I can’t honestly say. I think it’s because the tint is typically appealing to me. Truth be told I also like them because I can generally easily recognize them. I also like their functionality, in reflector-ed lights, they keep a nice tight beam. Otherwise, I typically like TIR optics anyway. 🙂
Random Comparisons and Competitive Options
I’m drawing a complete blank for other twisty CR123 XP-L HI lights. Of course, there are a ton of twisty CR123 lights, but if you want an XP-L HI version, then this JetBEAM is your best choice. I think it’s a great one.
Here are some general size comparisons for you. Notably the Olight S1, fairly shorter than the Mk.
Conclusion
What I like
- Size
- Cree XP-L HI
- Simple user interface without unnecessary complication
- Great build quality
- Price
- Clip is fantastic
What I don’t like
- I just don’t love twistys! (Sorry!)
- Cool 6500-7000K tint.
Final Thoughts
If you are a huge twisty fan, then this is a great light for you. The price is right, and the quality is superb. The light does what it’s meant to do, and does it well. I personally prefer clickys, so for me, the Pro wins (and I love that Titanium version!), but this Jet-II Mk is a very nice twisty light.
Parting Shot
I’m really running out of parting shots around my house.
Notes
- This light was provided by GearBest for review. I was not paid to write this review.
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