Olight S1 review (500 lm, XM-L2 CW, CR123A, TIR optics)

Greetings,

It is out. Finally, Olight released the S1. What’s all the fuss is about?

1. A record breaker. The shortest Olight with side button controls. If you saw the S10/S10R and thought they are tiny, S1 makes you rethink that.
2. 500 lumens from a length of only 61 millimeters, that’s brighter and even shorter than Zebra’s …
3. TIR oprics. A huge hotspot, and very even light. A wall of light is a good definition of this light in action.
4. A magnet in the tailcap.
5. A very nice UI, a new and fresh look.

Shall we start?




The flashlight comes in a tiny plastic box.

The box is so tiny that even S10R box looks big.

The flashlightis being help in place by …. o-rings!

The kit is not too fancy. A lanyard, user manual and the o-rings.

User manual, explanation of the new UI. Two timer modes were added (I am not speaking about stepdown timers)

Another nice little thing - there is a small needle thing, to help attach the lanyard to the light. Attention to details is incredible.



Speaking of small things, here is it. A tiny cutie.


TIR optics, a new blue looks.




The tailcap does not feels flimsy not even for a moment. It is being closed with a noticed hiss, the threads should be lubricated a little more.
Both battery contacts implemented via springs.







A comparison with S10R. That’s what tiny really is .


Both in hand

On some stage of the review preparation I was really afraid of a gigantic fail. After inserting the battery the light would not work, tightening the tailcap and holding the button (to release the electronic key-lock) did not bring any positive results. So … guess what, I opened the user manual and saw that the battery should be inserted in opposite direction than in most other lights (there is also a sign on the flashlight side, that I ignored). Once properly inserted, the flashlight came to life. And I know that is has an electronic protection against improper battery insertion :slight_smile:


So, how it actually works? Great, no doubt about it. No green tint, very pure cold light, close to neutral even. The hotspot is very huge, about 5 times the hotspot of ZL5W.


The S1 in the left, S10R at the right. Notice the huge hotspot, and we are talking of about meter distance from the wall.

Moonlight

A magnet that really works (not a hard task, considering the size and the weigh of the light)

Here is a real life photo.

Some measurements (lux in meter distance from the light)

Great results, and that is with a huge hotspot.

Final thoughts, conclusion

From the moment I saw it in the box I understood that it is a winner. A very close example of how an ideal light should be like.

I’d like to thank Olight for providing me the review sample
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Thanks for reading. Comments? Requests? Contact me, I will be happy to assist.

nice pictures!

can’t wait to receive mine!
maybe it replaces the S10R I EDC?

Have been waiting for this. Thanks! Looks like a winner!

I got mine for review a couple days ago and I agree - it's a total winner! I didn't care for the S10 for some reason and preferred my S20 as my EDC for a couple years or more. Something about this tiny S1 just feels right even if it is almost too small.

0.5 lumen, wow, that’s a moonlight mode!

Great light! Love that ‘timer’ option mode!

I’d really like to see them make this in a 18650 version.

Thanks,
-CHuck

Looks great. Now where is the groupbuy or coupon?

Is there a glass lens over the optic?

now me likey. however, any discount code? or group buy?

Am also waiting for discount code or group buy for this little gem :bigsmile:

Fonarevka forum had a group buy from Gearbest and a coupon for 27-28 USD. But seems that group buy is stopped for some reason. My knowledge of russian language is very limited:D

Hi all.

  1. There is no glass in front of the TIR. But I asked Olight about this and because the TIR of ARC type (whatever that is) it should not be scratched easily.
  2. Regarding a coupon/discount - please contact M4D M4X .

my cr123 sized edc convoy has been having flickering problems…. i almost replaced it with a small zebra light but this looks like it could be a winner for me :slight_smile:

yep. shorter, brighter, with TIR lens. and even much cheaper ….

I ordered one today :slight_smile:

I ordered one with M4DM4X’s code too. :party:

Thanks Viperxp - all the info i wanted is all answered here, the S1 is even smaller than my zl h31. So i could not resist any longer ordered one locally today, the ui and beam seem perfect for a edc, c’mon postman.

Good review.

However I don’t understand why batter inserting direction is reversed… :open_mouth:
That’s weird point of this smallest light!

I wonder if this can be modded to neutral?