Betty R small review
Verfasst: 09.11.2012, 20:35
Have been a Lupine user since the original Edison, and have purchased each new light, including the new Wilma (which I already have). Betty R arrived earlier this week, and after my first ride with her, here are some impressions:
Weight: No change. I run Betty on the helmet, and you don't notice the light atop the head. You need the larger battery. I am running the Betty 12, so the battery is a little heavier (about 15 ounces). Fits in a jersey pocket easily, and you don't notice the weight at all.
Adjusability: Some comment on the fact that you now need tools to swap Betty from head to handlebar, and if you did it frequently, it could become an issue. Rather than a rubber band, you now have to remove Betty from the helmet mount bracket, and attach the head to the handlebar mount bracket. You need a (supplied) 3mm Allen key for the works. The tilt adjustment is more stable/solid, but you lose a little bit of adjustment at the extreme ends of the range, not that this would matter. I found a perfect spot easily.
Usability: The remote control completely changes the game. No more fumbling around on the top of your head to change brightness levels. Just press the button. The change is as immediate as pressing the button on the light. Every light should have a remote control. This alone makes Betty R worth the upgrade. My normal commuting speed is between 20-22 mph just rolling along, so I don't have any issues with the full power/speed/temperature window. Other than that, it is exactly the same as the prevous Betty.
Light: Absurd. It should be noted that the Betty beam is more of a flood than a spot. The hot spot is very large, so there isn't as pronounced a halo effect. There is just a blanket of light. The initial setting (24 watts) was more than enough for my commute. It was enough light to light the road, command respect and you could see everything. I can't ever see needing to use the highest setting. The light is very clear and clean, with less shadow effect than previous versions of Betty. It is impossible to outride this light, because of how far the beam throw is. It is also very wide, which helps matters as well.
I love the Betty R. It is a significant improvement in every way over the Betty, except for the use to tools to move the light from head to handlebar.
Weight: No change. I run Betty on the helmet, and you don't notice the light atop the head. You need the larger battery. I am running the Betty 12, so the battery is a little heavier (about 15 ounces). Fits in a jersey pocket easily, and you don't notice the weight at all.
Adjusability: Some comment on the fact that you now need tools to swap Betty from head to handlebar, and if you did it frequently, it could become an issue. Rather than a rubber band, you now have to remove Betty from the helmet mount bracket, and attach the head to the handlebar mount bracket. You need a (supplied) 3mm Allen key for the works. The tilt adjustment is more stable/solid, but you lose a little bit of adjustment at the extreme ends of the range, not that this would matter. I found a perfect spot easily.
Usability: The remote control completely changes the game. No more fumbling around on the top of your head to change brightness levels. Just press the button. The change is as immediate as pressing the button on the light. Every light should have a remote control. This alone makes Betty R worth the upgrade. My normal commuting speed is between 20-22 mph just rolling along, so I don't have any issues with the full power/speed/temperature window. Other than that, it is exactly the same as the prevous Betty.
Light: Absurd. It should be noted that the Betty beam is more of a flood than a spot. The hot spot is very large, so there isn't as pronounced a halo effect. There is just a blanket of light. The initial setting (24 watts) was more than enough for my commute. It was enough light to light the road, command respect and you could see everything. I can't ever see needing to use the highest setting. The light is very clear and clean, with less shadow effect than previous versions of Betty. It is impossible to outride this light, because of how far the beam throw is. It is also very wide, which helps matters as well.
I love the Betty R. It is a significant improvement in every way over the Betty, except for the use to tools to move the light from head to handlebar.