I'm always on the hunt for my next high power "EDC" flashlight, enter the Olight S30R baton III as my most recent trial.
(Stock image from the web as purchased)
The major points:
1. They claim 1050 lumen
2. 1" shorter, body is 0.25" smaller in circumference and its 1oz lighter than standard 18650 torches, however, both head units are the same size @ 1".
3. Has a magnetic USB charging base, if you're into that kinda stuff (I prefer my 4 slot NiteCore digital charger).
4. One-button control for mode / function.
5. Uses a single 18650 battery, my purchase came with an Olight branded 3.6V 3500mAh 18650 battery and magnetic USB charging base.
Size comparison: Olight at the very bottom, Fenix above it, and a couple of other torches for comparison sake:
So my Fenix PD35 @ 950 Lumens (2014 version, not the newer Tac light version) has been my EDC going on a couple of years now, it's been through hell and back, beaten to death, dropped from the main deck of a Boeing 747 (let's call it about 16' off the ground) run over by a Tug tractor, soaked numerous times in rain storms, yet it keeps on ticking.
While I love my PD35, I just had to see if this smaller and "more powerful" version by Olight was any better.
ETA: Another reason that I was looking for a slightly smaller unit (in length) is that the left-leg pocket on 5.11 pants can barely fit a standard 18650 torch and close properly; while this may be a trivial / non-existent concern to some, it's a big factor for me as I utilize all of my pants pockets when working.
The Olight isn't exactly cheap, $80 on Amazon, but when you start pushing past the 900 lumen mark, it falls in the ballpark price range .... but, it's much smaller than its competition.
Can you tell a difference between 950 Lumens and 1050 lumens?... not really .... here are the side-by-side pics; it seems to me that the Fenix has a better throw.
Fenix PD35 2014 ver. @ 950 Lumens:
Olight S30R baton III @ 1050 lumens:
Where you find the major difference is in size and weight. The PD35 weighs in at 134g ~ 4.75 oz, the Olight S30R comes in at 107g ~ 3.75 oz. Then you have the 0.25 circumference difference leaving the Olight as the clear winner as the more compact and lighter unit.
Fit and finish are similar, the belt clip is 1" longer on the Olight than the Fenix, only time will tell if the Olight can match the durability of the Fenix. I plan to carry both over my next few trips, beat it up and report back.
So thus ends the basic review
Update: After trying some other 18650 batteries in the Olight and using the supplied magnetic charging base, none of my other 18650s will charge inside the light, only the supplied Olight battery will charge.
Will look into this further to see what's up and advise...
(Stock image from the web as purchased)
The major points:
1. They claim 1050 lumen
2. 1" shorter, body is 0.25" smaller in circumference and its 1oz lighter than standard 18650 torches, however, both head units are the same size @ 1".
3. Has a magnetic USB charging base, if you're into that kinda stuff (I prefer my 4 slot NiteCore digital charger).
4. One-button control for mode / function.
5. Uses a single 18650 battery, my purchase came with an Olight branded 3.6V 3500mAh 18650 battery and magnetic USB charging base.
Size comparison: Olight at the very bottom, Fenix above it, and a couple of other torches for comparison sake:
So my Fenix PD35 @ 950 Lumens (2014 version, not the newer Tac light version) has been my EDC going on a couple of years now, it's been through hell and back, beaten to death, dropped from the main deck of a Boeing 747 (let's call it about 16' off the ground) run over by a Tug tractor, soaked numerous times in rain storms, yet it keeps on ticking.
While I love my PD35, I just had to see if this smaller and "more powerful" version by Olight was any better.
ETA: Another reason that I was looking for a slightly smaller unit (in length) is that the left-leg pocket on 5.11 pants can barely fit a standard 18650 torch and close properly; while this may be a trivial / non-existent concern to some, it's a big factor for me as I utilize all of my pants pockets when working.
The Olight isn't exactly cheap, $80 on Amazon, but when you start pushing past the 900 lumen mark, it falls in the ballpark price range .... but, it's much smaller than its competition.
Can you tell a difference between 950 Lumens and 1050 lumens?... not really .... here are the side-by-side pics; it seems to me that the Fenix has a better throw.
Fenix PD35 2014 ver. @ 950 Lumens:
Olight S30R baton III @ 1050 lumens:
Where you find the major difference is in size and weight. The PD35 weighs in at 134g ~ 4.75 oz, the Olight S30R comes in at 107g ~ 3.75 oz. Then you have the 0.25 circumference difference leaving the Olight as the clear winner as the more compact and lighter unit.
Fit and finish are similar, the belt clip is 1" longer on the Olight than the Fenix, only time will tell if the Olight can match the durability of the Fenix. I plan to carry both over my next few trips, beat it up and report back.
So thus ends the basic review
Update: After trying some other 18650 batteries in the Olight and using the supplied magnetic charging base, none of my other 18650s will charge inside the light, only the supplied Olight battery will charge.
Will look into this further to see what's up and advise...
