THE BETAQRV2 WAS CONCEIVED WITH ONE GOAL: BE THE BEST KEYCHAIN FLASHLIGHT ON EARTH This tiny and functional light retains all of the core qualities of a custom Prometheus light: the aesthetic appeal, thoughtful design, and superior beam quality. The concept came to me through observation, research, and conversation. I tried carrying other keychain lights. They were handy to have around, but always got ditched from my key ring...because when I need light I don't want it stuck to a wad of keys. Keychain lights just don't work like I need or want them to, so I came up with something that does. Please Note: The QRv2 is not backwards compatible with the original Beta-QR. I considered this in the design, but the engineering of the QRv2 system requires a very specific groove design to function properly. All Beta Classic models are now 3 mode lights (L/M/H) Simply push to engage and pull to disengage. The mechanism is engineered to provide 10 lbs. of holding force. Combine this with the snag-free profile of the brass component and accidental disengagement is "virtually" impossible, and engagement is verified by a solid "click" every time! The retaining is replaceable if it ever becomes damaged. The brass connector is now machined by the flashlight manufacturer and no longer supplied by a third party vendor. 304 Stainless steel "flat" split rings replace the original carbon steel "round" rings...because flat stainless split rings are more awesome (and more durable). My canted-coil-springs are custom manufactured specifically for the Beta-QRv2 by a US company who specializes in canted coil springs...literally the only product they make. Normally these are found in connectors for military, medical, and aerospace applications. This little beauty is the single most expensive component of the Beta-QRv2. These are manufactured from 302 Stainless Steel: drawn, coiled, cut to length, and the ends are laser welded together. The springs on your screen are about 10x the actual size. It's a ridiculous achievement in manufacturing to make something this tiny...and then weld it together so the diameter of every spring is accurate to within less than the thickness of a sheet of paper. 1) It's a (patent-pending) Quick-Release Flashlight: Normally a keychain-light is a compromise: close at hand, but often useless and frustrating because the light is shackled to your keys. The Beta-QR is a "real" flashlight that hangs out on your keychain till duty calls. The Quick Release is a tried and true design and an elegant solution to the problem. The QR lets you use the light how you naturally want to use it, you don't have to fight with it. It's so simple, that it's awesome. 2) (Below) The state of the art Nichia 319A High CRI LED: The 319 is a bit of semiconductor magic that turns the idea of "bad quality LED light" on its head. People hate LEDs for the same reason people used to hate fluorescent bulbs...the light they produce is absolutely horrible. Fluorescent lights have changed, and so have LEDs. It's time to stop living in the dark ages. Yes, that was a flashlight pun. A High Color Rendering Index (High CRI) LED is designed specifically to work in concert with the human visual system, providing the maximum possible color accuracy when compared to sunlight. For example, daylight scores a perfect 100. The Nichia 219 used in the Beta-QR is typically 90+ CRI. It's currently the highest CRI per lumen in the industry...and the light quality is stunning. Honestly it's hard to "talk" about the difference in something you "see," it just doesn't make sense. The photos below will give you a good idea of what to expect, but in person, High-CRI is mind blowing. Once you experience High-CRI you won't be able to go back to the ugly, flat, washed-out, blueish light you normally find in LED flashlights. The bottom line is that you can see better with High CRI than with low CRI. Just ask yourself the question, "do you want a flashlight that will help you see better...or worse?" If you want to get the most out of the Beta-QR, you should clearly use our GP NiMM rechargeable batteries. You can use lithium batteries, but NOT lithium-ion rechargeables. By lithium battery I mean the "camera-type" ones you can buy in the grocery store but are really expensive...which is another reason to use rechargeable batteries ;) Please be advised, the copper lights will patina quickly and sometimes dramatically. This is one of the main reasons enthusiasts select the copper finish. The Electroless Nickel will also tend to darken over time, but it's not nearly as dramatic as with the copper. The original finish can be restored with any polish suited for your grandmother's sliver.
