REVIEW: OLIGHT BALDR Pro R

One of the most useful additions to any long gun - but also to handguns - is a flashlight. Ideally, it is connected to the weapon, so our friends at MAJOR FINDING, who tested this OLIGHT, have one hand free to at least be able to open doors if necessary.

And for those who like additional options, they can go for a combination of flashlight and laser sight - colloquially known as a light-laser module, or LLM for short.

In a previous article, we took a look at the BALDR Mini light-laser module from OLIGHT, which is also equipped with a green laser. As the name suggests, the BALDR Mini is more suitable for compact handguns.

The BALDR Pro R, on the other hand, is the latest flagship model from OLIGHT, and is essentially the big brother of the BALDR Mini. It is also a light-laser module, and as the "R" in the product name suggests, it stands for "rechargeable" and means it has a built-in, rechargeable battery. Although the BALDR Pro R is actually intended for mounting on pistols, its light output also complements carbines in pistol caliber (or PCCs) very well - but we'll get to that later.

The model we tested for this article was provided to us for review by OLIGHT Austria.

Technical Details:

Weighing 126 grams, the BALDR Pro R is even lighter than comparable products by a few grams. The built-in battery has a capacity of 1000 mAh and with a maximum output of 1350 lumens, the flashlight has a beam distance of 200 meters.

With a full battery, you can use the maximum brightness for about one and a half minutes before the performance drops to 500 lumens, which will continue for an additional 38 minutes. After that time, the performance drops to 300 lumens and the battery charge should last for another 10 minutes. If you only use the flashlight with the lower power setting of 300 lumens, the battery should last for about 85 minutes before you need to recharge the flashlight. The BALDR Pro R also has a strobe mode.

When using only the laser, one battery charge lasts up to 19 hours - enough to keep your cat busy for a whole day, for example.

The light-laser module can be easily recharged using the included magnetic connector and should be fully charged within one and a half hours. One of the advantages is that you can recharge the flashlight practically anywhere and anytime using a power bank - and you also don't need to readjust the laser after the LLM remains on the weapon.

With the IPX 4 standard construction, you can also use the flashlight in the rain.

Mounting, Compatibility, and Operation:

The LLM can be mounted on both Glock and Picatinny rails - you just need to screw on one of the two corresponding rail adapters to the bottom of the LLM. The quick-release mounting of the BALDR Pro R allows it to be attached to the rail tool-free and in a few seconds.

The rail of the BALDR Pro R cannot be variably adjusted - as we know it from the BALDR Mini or the PL-3 Valkyrie - but it still fit perfectly on our three test weapons.

Due to the high light output in a compact design - but also because of the integrated laser - the BALDR Pro R is also well suited for use on civilian "MPs" like the H&K SP 5 or pistol carbines like our NORLITE USK-G.

And if you have to mount the lamp in such a way that you can no longer reach the buttons with your hand, there is also an optional accessory available: a matching magnetic cable switch.

The BALDR Pro R is operated using the two rear buttons. A short press on one of the two buttons permanently turns on the selected mode, and if you hold down a button, the light or laser (or both) only lights up as long as you keep the button pressed. If you press both buttons simultaneously, you activate the strobe function of the lamp.

The mode selection is done via a rotary switch on the head of the lamp.

CONCLUSION:

The BALDR Pro R is the optimal EDC companion for full-size handguns. The compact design and low weight can be practically integrated into any system, and it also makes a very good impression on long guns.

With the integrated battery, you never have to worry about dead batteries again. If you ever forget to charge it before a visit to the shooting range, just plug it into a power bank. By the time you arrive at the range, you'll have enough power to use the flashlight/laser module again.

Olight once again delivers an excellently crafted product with well-thought-out features at a very good price with the BALDR Pro R. If you missed the "Black Friday" promotion and are not in a hurry, you can also wait for the next flash sale and get the BALDR Pro R at a discounted price. For more information on the BALDR Pro R, visit OLIGHT

The OLIGHT BALDR Pro R costs 203.95 regularly. Until December 19, you can get it at OLIGHT Austria for Christmas price of 142.76 Euros.

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