If you are looking for a phenomenal flashlight that offers the latest and most advanced technology Olight is a great choice. The Olight S1 baton and the Olight S10 baton are two EDC torches that are built to be tough, versatile, multi-functional, and easy to operate.
The thumb-sized S1 Baton packs an incredible 500 lumens into its compact 61 mm body while the slightly larger S10 features a generous 400 lumens. Both lights are assembled using high quality materials and are equipped with a magnetic tail cap for hands free use rendering either of these lights an awesome choice without having to sacrifice power for portability.
Both lights come with all the standard features including different brightness outputs as well as a strobe mode, memory function, and reverse polarity protection as well as many others that we will explore in our Olight S series review below:
Specs (Specifications)
Both Olight torches offer 4 different output modes plus a strobe mode for tactical defense with varying degrees of runtimes:
Output and Runtime
- S1 Output Mode/Runtime (Using 1500mAh CR123A Battery):
- High: 500 to 300 Lumens / 1.5 Minutes + 1 Hour 30 Min.
- Medium: 80 Lumens / 6 Hours
- Low: 8 Lumens / 40 Hours
- Moonlight: 0.5 Lumens / 600 Hours
- S1 Output Mode/Runtime (Using 650mAh RCR123A)
- High: 500 to 300 Lumens / 1.5 Minutes + 1 Hour
- Medium: 80 Lumens / 4 Hours
- Low: 8 Lumens / 25 Hours
- Moonlight: 0.5 Lumens / 360 Hours
- S10 Output mode/Runtime:
- High: 400 lumens / 1.25 hrs.
- Medium: 85 lumens / 7.5 hrs.
- Low: 5 lumens / 108 hrs.
- Moonlight: .5 lumens/360 hrs.
Both of these lights are small enough to fit in the change pocket of a pair of jeans and have the ability to use either a CR123A or 1 x RCR123A (sold separately). Either light has the ability to produce an impressive amount of light while using its highest setting, while the low settings on both are perfect for reading a map or menu. The medium settings are good for general use and maintaining long battery life.
Throw Distance
The S1 Baton features a Cree XM-L2 CW LED. It features a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) total internal reflector (TIR) this is not your usual reflector. It’s a smooth reflector constructed from a material leaning more toward plastic than the usual glass lens. Instead of a tight beam with a focused hotspot it creates a more even, balanced beam which is useful for floody applications. It reaches a maximum throw distance of 110 meters.
The S10 Baton features a CREE XM-L2 LED. The beam is pretty floody with a big hotspot and quite enough throw for EDC use. The hotspot is very bright when used at close distance. It also showcases a smooth reflector, reaching a maximum throw distance of 104 meters.
Peak Intensity
At 3000 candela per lumen (cd/lm) the Olight S1 works well on search-and-rescue missions illuminating at 500 lumens in high mode and as far as 360 feet, larger than an entire football field.
The S10 Baton comes in just behind the S1 at 2700 candela per lumen. While the S10 illuminates with a fraction less of the power of the S1, it is capable of producing a whopping 400 lumens in high mode, providing a superb amount of focus within its ability.
Functionality
The S1’s UI is strategic and simple. It is equipped with a sturdy button that activates deliberately, preventing accidental activation. A single click of its side switch turns it on and off. Holding the switch while on cycles through its three main modes, spaced out at useful levels.
Clicking and holding from off sends the light straight to Moonlight mode, 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.
The S10 showcases a large blue multi-function side switch that can cycle through high, medium, low, and moonlight modes and access the strobe setting with a simple double-tap. It has a built in memory function that remembers the last power setting and lock out mode to prevent accidental activation.
The Olite S10 is capable of producing a whopping 400 lumens in high mode. While in moonlight mode, which produces 0.5 lumens, you can run the light for fifteen days. The built in memory functions remembers the last power setting, so you’re always where you left off. Featuring a lock-out mode, you can be rest assured that you don’t accidentally activate the S10 in your pocket.
Both lights are equipped with a flat tail cap design contains a strong magnet providing the ability to place it upside down and use it as a hands-free work light.
Battery
The S1 LED flashlight runs on one CR123A or one RCR123A battery (sold separately). The positive polarity on the battery faces the tail of the light providing enhanced reliability and a more compact size. The S10 can be powered by a single CR123 or rechargeable RCR123 cell. Reverse polarity protection prevents improper battery installation which prevents overheating.
Dimensions and Durability
Size
S1
- Dimensions:
- Length - 2.4” (61 mm)
- Diameter - 0.83” (21mm)
- Weight: 1.06 oz. (30g) (excluding battery)
S10
- Dimensions:
- Length: 2.77” (70.5mm)
- Diameter: .9” (23mm)
- Weight: 1.48 .oz. (42g) (excluding battery)
Water Proof / Water Resistance
Like many high quality Olight flashlights, both the S1 Baton and the S10 Baton have an IPX-8 rating and are submersible underwater for up to 2 meters.
Impact Resistance
The body of the Olight S1 consists of a 6061-T6 aluminum alloy body with hard anodized finish allowing it 1.5 meters of impact resistance.
The body of the Olight S10 also features Aviation grade aluminum body, with anti-scratch type III hard anodizing allowing an impact distance that is slightly larger at 2 meters.
Both lights have the ability to endure a moderate amount of dropping or banging while maintaining good composure with little marking or scratching.
Accessories
S1: INCLUDED ACCESSORIES
- Removable pocket clip (attached)
- Lanyard
- Small pin for lanyard attachment
- Spare O-rings
S10: INCLUDED ACCESSORIES
- Two direction invertible pocket clip
- Lanyard
- Spare O-ring
Conclusion: Our Olight S1 vs. S10 Review
The Olight S series offers a few exceptional flashlights that exhibit over the top performance given their compact size.
The S1 is the smallest side switch flashlight offered by Olight. It is a thumb-sized EDC that comes with the features that many regular sized flashlights offer. Though it is barely bigger than the size of its CR123 battery, it slams out a whopping 500 lumens at its highest setting.
It also offers a variety of other features including a built in timer at 3 or 9 minutes and overheat protection that drops the output by 50% within 1 minute of constant on. It’s most unique feature, by far, is its flat tail cap magnet, providing the ability to place it upside down and use it as a hands-free work light.
Some downfalls are the pocket clip being too short, and one button operation. However, this lights compact form factor and smart body design along with its extreme brightness render this light a superior choice.
The S10 is also a great everyday carry packed with a variety of over-the-top features. Measuring in at a hair larger than the S1, this torch is also small, unobtrusive, and handy. This light, throws out 400 lumens at its highest setting, which is still very impressive for such a pocket-sized light.
The Olite S10 features a sturdier, two-direction, reversible pocket clip than the S1. Like the S1, it showcases the magnetic tail cap for convenient table standing, or working under a sink or car hood.
Either of these small but powerful lights are great to carry in your pocket all of the time. They have impressive run times and battery life and produce a superb amount of light given their small size. Although they are a bit pricey compared to other compact EDC’s, either light is a great all-around choice for tasks around the house, activities such as biking or camping, or even a power-outage.
Whether you choose to carry one of these lights or both, either could easily be your favorite EDC hands down.