Brinyte B158 vs Jax Z1 (or Cometa)?

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
1

I’m looking for my first zoomie. I’d like it to not be too huge, be good quality, and have good performance.

I narrowed my choices down to the B158, and the Cometa.

I can mod, so adding a XP-L HI led, spring bypass, and a direct-drive driver to the B158 isn’t a problem.

Size wise, quality wise, performance wise, and handling wise, which light is the better one? The best compromise?
Which will I be happy to actually use and hold? Looks are no problem. I love the grenade protrusions on the B158, and the sleekness of the Z1, so aesthetics isn’t a factor.

2

IMHO, I would go with the cometa. If you are in the group buy, the price is about what you would spend on the b158 and all the stuff to mod it with. Saves some work going with the z1 and it even has a lighted tail switch from the factory.

3

Price wise comparison:

$19.99 for B158, $10 for FET driver, $7 for XP-L HI. And some labor.

So ~$37 for B158 build.

~$40 for cometa with all those features + lighted tailcap.

4

Thanks for the replies!

I guess I should have made it clear that cost isn’t a factor in my decision, nor is the labor involved. I love putting lights together.

I’m asking for a comparison in performance, feel, and size. Which would one prefer?

5

Here are my thoughts on the Jax vs Brinyte - I own and have modded both.

The Jax takes a 22mm driver while the Brinyte takes 17mm. The lenses on both lights are great - the Jax being glass with AR coating and the Brinyte being acrylic. The Jax feels much better my hand compared to the B158 because the B158 has those lugs protruding from the body. The B158 has superior feel when zooming because of the o rings on both sides of the threads. Because of those o rings, the B158 is waterproof unlike the Jax Z1. The Brinyte also has pills available separately, which is nice. If the B158 did not have the lugs protruding from the body, it would be my choice, hands down. They are both very nice lights - it just comes down to your priorities.

6

I have a B158 with a FET +7135 driver from mtn electronics and a XPG2 S4 2B, and now a Cometa. Minus the rifle mounting of the B158 (if you want that) I would go for the Jax based Cometa. Smaller with better proportions and a 26650 for real nice runtimes…

Both are very nice lights, but to me the Cometa hits a sweet spot in holding and using…

7

If cost isn’t a factor then buy both. :wink:

I have the Brinyte B158 and it’s a lovely light to use especially when it’s driven a little harder.

I keep looking at the Cometa but I can’t convince myself that it’ll give me much more than the Brinyte.