^This
That is why I did not get the Cometa, thank goodness.
Between the Great quality of the Brinyte and the easy upgrade with the BLF A6 driver and the XP-L Hi the thing will do everything that the Cometa will, minus the 26650 capability.
How many of us really use these things for an extended period of time anyway?
Also the Uniquefire 1504 can be modded to blow away pretty much anything in it’s size.
Bottom line, We don’t need any more Zoomies.
It’s all been done now.
Later
Not me man. I just saw this light, and was thinking… I already have a light that does basically what this one does. That’s not to say I don’t have a lot of redundant lights… but there wasn’t any particular thing about this light that was great. Maybe it’s that I only really need one or two good aspherhics and I’m set.
All the commotion made me look at Jaxman lights, I am going to be getting an X1 as soon as I can afford to. 
I don’t like zoomies, just not my thing, so I passed earlier based on that alone. I did fall to peer pressure and bought a Jax X6 Hunter and have been very impressed with it’s build quality and finish. I stuffed an MT-G2 in mine, like it a lot! 
So, Jaxman, I posted to let you know that I, for one, really do appreciate your efforts and will be buying more of your lights. Thank you.
Jaxman has a point.
It sounds like the Cometa was produced without Jaxman’s authorization and it appears to be a copy of the Jaxman light. So much so that there may be consumer confusion. People may think that Jaxman is involved in producing parts of this light.
That said, most people who bought the Cometa are flashlight enthusiasts here or on CPF. These purchasers are highly knowledgeable and are are not the typical flashlight consumer. Essentially those who bought the Cometa did so expecting to get a customized, or “modded” light. There may be less risk of confusion than among less knowledgeable consumers. Though there is still a risk if someone who is not so knowledgeable sees a Cometa in someone else’s hands and thinks Jaxman produced it.
Is the Cometa an unlicensed knockoff? Probably. It would have been better to obtain Jaxman’s permission to use their design or parts before making the Cometa.
Alternatively, this problem could have been avoided simply by making the exterior design of the light unique. Rather than making the outside of the body and head look exactly the same as the Jax Z1, Manker should have made stylistic changes to insure a unique-looking light. If it looked different enough, there is much less risk of consumer confusion.
It has been advertised as Jax Z1, how could they change the design? Btw, the only reason why I joined the group buy.
Well said ‘jaxman’!!! :+1: Thank you for being straight forward and clearing this matter up.
Your post has made it crystal clear……
Best regards to you……… :+1:
If anything, your modded B158 has more throw than even a modded Cometa.
On my Cometa with 20 awg wire, and spring bypasses and better thermal compound: 136000cd
On my modded B158 with the exact same LED (3B), same driver, wires, bypasses, etc: 164000cd
It does not mean it’s a Colt, but if a Colt component was used, the Colt reliability is still assumed, because of the Colt brand name, although here, these were unbranded parts, which means that they were not really “repair parts”, as repair bodies would already have the Logo on them. I still stand by what I said. Jaxman is simply trying to keep from having any responsibility or involvement and that is fine, but at the time, it could even be that a person working for Jaxman could have sold unmarked bodies, heads, etc., to Banggood for a cut rate price, just to have a sale and Jaxman has since seen that has happened. Doesn’t really matter, as Banggood is still the culprit, just as they have in most all their other sales. All of the major sellers we have seen, will whore themselves for a sale and safety is not the #1 concern. I am sure they had hoped it would have gone better, but dollars are the only thing that makes a sale, for a seller, not quality.
Nah, nonsense.
I’ve recently purchased the Uniquefire 1405 and the Jax Z1, the Jax is far better and they’re numerous things I don’t like on the Uniquefire.
There’re plenty of zoomies out there but not many good ones and that’s why the group buy for the Cometa was so popular as they were expecting to get a very good light, the Jax Z1 with the mods already done.
Just double-checked, lot's of things different between the Cometa I rcv'd and the JAX Z1 I have:
Just fyi and my own opinion, from the list above, I can't see any part that is identical to a Z1 part, so I believe Manker is correct, and Jaxman was not deceived about parts being re-used in the Cometa run.
I can only say these are the differences between the Cometa and Z1 I have though - one piece compared to one piece.
Wondering if there’s an apples vs oranges comparison here. The Uniquefire 1504 has similarities to the 1405, but a different form factor. I believe the 1504, while larger in all dimensions to the Cometa, is the more appropriate comparison. I say that with a 1504 sitting next to a Cometa on my desk (both next to my favorite zoomie, a modded Uniquefire 1503, which is very close dimension-wise to the Cometa), Don’t have the 1405 or Z1 to compare.
Maybe this question comes from ignorance of the inner workings of the special editions, but it seems like these problems could be avoided by starting out the dealings with a trusted manufacturer (Jaxman, Convoy, etc.) rather than a dealer/retailer (Banggood, etc.). The thread sounds like BG was free to cobble together a light with parts from who-know-where rather than dealing with known parts form a known and trusted manufacturer.
And, IMHO, there is NO excuse for deviations from spec like using smaller wires. EVER. It should make any organizers think twice or more about using such a manufacturer, and should make any manufacturer think twice or more if it is worth ruining their reputation in the flashlight community to save a penny or two.
They could have used the same or similar lens as the Jax Z1, but changed the body styling. Change the body shape so it doesn’t look like a Jax Z1 at a glance, change the knurling. Add different heatsink fins, etc. The important part would be making sure the changes were sufficient to avoid consumer confusion.
For you the selling point may be that it was a modded Jax Z1. But to avoid making an illegal copy of Jaxman’s light, Manker should have designed their own unique body. I’m sure many people would have joined the group buy if it was advertised as being a custom zoomie with AR coated lens, BLF-A6 driver and XPL HI, with HAIII anodizing.
The thing is, the organizers who received the samples thought they had a real Z1 in hand all this time, or they actually received Jax Z1 prototypes before the production of the copy started. Bangood didn’t change anything on the exterior because their intention was to create an exact copy of the Z1. Simply put, we were sold counterfeit flashlights.
I see that banggood hasn’t been able to answer my simple question yet, BANGGOOD: were you aware we asked for JAX Z1 and not a MANKER made copy?
For the common good of this forum, the next groupbuy involving a existing flashlight and Banggood I will personally make sure they state clearly if it’s just another copy coming from manker factories, just like the X6 and the Cometa.
I’m just saying that the Jax Z1 which the Cometa should’ve been is superior to the UltraFire, it is like comparing apples to oranges as they’re not in the same price range but Muto made the comparison.
The only real difference between the 1504 and 1405 is the length of the tube for the extra battery.
Muto is effectively saying we didn’t need the Cometa and we don’t need any more zoomies, but if the Cometa was indeed the modded Jax Z1 it would’ve been superior to the Brintye which he mentions and the Uniquefire.
I also have a Brintye B158.
The JAX X6 to me, is one of the best so called “BUDGET” lights out there of the highest fit finish and machining quality, for the $$$$ bar none. I have quite a few X6’s had (3) Z1’s found one Z1 I modded with a XHP70 and FETDD driver, a couple years ago and stored away, and now the new X1. I like that you came out, made your statement, and are standing your ground, way to GO! :+1: JAX and Convoy are my 2 most favorite makers of hand held illumination devices for my money! Continue to move forward and bring us your best, thanks!!
All sides involved (except organizers) have spoken and what’s next?
I already have Cometa and as it’s said here “Beaten was beaten, fu$$’n was fu$$’n”. Apologize for the expression.
It’s cristal clear who was manipulated all of us in this case.
I still would like to receive the promised from Banggood product - modded Jax Z1.
P.S. With all respect to the organizer of his desire to do something extraordinary and taking the time for this. Anyone can make a mistake …
Thanks for your responses and troubles here.
I hope Cyberscudo will add something to the discussion at last!
Just for the record, can Jaxman confirm that this is their product?
And, looking back, here’s the early mention of “JAX Z1” (including many pictures)
AGGIORNATA RECENSIONE JAX Z1 CPFItalia Prototipo v1 • Cpfitalia …
http://www.cpfitaliaforum.it/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=11027
Sep 2, 2015 - 1 post - 1 author
Al fine di rendere la torcia del forum più performante è stata decisa …. Vi presento il prototipo pre-vendita della Jax Z1 scelta quest’anno come “Torcia del Forum”
a bit confused here. There is Jax, and Jaxman? Two different companies? Is there a company called Jax? Do they have a website? Everyone seems to LOVE their lights/quality.