Within the last 19 years, companies have expanded and improved on our ability to fight at night, particularly in the white light realm. Many high-profile companies have made advances in lumen/candela output, runtime, durability, attachment options, etc. Then there are smaller companies like Olight that are small but making huge leaps in light capabilities. The Odin is their latest model that is designed for rifle mounting, and it is a shining example of what we can do technologically. With a length of 5 ¼”, various mounting and use options, magnetic recharge, and a 2,000 Lumen output at a price of $150 ($120 on sale), this light potentially gives other companies like Surefire a run for their money.
PRODUCT FEATURES
The Odin light comes with a host of versatile features that make it a win-win for the user.
-Versatile Platform: The platform for the light locks and unlocks in two positions straight off the base or on the side with both forward and rear facing arrangements, for easy attachment/detachment.
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-Handheld or Weapon-Mounted: The awesome difference this light has with other weapon lights is the fact that it can be used both in a traditional handheld and weapon-mounted function with the simple addition of the tape switch. The tape switch (~6” long) is not as long as I would like it to be, but it locks in place and is long enough to work for most setups except for my AUG. The tape switch mount is a rigid rubber mount that secures the tape switch to a rail, but can also be zip-tied in whatever area and angle you need it, as I have done with my Tavor 7.
-2 Handheld Settings: You can hold it down for temporary, or click it on for constant. Without the tape switch, when you lightly push the tail switch you get a 300 lumen output, which you hold for temporary or click for constant. When you push deeper, you get the maximum 2000 lumens, which is held for temporary or clicked for constant. This means that this light can perform a tactical or administrative role for the user. When used with the tape switch, you will only be able to use the light at its max output of 2000 lumens. In this case, it makes sense that you will want max lumen output when using the tape switch.
-Magnetic Charger: Like many of the current tactical lights sold by Olight, this light uses a magnetic charger which makes it easy to just snap on and charge the light while still attached to the weapon. It can take about 5 ½ hours to get a max charge if you run the light until it dies but the charger will go from red to green once the power level reaches over 95%.
-Magnetic & Lockable Tape Switch: Unlike previous rifle lights, the tape switch for the Odin not only is magnetic like the charger, but it now locks in place using bearings reminiscent of a QD sling swivel. This means that you don’t need to worry about twisting and bending cords or potentially threading the tail cap/tape switch wrong.
-Replaceable Battery: After a long life of service, you can actually replace the battery on this beast for about $20, unlike some of the other models Olight sells where the battery is built into the light, rendering it unserviceable after the battery runs out. However, there is a 5 year warranty for the light, though I am not certain is that includes the battery after hard usage. I am not sure how long they think the batteries can be run and charged before losing their serviceability.
-Runtime: You will get 2000 lumens for 2 minutes consistently, but can get much more if used in temporary intervals in a tactical environment, lowering the strain on the battery. Even after you lose the full potency of the light, you are only going down to about 1000 lumens, which is on par with other lights on the market. Though, you will only get about 10 minutes of consistent runtime. After that, you will lose 200 lumens and be able to hold that output for a little over 2 hours, which is twice the runtime of comparable lights on the market. During the last 30 minutes of its life, you will get 300 lumens. During the last 5-10% of its life, it will vibrate intermittently as a warning. When using the light in a handheld setting, it can hold a consistent output of 300 lumens for up to 8 hours with almost no degradation in output. That is absolutely awesome runtime, in my opinion. Though the initial numbers at full power do not sound all that great, I have found these advertised runtimes to be consistent with my findings so far.
USAGE EXPERIENCE
This being an overview, I will remind you that I have not had much time to really stress this light out and give a long-term report. That is the intention though, so stay tuned on this blog. I have used this light a good amount in the span of a week and have been very impressed with its versatility and performance. The 2000 lumen rating does not last very long, but I was able to use it to great affect when using the light in training for room clearing and in engagement drills. I realized that it is a better idea to use the temporary setting in a tactical setting with the tape switch since it is quite easy to hold the switch down while shooting. For handheld engagements, I found that using constant on with the lower setting of 300 lumens was a more reliable way to go if you should have to engage a target. With how deep you have to press in on the tail switch, particularly with gloves, it makes it less than optimal to go for the full output unless you are able and willing to hold down the switch during an engagement. I personally don’t want to have to hold down a switch while shooting, but that is up to the user. I am not happy with every aspect of the light, such as the tail switch or the anorexic 2000 lumen runtime, but I think that the light works pretty well in a tactical setting regardless of it’s shortcomings.
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