Shadow's JM07 is an update to the original model that first launched over a year ago when 26650-sized lights were still rather rare. That model was generally well-received by enthusiasts and while the name hasn't changed, the current iteration has received some styling and material updates. Chief amongst these are the upgraded emitter (which gets a bump up to U2 output bin) and the addition of a side-switch:
What may not be as readily obvious is the improvement in overall fit & finish. So how does it fare to the original? Let's find out...
MFG FEATURES & SPECS
MSRP: $64.99USD
- Cree XM-L U2 LED with lifespan of 50,000 hours,Maximum output of 700 lumens.
- Digitally regulated output, maintains constant brightness.
- Low voltage warning flash.
- Reverse polarity protection.
- Tactical forward click switch for on/off operation.
- Ergonomic side switch to enable mode switching; 3 light levels and 1 hidden strobe mode(acquiescence):
High, Medium, Low (Strobe accesed via quick double click).
- Obscure orange peel Aluminum reflector.
- Beam throws over 150 meters.
- Made of durable 6061 aluminum alloy.
- CNC manufactured.
- Stainless steel bezel.
- Toughened ultra-clear glass lens.
- Premium Hard Anodized Type III black finish. Scratch resistant and anti-abrasive.
- IPX-8 waterproof.
- 146mm(Length)x32mm(Body)x43mm(Head).
- 220g weight (batteries not included).
- Powered by Li-ion battery: 1x26650. 2x26650 with optional extended battery tube.
- Test run(Powered by 1x26650,capacity of 3.7V/4000mAh,Kingcell brand in China):
High mode: 1.6 hrs,700lm.
Med. mode: 4.7 hrs.
Low mode: over 35 hrs.
- Versatility of exploration, searching, camping, hunting, cycling, patrol, outworks etc.
- Included accessories: lanyard/spare rubber switch cover/O rings/glass lens/circuit changer.
PACKAGING / CONTENTS
The JM07 arrived in a generic cardboard box:
Accessories included are:
lanyard*/spare rubber switch cover*/O-rings/glass lens/extension tube
* not provided for review
VIDEO SUMMARY
Here is a complete video summary of the JM07 while while I work on fleshing out this review:
[video=youtube;CVX_YAJgYyM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVX_YAJgYyM[/video]
DESIGN & FEATURES
Aside from the key difference being the inclusion of a side-switch and some minor differences to the laser engravings, there are really only minor physical changes compared to the original JM07. To quickly cover that, they are:
1) a new SS bezel vs. the large Al one:
2) fewer but thicker heat sink fins (5 vs. 9)
3) slightly redesigned tail cap end:
NOTE: Greenish hue seen in tailcap of new JM07 (right) is due to CFL lamp and not the actual shade of the finish.
With that out of the way, as mentioned, the new JM07 features a removable crenelated SS bezel:
The red o-ring behind the lens adds a nice aesthetic touch.
The lens doesn't feature any AR coating:
Removal of the bezel allows easy access to the lens, o-ring, reflector and its centering disc as well as the emitter.
The reflector measures 36.5mm (1.44") x 24mm (.95"):
The reflector centering disc is first placed over the base of the emitter with the raised edge up as the reflector then slots into that. This helps achieve perfect centering to reduce the chance of artifacts and decreased performance:
There is decent room to do an emitter swap should one so desire.
The heat fins feature alternating convex/concave grooves milled into them. The JM07 isn't driven particularly hard so doesn't really get all that hot though (NOTE: as with the pic of the end of the tailcap, any greenish tint seen on the finishing is a result of my dying CFL lamp and not a problem with the finish itself):
As with the rest of their lights that feature a side-switch, there is a SS ring around it that adds a nice aesthetic touch, in this case though the entire assembly is recessed nicely within the heat fins.
The tube features two flat sides that bear the company name and model (gone is the non-existent website). The texture is too smooth to provide any meaningful grip but given the slight flare around the base of the tailcap (the side near the end of the tube), it should allow for decent grip (this is with my medium-sized hand so those with larger hands might disagree):
Both ends feature identical threads so it can be installed so as to reverse the direction of the wording in relation to the head (e.g. in the above pics "Shadow" & "JM07" both read left-to-right towards the tail, when reversed, it can be read right left-to-right towards the head)
The tailcap features two fixed holes lanyard holes that are just a bit too small for the typical lobster claw on lanyards thus the use of a mini ring will be necessary. The texture and grooves, as was the case with the tube, doesn't really provide much in the way of grip:
The tailcap guards protrude beyond the rubber tailcap cover sufficiently to allow tailstanding use even if a bit unstable.
There are springs at either end of the light to aid to help with recoil (if gun mounted):
Given the added space that is compressible, it can accommodate a set of my shortest (AW IMR 1600 @ 65.2mm) and longest (XTAR 18700 @ 69.2mm) 18650 cells without any issues. The KK 26650 is only 65.4mm in length so didn't have any fit issues at all lengthwise and at 26.2mm in diameter I was able to induce some minor battery rattle when shaking the tube perpendicular to the length (not so w/the 18650 and spacer).
SIZE / HANDLING
vs. other 1x26650-sized lights:
L to R: Shadow SL3 | Shadow JM26| Shadow JM07-Pro | Shadow JM07 | Elektro Lumens Big Bruiser
vs. 1x18650 lights
L to R: RediLast 3400 | Shadow GF1 (w/18650 tube) | Shadow TC350 | XTAR TZ20 | Shadow JM07 | ThruNite TN11S | Crelant V9-T6 | Niwalker 600N1 | NITECORE P25
w/ext. tube vs. 2x18650 lights:
L to R: Niteye Eye 25 | Klarus XT20 | Shadow JM07 (w/ext. tube) | Lighten7 MAX L2A | SureFire M3LT | Shadow TC500 | Sunwayman T40CS | Crelant 7G5CS
The JM07 fits nicely in my medium-sized hand.
In 2-cell format, the JM07's larger diameter of the tube, IMO, allows a better balance than 2x18650 lights:
The cigar-grip however is literally a bit of stretch for me but should be just fine for those with large(r) hands.
FIT & FINISH
The current iterations of theJM07 is on par with the rest of their newer releases; that is to say that while it's not bad and improved from the very early JM07 I have, it could still make do with some additional refinement. Starting with the anodized finishing, this is the first Shadow light I've reviewed where the shading matches on all parts, coincidentally it's also the only black anodized finish of their current lineup:
NOTE: Flash intentionally used to highlight shading differences.
Overall, the anodizing has been applied well with none missing in the crevices or around edges:
The bezel threads on nice and flush and overall, the laser-engraving is nice and sharp with no blotchiness that can be discerned; in terms of nit-pick though, they are not perfectly dead-centered within the flat space.:
The threads are not square-cut on both ends, but came amply greased and felt smooth enough, I didn't really notice any grittiness:
Overall, the JM07 is probably the best fit & finish-wise of their current lights.
UI
The UI on the JM07 is very straightforward in that the forward-clicky tail-cap switch functions solely as the master on/off and the side-switch cycles through the three output levels: H > M > L and accesses strobe if depressed twice. As with the rest of their lights with a side-switch, it is fairly easy to accidentally activate the strobe while cycling through the output levels since the spacing isn't tight enough. There is no memory so it'll always come on in H.
On my sample, upon letting go of the tailcap switch after fulling depressing it, the light will briefly shut-off before staying on.
RUNTIME & OUTPUT
The relevant battery stats are provided above each runtime graph along with:
- Voltage of the battery at the start and end of the test
- Current draw
- Actual runtime using ANSI FL1 (first in HR and then in M so for the KK, read this as 3.8hrs or 225min)
- Lumens measured on my PVC LMD @ 30 seconds
- Also for Turbo, captured the temperature: ambient, the head/fins at start and the max it reached (fan was used for all bats)
Max output measured @ 30 seconds was 787lms w/a KK (note: although I calibrate my PVC LMD before each runtime/lumens testing, the ambient temp will also cause deviations in readings).
The JM07 features an mild decline after turn-on and will step-down ~225lms shortly after 10 minutes regardless of cell used which leads me to believe this is timed. It'll then continue to run unregulated until output can no longer be maintained at which point it'll nose dive to a few lumens and the low-voltage warning kicks-in. The cells should be replaced immediately at this point as they are already severely depleted (~3v for all tested cells except for RL3400 which was at 3.2v). Per the chart above, it exhibits what looks to be PWM'ish flicker after the step down but my eyes don't notice it, however, a very faint buzzing noise can be heard w/the light right against my ear.
Here in order for each cell are measurements for:
* step-down; time
* medium; current draw and calculated runtime
* low; current draw and calculated runtime
CONCLUSION
This latest generation of the JM07 shows that the anodizing issues on the JM07-Pro and the sub-par build quality were a fluke and that Shadow knows how to build decent lights. While there are no particular features that really stand out there aren't any glaring issues either. It's a solid light that features great build quality and should prove to be very durable. I've actually had the light now for nearly a year and while I haven't used it much beyond for testing, it has proven to be trouble free each time I did. I feel that given its mass & great heat-sinking, it could've been driven just a bit harder but who knows, perhaps the next version (if they release one) just might be. For now, here are my impressions:
turboBB-licious
- solid build and great fit & finish
- extension tube allows use of 2nd cell increasing runtime (but not output) nicely
- optional sleeve allows use of 18650 cells thus increasing flexibility of fuel source
turboBB-cautious
- quick cycling of output levels can accidentally trigger strobe
- light cuts-out briefly right upon releasing tail-cap switch after fully depressing it
turboBB-wishes
- holster
- spring in place of the brass nodule in negative contact point
- revised driver that increases output during 2-cell operation
- tighten-up timing required to activate strobe
- stand-by mode via side-switch
- AR coated lens
- more output levels implemented via different UI (a la Zebralight)]
- smooth reflector for more throw
JM07 GALLERY
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JM07 provided by sbflashlights.com for review.
