Olight S2R Flashlight

The OLight S2R Baton Led torch is like all Olight LED torches ready for work, and as hard as you can work them. The S2R is a little different to the other models tested recently within the Olight range, and what makes the S2R stand out from the crowd is……explained within this review. Let’s just say the S2R has become my new friend when I need light when I’m knocking about in the wilderness or poking around at home.

One idea and unbelievably simple idea that makes the S2R a winner is the charging pod, that being magnetic to the base of the torch, which negates the need to remove the battery to charge it. The charge able itself has a USB socket on one end, and the magnetic charge tab on the other. Use the S2R torch anywhere, charge it anywhere. That’s versatility!

Down to the important stuff….Lumens Output. You’ll get over 1000 Lumens out of the S2R for nearly 5 hours. Battery life is of course preserved by using one of the lower lighting output powers. The maximum being a quoted “60 days on 0.5Lm”.

The OLight S2A comes factory supplied with 3200AH 18650 Rechargeable Battery and the light itself is waterproof to just over 1.5m, while the S2R is just over 110mm in length and weighs just 101 grams.

The magnetic base can not only be used for charging the long lasting battery, but also used within a myriad of solutions like car break downs, illuminating tooling machines at work or just for hanging from a tarp pole to help you find your way to esky and back.

It also comes with a wrist lanyard and instruction booklet.

With a RRP of just $135, given the charging and versatility options with the S2R, this would have to be high on your agenda to check out.

Distributed by PowaBeam – www.powabeam.com.au

PRO’S: Rechargeable, light, BRIGHT, tough, ready for work out of the box.

CONS: No 12v Charger supplied.

Olight S2A LED Flashlight

This is our 3rd review of the impressive range of OLight torches. This instalment, we are reviewing the Olight S2A LED Flashlight from PowaBeam in Northern NSW.

The OLight S2A Coloured Led torch is feature packed, lightweight, can be conveniently powered by inexpensive AA batteries and above all, is cheap, bright and totally versatile.

I opted for this test unit to be Yellow, which would be, to me anyway, the average colour of a torch you’d reach for in the cab in a hurry. Most old ‘Dolphin Torches were Yellow or Red, and for whatever reason, Yellow to me says ‘torch’. If you were born in the 70’s or 80’s you’d understand, but the ducks nuts of this torch is it doesn’t matter about the colour, they still work very well.

The OLight S2A comes factory supplied with 2 x AA Lithium Long Life Batteries and to date, I’ve used the S2A for up to 4 hours without a glimpse of them giving up. Being able to simply swap the batteries over with readily available AA’s is a smart engineering idea from Olight. So many so called ‘premium’ or ‘tactical’ torches of this size these days leave you restricted to the factory given batteries. By being able to pull into your local Servo and pick up new ones for the S2A is a deadest bonus.

The Olight S2A offers a very respectable amount of light via its maximum 550 Lumen output, but also offers a gentle amount of light called ‘Moon Light Mode’, which when activated by holding down the power switch for 2 seconds while the torch is off, offers enough light for you to read your favourite hunting magazine in your tent or swag without disturbing the other pussies around you who have already zonked out.

Battery life via the factory is rated at about 240 minutes in the high power mode, using the supplied Lithium Batteries. The body material is scratch resistant anodized aluminium which is covered with non-slip ergonomic skin safe silicon. Colours of the silicon sleeve include Yellow, Black, Grey and Blue. The battery cap base is magnetic and would prove to be handy in a lot of situations.

It also comes with a wrist lanyard and instruction booklet.

At just over 130mm in length and weighing 55grams, given its versatility and colour options, the S2A would be an ideal inclusion in any tool box in any industry.

RRP $85.

Distributed by PowaBeam – www.powabeam.com.au

PROS: Lightweight, solid and ergonomic construction, battery replacement is easy.

CONS: Not rechargeable.

Olight S1R BATON LED Torch

This is our second instalment of reviewing the new range of Olight LED Torches from PowaBeam in Northern NSW.

Last week I took the the OLight S1A BATON Led torch through its paces and was left more than impressed with not only the light output, but the tiny size that makes the S1A appealing for so many reasons.

This week I’m taking the S1A’s ‘big’ brother to limits. In fact, calling the S1R a ‘big brother’ is probably wrong, as it’s physically smaller than it’s non-rechargeable counterpart the S1A. Introducing the Olight S1R 900 Lumen Rechargeable LED Torch.

While the S1R as just mentioned is smaller, the maximum light output straight up is 300Lm MORE. At night and upon testing, I could see little difference between the two torches leaving me still equally impressed with both units tested so far.

 As with the S1A, The S1R is also made from hard anodized aluminium that is also scratch resistant, and as with most of the Olight LED Torch range the S1R comes with an industry leading 5 year warranty.

The Olight S1R BATON offers five levels of light output with rated operating times quoted as per below;

Turbo - 900 Lumens → 300 Lumens - 30 Seconds → 55 Minutes

 High - 300 Lumens - 1 Hour

 Medium - 60 Lumens - 4 Hours 30 Min.

 Low - 12 Lumens - 33 Hours

 Moonlight - 0.5 Lumens - 15 Days

The Olight S1R is powered by a rechargeable 550mAh RCR123 customized  battery, and is able to be recharged without removal from the torch itself. This is a big bonus. 

Charging is applied via the Magnetic Tail Base with the use of the supplied Magnetic USB Charging Cable that simply connects to the end of the torch, plug into a USB power source and you’re away. It cannot be any simpler than that.

Like the S1A, The S1R has  magnetic base which could used in a variety of situations where you need two hands on the job. The magnet is quite powerful and robust.

It also comes with a wrist lanyard, carry pouch, magnetic USB charge cable and instruction booklet.

The S1R is just 65mm in length and weighing under 40 grams, it’s also IPX-8 Waterproof to a depth of 2m.

RRP $115.

Distributed by PowaBeam – www.powabeam.com.au

PROS: Compact, Bright, Tough, Price, 5 Year Warranty.

CONS: A supplied car USB charger port would make the S1R even more appealing.

OLIGHT S1A BATON LED Torch

The OLight S1A BATON Led torch while tiny in size packs a real punch with its high performing light output.

On a first impression basis it’s small but extremely well made construction created an immediate interest to see how it’d go once the sun went down. As depicted below, in a 50m yard the light source is respectable. We were more than impressed!

Made from hard anodized aluminium that is also scratch resistant, the tactical feel of this torch gives a true understanding of how Olight can offer a 5 year warranty. Built tough, ergonomic and extremely compact.

The Olight S1A BATON offers five levels of light output, ranging from just 0.5Lm (Moonlight mode) to a very respectable 220Lm. Powered by 1 x AA Battery, or also (and the preferred source) a non-rechargeable 4500 Lithium Battery which will offer over 100 minutes at 220 Lumens output.

A clever and handy feature of the S1A BATON torch is the magnetic base which would prove to be very handy under the bonnet of your car if broken down, or hanging off anything metallic where you need two hands on the job.

Image above shows the Olight S1A Baton Led Torch attached to a steel post via it's built in magnet that is in the base of the torch. A fantastic accessory. 

It also comes with a wrist lanyard and instruction booklet as shown below.

At just 80mm in length and weighing under 40 grams, the compact size of the S1A BATON shouldn’t deter your immediate thoughts of it’s performance, it’s bright, functional and very practical.

RRP $85.

Distributed by PowaBeam – www.powabeam.com.au

OLIGHT S1A BATON - Reviewed by 'Brazoo's Reviews', November 2016. 

PROS: Compact, Bright, Tough, Price, 5 Year Warranty.

CONS: Non rechargeable.

Just Press Play - The Viper Creek Band

'Just Press Play' - The Viper Creek Band

Variety is the spice of life, and when you add a smooth range of musical diversity and talent to an already successful package, the results are often positive and well worthwhile investigating.
Such is the ground breaking new album from The Viper Creek Band, ‘Just Press Play’.

Gaining input and working alongside some of the worlds most respected songwriters including Matt Scullion, VCB leadman Damien Baguleys vocals adapt so perfectly to the lyrics of each of the 10 songs on the new album.

‘Just Press Play’ offers a feeling of a fresh approach to delivering what VCB fans have learnt to love, and I have no doubt the punters will be more than impressed with and appreciate the hard work that’s obviously gone into this project. Speaking with Brazoos Reviews about the new album recently, Damien Baguley said, “I have literally put my whole heart, soul and trust into this album so much more than any other project I’ve been involved with before. The Vipers are ready to kick it up a notch and Just Press Play will hopefully reflect our dedication to the fans we’ve gained and respect so much.”

“We had a host of major talent help us with this album, from songwriters like Matty Scullion and fellow musos like Ashleigh Dallas, Troy Kemp and Seleen McAlister. Everyone has given us so much continued support which I appreciate so much more than I can describe.”

Each of the new tracks offer the listener a range of vocally superb performances with heartfelt delivery and expertise. Musically I could hear and reflect on the VCB of old, and also brilliant traits of the most modern styles of country genre being offered more and more by artists.

Favourite tracks for me include ‘Feelin’ Right Right Now’, ‘Just Press Play’, ‘Caught in a Storm’ and in particular ‘Stay’, which Damien co-wrote with Matt Scullion. For so many people just hanging in there as this crazy world continues to throw curved balls at us, and for anyone that’s hung onto a dream just a little too long but never given up, ‘Stay’ will reflect quite well. Simple yet powerful, for me it delivers a strong message that The Viper Creek Band are continuing on their way up the charts of success and popularity.

The future is brighter than ever for Damien and the boys from The Viper Creek Band. The VCB bug will bite hard for new listeners who will quickly become longstanding fans. ‘Just Press Play’ is a must have album for Country music and Rock genre lovers. Don’t just take my word for it though, go out there and buy the CD which is available now, or download via iTunes, and ‘Just Press Play.

Along with the album, VCB have a brilliant range of new merchandise. Checkout their website for more details. Regular updates also featured via Facebook  www.thevipercreekband.com.au

Review by BraZoo’s Reviews 2/9/16  www.brazoo.com.au

G'day, Hello,....Oh never mind.

Old timers talk about it, young people are oblivious to it. But hang on a minute, this isn’t just a ‘young person’ perceptive bash, this is an across the board social impact subject.

Just how hard is it these days for some people to say ‘Gday’? 

Well, increasingly it seems to be a common urbanised problem affecting all walks of life. What does a simple 'hello' take.  A few seconds maybe, one breath of air and limited muscle exploitation to open ones mouth, show some pearly whites and mutter one word.

By now you may see where I am going with this. No maybe, let me explore this a bit further then by putting a personal face to it.

Back in the day (yep here I go, old fart about to talk so shoosh now) when my parents would ship me off to my grandparents place for holidays, at a tender age of somewhere between 6 and 9 on the Newcastle to Kempsey express (Aka Northern NSW Tablelands train service) the ‘Gday how are you’ trait within me would kick in. In the 70’s Newcastle was indeed a big country town, in both wealth and community spirit but still big on country values. Those country values included being able to freely say hello to anyone you met on the street, and in my case on the train to whoever happened to be sitting next to me. Most of the time it would be someone else’s ‘granny’ who was just as happy to flash out pictures of her grandkids, and speak with genuine interest and love of them to a complete stranger like me. As young as I was, I showed respect and interest in their story before babbling on about whatever I was up to, where I was going and my family life. A simple G’day’ on the train and impending conversation would see the incredibly boring trip scream so fast I’d often forget the opposite of G’day, and later on realise that ‘goodbye’ didn’t eventuate when I arrived at Kempsey.

The need to say hello in most situations paid off wherever I was. It made me look approachable, honest and a good kid. Adults back then appreciated it immensely, yet it is something that seemed so simple so it was never a chore for me. I can appreciate some kids hesitation these days with ‘stranger danger’ etc, but ‘hello’ should mean just that, a simple acknowledgment.

As a young bloke, probably my biggest influence was my grandfather. He’d say hello to everyone. Saturday morning shopping in the NSW Country town of Kempsey took about twice as long as it did when back home in Newcastle with my parents, everyone wanted to chat to Pop. Was it through general respect, or did people feel obligated to chat to the poor old fella hobbling along with a walking stick and proud grandson in tow. 100% of the time to me and as I remember still to this day, it was a mutual respect between two people, whether they were well known to each other before the interaction or not, they left each others presence satisfied with a good old chat and a face to remember for next time. I’m not suggesting for a minute Pop would bail up someone and bore them to death, everyone wanted to get on back then and saying a quick hello was part of the deal.

Pops honesty and country values rubbed off. Still to this day wherever I am I feel almost obligated to say G’day to someone I don’t know, even to the dodgiest of looking people. Perhaps people who look dodgy don’t get enough interaction due to stereotyping in society, a simple “G’day how ya going mate” might fix a few of society’s problems, who knows.
I started this theory and thought process on why people say G’day about 10 years ago, and why snobberish behaviour has increased massively over the years. Deep down it’s probably that people just don’t give a shit, and that’s sad. 

My thoughts on this started back in the good old days before I became a father for the first time. Always being a big bloke, I would often walk around the streets after work, early mornings etc as a bit of exercise. This is when those ancient music machines named  ‘walkmans’ were still out. Not everyone had one like people have iPods these days, most people wouldn’t have anything but a good walking rhythm to keep them focussed on getting fit rather than getting deaf at the same time. Most people didn’t have a walkman, they just walked. There was no need to ignore anyone approaching another walker, if a verbal G’day was too hard even a nod acknowledging your presence would be suffice. I have to say though, walking my normal circuit that simple acknowledgement was bloody hard for most people. In particular, the ladies would look to the sky, ground or the back of their eyelids as I approached. I know I’m no painting, but I’m pretty sure I also didn’t look like I was going to bite anyone either. 

Bring on fatherhood, and how things changed. There had been a sudden transformation in walkway attitudes once a pram and bub were dragged along with me. Giving the Mrs a break I’d often take the bub for a bit of fresh air and outdoor adventure. IMMEDIATELY, ladies in particular who have ignored me several times up until now, wanted to say hello. How weird, even though being massively sleep deprived and looking shabby due to it, somehow I now looked humane enough to interact with. What I really wanted to say to them is totally unacceptable to share here online, but with Pops ways of respect and ‘forgive and forget’ engraved into me I enjoyed many a conversation with those who previously ‘snobbed’ me.

Did the local pathway snobs only stop to talk to me because they seen something more interesting and appealing to make them interact, or did they realise I was human after all? 
I guess I’ll never know.

From pathway snobs back in early parenthood to today. In the city, it’s same story for some people when out walking, shopping or whatever, that is unless you’re out in the country. I frequent country towns like Tamworth, Gunnedah and Narrabri and always look forward to getting over that Great Dividing Range. The Ranges seem to be the great divide alright, it is soooo much better hitting that New England district and leaving the Hunter Valley behind. Attitudes, perceptions and genuine respectful values alter immensely. If you don’t know what I’m on about, do yourself a favour and get out of suburbia and experience it sometime soon.

Walking around suburbia today it is increasingly getting sadder. No one wants to say ‘G’day’, eye contact is rare to say the least and the attitudes of some people is disgraceful. Be it the computer age, social media technology or just laziness, I’d like to fix it before the world ends up being a shittier place than what it is today.

Be it a kid, an old bloke and his Mrs, an authority figure or even a politician, I’ve said hello to some complete strangers and made good friends, and that’s what it’s all about, being friendly. It’s not hard. We can all do it, give it a go and change your own perspective of the world a little.

Respect needs to be earnt, you cannot buy it. Say G’day to the next person you meet on your early morning walk or shopping trip, and get that respect both you and the world needs back.