Shadow JM05 2 x 26650: "Please Drive Me Harder"
WOLF
The Shadow JM05 concludes the quintet of vastly entertaining lights I ordered from Hank at Int'l Outdoor. This JM05 was highly anticipated because Foy feels that 26650 torches deserve to be the next big thing among the flashlightinati (insert clever group description) The 2 x 26650 form factor has the look and feel of what many might call a "traditional" flashlight. The additional energy of a 4,000 mAh lithium-ion battery is no small thing and I'm certain more single and multiple 26650 flashlights will soon be on the market. The Shadow JM05 is a superb example of the breed and without reservation, it is . . .
Foyapproved
Bottom line: The JM05 is a formidable torch. It has a huge, screw-in copper pill and quality extras like gold (copper? brass?) contact rings, a reflector lock ring, dual o-rings at the head and gorgeous, square threads. Fit and finish is second to none, its Hollywood good looks is sure to annoy haters and it seems purpose built for an over-driven, XM-L hot rod driver. So . . . why isn't it? The JM05 has thick, thermal pathways enough to passively cool a nuclear reactor and make no mistake; it is bright, brighter than my M8, even. But, ohhh could it be so much more and at this size/price, it should be. It's easy to imagine the folks at Shadow being a little squeamish with 3+ amps atop 8,000 mAh, but Foy thinks this flashlight should spend some quality time under Erik's soldering gun. All aboard for New Hampshire!
Shadow JM05 2 x 26650: "Please Drive Me Harder"
WOLF
The Shadow JM05 concludes the quintet of vastly entertaining lights I ordered from Hank at Int'l Outdoor. This JM05 was highly anticipated because Foy feels that 26650 torches deserve to be the next big thing among the flashlightinati. The 2 x 26650 form factor has the look and feel of what many might call a "traditional" flashlight. The additional energy of a 4,000 mAh lithium-ion battery is no small thing and I'm certain more single and multiple 26650 flashlights will soon be on the market. The Shadow JM05 is a superb example of the breed and without reservation, it is . . .
Foyapproved
Bottom line: The JM05 is a formidable torch. It has a huge, screw-in copper pill and quality extras like gold (copper? brass?) contact rings, a reflector lock ring, dual o-rings at the head and gorgeous, square threads. Fit and finish is second to none, its Hollywood good looks is sure to annoy haters and it seems purpose built for an over-driven, XM-L hot rod driver. So . . . what isn't it? The JM05 has thick, thermal pathways enough to passively cool a nuclear reactor and make no mistake; it is bright, brighter than my M8, even. But, ohhh could it be so much more and at this size/price, it should be. It's easy to imagine the folks at Shadow being a little squeamish with 3+ amps atop 8,000 mAh, but Foy thinks this flashlight should spend some quality time under Erik's soldering gun. All aboard for New Hampshire!
What I like:
- aesthetics
- 2Cish form factor
- build quality/machine work
- apart from the norm grip design
- big, fat pill
- gold contact rings
- gorgeous green shade anodization
- reflector locking ring
- no external brand identification or "warning hot" notices (just the letters W O L F around the tail cap)
- 3 hours run time
What I do not like:
- under driven
- should have been a 3-mode (with no strobe)
- came with just one 26650 to 18650 sleeve
- arrived with (extremely) small flaws
Shadow JM05/T6 2 x 26650 Flashlight
$53.50 Int'l Outdoor http://www.intl-outdoor.com/shadow-jm05-t6-2x26650-850lm-flashlight-p-301.html
ordered: 2-16-12
received: 3-8-12
Cree XM-L/T6 emitter
SMO reflector
designed for 2 x 26650 or 2 x 18650 lithium-ion batteries (no working voltage listed)
4-mode user interface: high (2.8 amps) medium (1.4 amp) low (.12 amp) and fast strobe with mode memory (manufacturer specs)
6061-T6 aluminum
"HA III" anodization with medium green finish
square cut threads
dual o-rings
tail standing, tactical, reverse clicky tail cap switch with 4 lanyard holes and 14mm boot
gold flashlight body contact rings
large, copper screw-in pill
IPX-5 <<edit>>
selected manufacturer specifications:
"850 lumens"
run time: high - 3.5 hours low - 65 hours
low battery warning
205mm length; 30mm body; 47mm head
295 grams without battery
what you get for $53.50:
- JM05 flashlight
- 1 26650 to 18650 battery converter sleeve
- 2 battery spacer magnets
- lanyard
tail cap draw: with 2 x King Kong 26650/4000
high: 1.15 amp
medium: .56
low: .04
Run time with 2 x King Kong 26650s charged to 4.18 volts each.
Flashlight on high.
| time | Foyometer |
| 12:37 | 169 |
| 12:40 | 167 |
| 1:10 | 164 |
| 1:40 | 164 |
| 2:08 | 164 |
| 2:35 | 162 |
| 3:08 | 162 |
| 3:30 | 160 |
3 hours run time - pretty good.
Foyometer: (for comparison only)
60 - Foy's dimly lit office
170 - Solarforce M8 with 2 x unprotected Panasonic 18650/2350
177 - Shadow JM05 with 2 x King Kong 26650/4000
The Shadow JM05 is a full size flashlight with a classic 2C feel and look. I really like the two vertical cut bands around the body instead of the usual knurling. (or, most often, faux knurling) Fully loaded with King Kongs, the JM05 is about 475 grams and however substantial it is to carry and use, it never feels too big or too heavy. When the need arises for a non-EDC light such as this, performance requirements usually trump minor carry concerns.
Machine work is a delight to behold with no sloppy nicks or burrs. The green ano is beyond awesome, much more so than my camera could capture.
At first I questioned the builder's choice of a two battery only setup instead of an extension/convertible . . . but, I've found I like the solid feel/less busy appearance of a once-piece tube.
The head knurling is diamond beautiful with laser straight cuts. And, this is not an "attack" or "defensive" bezel; it merely facilitates head standing lamp duty.
Whatever doubts I may have about ano durability, I can't say enough about its matte quality. It looks and feels expensive.
I am absolutely thrilled that the JM05 sports no external brand identification or livery, save for the letters "W O L F" on the four flat sides of the tail cap. Or, maybe it's "FWOL" or "OLFW."
Even under the fins, the aluminum is massively thick.
My JM05 arrived with these tiny flaws in the metal, which appear to be under the anodization. There were also a couple of other minor nicks.
Like the XinTD L2, the JM05 has gold (probably brass) contact rings. A very nice plus and I like the dual o-rings.
The square threads are spectacular and feel butter smooth.
A brass collar screws into an aluminum ring which itself, screws into the tail cap.
Upon disassembly, correct pill depth is achieved by installing the reflector, lens and fully tightening the head. The pill is then screwed in until it seats against the reflector.
Giant copper, screw-in pill . . .
. . . this is how it's done, folks . . .
. . . of course the pill threads are square, too.
Another thing I really like is this ring that threads down into the head, making it snug against the o-ring. You just stick your wife's pointed tweezers in the holes and loosen or tighten as needed. Every flashlight should have this and it's the kind of quality you don't readily see. Things like this create real value, in my opinion.
King Kong fit with one spacer magnet installed . . .
. . . the thick wrap is flush with the top. My light will not turn on without the spacer and Int'l Outdoor thoughtfully included two with the light.
The whole kit, 80% disassembled.
Size comparison with the Shadow VG-20 and Solarforce L2P.
The below beam shots were taken with a 1/4 second shutter speed @ f2.8.
Solarforce M8 with 2 x Panasonic 18650/2350.
Shadow JM05 with 2 x King Kong 26650/4000.
You can see the eaves lit a little brighter with the JM05.
Even driven like it is, this is a superb flashlight that I am proud to own and show. It is plenty bright but if I can persuade Erik to work a little magic, the Shadow JM05 could possibly be a superstar.
thanksforwatchingFoy
