Rough Edge EDC: Olight keeps advancing flat lights with ArkPro
EL PASO, Texas ( KTSM ) – Flashlight maker and retailer Olight introduced its first flat, rectangular flashlight about three years ago and has been on a mission to constantly improve it ever since.
The original Arkfeld flashlight had just a white light and laser, but the company has continued to upgrade and offer new features in this lineup.
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The ArkPro in silver graphite colorway. It is shown next to a Parker Jotter pen for size comparison. Photo by Dave Burge/KTSM
In the process, Olight has become one of the industry leaders – if not, the leader – in this new form factor for flashlights – the flat light.
The latest version – called the ArkPro – came out about a month ago.
A few things stand out about this offering.
First off, the ArkPro can be charged using Olight's traditional magnetic charging system. But this light also now has a USB-C port that is protected with a small swinging metal doorway.
It's the best of both worlds, giving you added versatility in how you charge this light up.
The new ArkPro also has a separate side switch for its green laser, making it even more readily available for use. The laser can be used with any of the other three lights on this light – spot, flood and UV.
That's four lights with seven different configurations – the laser by itself, each light by itself or each light in combo with the laser.
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ArkPro on its side with the laser control button showing. Displayed on a kitty hank by Titanium Justin and MadYocco. Photo by Dave Burge/KTSM
Other improvements include textured sides which make it easier to grip and a concave, "thumb-friendly" main operating switch that is easier to find in all sorts of conditions.
A rotary dial allows you to switch between spot, flood and UV. Each setting seems to glide into place more securely than previous versions.
Let's go through some of the main features on the lights themselves.
The spotlight has a maximum power of 800 lumens and a throw of 205 meters, a bit longer than two football fields.
The flood, which provides more diffused lighting over a wider area, has a maximum power of 1,500 lumens.
Olight says the UV light on the new ArkPro is 33 percent stronger than the Arkfeld Pro, which was a previous version of this flat light.
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ArkPro on its side with the USB-C port cover showing. Photo by Dave Burge/KTSM
The laser also has two levels of brightness — low which is safe for playing with pets and high which is great for longer distances.
The main control dial also can illuminate in two different colors – white for brightness level and green for battery status.
Another new feature: The ArkPro has a ridgeline that runs down the center of the light.
This gives the light a distinct feel when you grab it and helps to improve your grip. To me, the ridgeline also makes it easy to line up the light and be able to use it in a moment's notice.
The ArkPro remains virtually waterproof even with the addition of the USB-C charging port. The company says it can withstand being immersed in a meter of water for 30 minutes.
We alluded to the magnetic charging system. The tail of the light is magnetized and can easily attach to metal surfaces. That can come in handy while working on your car or in your garage.
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Looking down on the ArkPro at its emitters. Photo by Dave Burge/KTSM
Another feature of note is the "dual-direction" pocket clip that allows you to attach the light to your shirt, pants pocket or to your hat.
That's a lot of versatility and innovation in a small, compact size. The ArkPro is about 5 inches long, about an inch wide and about ¾ of an inch thick. It weighs about 4 ounces.
The ArkPro comes in multiple colorways – matte black, silver graphite (half black, half silver), phantom squadron (looks like a bomber with rivets), OD green and orange.
The one I have been carrying is the silver graphite and it looks terrific.
The ArkPro is normally priced at $99.99 or $109.99, depending on the colorway.
Olight is planning a sale from Dec. 10-15 in which the ArkPro will be 20 percent off.
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Backside of ArkPro with the "dual-direction" pocket clip showing. Photo by Dave Burge/KTSM
The ArkPro has two other versions – the ArkPro Lite which is slightly smaller and has a red light instead of the laser, and the ArkPro Ultra, which is made out of the company's ultra strong proprietary aluminum.
The ArkPro Ultra is regularly $129.99 on the Olight website, while the ArkPro Lite is normally $79.99.
Both of these other versions will also be on sale for 20 percent off on the Olight website from Dec. 10-15.
Here is a link to the ArkPro series of lights and to the Olight home page .
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Verdict: A rectangular, flat flashlight feels amazing in hand and in your pocket, especially compared to traditional cylinder flashlights.
I was initially hesitant about the whole Arkfeld lineup. I really never felt the need for a UV light.
Yes, the UV light can be useful in detecting whether money is counterfeit or for finding things like scorpions in a desert environment. But some things are just better left not knowing about, if you know what I mean.
But after I got my first Arkfeld, I really fell in love with the flat form factor.
And this one – the new ArkPro – is even sweeter. The white light, UV and laser are all more powerful and the overall feel of the light is just solid. You can just feel that this light is well-made with its unibody construction.
I have heard some reviewers say this might be Olight's best light. I have to agree. Its versatility, construction and innovation are hard to beat.
Here are some YouTube channels on pocket knives and EDC gear that I watch and enjoy.
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