Review - Olight S30R Baton III - 18650, XM-L2, CW, Reflector Light, Beamshots

Quick and dirty review of the new Olight S30R Baton III!!!

Let me get the business out of the way first. This light was provide by OlightStore.com for my consideration and review.
20-35% OFF sale on www.olightstore.com for all OLIGHT products begins on November 24th and ends on the 28th, so you still can get in on the good deals. If you are at all interested in Olight products this sale will be worth visiting!

S30R Baton III
S30R Baton III manual.

Features as listed by Olight:
One customized 3500mAh 18650 battery included providing a maximum output up to 1050 lumens

Utilizes a smooth aluminum reflector which provides an improved beam focus for medium and close-range illumination paired with a hardened glass lens that is coated allowing for a 99% light transmission rate
The S30R III is shorter by 3mm in length, reaching 114mm than the previous S30RII
Magnetic tail cap that allows it to be secured to ferrous metal surfaces for hands free work
New USB desktop charging dock provided. This flashlight also has a charging port that is compatible with Olight magnetic charging cables which can be used for charging on the go
Low power and Lockout indicator under the side switch. When the battery voltage is running low (below 3.1V) or when the flashlight is locked out and being clicked, it will glow red
Thermal management program to protect the users’ hand and flashlight from heat. The 1050 lumen turbo mode will stay on for two minutes before stepping down to the 500 lumen high mode within one minute.
Direct access to turbo mode: when the flashlight is off and not under lockout mode, double click to activate the turbo mode
Timer function: long timer (9 minutes) and short timer (3 minutes)

What the kit includes:
Flashlight (with stainless steel clip) •
Customized 3500mAh 3.6V 18650 battery (included in the flashlight)
Lanyard with Perforating Tool
4.2V 1000mAh Desktop Charging Dock
50cm Micro-USB Cable
Instruction Manual

Published technical specs:
General Data
Light Form large and very concentrated spot , very bright.
Light Intensity (candela) 8,840
Max. Performance (lumens) 1050
Beam Distance 188 m / 616 ft.

Mode Levels
Level 1 1050 lumens (~500lm) - 3.3 h
Level 2 500 lumens - 3.5h
Level 3 120 lumens - 15h
Level 4 12 lumens - 130h
Level 5 0.5 lumens - 100 days
Strobe yes

Now that I have the basics taken care of it, what do I think of it???

UI
Standard Olight UI with no surprises. One notable change, see Electronic Lockout.

  • 1 click from off takes you to the last used mode. It the last used mode was high and the light has been off for 10 minutes it will revert to medium (120 lumens).
  • 2 quick clicks from off/on will take you directly to high (1050 lumens).
  • 3 quick clicks from off /on will take you into strobe mode. To exit either turn the light off or hold the mode button to revert to the last mode used.
  • Hold the mode button to cycle from low to high while the light is on.
  • Moonlight mode is entered by holding the power/mode button while the light is off. Moonlight can be memorized. Quick note, the manual indicates that moonlight mode is part of the mode cycle. It is not, the light will only cycle through L/M/H once moonlight mode is left.
  • Shutdown timer. This is activated by a double click and hold while on. 1 blink sets a 3 minute timer and 2 blinks set a 9 minute timer. Once the timer is set, you can adjust the timer to either mode with the same procedure.
    I have glaucoma and the last thing I do before bed is put in eye drops. Often my wife is already asleep, if she is I find myself using the 3 minute timer with the light pointed at the ceiling while I put my drops in. This is an interesting feature for me, but may not be for most.
  • Electronic lockout - From off, hold the power button until moonlight turns on and then off. In lockout a brief press, 1 second or less, of the power button will give a short burst of moonlight mode output. If held longer the light will blink once and unlock to moonlight mode.

This light also includes a red LED under the power button. The LED will glow red when the battery is low. Mine kicked on at 3.11 volts and was tested twice.

If you are like me and want to unpack a new light and hit the power button to see what she will do… Remove this darn thing first!

General thoughts

This is very subjective. I have smallish hands and really like the way this light fits my finger tips. The knurling is very pronounced and makes a 2 or 3 finger grip pretty easy, comfortable and secure. The light has a slightly larger hex machined above the barrel and does a good job of preventing rolling when used without the clip. This is the standard design for Olight and it works well!

This light includes the wonderful magnetic tail cap that will stick at about any angle to a reasonably flat steel surface.

Also included is a charging base that connects to a standard USB port and to the base with a standard Micro USB port. The dock has an LED that glows red while charging and green when charging is completed. This is a very handy system, it will also work with the S1R charging cord!
The light uses a special 18650 battery to accomplish charging. The included battery is rated at 3500 mAh. A normal 18650 battery may be used, but cannot be charged in the light!

The clip works very well, but is only for head up carry. There is a small nubbin in the clip that I assume was intended to make it hold tighter, I think it could be done away with. This little nubbin tends to wear on thicker jeans and straps on packs. I have yet to have a clip come off of an Olight, this is a huge credit! I have lost other lights due to clips slipping off.

The S30R III uses a standard XM-L2, it is Cool White but not horribly cool. There is no blue cast in the beam. The beam is very uniform and clean.

Beamshot of the S30R Baton III - The following shots are about 60 yards. All shots taken on the highest output mode.

Beamshot of Convoy S2+ with XP-L HI 5A1

Beamshot of Olight S1R with XM-L2 4C

Wrap up:
Pros:

  • Size
  • Hand fit
  • Charging system
  • Magnet in the tail cap
  • Good CW XM-L2 tint

Cons:

  • Depending upon use, it might have been nice to have an XP-L or XP-L HIGH with the smooth reflector
  • Requires special battery for in light charging

Overall, I think this is a very good light.

Thanks for taking a look, Matt