First Look: Valhalla Tactical ODA Weapon Gentle Change

Valhalla Tactical is an organization that does not have the identical model recognition as massive gamers within the flashlight market like SureFire, Streamlight, Modlite, and Cloud Defensive. Nevertheless, they’ve launched some revolutionary machined aluminum merchandise which will have flown beneath your radar. First got here the Baldr weapon mild, with an especially compact physique and offset mounting plates that allowed customers to mount it near any rifle’s handguard. Subsequent got here the Rukh optic mount, which options adjustable angle and a intelligent detachable RMR battery compartment. At SHOT Present 2022, the proprietor confirmed us a brand new weapon mild change referred to as the Valhalla Tactical ODA. Consider it as a joystick management in your flashlight — it sounds bizarre, however after attempting it, we would like one.

The Valhalla Tactical ODA Gentle Change

If you happen to’ve ever picked up an XBOX or Ps controller, you may be conversant in how the ODA works. It may be pressed in any path to activate the sunshine momentarily, or could be pushed inward to click on the sunshine into constant-on mode. That is particularly helpful for setups the place rail house is restricted and attaching a tape change will not be an possibility. It is not an overly-sensitive hair set off, neither is it a change you must manhandle to activate — it feels excellent.

To be blunt, we thought we might dislike this design after we first noticed images on Valhalla’s social media pages. However dealing with it at SHOT Present rapidly received us over. The massive polymer joystick is straightforward to make use of from any angle, and you may even wrap your entire hand round it and easily tighten your grip to activate the sunshine along with your palm. Not are you restricted to turning on the sunshine with the tip of your thumb.

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Higher but, the Valhalla Tactical ODA means that you can return to a typical tail cap at a second’s discover. Simply grip the ring across the joystick and unscrew it to disclose a rubber clicky button.

Valhalla Gentle Physique & HRT Tactical Head

The ODA was developed in-house at Valhalla Tactical, and the prototype model seen right here was machined to match a brand new multi-fuel mild physique design that may settle for 18650, 18350, and CR123A batteries. Because of the usual thread pitch, this physique will settle for SureFire Scout and Modlite heads, however in these images it’s paired with an AWLS (adaptive weapon mild system) head created by HRT Tactical. That is why you may discover Valhalla and HRT’s logos in these images. We’re advised the HRT Tactical AWLS head can produce 1,700 lumens and 90,000 candela.

If all you need is so as to add an ODA change to your present weapon mild, we’re additionally advised that there are plans to supply switches for different frequent mild our bodies within the close to future. The SureFire Scout tail cap is coming first, and the Cloud Defensive REIN tail cap could also be launched later. For the time being, you may must get the ODA and lightweight physique collectively.

SHOT Present 2022 Award

Our sister publication RECOIL journal gave out 4 “Better of SHOT Present 2022” awards, and our editorial workforce determined to present the Greatest Accent award to Valhalla Tactical for the brand new ODA. One after one other, our editors tried the change and determined it was deserving of recognition.

Publish-Prototype ODA Adjustments

For the reason that Valhalla Tactical ODA seen here’s a pre-production prototype, there’ll nonetheless be some fine-tuning earlier than it is launched to the general public. This may embrace further texture across the circumference of the joystick to offer higher grip in moist situations. The Valhalla Tactical workforce additionally tell us that the joystick could be changed by eradicating a single screw on the underside, in order that they’re contemplating creating a couple of totally different styles and sizes (for instance, a shorter rounded nub). This additionally opens up the potential for adjusting sensitivity by including or eradicating spacers between the ODA and the tail cap.

For extra updates on the Valhalla Tactical ODA, go to ValhallaTactical.com or observe @valhalla.tactical on Instagram.

Written by Patrick McCarthy