Olight S1 Baton Review

Specifications

Despite its size, the S1 surprises with its specs. No question that this is a modern light, packing a Cree XM-L2 emitter in neutral white and powered by either a lithium CR123A primary or RCR123A lithium-ion rechargeable cell. Olight measured its output using ANSI/NEMA FL1-2009 standards, which provides consumers uniform measurement metrics with which to compare light specs. Besides the lumen levels and runtimes listed below, the S1 also has a beam distance of 110 meters with a beam intensity of 3,000 candela units.

Better-equipped and smarter folks over at Reddit and Candle Power Forums found that the S1 either matched or exceeded its manufacturer ratings. In an industry with many specs over-represented and under-delivered, this is always good news for the consumer.

The S1 comes in a number of materials, but for this review Olight provided me with the polished titanium model, with a bead-blasted finish as an alternative option. We definitely love titanium here at Everyday Carry, and in addition to titanium's benefits, the light's IPX8 water resistance and 1.5 meter impact resistance ensure your S1 need not be a safety queen. She's as hardy and capable as she is beautiful.

In hand and in use

The first and most obvious feature that impressed me the moment I popped the S1 out of the box was how remarkably small it was. I had read other reviews of the S1 talk about its size, but you only appreciate how it can vanish into both hand and pocket once you've held and carried it. Given how I had been carrying a Thrunite T10T and found that light already pocket-friendly, the S1 by comparison was a veritable David to the T10T Goliath.

If EDC viability is the first thing I assess in a light, then interface usability is definitely the second. While I appreciate programmable and versatile UIs in flashlights like those found on Zebralights and EagleTacs, I like my menus as simple as possible. I don't want to have to double- or triple-click my way through a dozen modes just to get to the one I need, especially in a pinch. The S1's UI is mercifully simple, with a sturdy button that activates deliberately—meaning no accidental pocket burning. A single click of its side switch turns it off and on. Holding the switch while on cycles through its three main modes, spaced out at useful levels. Clicking and holding from off goes straight to Moonlight, and double-clicking from off sets it to High. Double-clicking while on activates its auto-shutdown timers, and triple-clicking while on engages its strobe. It memorizes its default cycled mode, but doesn't hold on to its Moonlight or strobe setting once turned off. Simple and effective.

Unique features and applications

The S1 Ti retains all the useful features of its aluminum predecessor. Its polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) total internal reflector (TIR) optics is not your usual reflector, a material leaning towards plastic more than the usual glass lens. Instead of a tight beam with a focused hotspot it creates a more even, balanced beam useful for floody applications. This actually makes a lot of sense for a light of this size—as a tiny everyday light it's quick out of the pocket and immediately usable at any brightness.

Speaking of tiny, Olight definitely made good use of the space they were working with on the S1. I found its body design quite smart. Its midsection has flat edges that prevents roll even without the clip and lets you find its side switch from touch alone. A little over half the light is covered in knurling, though it's a little on the smooth side—for bigger hands it could have been more aggressive for better purchase.

Its removable magnetic tailcap lends itself to unique scenarios. You can pop it on a beam under a table, car undercarriage, or to the side of a filing cabinet to instantly give you a powerful light source. With its side switch removing the need for a longer, heavier, or non-flat tail, it can also just as easily just stand on most surfaces with its diffuser cap to act as a neat little candle, something I put to good use during my recent travel. Another nice use I found was that when you attached the cap to the S1's tail, it also improved its underhand grip. So if you’ve got larger hands, you won’t get left out if underhand is your grip of choice.

Initially I didn't like the fact that its clip, as low-riding and beefy as it is, only carried one-way (not including via lanyard). That is, until I realized that the S1 is perfect for clipping onto the brim of a hat. That definitely saves me from having to buy a separate headlamp.

Field tests: practical applications in the woods and sand dunes of Australia

I got the chance to put the S1 through its paces on a recent trip to Australia. The light was with me for every night I spent with colleagues in a resort near the dunes of Port Stephens a few hours outside of Sydney. The resort itself was in the middle of a forested area with some space between cottages, so things got pretty dark and quiet at night. Being the only person in the group who had a more than a cellphone light on him at all times, it was left to me to light up our dinner tables and trail walks when the sun went down.

The S1 helped us eat, lit up our notes during quiz night, led the way for evening stargazing on the dunes, and even fended off more than a few close encounters with large lizards, curious possums, and dangling spiders. I appreciated the S1's size during this whole time, as I didn't think twice to clip it to either my pants or shorts pocket the moment I got out of bed. As I was bunking with colleagues, its diffused moonlight mode also ensured I didn't wake anybody up for late-night bathroom or water breaks.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

+ Did I mention it was tiny
+ Solid features, brightness, and runtime
+ Convenient UI
+ Exotic materials and detail (copper accents, GITD diffuser cap)
+ Every inch of the light is useful, from TIR head to magnetic tail
+ Inexpensive for all the features you get

Cons:
- Might actually be too tiny for larger hands
- Tail magnet likes keys and coins a little too much
- Uncommon battery

Final thoughts

The S1 isn't the smallest EDC light, nor is it the most powerful. But when you put together all its features and specs in a light barely larger than the battery that powers it, then you have something truly special. Olight upped the ante by offering the S1 with even more features flashaholics would like, such as neutral white tint and prized body materials like titanium and copper.

I've quite enjoyed carrying the light every day for the past few months, proving its mettle to me in both urban and actual jungles. I think you'll like it too. Even if it doesn't earn its place as your main EDC, if you like flashlights you owe it to yourself to at least hold the S1 in your hands—its size won't be the last thing that surprises you.

Buy on Amazon

Did you enjoy this review and want to learn even more about flashlights? Be sure to check out our Beginner's Guide to EDC Flashlights to shed some light on this EDC staple to and find the perfect one for you (if it isn't the S1 already).

Disclosure: I received this product at no charge courtesy of the manufacturer for editorial consideration. That doesn’t, however, affect my opinion of the product as stated in this review.

Words by Mikey Bautista

Photography by Bernard Capulong