Olight Diffuse
I review the new Olight Diffuse! This is a unique pentagonal flashlight that runs off any 14500/AA cell. Good to see Olight allowing the use of non-proprietary batteries and charging!
Get the Olight Diffuse here 👇
Olight Diffuse Review
General thoughts after a week of usage/size comparison/practicality/interesting things:
• So this is a brand new light that Olight has just released – it’s the ‘Diffuse’ – an odd name and even stranger design, compared to other Olight models. It has a hexagonal shape, which reminds me of an oversized pencil, but classier. It might be mistaken for a vape or cosmetics. Either way, it looks and feels great… and surprisingly, accepts non-proprietary batteries.
• What you get in the box – manual, USB-C charging cable, lanyard, 14500 cells.
• Comparison with Acebeam Pokelit AA, TS10, Mateminco FT01
Overall Construction, LED, lens, bezel and reflector
• Solid construction. I like how the light is made of one simple machined part, tail cap. Perfectly machined with no imperfections. Anodizing is slightly glossy and could be slippery with sweaty hands. No knurling. The pentagonal design means that the light will not roll around on a slanted surface.
• The tailcap has a cutout for a tritium tube which is a nice addition. Unscrew to remove the battery. The light is operated by a single metal side switch that also functions as a battery indicator (green, orange, red).
• TIR lens paired with what appears to be an Osram P9. The lens is slightly recessed in the bezel.
• Comes with a normal 14500 button top cell. Accepts any non-proprietary 14500 and primary AA cells too.
UI – modes
• Click and hold from off for moonlight mode. Click and hold to cycle LMH.
• Double press for turbo.
• Triple press for strobe.
Performance – total output, beam profile, longevity, practicality
• CCT, CRI, Ceiling bounce test
• Reasonably floody beam with a nice diffused hotspot.
Considerations
• As of the making of this video, there is no high CRI option – something that is important to some of you when selecting an EDC light.
• 700-lumen max output – although this is respectable, it’s not a pocket rocket by any means, but that wasn’t the intention behind this light in the first place. It’s amazingly bright for its size.
• No clip – it does come with a lanyard though. Would’ve liked a magnet on the tail too.
Verdict
This is Olight’s answer to the classic 14500/AA EDC – and I like how they’ve given it a unique spin with the pentagonal design, tritium cut-out, and ability to use multiple power sources. It’s the perfect light to keep in your pocket, handbag, glove box, and around the house. It also packs a punch for its size!
