Prometheus Lights Beta-QRv2
Nick Clayton
The Prometheus Lights Beta-QRv2 (QR) is a fantastic small 1xAAA light. This size is my favorite for EDC as it is small and discreet and provides all the light I need. My choice of battery are eneloop rechargeables. Prometheus Lights is owned by Jason Hui and you can read more and purchase direct on his website darksucks.
The QR has a very nice nickel plated finish atop it's machined aluminum body. The plating has held up very well and I don't expect to ever have an issue with it. The milled grooves in the handle are smooth and pleasing to the touch. This is, no doubt, excellent work. The only complaint I have is the lack of any texture parallel to the direction of the light. The mechanism is a twist of the head and the lack of any real traction when twisting can make the light a bit hard to use in certain conditions (wet, cold, etc.).
This being the second version of the light, it is compatible with Jason's new pocket clip. Normally this light functions as a keychain light but I prefer to carry them on my person so I opted for the clip. Once the clip is on, I'm not sure there is a safe way to take it off without scratching the light. There is a lot of tension on the quick release spring, you'll never have to worry about it detaching by accident. The clip is fairly secure but I could use a bit more tension (see my previous comment about the lack of texture). The light has never fallen out of my pocket but I still worry. The clip is nicely anodized blue.
The QR uses the Nichia 219 high CRI LED. That means you sacrifice output for the sake of beam quality and color accuracy. It's a welcome change from the slew of cool XML-2 LED's out there. While this may not have class leading output, I would argue that there is plenty of light here. I use this light to walk my dogs at night and I'm never left needing more. The quoted output is 60 lumens on max but I swear it's putting out more. The beam is also very nice. There is a good amount of throw with a generous spill. A perfect pocket light beam.
Overall I love this little light. When I picked it up, I was very surprised at how light it was. I could easily see using this on a keychain. Jason from Prometheus lights did a fantastic job with this light and I will look to obtain one of his other offerings in the future.