JCSys Reference vs JB
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
JCSys Reference
This application provides a comprehensive reference for Tactical Data Links (TDL) and MODAF. It includes detailed catalogues for Link 11, Link 16, and Link 22 messages, along with network participation group information and an acronym finder.
- Link 11 message catalogue
- Link 16 message catalogue
- Link 16 NPG list
- Link 22 message catalogue
- Knowledge test
- MODAF View reference
- Acronym finder
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A handy Tactical Data Link (TDL) and MODAF Reference application. Features include: * Link 11 (M Series) message catalogue and descriptions * Link 16 (J Series) message catalogue and descriptions * Link 16 Network Participation Group (NPG) list * Link 22 (FJ Series) message catalogue and descriptions * Knowledge Test - test your knowledge of the Message Numbers and names * MODAF View Reference guide * Acronym Finder - search our list of common TDL Related acronyms
JB
Access information and download resources for all products, including current and discontinued items. Manage your downloads with a convenient list feature.
- Online product information access
- Downloadable resources
- Support for current and older products
- Customizable download list
- Download management
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With the JB-Lighting app, you have online access to information and downloads for all JB products. This not only includes the current JB range but all older items too which are no longer in production. You can also create a download list and manage it conveniently with the app. It is easy to simply look at the content, or you can download it and delete it again of course.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: JCSys Reference at 4.8 against JB's 2.0. JCSys Reference also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 63%) and ratings volume (5 vs 1). JB's advantage is update cadence (every 5 months vs every 21 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
JCSys Reference holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: JCSys Reference has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of JCSys Reference's written reviews are positive against 63% of JB's.
JCSys Reference ships an update every 21 months, JB every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on June 5, 2026 and June 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | JCSys Reference | JB |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (5 ratings) — better | 2.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 62.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 21 months | Every 5 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 54 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Graeme Watson | JB-Lighting |
Customer experience
JCSys Reference
JB
In-app purchases
JCSys Reference
No in-app purchases
JB
No in-app purchases
