EDC Review: Olight Arkfeld Light and Laser

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Whether you are new or a veteran of the EDC game, Olight is an undeniable leader in the illumination arena. One of Olight’s missions is to deliver cutting-edge illumination tools. The Olight Arkfeld is one of the newest additions and their first dual light source EDC flashlight. The Arkfeld is a flashlight and laser pointer wrapped in a tight aluminum milled package. In this review, we will see if the Arkfeld can deliver on Olight’s promise of providing cutting-edge illumination tools. 

What’s in the Box?

Here’s what you can expect to receive with the Olight Arkfeld:

1. Olight Arkfeld
2. User Manual
3. MCC3 Magnetic USB Charging Cable

Design and Features

Right off the bat, we can see the design of Arkfeld is unlike other Olight offerings. The body is flat by design and about as thick as a deck of playing cards at 0.59 inches (15mm). Comparing the Arkfeld to the similarly sized Warrior Mini 2, the Arkfeld is half the thickness of the WM2. As a result, the Arkfeld vanishes in the pocket. In other words, I can carry it all day and not even know it is there. The Olight Arkfeld is obviously tailored for us EDC folks.

Besides the overall design of the Arkfeld, here are some features I found particularly impressive:

Magnetic Charging

One of the features I appreciate most about Olight flashlights is the magnetic charging. The charging cable magnetically snaps to the flashlight tail means there’s no need to insert a charging cable. Thus, there are no charging ports to break. Having no charging ports is especially useful if you have young, curious, handsy future EDC enthusiasts in your midst. The one caveat is the MCC3 charging cable is proprietary. Don’t lose it or you’ll be left in the dark. Luckily Olight sells replacement MCC3 charging cables. 

Magnetic Tail

The Olight Arkfeld has a magnetic tail, but not all magnetic tails are created equal. For instance, the Olight Warrior Mini 2 also has a magnetic tail. The main difference between the two is the Arkfeld can hold itself on any magnetic surface — Meaning the Olight Arkfeld can function as a de facto work light. Just as long as there is a magnetic surface, say the hood of a truck or car, it will hold itself. The inability of the Olight Warrior Mini 2 to perform this magic trick was my one big gripe.

PRO TIP: If you EDC a knife and have something to stick it in, you can effectively position the Olight Arkfeld in any position. This is especially handy when you are out in the dark lonesome wilderness and need hands-free illumination. Stick a knife in a tree and magnetize the Arkfeld to said knife. Bada bing bada boom.

Selector Switch/Center Button

Since this is Olight’s first dual light source EDC flashlight, they have created a new selector switch and button setup. The setup consists of a central button surrounded by an outer ring. The outer ring is the selector switch to choose between the laser and flashlight functions. The center button allows you to pick the different modes each selection offers. I’ll go over all the different modes later in this article. Spoiler alert, the laser only turns on and off.

The selector switch is very tactile. There are two protrusions in the ring, one at 4 o’clock and the other at 8 o’clock. When switching between the laser and light, you can hear an audible click that is oddly satisfying. Once you learn the left is laser and the right is light, choosing between the two is as easy as flipping a switch. You know what they say, “Lefty Laser and Righty Lighty.” 

There’s not much to say about the center button except that it’s firm and provides an audible cue. The tactile and audible feedback is much more satisfactory than my Toyota Tundra key fob buttons. The whole selector and button setup is low profile. They protrude about 1-2mm above the aluminum body. Overall, I think Olight did a great job tackling the controls for a dual-light source EDC flashlight.

Aluminum Body

The main body of the Olight Arkfeld is out of a solid piece of milled aluminum. Like all my other Olight products, the quality is exceptional. There are no sharp edges. The aluminum also gives a weightiness to such a small package. To be clear, the Arkfeld is by no means heavy at 3.07oz (87g). The weight I’m referring to gives the Arkfeld a premium feel. If the Arkfeld is any lighter, it wouldn’t feel as robust.

Indicator Lights

As you can see, there are four LED indicator lights. Each indicator basically represents a quarter of the remaining power. As a visual person, I am fully on board. Here is a table:

Indicator Lights	Power Range
Red Indicator	< 10% or Lockout Mode
1 Green Indicator	10% – 25%
2 Green Indicators	25% – 50%
3 Green Indicators	50% – 75%
4 Green indicators	< 75%

In addition, each indicator turns on and off sequentially. A neat little detail that Olight didn’t need to include, but I am appreciative. This level of detail gives the Olight Arkfeld a feeling of sophistication it wouldn’t otherwise have. 

Testing the Olight Arkfeld

Drop Test

I do not have a habit of dropping my gear, but accidents happen. Luckily, the Olight Arkfeld is advertised to handle drops from 3.3 feet (1m). For this test, I dropped the Arkfeld from waist height. Note that I am 6’ 3” (75cm) tall. Furthermore, there are three drop scenarios — hardwood floors, woodland, and concrete. I figured this should cover most situations you will encounter daily.

The Olight Arkfeld was dropped 15 times. Five gut-wrenching drops for each scenario. I made sure to alternate between the head and the tail. Functionally, the Arkfeld came out of this test unscathed. There were no flickers during impact. The light never turns on or off randomly. Additionally, the switch, button, and indicators were good to go. Physically, there are a few light scratches on the corners. Understandable, since dropping most things on concrete causes damage. All in all, the Olight Arkfeld passed the drop test with flying colors.

Waterproof Test

Where I live, we don’t have a shortage of rivers, creeks, streams, and lakes. It’s almost a requirement I carry gear that will function even when wet. Good thing the Arkfeld has an IPX7 waterproof rating. The IPX7 rating means the Arkfeld can be submerged 3.3 feet (1m) or less. As much as I would like to wade out to waist high water in the middle of winter, I chose not to. Instead, I went out to a nearby creek and placed the Arkfeld in about shin-deep water. The light was set to high mode and sat for half an hour. Not surprisingly, it had no issues with waterproofness.

Olight Arkfeld Variations, Lumens, and Modes

Color Variations

First off, the colorway of this Olight Arkfeld is brand spanking new. It is called Pinwheel and was released this month (Feb 2023). The laser-etched pinwheel design is fantastically done. The actual color looks like gunmetal or like a dark raw titanium. Besides Pinwheel, the Arkfeld comes in Black, OD Green, Desert Tan, Blue, Orange, and Lime Green. There’s an Arkfeld color for everyone. I’m partial to Pinwheel.

Emitter Temperature Variations

Olight is one company that consistently listens to customer feedback. Fans have been asking for more neutral temperatures. Olight has delivered. As a result, we now have the option of Cool White (5700-6700K) or Neutral White (4000-5000K). I opted for Neutral White, but I will get my hands on a Cool White version and compare the two.

Lumens and Correlated Color Temperature (CCT)

Olight does not include the emitter in their technical specifications, but I have confirmed with Olight the LED is OSRAM P9. Also, I don’t want to bore you with lumen output graphs and correlated color temperature (CCT) charts. Just know that most testers find that lumen output is a little lower than advertised. Testing has found lumen outputs to be within 5-10% of claimed lumens. I know that doesn’t sound great. But in reality, I would be hard-pressed to identify a light that is 1000 lumens versus one at 925 lumens. 

CCT readings fall within Olight’s ranges, so there are no issues in that department. I will mention the CCT values are closer to Olight’s upper range. For example, the Neutral White Arkfeld has a claimed CCT range of 4000-5000K. Most have measured the CCT range to be 4700-4900K.  

Light Modes

Okay, the Arkfeld is well-designed, durable, and available in a plethora of options. So how does it function as an EDC flashlight? In short, amazingly. Six light modes can accommodate any lighting situation. The maximum 1000-lumen output is quite impressive for such a small light. You can thank the OSRAM P9 emitter for that kind of output. The easiest way for me to show you all the light modes is with a table. Without further ado, here are all the light modes:

Mode	Output (Lumens)	Runtime
Turbo	1000/300	4m/110m
High	300/60	126m/34m
Med	60	11 Hours
Low	15	41 Hours
Moon	1	8 Days
Strobe	–	–

Note: Turbo Mode can only be activated if the Olight Arkfeld has more than 75% power remaining.

Laser Mode

Yes, the Olight Arkfeld comes with a laser. It is green, CLASS 1, and has a maximum output of 0.39mW. Although it’s a fun feature, I did not think I required one. I don’t often give presentations. The last time I checked, I did not have any TED Talks scheduled on the calendar. Also, I don’t have cats. My chocolate lab seems disinterested. These are the selling points Olight gives for the laser functionality. 

However, I do have young kids. Anyone who has interacted with kids or kids of their own will understand what I am about to say. Kids lose their most prized possessions all the time. Sometimes they could be staring directly at their lost toy, but it still eludes them. And don’t you dare use your pointer finger and say, “Look at where I’m pointing.” That only confuses them further. Olight Arkfeld to the rescue. Kids get drawn into the green laser, like moths to a flame. Toys are found. Dad is a hero. Thanks, Arkfeld. 

Olight Arkfeld User Interface

The user interface can be somewhat complicated. However, if you own other Olight flashlights, UI will seem familiar. Olight did an excellent job making the UI intuitive. It will only take a few times running through all the modes to become an Arkfeld master. To make things easier, here are a few tables to break down the user interface:

Light UI

Initial State	Action	Outcome
Off	Press Button	On (Last Mode from Memory)
On	Press Button	Off
Off	Long-Press Button > 1 Second	Moon Mode
On/Off	Double-Press Button	Turbo Mode
Turbo Mode	Double-Press Button	Last Mode from Memory
On/Off	Triple-Press Button	Strobe
On	Hold Button	Cycle through Low – Medium – High Modes
Off	Long-Press Button > 2 Seconds	Lockout Mode
Lockout	Long-Press Button > 1 Second	Unlock to Moon Mode
Lockout	Press Button	Off (Red Indicator on for ~2 seconds)
On	Double Press and Hold	Timer Mode (Last Timer Mode Used)
Timer Mode	Double Press and Hold	Switch between 3min (Single Blink) and 9min (Double Blink)

Note: The “Last Mode from Memory” does not include Turbo Mode. Even if you turn off the Arkfeld from Turbo, it will turn back on to the mode before Turbo activation.

Laser UI

Initial State	Action	Outcome
Off	Press Button	On
On	Press Button	Off
Off	Long-Press Button > 2 Seconds	Lockout Mode
Lockout	Long-Press Button > 1 Second	Unlock to Laser On
Lockout	Press Button	Off (Red Indicator on for ~2 seconds)

Note: If you flip the selector switch while the Arkfeld is on, it will switch between the laser and the last mode used. You can thank my son for that trick.

What’s Not to Like?

Built-In Proprietary Battery

The Olight Arkfeld runs on a built-in proprietary battery. Tight tolerances and quality weatherproofing make it tricky to remove the cover without significant damage. There might be a way to access the internals, but I could not find a way to open the Arkfeld. Batteries do not last forever. The fact that I can’t change the 1050mAh lithium polymer battery is a bummer. Personally, it is not a deal breaker. The Olight Arkfeld will be deep in the flashlight rotation before it needs a new battery.

Pocket Clip

There is nothing inherently wrong with the pocket clip. It’s deep-ish and has excellent tension. I say deep with an “-ish” because about 3/8 inch (9.5mm) of the tail sticks out of the pocket. The flat geometry of the Arkfeld and classic spoon-type clip makes it easy to slip in and out of pockets. It’s held in place by two T6 screws and is on the opposite side of the switch. I find that this orientation protects the switch and mitigates accidental button presses. I know what you are thinking, “These are all good things. What doesn’t he like about the pocket clip?” 

Truthfully, nothing. I think Olight missed the opportunity to include a two-way pocket clip. Much like the one on the Olight Warrior Mini 2. I often clip the Warrior Mini 2 to my hat, but it is heavy and tends to pull hats down. The Arkfeld is not only lighter, but flat as well. Much better option to clip onto a hat. 

Competition to the Olight Arkfeld

I can’t speak for Olight, but I suspect the Arkfeld was released as direct competition to the Streamlight Wedge. Only a few other big players produce flat EDC flashlights. The flashlights have similar form factors, same thickness, just over 3oz, IPX7 rated, and have a maximum output of 1000 lumens. However, the similarities end here. Take a look at the comparison chart:

Streamlight Wedge vs. Olight Arkfeld

	Streamlight Wedge	Olight Arkfeld
Max Performance	1000 Lumens	1000 Lumens
Max Performance Runtime	35 Second Bursts	4 minutes
Max Light Intensity	3000 Candela	2560 Candela
Beam Distance	361ft (110m)	331ft (101m)
Light Modes	2 Modes (1000/300)	6 Modes (1000/300/60/15/1/Strobe)
300 Lumen Runtime	180 Minutes	126 Minutes
Laser Capable?	No Laser	Yes Laser
Waterproof Rating	IPX7	IPX7
Battery Capacity	1500mAh	1050mAh
Charge Port	USB-C	MCC3 Magnetic Charging
Weight	3.3oz (93.5g)	3.07oz (87g)
Length	5.46in (138.7mm)	4.33in (110mm)
Width	1in (25.4mm)	0.98in (25mm)
Height	0.60in (15.2mm)	0.59in (15mm)

The most consequential differences between the Olight Arkfeld and Streamlight Wedge are laser capabilities, light modes, and physical dimensions. Let’s start with the obvious — The Streamlight Wedge has no laser capabilities. Not a huge deal if you have no need for a laser. But after carrying the Arkfeld for some time, I find the laser to be more useful than being a marketing gimmick.

Secondly, the Arkfeld has four extra light modes. This includes 60 lumens, 15 lumens, Moon, and strobe mode. More often times than not, I find myself in moon mode which will last 8 days on a single charge. On top of that, the Arkfeld can continuously run its max lumens for four minutes. The Wedge can only burst Turbo Mode for 35 seconds at a time.

Lastly, the Olight Arkfeld is more than an inch shorter. The 25% difference makes the Wedge feel a bit long in the pocket, whereas the Arkfeld disappears. For EDC purposes, I like my tools to be available but unnoticeable when carrying them. That said, I have enjoyed my time EDC’ing the Streamlight Wedge. But the extra features and smaller package of the Arkfeld has edged out the Wedge as my EDC flashlight king.

Final Thoughts

Do you ever feel that panic-inducing moment when you think you forgot to carry an essential piece of EDC gear? For me, leaving the house without a knife certainly feels unsettling. That said, I don’t often EDC a flashlight, but the Arkfeld is so easy to carry. In fact, it’s so easy, I forget it’s there. Then I feel that rush of uneasiness like I’ve forgotten something. Seconds later, I reach down and feel relief because I find the Arkfeld nestled in my pocket. It’s sitting next to my Boker Kwaiken, waiting patiently for the next opportunity to shine.  

If you haven’t noticed, I think Olight hit it out of the park with the Arkfeld. In terms of design, size, and features, it is the ideal EDC flashlight. As I’ve said before, Olight clearly had EDC in mind when designing the dual light source Arkfeld. In addition, with 14 color and emitter combinations, there is an Olight Arkfeld variation for everyone.

Is it perfect? Of course not. Some people will balk at the built-in battery and proprietary charging cable. I personally would like to see a two-way pocket clip. Also, adding a tail switch would be the bee’s knees. But we should remember this is Olight’s first foray into a new form factor. Finally, did the Arkfeld deliver on Olight’s promise of providing a cutting-edge illumination tool? Absolutely. Go illuminate your world with the highly recommended Olight Arkfeld.

Technical Specifications

Shameless Plug and Disclosure

Thanks for reading! If you found this article interesting and helpful, please consider signing up for my newsletter! That way you won’t miss out on any new content coming out. I cross my heart and promise that I won’t spam your inbox. Also, please consider using any of the affiliate links below to support my work. I’d like to keep Toil + Recoil ad-free to give you the best experience possible. Olight provided the Warrior Mini 2 for review. As stated in my full disclosure, this in no way impacts my opinions and review of the Warrior Mini 2. Thanks again and have a great week!

Olight Arkfeld Flashlight with Green Laser

Olight Arkfeld Flashlight with Green Laser (Limited Edition Titanium or Copper)

Olight MCC3 Magnetic Charging Cable