[Help Me] Lookin for new EDC light, replacing Olight S1R. 18650, integrated charging (USB-C?), robust, clip

##Help, I am looking for a new EDC light as a replacement/alternative for my Olight S1R Baton


Price Range: should stay below 100€. I am located in Germany. I have good experience importing stuff from china.

Purpose: All-purpose EDC light, clipped to the side of the leatherman case on my belt. Currently I carry Olight S1R there, which serves me quite well. But after three years there might be something better out there, and I look for an upgrade.

Battery Type & Quantity: one 18650. I want more runtime than the CR123 provides. The S1R tends to be empty at the worst moments. It also steps down too quickly from turbo for my taste.

Size: maximum diameter should not be much bigger than the olight (21mm). Length must be below 100mm (height of the leatherman case)

Type: Handheld. I might consider an angled light.

Main Use: Quick access EDC. I often use the moonlight mode of the S1R to unobstrusively look for something near-range. Just as often I turn it to turbo to illuminate a dark room, or something outdoors. I usually use the lamp very briefly (10 seconds to 1 or maybe 2 minutes max), but many times a day. I rather often take it between my teeth when I work on something with both hands. I prefer neutral white and need reasonable CRI to reliably identify wire colors for electronic work. I need more flood than throw and ~1000 Lumen are fine for me. I don't need (and want) to burn holes into anything with this lamp.

Switch Type: I am torn between side and tail switch. I think I would prefer a recessed tail switch because it is easier to find and is less prone to accidental activation. But I got used to the side switch of the S1R, and I like the magnet for attachment and charging.

Anything Else?:

  • Integrated charging is a priority for me. First choice would be USB-C because of the robust connector and I already own and travel with all the neccessary infrastructure (chargers, powerbanks, cables) for laptop, phone and other stuff. Micro-USB would also be acceptable. While I like the magnetic charging adapter of the S1R, I would prefer not to have to worry about another propriatary adapter again.

  • I need a good clip which sturdily attaches to the lamp and easily slides on the leatherman case without any fiddling (I currently remove and return the lamp many times a day in a single motion without looking or even thinking about it) The olight is pretty good in this regard.

  • The magnetic bottom is nice to have but not a must. In hands-free situations, I tend to take the lamp in my mouth between the teeth, because in my experience, any nearby surfaces are usually not oriented correctly and/or not ferromagnetic.

  • The lamp will eventually fall down, on concrete, from the top of a ladder. It will get wet. I will handle it with greasy and oily fingers, and it might get in contact with paints, resins and solvents. The S1R took all that really well so far and I expect nothing less from its eventual successor. I don't want cracking lenses, dissolving button covers or loose contacts. Nicks and scratches are no problem.

  • It would be good to have some active warning for a low battery (red blinking button or something) to remind me of charging it.

That is all I can think of so far. Thanks for reading my elaborate requirements and ramblings. Of course, I already looked around myself. But so far, nothing I found felt like a worthy upgrade.

I tend to just lurk, but I really like the community here on r/flashlight. Looking forward to your recommondations. Shine on you crazy diamonds!

Posted Feb 2, 2020, 12:57 AM UTC · edited

1417
awalk25•

Wowtac A6?

I recently purchased one and I do like it even though it hasn't seen much use yet. I EDC the EDC18 because it has a deep carry clip mainly. It's a little shorter but thicker than the A6 but doesn't have the built in charging like the A6. But I do feel if I didn't have the Lumintop that I would be carrying the A6 otherwise

4
cebedecOP•

The Wowtac A6 seems to closest to my requirements and is cheap enough that I just might get one and see if I like it.

The EDC18 also looks good, especially the clip. If I drop the internal charging, the field really opens up.

2
BadRNG•

I just got the A6 and I've been enjoying it!

1
[deleted]•

[removed]

1
fazalmajid•

The magnetic charger for the S1R is still the best there is. I'd suggest you go with the S1RII or one of the other Olight magnetic rechargeables.

3
cebedecOP•

Yes, the magnetic charging works really well and I am very happy with the S1R. The S1RII is too similar to what I already have, but the M2R could be an option.

2
taklebury•

I prefer charging externally on a good charger tried and tested so use lumintop fw3a 18650. But maybe a little bulkier than you want, has a great UI,and budget friendly. I also use olight s2r, 18650, mag charging, same UI as s1. But has a side switch and more of a thrower than flood. Both of these are great lights and I would struggle to choose a favourite from them. I have the baton Pro too but the turbo mode steps down way to quickly for my liking. I think olight jumped to 2000lm too quick on that light, still a fantastic light for the money though. The olights you would have to wait for an olight sale or second hand to get under 100

3
cebedecOP•

I played around with a FW3A recently and it is definitely a great light. Size is a bit outside of my EDC specs though. The UI is really powerful, maybe even too much so.

A bigger Olight like the S2R or M2R are closer, and the new generation all seem to have the power indicator, which would be a nice upgrade from my S1R.

1
taklebury•

The m2r is bigger than the fw3a but still a great light

1
cebedecOP•

TIL. Just looked it up, length of the M2R is 130mm. Didn't realize it is that big. S2RII would be a good fit with 100mm.

1
zzap129•

Wurkkos fc11 or Wowtac a6. The wurkkos has high CRI, but the wowtac has direct access to a low moonlight mode and is probably a bit shorter.

3
cebedecOP•

I did not know about the Wurkkos, and it has USB-C charging! Thanks for putting it on my radar.

UI might be a problem and it's a bit too long. Maybe I just have to wait some more until USB-C becomes more common.

2
mbplitt•

An 18650 light with on board charging under 100mm is going to be a little tough. The shortest light I know of that seems to fit your criteria is the Wowtac A6.

2
cebedecOP•

Yeah, I realize the internal charging really limits my options. Maybe I have to rethink that and replace it with a powerbank/charger that takes 18650.

1
Machinistman1998•

I'm really liking the olight S2R baton 2 only thing that sucks is the pocket clip isnt the same style as the s1r it's a bit loser grip on the pocket but the run time is amazing and has a battery induction light on the button

1
500SL•

I like a lot of Nitecore models.

I just got a Nitecore NM02 that ticks most of your boxes.

I also have the New P12, that I think you’d like.

I do wish they’d adopt magnetic charging like Olight. Then they’d be perfect.

-1
cebedecOP•

They look good, but both are too bulky for my EDC needs.

1