Jax-Coolight X6 aka Jax-Colt X6 XM-L2 U3-1A 1/2*26650 Flashlight
Advertised Copy from Wallbuys.com:
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Product Description
Brand: JAX-COLT
Model: X6
Material: Aluminum Alloy
Color: Black
Emitter Brand: CREE
Emitter Type: LED
Emitter BIN: XM-L2 U3-1A
Emitting Color: White
Total Emitters: 1
Brightness: 1200LM(manufacturer rated)
Runtime: 2-3h(manufacturer rated)
Beam Range: max.900m(no light pollution)
Modes: Group 1:Low(5%)-Mid(50%)-High(100%)
Group 2: Strobe-SOS-Low(5%)-Mid(50%)-High(100%)
Group 3： High
*Note: Switch to low mode and wait for 5 seconds. As soon as you notice a quick blink, turn off the light instantly. After about 5s turn on the light and mode group is then toggled.
Mode Memory: Yes
Switch Type: Tailcap Clicky Switch
Lens: Double-sided coated glass lens
Reflector: Aluminum Smooth/SMO Reflector
Working Voltage: 3.7V
Circuitry: Constant current circuit, 3A current drive
Waterproof: Yes
Other Feature: Overheat protection
Application: Outdoor/Lighting/Hunting/Riding/Camping
Battery-Powered: 1/2x26650/2x18650(not included)
Dimensions: 250(L)x67(HD)x32(D)mm
Packing List: 1 x Flashlight
*Note： Do not shine the eyes straight as the powerful light could cause a permanent injury.
Product Link: Walbuys.com
Price: $69.96
Specifications
Package Size: 25.5*7.5*4cm
Net Weight: 500g
Total Weight: 890g
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My Measured Specifications:
Head diameter: 67.5
Lens D*H: 59.37*3.11
Reflector OD*H: 59.48 * 49.87
Driver Diameter: 21.5
MCPCB Diameter: 20mm
PROS:
- Very nice machining on all surfaces, fins, and threads.
- All edges chamfered so there are no sharp edges.
- Non-aggressive knurling but still grippy when wet
- Excellent semi-matte anodizing through out the light and threads
- Clean solid laser etching for logos
- Waterproof to 1m
- 3 Mode Groupings
- Zero visible PWM in any mode
- Three mode groups and decent mode spacing
- Excellent heat sinking. Excellent threaded pill.
- Thermal grease under screw retained MCPCB
- Brass pill appears to have a higher than usual copper content based on its color
- Cree XM-L2 U3 1A emitter
- Lots of head fins for good thermal management
- Perfect O-rings on all parts for a good tight seal especially around bezel and glass.
- Stainless steel bezel
- Large enough lanyard holes in tailcap to use 550 paracord
- Switch has a quality feel to it.
- Can use 1 or 2 26650/18650 cells
- Constant current driver
- Nice quality aluminum reflector
- Perfect candidate for an MTG2 conversion
CONS:
- Pill threads coated with thermal glue. Very difficult to remove.
- Holes in driver retaining ring are too small for any of my needle nose pliers. Need to be drilled out larger.
- For it's thermal capacities it is very underdriven. Should be at least 4A and no issues.
PERFORMANCE:
The X6 has a smooth spill and nice tight hotspot. Performance-wise I would imagine it to be a lot like the Convoy L2 which it seems to have a striking similarity. With only a 67mm head and a reflector with an ID of 57-56mm it isn't going to be a monster thrower but it surpassed my expectations by turning in 78.2kcd from only 812.4 OTF lumens. With it's well designed head assembly and reflector it's a beefy brute that has far more potential than is realized in the stock product. The XM-L2 U3 1A is the brightest of the current XM-L2 bins but is a fairly cold white beam. This is nothing that a simple dedoming can't take care of to give it a NW tint plus double the throw distance of which it is currently capable. The double-sided AR coated lens is far nicer than my pictures would have you believe. I have a lot of dust and some fingerprints I neglected to wipe off just prior to my photo shoot of the X6. Also unfortunate is that the X6 is not driven to it's maximum potential (or anywhere close). While it does draw 3A on 2 cells, driver inefficiencies and reflector/lens losses eat away at the output making only 812 ANSI lumens.
The really good point in my findings is the fantastic throw from the reflector but even more-so, the modding potential! After 30 seconds of runtime (ANSI rating requirements) the X6 is still making 98.952% of its initial output on high. This is a drop in initial output of only 1.05%. The heat sinking and thermal capabilities of the X6 are phenomenal! This light is a prime candidate for an MT-G2 emitter and a 7A FET driver. Not your bag? Then you can mount a dedomed XM-L2 on a Noctigon and drive it at 6.5-7A easily and safely. This light CAN handle it!
The X6 driver has 3 mode groupings. To change between groups put the light into low mode then wait 5 seconds for the light to flash twice. Turn the light off then back on and you will be in the next group. Repeat to enter the 3rd group. Repeat again to enter back to the first mode. An awesome setup as it gives the user exactly what they want whether they are flashie lovers, flashie haters, or old school single mode lovers.
Group 1: High > Medium > Low > Strobe > SOS
Group 2: High > Medium > Low
Group 3: High
Tail Cap amps on 2 cells
Low .111 (222mA @ driver)
Medium .492 (984mA @ driver)
High 1.49 (2.98A @ driver)
Tail Cap amps on 1 cell
High: 2.49A
Medium: 464mA
Low: 32mA
Output figures:
I measure OTF lumens using a calibrated Illumination Sphere. Lux measurements are measured using 2 cells at 8.83m and converted to 1m.
Test with a single cell
Low: 14 OTF
Medium: 155 OTF
High @ 0s: 717 OTF
High @ 30s (ANSI): 701 OTF
Test with 2 cells
Low: 58.29 OTF
Medium: 269.84 OTF
High @ 0s: 821 OTF
High @ 30s (ANSI): 812.4 OTF
ANSI Lux @ 1m (30s): 78.2kcd (78204)
ANSI Throw: 559.3 meters
Here are some beam shots to give an idea of it's tight beam. My water beam shots really show the subtle nuances in a flashlight's beam. You can see the beam profile very easily and when driven at even 3A the X6 really has a tight, classic thrower profile. You can see the empty beam in the middle with the outer beam converging. It's really not that far off from the TK61, just not as intense but not far from it visibly.
Distance from the light to the tree line is 70 yds. Photos taken with a Fujifilm FinePix S6800 f/3.1 ISO100 and 4 seconds exposure.
If you wish to skip all the photos, now would be the time to scroll to the bottom of the review for my final thoughts and conclusion. For detailed photos of the light and commentary on the specifics, read on. :)
Build Quality and Details:
This is a damned handsome light with classic flashlight looks coupled with modern features like awesome finning and durable hard anodizing.
The wide 67mm head is topped with a large stainless steel crenelated bezel and a 60mm double-sided AR coated lens.
Machining and anodizing on the X6 is really good. The aluminum is a very hard alloy with a beautiful and consistent layer of matte type III hard anodizing. All edges on the X6 are chamfered and nothing is sharp on the light.
More than ample finning and lots of mass in the head make for excellent heat dissipation. The pill is just as beefy and threads into the pill. The fins on the X6 are made for go, not show and they work very well.
All engraving is bold, clean and consistent.
The tail cap has large lanyard holes that accommodate 550 Paracord. The openings, like every other edge on the X6, are chamfered to reduce wear on the lanyard cord used. Opposite the lanyard holes there is a scallop notch machined into the lip of the tail cap to make it easy to work the switch button in a tactical hold. The GITD switch boot feels sturdy and secure.
The Jax-Coolight X6 will also work in single cell mode where I find it particularly good looking. I'm a sucker for big headed stubby lights! Below we see each of the 3 machined flats in the main battery tube. One with the company logo, one with the light's model name, and one blank.
All threading on the X6 is anodized and trapezoidal. They are also extremely smooth and machined to tight tolerances. There is extremely little play in the threads and the machining is equal to many high-end lights I own. Extremely impressive for the price! All O-rings are properly thick and seal well.
Current is conducted by exposed surfaces on the tube ends. All threads arrived lubricated from the factory.
The tailcap assembly is as beefy as the head.
Another massive brass pill threads into the cap and holds the switch internals.
Excellent soldering on all switch joints as well as a long but very stiff tail spring. All internal threads are deep and very smooth.
Back to the head, the 21.5mm driver is held in with a threaded brass retaining ring. The only problem is the hole drilled into the retaining ring for removal are far too small to insert any of my needle nose pliers. It is also in very tight. I will be enlarging the holes so I can get the tip of my pliers in and remove the ring and driver. I will add photos to the review once I do this.
Back to the front of the head. Here the bezel is removed to show the external and internal O-rings, the lovely SS bezel, and the 3mm thick AR coated glass lens.
The emitter is perfectly centered thanks to black nylon insulator. The reflector is 57mm wide and 50mm deep. It produces a concentrated, crisply edged center hotspot, a dead even corona 3 times wider across than the hotspot, and a smooth even spill for the remainder.
Beneath the machined aluminum reflector sits a massive brass pill. Due to it's darker color (not as dark in photos as it is in person) it appears to have a high copper color than other brass pills. It threads into the head but is unfortunately held securely in place with thermal epoxy instead of thermal grease. It certainly does the job though because output only drops 1% after 30 seconds on high. In the center of that beautiful pill is a 20mm MCPCB which is secured tight to the pill base with machine screws. The solder joints are perfect. There is thermal grease under the MCPCB so changing out the emitter, even without removing the pill, should be a breeze. The wire to the emitter from the driver appear very thick and heavy in gauge.
The design of the bezel and reflector, coupled with the one piece head, provide for a super clean seal against dust and water ingress.
Another look at the strong, wide bezel, thick lens, and lovely reflector.
Here you can see the purple hue imparted by the Anti-Reflective coating on the lens.
Here I show the X6 in several hand positions
A couple shots of it lit outdoors in daylight
CONCLUSION:
While a bit under driven, the Jax-Coolight X6 performs very well in spite of not attaining it's advertised output. It is a wonderfully made beast of a light with great machining, durable matte finish anodizing, and fantastic throw. It is a perfect candidate for LED and driver updates if you are so minded but still a super tough, great performing, ultra reliable torch for those who would prefer to keep it stock. Sure $70 is not exactly a budget light but it's nowhere as pricey as many lights that it equals or surpasses in quality or performance. I definitely approve this light!
