Review: SHADOW JM26 Compact XM-L Thrower (1 x 18/26650)

fasttech has answered it is an XML-U2 not xm-l2 :frowning:

Then the pics are wrong…

Review now completed.

Thanks for the review turboBB. I’m not sure I understand the lack of mode memory.

Thx, I've updated the review to clarify the UI section a little:

There is no memory so it'll always come on in H, to expound; if you last used the light in L and then either shut-off the light or change the batteries, the light will always come on in H.

Sorry turbo. What I meant I personally dont see much sense in a light that always turns on high. If it had memory and you wanted the light to turn on high turn it off on high. If I use a light at night in the bedroom for example I want the light to turn on low.

Ah, gotcha. Well I suppose that depends on one's needs. For indoor use, I'd most definitely prefer L to come on first (or at least memorized). However, for emergency situations, it'd be nice if I can instantly access H or strobe immediately despite having L memorize in which case, the M18's UI fits the bill quite nicely.

However, in this day & age, there really is no excuse to not have modes memorized. There are so many lights with advanced UI's that the Shadow series feels dated.

TurboBB, could you take a couple of shots to see whats under the emitter and how it looks like when you take the driver out, how thick is the aluminum under the emitter?
Does it require adding some material (copper or so) for better temperature dissipation, because I was thinking on bumping up the driver to ~ 4A and dedoming the XM-L2 T6 (U2 if I find one), all to get better throw. Any comments on expected numbers (meters) :slight_smile:

Thanks

i have received this morning my JM26 from Fasttech!
I’m happy to tell you it has an XM-L2 like in pic….but i’m disappointed that the torch starts always al low mode :_(
I knew it is with no memory, but i knew that it had to start on high mode |( …however this evening i will test its performance!
Than it is normal to see a donut hole in the spot already at about 50 cm from the wall? Thank you

That's it low mode first, as I said, not useful for a thrower. Yes it's normal to see a donut hole already at around 40-50cm from the wall, but since it's a thrower simply do not use it so close from the wall, a smaller floodier flashlight is much more useful for that.

WHAT, low mode first!!! Good you told us that, I was planing to get JM26 but if the low mode is first then I would have to swop the driver and I don’t want to pay 40+$ for host + LED, not worth…

Yep it is normal to see the donut hole. You’d be pleased to know that the donut hole is somewhat indicative of a long throwing light. :slight_smile:

ok…my judgment was hasty! Now i can say:

-First: donut hole is not a problem in real use

-Second: the start on low mode is a bug but, unlike the first version which required a long press to switch, now with 3 quick clik you are immediately on high!…the switch is very reactive, so it requires just a second :wink:
(switch off requires long press instead)

-Third: Damn it throws!! :cowboy_hat_face: …i have seen the first version and it impressed me…but i think it is even better!!
It has a real thrower beam: a spot not very small, but intense and deep! it has umiliated in throw Jetbeam RRT-1 R5 and Predator XP-G2….now i have to compare to the Crelant 7g5V2!

For the price i’m very satisfied!! :slight_smile:

all you need to do now is add some 7135 regularots to stock driver 8)

where can i buy them? :open_mouth: …it’s simple to apply?….and they improve the power?

You can buy 350 or 380 mA AMC7135's from Fasttech.

It may be a little tricky to solder since you'll be stacking these chips. Each chip adds 350 or 380 mA of output.

I think he can add about 3 or 4 without stacking, if so soldering is easy!

thank you for the prompt……i’m not able to do this, but i have a flashaholic friend and i can ask him 8)
However this JM26 is already very good :wink:

I have been on the border for a while on this light :smiley:
and now there’s xintd X3 that also equally look nice to this.

xintd body and color + JM26 reflector style/size, that would be “just take my money” combination :slight_smile: