OutdoorsIQ
Newly Enlightened
Hey CPF's, back again with another 'casual read' review of the new OLight ION flashlight. As usual, can be consumed in both video or written format. The preference is yours!:twothumbs Also left some bonus photos at the end of the review.
Video Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEGUxaw7B_g
Written Review
The OLight ION isn't for the average consumer, it is for those who can appreciate quality and for those who strive for the best. Carved from a solid piece of titanium and clad in gorilla glass, its clear the ION is something special. The ION shows quality, innovation and simplicity making the ION a fitting flashlight to mark OLight's 10th year anniversary. With only 2017 limited edition units being released, you better get in quick if you want to secure own.
To say the ION is well constructed is an understatement. The titanium machining is what you would expect from a thousand dollar collectable pocket knife rather then a keychain flashlight. OLight has gone out of their way to produce a no-expense spared flashlight for their 10th year anniversary. What is most impressive is the attention of detail to even the most minor features. Such as the carefully knurled side button or how both the lens and gorilla glass are perfectly flush with the titanium body. Perhaps giving a new meaning to tight tolerance.
As you would expect from OLight, the ION is not without innovation. Behind the ION's gorilla glass is a pressure sensor which detects button presses on the surface. Not so much like a physical button or even like a touch screen, but rather a combination of the two. The nearest comparison I can find is Apple's force touch feature which can be found on their range of iPhone's and MacBook's. This certainly is a very unique interface never before seen in a flashlight. What will be interesting, is to see how OLight further develops this technology in the future.
The ION box is minimalist, with the typical printed specifications omitted from the design. Rather the box simply states the name ION, adding to the curiosity of what's inside. Once inside, you find the ION wrapped in a protective plastic with a pull tab, much the same way you would unwrap a premium phone. This show's how OLight has even paid attention to the unboxing experience.
Underneath the ION are the accessories which include a micro-usb cable, keychain, instruction manual, an aluminium thank you card and two tempered glass screen protectors. Perhaps the screen protectors are the most usual inclusion, though considering the price of the ION, protecting the screen is certainly a welcome addition.
The ION has two TIR optic lens which produce a wide and even beam. This would be ideal for general up-close and EDC tasks. Considering the size of the ION, the throw is impressive. Making the ION also suitable for more basic outdoor tasks. Though anything more, would require a larger flashlight.
At 58mm long and just 32 grams the ION is impressively small. Those who appreciate the ION's minimalist design and premium materials will benefit from the saved bulk and weight. Perhaps making the ION the ideal keychain flashlight, though only if your willing to risk carrying this limited edition on your keys.
The ION includes an in-built lithium rechargeable battery which will allow the flashlight to run for 90 hours on the lowest output or 27 minutes on the highest output. Hidden Behind the ION logo is a battery status indicator. This will glow either green for above 75%, yellow for between 15-75% or red when the battery is below 15%. With keychain flashlights often being on-hand, this is certainly a welcome feature to keep the ION topped up and ready to go.
Recharging the ION is simple. Once you insert a micro-usb cable into the side of the ION, the status indicator will glow red indicating that the flashlight is charging. Once charging has completed the status indicator will glow green. Fully charging the ION will take approximately 1.5 hours. Since the ION is USB rechargeable, a power-bank or solar charger could also be used to charge the battery.
The ION has two force touch buttons and one side switch. To switch on the flashlight slide the side switch towards the emitter, sliding the switch in the opposite direction will switch off the flashlight. To change mode force touch either the plus or the minus buttons. This will cycle between the four available modes. Pressing and holding either of the force touch buttons while the flashlight is on will infinitely ramp the output level.
The ION has four preset light modes including low at 2.5 lumens, medium at 10 lumens, medium-high at 40 lumens and high at 160 lumens. Further ramping the output using the force touch buttons allows you to access ultra-low at 1 lumen or turbo at 320 lumens. All modes including the ultra-low and turbo are memorised when you switch off the flashlight.
With an ultra limited supply of 2017 unit's, the ION isn't exactly designed for day-to-day abuse. The ION is rather a showcase of not only what OLight is capable of, but also what is installed for the future. With each unit maticulacely crafted and individually engraved with a serial number, this premium flashlight will certainly become my next shelf queen.
Video Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEGUxaw7B_g
Written Review
The OLight ION isn't for the average consumer, it is for those who can appreciate quality and for those who strive for the best. Carved from a solid piece of titanium and clad in gorilla glass, its clear the ION is something special. The ION shows quality, innovation and simplicity making the ION a fitting flashlight to mark OLight's 10th year anniversary. With only 2017 limited edition units being released, you better get in quick if you want to secure own.
To say the ION is well constructed is an understatement. The titanium machining is what you would expect from a thousand dollar collectable pocket knife rather then a keychain flashlight. OLight has gone out of their way to produce a no-expense spared flashlight for their 10th year anniversary. What is most impressive is the attention of detail to even the most minor features. Such as the carefully knurled side button or how both the lens and gorilla glass are perfectly flush with the titanium body. Perhaps giving a new meaning to tight tolerance.
As you would expect from OLight, the ION is not without innovation. Behind the ION's gorilla glass is a pressure sensor which detects button presses on the surface. Not so much like a physical button or even like a touch screen, but rather a combination of the two. The nearest comparison I can find is Apple's force touch feature which can be found on their range of iPhone's and MacBook's. This certainly is a very unique interface never before seen in a flashlight. What will be interesting, is to see how OLight further develops this technology in the future.
The ION box is minimalist, with the typical printed specifications omitted from the design. Rather the box simply states the name ION, adding to the curiosity of what's inside. Once inside, you find the ION wrapped in a protective plastic with a pull tab, much the same way you would unwrap a premium phone. This show's how OLight has even paid attention to the unboxing experience.
Underneath the ION are the accessories which include a micro-usb cable, keychain, instruction manual, an aluminium thank you card and two tempered glass screen protectors. Perhaps the screen protectors are the most usual inclusion, though considering the price of the ION, protecting the screen is certainly a welcome addition.
The ION has two TIR optic lens which produce a wide and even beam. This would be ideal for general up-close and EDC tasks. Considering the size of the ION, the throw is impressive. Making the ION also suitable for more basic outdoor tasks. Though anything more, would require a larger flashlight.
At 58mm long and just 32 grams the ION is impressively small. Those who appreciate the ION's minimalist design and premium materials will benefit from the saved bulk and weight. Perhaps making the ION the ideal keychain flashlight, though only if your willing to risk carrying this limited edition on your keys.
The ION includes an in-built lithium rechargeable battery which will allow the flashlight to run for 90 hours on the lowest output or 27 minutes on the highest output. Hidden Behind the ION logo is a battery status indicator. This will glow either green for above 75%, yellow for between 15-75% or red when the battery is below 15%. With keychain flashlights often being on-hand, this is certainly a welcome feature to keep the ION topped up and ready to go.
Recharging the ION is simple. Once you insert a micro-usb cable into the side of the ION, the status indicator will glow red indicating that the flashlight is charging. Once charging has completed the status indicator will glow green. Fully charging the ION will take approximately 1.5 hours. Since the ION is USB rechargeable, a power-bank or solar charger could also be used to charge the battery.
The ION has two force touch buttons and one side switch. To switch on the flashlight slide the side switch towards the emitter, sliding the switch in the opposite direction will switch off the flashlight. To change mode force touch either the plus or the minus buttons. This will cycle between the four available modes. Pressing and holding either of the force touch buttons while the flashlight is on will infinitely ramp the output level.
The ION has four preset light modes including low at 2.5 lumens, medium at 10 lumens, medium-high at 40 lumens and high at 160 lumens. Further ramping the output using the force touch buttons allows you to access ultra-low at 1 lumen or turbo at 320 lumens. All modes including the ultra-low and turbo are memorised when you switch off the flashlight.
With an ultra limited supply of 2017 unit's, the ION isn't exactly designed for day-to-day abuse. The ION is rather a showcase of not only what OLight is capable of, but also what is installed for the future. With each unit maticulacely crafted and individually engraved with a serial number, this premium flashlight will certainly become my next shelf queen.
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