Surprisingly Versatile Disappointment: Olight Arkflex

[@johanvandersandt8904]

It seems like an interesting design in a sea of cylindrical torches but I am not sold on it. Ah see what you mean with the light dispersal! Another thing to consider is that its easier to seal a circle than an oval. I always wonder is these design wont have water or fog issues over time. How would you replace the battery... You could do it on the Acebeam but not being able to do it on the Arkflex makes it disposable. I agree with you on the charger. Changing this to a Type- C would make this a far better flashlight! That might have a 18350 in there but I am not sure. They say its 1500 MAH which is not a lot for a high drain light. Hope you a great one bro! Stay awesome and blessed!

[@Realidealgear]

It's a great idea...just a couple detractors for this one. When I ordered it, i wasn't sold on keeping. THere's enough to like for me to hang onto it for the time being.

[@SoundStream101]

New Subscriber here!!!..Great review!..I love my ace beam H16 so much it even took the place of my baton 3 for EDCing and when using it with the head strap for headlamp use it's really easy to forget that you're wearing it it's so light! 😂

[@Realidealgear]

It’s still my favorite all-around light. Have a great week!

[@swirll360]

Just a question. The Acebeam website says the medium mode for the H16 is 100 lumens. In your video, you say the medium is 130 lumens. Could someone help clear this up for me? I'm asking because one of Tim's criticisms of the Arkflex is medium mode is only 100 lumens with a 7-hour run time, whereas the Acebeam H16 is 130 lumens and runs for 8 hours and he was surprised that with more lumens it had an hour longer runtime. I suspect that Tim just made an error, (we all do) and the Arkflex is comparable from that standpoint. Any help clarifying the lumens issue would be appreciated

[@Realidealgear]

The model I reviewed is a higher lumen model and the medium is 130lumens. Here’s the link. amzn.to/3L7mwE5

[@swirll360]

Thanks for the link, much appreciated. Seems Acebeam on it's website no longer offers the H16 1000 lumens, only the 650 so thats why I needed more information, thanks again. Just a note the H16 1000 might not be available for long if Acebeam discontinued them so anyone interested should buy them now I guess.

[@googleuser6635]

The design on the Arkflex sucks--particularly when something in the flex head stops the light from working.

[@Realidealgear]

That would do it. Haven’t heard of that happening. Did that happen to you?

[@googleuser6635]

@@Realidealgear Unfortunately. Several other people, as well. Some people made youtube videos about it.

[@madcat143]

Although, I will acknowledge that with more moving parts, the probability of something malfunctioning does increase, I don't think I've come across a single product from any company, no matter how reputable, that doesn't have some defective units that make it to the consumer. I'm sure the amount of people who are satisfied with their purchase of the arkflex is significantly higher than the people that receive faulty units. The gentleman in this video says he likes it and that he finds it very useful. He doesn't seem to think the design sucks. What about his experience with the product? I also find it useful and haven't had any issues with this torch either, and I've been carrying it since it launched. It's unfortunate that you received a lemon, but that doesn't mean that the design sucks.

[@googleuser6635]

@@madcat143 Agreed. My experience is atypucal--hopefully. That having been stated, the Arkflex design--while looking better--seems more prone to issues than similar models. For its size, the Arkflex has low specs, in terms of lumens, runtimes, and features. The body design could also be improved. The Arkflex cannot replace the function of any flashlight I currently carry. Its head flexes. Great. I have other flashlights that can duplicate this functionality, if not the actual flex action. For someone who wants a large, heavy, feature-limited, low-lumen, expensive light that happens to have a flexible head, a non-standard battery, an odd design and an odd UI, maybe this is their choice. For me, this is just another flashlight.

[@madcat143]

@googleuser6635 that's fair. There are definitely better flashlights with better specs than the arkflex. That is my sentiment as well. I was of that opinion before I even bought it. However, i didn't buy it to replace any of the flashlights that i already own. I definitely didn't buy it to be the flashlight that i use for everything either. But what are the best specs for a flashlight? People swear by the streamlight micro stream. It's a solid little light, but it has low run times and charges via micro usb. People are really excited about the new Nitecore edc 25, 33 and 35. They have great specs but their battery is built-in and can't be swapped out. Surefire makes flashlights that have tail switches that only have momentary on, so you have to hold that switch down to keep lit or you'll have to twist the tail end of the light if you want to keep it on without holding the tail switch down. People love them some coast flashlights, but to me, they feel kind of cheap, and I don't understand why they don't make their flashlights IPX7 or 8 as a standard. IPX4 is a little low for a product that is supposed to be storm proof. My point is, I don't know of a flashlight that is perfectly designed for every need and situation of any one person. The best flashlight is probably the one you have on you when you need it. Even if it is an Arkflex lol! Which flashlight is your go to if you don't mind me asking?