Let’s take a look at the Arkfield Ultra, Perun 3 and Baton Turbo models

While the mass adoption of smartphones has left most consumers with a fairly useful flashlight, a powerful and versatile flashlight can make all the difference for those with more specific lighting needs. Olight has quietly dominated the EDC flashlight scene since its inception in 2007 and the creation of our current favorite, the Baton 3 Premium Edition.

Today, Olight has introduced a series of updated versions of its core products and a few additions to the brand’s lineup. I had a chance to try them out and based on my initial impressions, Olight may have a few more winners.

What is Olight

Olight is a brand founded in 2007 that produces a wide range of lighting products including flashlights, headlamps, bike lights and more.

What are the newest Olight products?

As part of the Olight Fall Event, the brand has released a series of flashlights and devices designed to meet different needs and use cases. The products include:

Each of these products was sent to me about a week before launch, and I spent a few days testing them out. I took each flashlight on a series of night walks and runs. I also spent some time with the devices to get a feel for their usability and brightness. I also logged their battery life for a week.

Arkfield Ultra and Pro Paws Edition

Arkfield Ultra

Arkfield Ultra is a top quality multi-function flashlight.

$119.99 at Olight

$119.99 on Amazon

The Arkfield Ultra is a 3-in-1 flashlight that adds a few welcome upgrades to the brand’s range of slimline EDC flashlights. The Ultra packs three functions into its small body: white light, UV light and a green laser pointer. It also features a battery charge indicator, belt clip and magnetic charging port. The Arkfield Ultra eschews the standard tubular shape in favour of a flat, almost wedge-shaped design, meaning it fits easily into a pocket without any unsightly bulges. While it looks very similar to the Arkfield Pro, the Ultra does have a few notable upgrades. The white light has 1400 lumens compared to the 1300 lumens of the Pro, and the casing is made from Olight’s premium OAL aluminium alloy. Olight claims that OAL is stronger and more durable than 6061 aluminium.

As someone who works remotely, I’ve never had much use for EDC items; however, if I regularly went into the office, the Ultra would be a valuable addition to my work bag. I was impressed with the versatility and the strong brightness of the white light. I don’t usually have a use for a laser pointer in my daily life, but my cat loved it. Similarly, I prefer a blissfully ignorant approach to hotel cleanliness, so I’m unlikely to use a UV light, but I can see it being a great help for those who care about such things.

While I don’t have much use for two of the Arklight’s three functions, I like the Ultra’s rugged, durable design and compact, pocket-sized frame. It’s a bit pricey at $99, but the Ultra is a great choice if you’re looking for an EDC flashlight.

Arkfield Pro Paw Edition

Shine a light on a great cause with Arkfield Pro Paw Edition

$99.99 at Olight

$99.99 on Amazon

In addition to the Arkfield Ultra, Olight sent me the Arkfield Pro Paws Edition. Internally, it’s identical to the standard Pro, but has a cute animal color scheme. Olight will donate $5 for every Paw Edition sold to help homeless cats and dogs.

Perun 3

Perun 3

The versatile Perun 3 is the ultimate hands-free flashlight.

$89.99 at Olight

$89.99 on Amazon

The Perun 3 is designed to offer hands-free lighting in a variety of settings, and features an angled flashlight that is useful in situations where a standard flashlight would be impractical. The flashlight provides an intense 3,000 lumens, and the flashlight is powered by a 5,000 mAh battery with a 20-hour life (in moon mode). The Perun 3 also has a red light, and each light source has different brightness settings and configurations. The Perun 3 is IP68 weatherproof and can be used in the hand, in the included headband, with the clip, and with the magnetic base.

I often use a headlamp for night running, and occasionally for hiking and camping, so I was curious to see how the Perun 3 would compare to my current rig. The Perun 3’s weight and slightly awkward shape mean it’s not in danger of replacing my current kit, but for something for occasional use it’s excellent. The torch clips easily into the (fairly comfortable) head strap and was fully usable on my night run. It’s also worth noting that the Perun 3 is significantly brighter than my dedicated headlamp and has the advantage of acting as a regular handheld torch.

I have never used an angled flashlight, but the Perun 3 convinced me of the concept. The angle makes it incredibly easy to use for home repairs. It may be marketed primarily as a headlamp, but for me the Perun 3 is something I would keep in my car or toolbox for emergencies or repairs, and would only use it occasionally as a headlamp.

Turbo stick

Turbo stick

Baton Turbo is a small but powerful flashlight.

$59.99 at Olight

$59.99 on Amazon

The Baton Turbo is a long-range EDC flashlight that packs 1,000 lumens into a small, compact package weighing just 3.21 ounces. It has a range of 510 meters and comes with an 1100 mAh battery that lasts up to 50 days in moon mode. The flashlight can also use standard disposable batteries, but with limited brightness.

I’ll be honest: I love this thing. Technically, the Baton Turbo does one thing: it provides light, and it does it exceptionally well. It has the perfect balance of lightweight, compact form, and intense brightness, and I can see it becoming a regular fixture on my camping and hiking trips, where weight is absolutely paramount.

Ball

Ball

Sphere is an affordable and feature-rich diffused lamp.

$19.99

$19.99 on Amazon

Finally, we have the Olight Sphere, a tiny ambient light with a variety of features to boost productivity and entertainment. The Sphere has seven lighting options that you can cycle through using the power button. The companion app adds 20 more options to the mix. In addition to the wide range of colorful lighting options, the Sphere has a visual timer, a music beat mode, and a light-based bash-a-mole game. The Sphere has a 700mAh battery, a magnetic base, and an IP56 weather-resistant rating.

At first glance, the Sphere was a bit disconcerting. Compared to the sturdy, utilitarian look and focus of the Arkfield, Perun, and Baton, it seemed like a minimally functional nest. However, while it has some fun features, the visual timer is a great productivity device with a few apps to make it accessible to the hearing impaired. The Sphere may not necessarily be something I would buy for myself, but it would be a great productivity and entertainment device for hard-working, hard-playing students.

Which Olight products should you buy?

Whether you’re an EDC enthusiast, a techie, a camper, or just in need of a great flashlight, Olight’s latest lineup has something for everyone. All of the products I’ve tried feel solidly built and have excellent features. Most importantly, when it comes to usability and impressive brightness, I had trouble finding any significant flaws in the Arkfield, Perun, or Baton models. I also appreciated that Olight didn’t lean too far into the overly stark aesthetic common to many of its competitors. The flashlights are durable, but have an attractive, understated design.

If I had to find a flaw in Olight, it would be the price. Generally, products are quite expensive; however, based on my first impressions, it is money well spent.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Olight Fall Event: Arkfield Ultra, Perun 3, Baton Turbo and More