Hands-on: Olight Arktac Ultra EDC flashlight is fun but has a learning curve

Olight showcased its latest products at O-Fan Day in the Netherlands, including the upcoming Arktac series. We were particularly interested in the Arktac Ultra, the new flagship in Olight's range of flat EDC flashlights.

The Arktac Ultra is slightly longer than the Arkpro Ultra. Its different weight distribution also makes it feel a little lighter, though the differences in both weight and length are negligible. The new model is easy to handle.

Two additional switches on the rear help with that, bringing the Arktac Ultra's controls to four buttons and a rotary selector. The latter is a familiar feature of the Ark series that Olight has refined over the years. It selects red light, floodlight and UV light. The laser pointer retains its dedicated side button.

Changes the spotlight

The spotlight is missing from the rotary selector, which initially bothered us. On the Arkpro Ultra, it can be selected directly. Now it requires a double-click in floodlight mode. Whether that is an improvement or simply something to adjust to will become clear with use.

The spotlight is still directly accessible through the tail switch, however, which also serves as the connection point for the MCC4 magnetic charging cable. Like a camera's shutter button, this switch has two stages. Pressing it fully activates the spotlight.

Its brightness can even be adjusted continuously and saved. Pressing the main button at the same time ramps the brightness up to maximum and then back down to minimum.

Then there's the so-called "Commandpoint", a red switch just to the side of the tail switch that also provides direct access to a light source. Olight told us it defaults to red light, though the website still lists strobe as the default. The shortcut can be reprogrammed, but we haven't been able to try that yet.

Since the Arktac Ultra can get very hot, Olight has added another safety feature. A sensor prevents the light from switching on when something is directly in front of the lens, as might happen inside a backpack. The sensor does not intervene once the flashlight is on, so holding a hand in front of it will not turn it off. This is a deliberate choice by Olight and likely matters for professional use.

Olight is targeting professionals with the Arktac Ultra while continuing to cater to consumers. The company has already hinted that special colors could follow, something it is known for. At launch, however, only black will be available. Even Olight's long-established outdoor orange is absent. Anyone who needs a more visible color will have to choose the less powerful Arktac without the Ultra designation.

New flashlight holster

Olight also demonstrated a new magnetic holster designed with professional use in mind. The flashlight attaches from the front, with its clip facing the holster. Matching features in the holster engage with the cutouts in the clip, keeping the flashlight from slipping while allowing easy access.

Also new is the USB-C MCC4 cable, which we covered in a separate article. Initially, it will only be available with the Arktac series. Overall, the Arktac Ultra made a good impression during our hands-on session. The controls work well, though users switching from an older Arkfeld or Arkpro will need to adjust.

The Arktac Ultra is scheduled to launch on this year's Black Friday. The official sticker price is $159, which is steep for an EDC flashlight for personal use. Olight frequently offers discounts, however. The holster will arrive later. Olight told us at the event that the premium kit, which includes a carrying case, needs more time in production. Shipments are expected to follow in December.