Review: JAX Mini C8

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
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KronoReview of the JAX Mini C8. This light was provided by Neal/BangGood for review.

www.jax-led.com (Taobao website is a hot mess. No English option)

BangGood regular price: $29.79.

KronoReview:

The JAX Mini C8 is a single 18650, XM-L2 light and the same form factor as a regular C8, just proportionally smaller. This version is the 5B tint (4 other tints available), which BG classifies as ‘Warm Yellow’. Here are some things I observed in this light:

PROS:

  • Nice, easy to handle size. Smaller than an X6, thus more pocketable.

  • Brass pill.

  • HA III anodizing (flawless matte black finish). On par with the X6, close to MaxToch quality.

  • 7135*6 +MCU driver (‘star’ modable w/o driver change).

  • Decent, army-green paracord lanyard.

  • 5 different tint choices.

  • Star is screwed to pill.

  • Heavy tailcap spring.

  • Omten reverse clicky with half-press advance.

  • Grey thermal paste, thin coat under star.

  • Pleasing tint…perhaps a little warm, but still nice.

  • Starts on high, 5 modes (High, Medium, Low, Blinkies, Fast-Slow SOS).

  • Aluminum OP (Orange Peal) reflector.

  • A/R (Anti-Reflective) glass lens.

  • Fits protected and non-protected cells (button-top and flat-top).

  • Brass retainer rings for driver and tailswitch (Note: Tailswitch retainer ring is reverse threaded!)

  • Anodized tailcap threads (for lockout).

  • Nice, thick solder joints.

  • Includes extra tailcap and o-ring.

  • Tailstands nicely. Tailcap allows installation of split key ring so lanyard doesn’t interfere.

Cons:

  • Laser-etching could be a little clearer, somewhat ‘blotchy’.

  • Perhaps pricing, but honestly with the quality of this light, probably worth it.

  • Blinkies/SOS (But I believe easily changeable through different soldered star on driver).

My Pics:


JAX Mini C8 came in standard shipping package…


…rapped in standard white foam…


…and standard, crushed white cardboard box.


JAX sideview and pic with included parts.


Mini C8 in 3 pieces (brass retainer rings, anodized tailcap threads).


JAX Inside tailcap (brass retainer ring).


Tailcap parts.


Omten tailcap switch.


JAX Mini C8 head showing AR lens.


Inside head/driver view.


Inside head with pill mostly unscrewed.


Side view pic of pill with screws removed and star lifted slightly, showing grey thermal grease.


Another side view pic of pill (trying to show threads better).


JAX Mini C8 with Big Bro Convoy C8.


My Beamshots-Distance to house is approx. 160 ft. (49 meters). Pics taken with Kodak easyshare Max Z990 f/4.5, 1/5 sec, ISO-1600:



JAX Mini C8 Low.


JAX Mini C8 Medium.


JAX Mini C8 High.


JAX Mini C8 Wall shot on high

BLF X6 Sample 1 (Left) and JAX Mini C8 (Right)

Summary:

This is one nice light. I was a little dubious of something called a Mini C8. The form factor of a regular C8, IMHO, is a little dated looking. However, in this smaller size, it just works. I can’t explain the reason why, other than to say it feels right in the hand, and just doesn’t appear to have the ‘harsh’ edges of it’s larger brother.

The build quality is exceptional. Brass pill, latest matte HA III coating, right amount of thermal grease, lots of threads, pleasing tint, good lanyard, A/R lens, tail-stands with lanyard installed, modable driver…I could go on, but its all listed above.

*There are some differences between the Mini C8 I received, and the one they have pictured on their website. Mine did not come with Chinese Laser etching, GITD (Glow in the Dark) button, and protected/non-protected or flat top/button top batteries in any combination fit fine, contrary to BangGood’s description/info.

Kronological Patented KronoMeter Rating: 4.5/5.

Here are BangGood’s Pics:

Standard A/R Lens versus regular lens.

From left to right are:T6 5B,T4 7C,U2 1A.

!!

Here are BangGood’s Specs:

Specification:

Product name:

JAX MINI C8 Cree XM-L2/T6 LED Flashlight

Brand:

JAX

Model:

Mini C8

Emitter Brand/Type:

CREE

Emitter BIN:

XM-L2 U2,White light
XM-L2 T6 3C,Warn white
XM-L2 T6 5B,Warm yellow (My version)
XM-L2 T4 7C,Yellow
XM-L T6 4C,Warm white

Material:

Aluminium alloy

Mode:

High/Middle/Low/Strobe/SOS

Battery Configurations:

1 x 18650 Battery(battery not included)

Switch Type:

clicky

Switch Location:

tail of the flashlight

Waterproof:

Yes

Color:

Black

Weight:

117g

Size:

130mm(Length) x 23mm(Dia.)


Features:
High quality vacuum coating orange aluminum reflector, floodlight good.
Edging optical white glass, steel, double-sided coating.
When the battery voltage drops below 3V,it will flash until close.

Note:Please use the original flat head 18650 battery.

Package included:
1 x JAX MINI C8 Cree XM-L2/T6 LED Flashlight
1 x Tail cap
1 x O ring
1 x Langard

2

Looks like a nice mini-C8...probably the nicest one yet. I'm liking the JAX stuff so far. That's not a qlite drive though...at least not as we know it (105C with custom firmware). It uses 7135s but it isn't a 105C. What MCU does it use?

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I’m not that familiar with drivers (obviously)…yet…lol. I will try to get more info.

4

Thanks for the review. I like it. I want one. Group buy $10.00.

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put my name in the GB list

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Thank you for the review. A really nice looking light IMO. Nice miniaturization. Looks less offending than the original. But I'd love to see a nice sturdy clip and a smooth reflector. Stuff a XP-E2 in there and dedome it and you would have a wicked pocket thrower!

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Cool light. I’ll il so take one for 10 bux

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Your link to the product in the first sentence has a few extra characters on the end making it broken.

9

Ordered.This was one I had my eye on when the Jax lights hit the market.

Thanks

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Oh and great review Earnest T!

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Thanks…fixed.

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Hey thanks. It’s my first.

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That would be an interesting light. Perhaps they can provide some variatons in the future.

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Let us know what you think of it.

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Great review!! Would like to see a GB on this.

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Pretty safe bet that wont be happening…

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Oh no, another C8 lookalike! I always liked the form factor of the C8, but find the head design really really ugly, and exactly that ugly head design is what Jax has copied here :sick:

Thanks for the fine review, Krono, the build quality of this light looks great! But for the design I like the Convoy M2/M1 much better.

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Different strokes for different folks I think. I for one love the design of the C8, it’s very ergonomic.

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I love this man :smiley:

C’mon Kronos, you are the Man, you can do it!! :party:

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Cons: its JAX