Baton 3 Pro Review
The Baton 3 Pro Max is a fairly compact 21700 EDC with an aggressive look and feel. It uses Olight’s proprietary cells.
It has a simple single e-switch UI that works well. It has a timer mode with both 3 and 9 minute options that are memorized for next use. It also has a strobe function.
1. CREE XHP50.3 HD
The XHP50.3 HD is a very good emitter for a flashlight this size. It has a cool white tint and a heavily textured reflector. It still suffers from some tint/color shifting around the hotspot, but it’s less pronounced than in most other lights.
I suspect mainly the limited heat dissipation area of the XM footprint limits maximum achievable performance, at least if the thermal resistance of only 0.4 K/W applies to series samples. I ran a overtemperature test on this sample, but it only showed a small burned area between the two lower luminous surfaces.
2. TIR Optics
With a maximum output of 2,500 lumens and acceptable run time at 800 lumens, the Baton 3 Pro is a great light for EDC. Its TIR optic creates a wide hotspot that is well defined with dimmer spill around it.
This is ideal for situations where you want to signal drivers for help off of a straight stretch of highway. The strobe mode is also useful for this purpose.
The UI has a single e-switch that is easy to use. Double clicking on it activates a timer that you can switch between 3 or 9 minutes.
3. IPX8 Waterproof
The Baton 3 Pro Max is IPX8 rated, meaning that it can be submerged in water. However, it’s still not recommended for beach or ocean swimming.
It can also resist powerful jets of water, so it’s suitable for hiking and camping. It also has a shake to wake battery indicator, making it easier to check the status of the flashlight without having to turn it on. The bundled L bracket makes it easy to tail-stand the light, too.
4. Magnetic Charging
Magnetic charging is a feature that uses magnets to connect the charging cable to the device port adapter. When brought close, they automatically align for an effortless plug-in without requiring precise alignment.
It’s especially useful for people with hand tremors or limited dexterity. It’s also safer than traditional chargers because it prevents metal contacts from coming into contact with each other and potentially causing overheating.
The Olight Baton 3 Pro Max comes with a Magnetic Charging Case which holds the light in place for charging. It also doubles as a clip to attach to your pocket or hat.
5. Reversible Clip
A reversible clip allows it to be carried bezel-up or bezel-down. This makes it very easy to carry and slide into pockets. It also clips firmly to a hat for headlamp use.
The UI is fairly standard with a single e-switch and a neat Timer mode (similar to what we’ve seen on other Olights). Double click + hold the switch to activate either 3 or 9 minutes of timer.
A shake to wake battery indicator is also new, eliminating the need to turn on the light to check the cell voltage and adding a nice visual cue that it’s on.
6. Adjustable Beam Focus
The reversible clip is a great touch and the enlarged side switch makes it easier to operate, reducing accidental activation. This light uses a proprietary 18650 cell that has both positive and negative contacts on the positive end, which facilitates magnetic charging.
There’s also a strobe mode which is useful for signalling in case you get lost. It can also be used to set a timer. The UI is very easy to learn. It is very compact and can be carried in a pocket or hat.
7. Proximity Sensor
Proximity sensors are great for contactless object detection in DIY projects. There are many different types available to meet a variety of needs, including capacitance, inductive, ultrasonic, and IR sensors.
Olight’s new proximity sensor improves on the previous version by eliminating the need to manually activate the flashlight and reducing accidental activations. It also features a shake to awaken battery indicator and an enlarged side switch for easier activation. A reversible clip is included to facilitate either head-up or down carry.
8. Battery Life
The battery indicator works great and you can even shake the light to wake it up and check the charge. This makes the Baton 3 Pro much more user-friendly than previous models.
It comes with a customized 3200mAh rechargeable battery that can be charged in 3.5 hours. It has a maximum 1500 lumen output and throw of 175 meters.
It also has a proximity sensor that prevents the flashlight from turning on when it shouldn’t. It’s perfect for everyday use.