For someone that stocks over 100 flashlight models (soon to be 300+), I am bad about using the latest and greatest lights on a daily basis. My constant companion has been a $30 iTP A3 EOS SS for several months, and I only carry the stainless version over the aluminum because I needed the gift tin that the stainless one came in for a customer. Customers ask which big and bad light I use, and I sheepishly pull out a tiny little light that maxes out at 80 lumens. Granted, it is an awesome tiny little light that I absolutely love.
With (literally) thousands flashlights in cases and displays around me, I am becoming harder and harder to impress. I admit that I do still get giddy when a shipment of new models arrives, and I doubt that will ever fade, but I need a special light to widen my eyes.
Enter the ZebraLight SC30. ZebraLight has created a very solid reputation as a small, light, and bright headlamp manufacturer, so creating flashlights was the next logical step for them. The SC30 bucks the “tactical” trend that the majority of manufacturers are following by having a switch on the side of the light instead of the rear.
The switch isn’t the usual simple clicky switch, but instead a slick Panasonic switch that gives you instant access to all three modes. When it is off, lightly tap it for high, press and hold for low, and double click for medium. When it is on, hold the switch down to cycle through the modes. You can even double click it in each mode to give you another brightness level, for a total of six brightnesses ranging from a max of 193 lumens (out the front of the light) all the way down to 0.4 lumens. Each mode remembers the brightness you last had it on, so you can set your favorite levels for quick access.
I have found that having instant access to three brightnesses without having to cycle through modes is incredibly useful. At night, I can use the 0.4 lumens to keep from killing myself while trying to navigate our bedroom without waking my wife. The middle set to 21 lumens is perfect for poking through bins or boxes of merchandise. The high at 193 lumens works great for lighting up the backyard to locate my goofy dog while he barks at an imaginary squirrel during his 2 AM pee break.
The SC30 is also available in a warm tint version, the SC30w. A warm tint is closer to what you would see with an incandescent flashlight like a MagLite.
JETBeam is always coming up with new ways to make me drool over flashlights, and one of the neatest things they have incorporated into their lights is the IBS system. The current models that feature a reverse switch (click and release to turn on the light, soft press to switch modes) all have the IBS system. The system allows you to program the light’s three modes to whatever you want, from 2-240 lumens, strobe, SOS, and several other flashing modes. My customers are divided on whether or not strobe is a good thing to have in a light, so this is the light to get if you want to make sure that your light does not have strobe on a daily basis. Of course, if you like strobe and the other flashing modes, you could always program all three modes to give seizures.
The Jet I Pro is the baby of the family, using only one AA battery. On a 14500 rechargeable lithium, the Jet I Pro easily rivals lights several times its size thanks to the powerful LED and reflector designed to take advantage of the LED as much as possible. This is the light that I combine with a headlamp as my lighting arsenal in the woods when I am looking to keep things relatively lightweight.
The Jet I Pro EX is the same as the Jet I Pro, but uses 2 AA batteries instead of just one for twice the battery life and higher brightness on NiMh and alkaline batteries.
The Jet III ST can use 2 CR123, 2 16340, or 1 18650 battery. The body is still slim enough to keep in your pocket or pack, making this one a good option for people who like lithiums and still want a compact light.
The Jet III Ultra is a larger lithium light, with a much larger head and reflector compared to the Jet III ST. The larger head gives you a light that throw the beam much further than the smaller reflectors.
Here’s a video showing the lights and how to program the interface:
The JETBeam Jet III M is a personal favorite light of mine, so I’m kind of surprised at myself for taking so long to make a video of it. Maybe I subconsciously wanted to hoard them all to myself.
The Jet III M has a neat interface. When the head is tightened, you will always have full brightness. When the head is loosened, you have access to a user defined mode with a ridiculous array of options. You can set it to anywhere from 2-240 lumens, strobe frequencies from 1-20 Hz, SOS, beacon flashing, and several other flashing modes. The light is made for rough users in mind, with thick aluminum walls, stainless steel bezels and tail covers, and waterproof seals.
Here’s a video showing the light and how to program it:
Next up in the videos is one featuring the JETBeam RRT-1 and RRT-2 Raptor series lights. The Raptor series uses a stainless steel selector ring to switch between the three different brightnesses and a strobe mode. The RRT-1 features a massive reflector that can light up objects several hundred yards away, which is pretty neat to see on a dark night. The RRT-2 uses a smaller reflector that is not quite as good at throwing the light, but it’s still impressive.
Some customers asked if UST’s Wetfire can actually burn while floating in water. Yes, yes it can. I know I’m the guy shilling it, but that is pretty friggin’ cool.
Rite in the Rain makes a pretty cool line of products. As the name suggests, the pads and pens they make can handle rain and other water sources with no problem. Water beads up and runs off, and the ink isn’t touched.
I discovered RITR several years ago when I lost a notebook of important (to me) notes to a sudden downpour on a hike. I forgot that the pad was in an outside pocket of my pack and not in a dry bag like everything else I was carrying that was susceptible to water. I went searching for a solution and, lo and behold, there is a whole company dedicated to making products that laugh at precipitation and scoff at a dunk in a river.
Here is a video I made showing the products in action:
iTP got an awful lot of attention lately for their AAA lights, the A3 EOS and the similar lights they made for County Comm’s brand, Maratac. After entering the tiny and bright market, I guess they figured the next logical step would be the big and bright market.
iTP just announced the A6 Polestar, a light using six AA batteries and a CREE MC-E LED for a whopping 700 lumens. These days, 700 lumens is becoming common for premium lights, but the A6 is coming in at around half the price of competing lights from Fenix, Jetbeam, Olight, and other companies. iTP also took quite a departure from the tactical mindset that manufacturers are stuck in and put the switch on the side instead of on the tail. Some will like that and some will hate it, but at least they are not just copying everyone else like so many other brands.
I know I’m a dealer and (very) biased, but I really can’t wait to see what they do next.
I saw these Kodiak Firestarters at a recent show and was very impressed with how well thought out they were. They incorporate a large magnesium rod, firesteel, paracord with striker, compass, and thermometer all into a stout wooden handle. The firesteel is one of the ones that is harder than the other ones I sell, so it is easier to use, but the sparks do not last quite as long. They still work great for any tinder I could find, especially when used in conjunction with the magnesium.
With (literally) thousands flashlights in cases and displays around me, I am becoming harder and harder to impress. I admit that I do still get giddy when a shipment of new models arrives, and I doubt that will ever fade, but I need a special light to widen my eyes.
