Olight S10 Baton
When you try to break in to a market segment as crowded as the single cell CR123a market you need to have something that sets you apart from a massive deluge of competitors. The Olight S10 Baton just might have that thing--whether it is the super high output on regular batteries (320 lumens on high, which, if I am not mistaken is the record for this product class), its side switch, its tail magnet, or its incredibly small form factor. Its not titanium and not a selector ring light, so this is a product that depends on a few high idea, low cost innovations. Only time will tell if it is enough.
A few things make me thing this is not a home run. First, even with the mode memory on the UI, I am not sure there is any way to make a clicky better than a selector ring. The selector ring UI is just so easy and simple to use. The idea that you can reliably differentiate between a click and press in tense or crucial situations seems silly to me. Why go to all of the effort of carrying a flashlight with a UI that might not work? You carry this thing to be prepared, so make sure it will ALWAYS work and work well.
Second, the pocket clip bugs me. Friction grip clips stink. They are always a bit wobbly and a bit touchy. Plus this one is weird, putting the light down in your pocket bezel up. It looks reversible but still, there is no reason for a bezel up clip. You like damaging the business end of your lights? Me neither. A nice bolted on clip would work wonders here.
Third, there is the Zebralight issue. Zebralight does this form factor, the side switch, so much better. The lights have better clips, stainless bezels, and pretty close output. Plus they come ready to be a headlamp. That's all well and good, but here is the deciding factor for me--the Zebralights are made in the USA. Better and made in the USA. Done.
I am not sure if I am just picking nits, but I don't see this light killing it on the open market. Too much competition and not enough innovation or high end concepts here. Its nice to see Olight back in the single cell market, but this is just a meh light for me. I'd love to review one and find out I am wrong, but Olight hasn't been all that receptive and after this post I don't think that will change.
Stick with the Mr. Elfin, the RRT-01, the Incendio or the Zebralight in this product class. They are all outstanding torches with significant advantages over this light.
CORRECTION: Zebralights are not MADE in the US, but the company is owned and operated in the US. I did some digging and found out that they are not in fact milled here, but overseas, likely in China. There is a very specific and statutory definition of "Made in the USA", found here, and if Zebralight met that standard, they'd certainly brag about it.
That said, the Zebralight designs are better and while not made here, the profits and the company benefit people here, so absent Made in the USA, this is a good second best.
Second, the pocket clip bugs me. Friction grip clips stink. They are always a bit wobbly and a bit touchy. Plus this one is weird, putting the light down in your pocket bezel up. It looks reversible but still, there is no reason for a bezel up clip. You like damaging the business end of your lights? Me neither. A nice bolted on clip would work wonders here.
Third, there is the Zebralight issue. Zebralight does this form factor, the side switch, so much better. The lights have better clips, stainless bezels, and pretty close output. Plus they come ready to be a headlamp. That's all well and good, but here is the deciding factor for me--the Zebralights are made in the USA. Better and made in the USA. Done.
I am not sure if I am just picking nits, but I don't see this light killing it on the open market. Too much competition and not enough innovation or high end concepts here. Its nice to see Olight back in the single cell market, but this is just a meh light for me. I'd love to review one and find out I am wrong, but Olight hasn't been all that receptive and after this post I don't think that will change.
Stick with the Mr. Elfin, the RRT-01, the Incendio or the Zebralight in this product class. They are all outstanding torches with significant advantages over this light.
CORRECTION: Zebralights are not MADE in the US, but the company is owned and operated in the US. I did some digging and found out that they are not in fact milled here, but overseas, likely in China. There is a very specific and statutory definition of "Made in the USA", found here, and if Zebralight met that standard, they'd certainly brag about it.
That said, the Zebralight designs are better and while not made here, the profits and the company benefit people here, so absent Made in the USA, this is a good second best.