Olight BALDR Pro R Review [Upgraded Pistol Light]

In this Olight BALDR Pro R review guide, let's check out this new light's core specs, beam pattern, laser-quality, control ergonomics, compatibility, and battery performance.

Let's check it out...

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Olight BALDR Pro R Core Specs

Beam Distance: 200 meters
Max. Performance: 1350 lumens
Candela: 10,000 cd
Laser: Class 3R, 5mW Green Laser
Strobe: Yes
Switch: Side Switch
Battery: 1000mAh USB rechargeable
Waterproof: IPX4
Weight: 4.44 oz
Head Diameter (in): 1.44"
Length (in): 3.3 in
LED: High-Performance Neutral White LED
Price: $159.95

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What's Included In The Packaging

The Olight BALDR Pro R comes with the following:

BALDR Pro R x 1
(Mil-std-1913) Rail key x 1
GL Rail key x 1
Rail Adapter Screw x 2
H1.5 Allen Wrench x 1
MCC 1A USB Charging Cable x 1
User Manual x 1

Who Should Use The Olight BALDR Pro R

Glock 19 with olight baldr pro r light and laser

The Olight BADLR Pro R is great range use & hunting. For the price, it's a great option for anyone looking for a high performing light under $200.

If you're not using this light for professional use full time, the Olight BADLR Pro R is a great light to go on your home defense night stand pistol.

Core Features

Beam Pattern, Lumens & Candela

For a light under $150, the new Olight BALDR Pro R can output 1350 lumens just like the original Baldr Pro.

But this time, the candela is only 10000 cd, but the beam is much brighter and doesn't suck. Please see the comparison below:

Much brighter than Surefire X300U with a slightly more diffused hot spot, but everything in front of the user is much more lit up for target ID and situational awareness at night.

In many ways, it's like a Surefire X300U and Streamlight TLR 1 HL combined. Check out this below and see for yourself:

Can illuminate the pitch black spot to the right of the building, and the tall grass field for wide flood beam search

At about 15 - 25 yards, the hard edge corona hot spot of the light stretches about 11 -16 feet in diameter to illuminate the size of the human body from the head to toe. This is helpful to observe a threat's hands while keeping the hot spot on the threat's head.

Heat Protection

Heat protection system is built into the light, so the lumen will drop as time goes on. This is one major reason why we don't recommend this for duty use when maximum output at all time is desired.

Basically, the user has to let the light take frequent breaks.

Light Beam Color Tint

The BLADR Pro R features a Neutral with a slight warm tint. Overall it's a neutral light beam.

Most accurate color rendition in low light
Easier on the eyes when punching the light beam through fog
Minimized glare when using in fog
Better color contrast under low light

Modes

The new selector ring is the newest feature on this light. This is a significant upgrade from the BALDR Pro, and now closing the offset distance between the laser and the bore for accuracy, and it also added the USB charging port.

Light only
Light & laser
Laser only
Dual switch tap for strobe (Requires both hands to work)

One downside to the original BALDR Pro was the use of CR123A. If you're a fan of BALDR Pro but not the battery system, now the BALDR Pro R is here.

Laser Quality

The built-in 5mW green laser has an effective range up to 70 yards. It's bright and easy to pick up during day light and low light.

The laser maintains zero after 100 rounds of 9mm, and we have yet seen any accuracy issue, and we will update this test results in the future as we go.

The only thing we didn't like about the laser is its two adjustment screws because they don't give the user any positive feedback and they feel very loose.

Olight has not addressed this problem

Activation Switch Ergonomics

olight baldr pro r ambi pressure switches

The light activation on the Olight BALDR Pro R is the exactly the same as the one on the Valkyrie PL Pro.

The ambidexous control allows both lefties and righties to operate the light without any problem.

When you press & hold the button all the way down, then release gives you the momentary on.

When you quickly tap the switch the light stays constant on.

The strobe mode requires two hands, which might not be a good choice in single hand operation.

Battery Endurance

The Olight BALDR Pro R now features a magnetic charge port to charge its 1000mAh battery. This is way better than buying CR123A every other week for high volume low light training.

The only down side to the charging port is that it doesn't have any protection to keep dirt, moisture away.

If this is your first time using an Olight product, most lights feature heat protection circuit that drops the lumen output as time goes on.

Laser On

1350 Lumens - 1.5 mins
500 Lumens - 38 mins
300 Lumens - 48 mins

Laser Off

1350 Lumens - 1.5 mins
500 Lumens - 40 mins
300 Lumens - 53 mins

Construction Quality

The light's overall feel and finish is very solid, however, the waterproof rating is only IPX4. Most duty pistol lights are at IPX7 meaning surviving submersion pressure & waterproof

Other than that the mount, the lens bezel and the battery access door all feel very solid based on our testing.

QD Mount

The mount comes with a universal M1913 rail tab and a Glock rail tab. The QD lever is the same as other Olight weapon lights and the screw tightness can be adjusted with a screw.

When the light is mounted on pistols, there is no need to worry about the light falling off the gun during recoil...it's just impossible.

The only down side of the QD mount is that it has sharp edges that rubs against the user's thumb on a pistol, and it can snag onto a piece of clothing string if not being careful.

Final Verdict

The Olight BALDR Pro R is the next generation BALDR Pro pistol weapon light option for people looking for a Surefire X400 alike pistol light under $200.

The new laser position enables USB recharging compared to the Baldr Pro, however, the laser port cut into the reflect does lower the candela output.