Olight Arkfeld UV Flashlight Review
Today we’re looking at a cool little pocket light from Olight: The Arkfeld UV Flashlight. An advancement on the previous Olight Arkfeld but with the addition of an UV light mode, this is a functional and uniquely-shaped EDC flashlight.
It’s one of a few pocket lights in recent years that have deviated from the traditional cylindrical shape in favor of a slim rectangular design. That has some significant advantages when it comes to everyday carry, and it’s just one reason why I like this powerful little flashlight.
Olight Arkfeld UV Flashlight: First Impressions
The shape of the Arkfeld UV jumps out right away. It could easily be mistaken for a small remote or a rectangular vape pen at a glance. It’s sleek and simple, with a power button and toggle switch conveniently situated right where your thumb rests along the barrel. The controls are fairly intuitive, and the max output of 1,000 lumens is very powerful.
This isn’t the first rectangular-shaped EDC flashlight. The Surefire Stiletto is one of the more well-known examples, but the Arkfeld is smaller and more streamlined—a little less ‘Star Trek’—than the Stiletto, which makes it well-suited for everyday carry. It’s also significantly less expensive.
Measurements & Specs
The Olight Arkfeld UV Flashlight measures 4.33 inches long, and the body of the flashlight is 0.98” wide and 0.59” thick. It weighs a fairly trim 87 grams (3.07 oz), and is constructed with anodized aluminum (multiple colors are available) with a stainless steel reversible pocket clip.
The flashlight is powered with a 1050mAh rechargeable lithium polymer battery, and is built with twin white LED and UV LED emitters side-by-side. Older Arkfelds had a laser pointer function, which has been traded out for the UV LED on this model. The flashlight utilizes magnetic charging, and a MCC3 magnetic USB charging cable is included.
Light Modes & Operation
The Arkfeld has five light modes as well as a strobe function, and the various modes offer a great range of light options ranging from barely-there Moon mode all the way up to blinding Turbo. The intensity of the modes are as follows:
- Moon: 1 lumen
- Low: 15 lumens
- Medium: 60 lumens
- High: 300 lumens
- Turbo: 1,000 lumens
- Strobe: 1,000 lumens
In the case of the High and Turbo modes, the output will drop to protect the battery after a certain amount of time rather than simply running out. Turbo drops from 1,000 to 300 lumens after 4 minutes; High drops from 300 to 60 lumens after 140 minutes.
Cycling through the modes is fairly straightforward. Click and hold to turn the light on in Moon mode. Click and hold again to turn it up to low, again for Medium, and again for High. Double-click to crank it up to Turbo, and triple-click to captivate Strobe.
The white LED casts a nicely well-balanced, uniform beam, with a beam distance up to 85 meters. While the thumb button toward the forward end of the flashlight turns the light on and off and alternates between modes, the adjoining toggle switch will click the light back and forth between white LED and UV modes.
Battery & Charging
The battery of the Olight Arkfeld provides some solid runtime. It will shine for 8 days on Moon mode, 41 hours on Low, or 12 hours on Medium. As mentioned above, High and Turbo modes will drop down to a lower level after a period of time, which helps preserve runtime as well as protecting the flashlight from damage. Lithium batteries get hot after extended periods on high output, so it’s a good feature.
Having a built-in rechargeable battery has its pros and cons. It’s nice to not have loose batteries rattling around, and I also appreciate not having to replace them. That being said, if and when the batter eventually bites the dust, there’s not much to be done about it except replace the whole flashlight. That said, it does come with a 2-year warranty.
The magnetic charger works well, but I also have mixed feelings about it. I’m a watch guy, so I don’t love carrying a magnet around in my pocket. Ultimately, I don’t have a lot to complain about with this flashlight, but the magnetic charger is my one minor quibble.
Construction & Durability
The aluminum body of the Arkfeld UV Flashlight is rugged and durable while still being lightweight. It can take some punishment without affecting the performance of the flashlight. The anodized finish wears its scuffs and scrapes with pride. The Arkfeld also has an IPX7 waterproof rating, which means that it can be submerged in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
Carry & Performance
The stainless steel two-way pocket clip allows for deep pocket carry and easy access, while the slim rectangular shape makes EDC comfortable. It lays flat in your pocket, so it feels much less bulky than a comparably sized cylindrical flashlight.
That shape also makes it comfortable and stable in hand. There’s no knurling or other texture on the flashlight to provide grip, aside from some simple lines along the sides, but the shape ensures that you don’t really need them. It’s easy to grip firmly, and it stays put. The button is always right where you expect it to be; no need to rotate the light in search of the on/off switch.
Final Thoughts on the Olight Arkfeld UV Flashlight
I have plenty of my own long standing favorite EDC flashlights, but the Olight Arkfeld UV Flashlight is a strong contender, with numerous advantages over traditional flashlights. I also like that it has a memory function, allowing you to return to the previously-used light mode with a single click.
The various light outputs are great for everything from reading to finding your way at night. The strobe works as a distress signal or as a defense tool to confuse an attacker. And the UV light function works nicely for detecting invisible stains, checking banknotes and verifying passports and IDs.
The Arkfield UV Flashlight has great functionality all around. And while its price tag isn’t quite low enough to put in the ‘budget’ category, it’s very competitively priced compared to similar flashlights from other brands. It’s not without its quirks, but the Olight Arkfeld is an excellent EDC flashlight.
Blair Witkowski is an avid watch nut, loves pocket knives and flashlights, and when he is not trying to be a good dad to his nine kids, you will find him running or posting pics on Instagram. Besides writing articles for Tech Writer EDC he is also the founder of Lowcountry Style & Living. In addition to writing, he is focused on improving his client’s websites for his other passion, Search Engine Optimization. His wife Jennifer and he live in coastal South Carolina.
