Olight S2A Baton Review
*Click Thumbnails to enlarge*
* Note: Low Res Pics noted, future corrected higher res..pics desired
At first glance this light appears to look similar to many other high quality AA powered LED flashlights. Well that's about where the similarities ended. The light ships with Lithium Primary cells. I thought that was a pleasant surprise. I read the box and the manual. I familiarized myself with the light, accessories, and then proceeded to try it out. I am amazed at the output of turbo mode.
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The S2A Baton pushes out ~550 lumens on two AA Lithium Primary cells. It's advanced design boosts the mere ~2.4V-3V to the output levels of a 4.2V-9V Li-Lion powered flashlight. Lithium Primaries and NiMh batteries high discharge rates are used by the driver to provide the Turbo Mode. Alkaline batteries work very well for Moonlight-High mode, but lack the current needed to achieve the brightest Turbo Mode
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The S2A Baton's driver is optimized for a Lithium Primary power source.
On to talking about the specifics of this light. I will list the specifications and highlight some of my user experiences I had using the S2A Baton.
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Ergonomics of this light are comfortable with or without the clip installed. The main body of the light has a contoured anti-slip silicone covered surface that includes a tactile feel to help with the indexing of the switches position. The switch has a silicone rubber button that operates easily with or without gloves that provides a tactile and audible "click" when operated. There is also Olight's PVD blue colored ring around the switch and bezel.
The Clip is very sturdy. It features a stop built in to it that adds tension and retention ability to it while clipped to a pocket. The clip can be rotated and re-positioned without any tools to aide the user in comfort and awareness of the switches location. There is also included an adjustable hand lanyard that can prevent losing the light if it slips from your hand.
Pictured below is what Olight calls it's lanyard "perforating" tool. This attachment makes threading the lanyard through the small tailcaps lanyard ring hole.
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The light has a TIR(Total Internal Reflection) optics. The light does not require a tradition non-reflective optical lens to protect the optics and emitter. Instead the plastic contoured PMMA TIR lens serves both functions of protection and projection with it's ~90% light transmission rate.
The color temperature of the LED is CW. The beam appears warmer, towards Neutral White, than other CW's of the past. The hotspot of the light is very broad and appears even throughout. Because the TIR has a narrower corona, it allows for a more usable graduated spill than other optics. There are some small artifacts within the corona that are only visibly apparent if you are to rotate the beam or go white wall hunting. These small artifacts do not interfere with the usability of the light in closeup or medium range tasks.
The light tail stands very well on it's own to use the light in candle mode. The head of the light has a hexagonal region that helps preventing the light from rolling off a surface. This combined with the clips protrusion are very effective in preventing the light from rolling off of a surface.
The machining and HA III coating are very good. The tailcap threads feel smooth when tightening and loosening it. I have tried many different AA sized cells, and they do not rattle, and are easily inserted and removed by the user.
The lights design and optics allow for uses ranging from low moon light and closeup tasks to illuminating an area 50 meters out. The light throws very well for it's size and excels in closeup to medium range tasks. There is an electronic and physical lockout of the light to help prevent accidentally activating it during transit or carrying.
This lights size and types of AA cells it can use make it very versatile. This would be my go to AA light for those that want to use batteries readily available just about everywhere. It is also a great choice for someone who does not wish to use Li-Lion type batteries and the extra measures that are needed to use them safely.
I go over this light, it's accessories, and demonstrate it's User Interface in a future Video to be posted within this review. I close this with some Medium ranged beamshots using the different kinds of batteries to point out their differences of brightness when they are used in the S2A Baton below. Take notice of the difference between Alkaline power and Lithium Primary power source used in the S2A Baton.
The S2A Baton has now claimed my number one AA lights spot. It is the best double AA sized light I have used to date. The usability of this light exceeds many Li-Lion powered lights of the past. It's backward compatibility with Alkaline AA batteries makes this light an excellent introductory light into the world of high powered LED flashlights. I recommend buying the S2A Baton. This light will impress those from Novice's to Experienced users.
GL
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Click to open You Tube Video
Quick Battery Comparison Video
S2A Manual
Comments, Questions, Suggestions Welcomed
* Light Provided by Olight for review