Short Description:

The Quasar is a multi-function special purpose keychain light with several different functions. It is a white strobe, a white light, a UV strobe, a UV light, and has the ability to detect radio frequencies from 400 MHz to 2.4 GHz by signaling the user with a tiny red LED. The white light and strobe can be used for navigation and signaling. The UV strobe and light can be used to view invisible UV ink in currency, creditcards, and handstamps, as well as other places. The radio detection frequencies are those used by common surveillance devices including hidden audio and video transmitters, so you can tell if your conference room, hotel room, or anywhere else, is under surveillance by these common devices. Manufactured by Litepro, it is available for purchase from PocketLights.com.

The body of the Quasar is made of plastic and comes in clear, glow-in-the-dark white, or black. The LED protrudes from the front of the body and in the rear is an opening where the keychain is attached with a small metal loop extending out of the body and wrapping around the metal ring the keychain attaches to. This appears to be the antenna for the "surveillance detection" circuitry. On the top is the switch, which is actually a separate piece of plastic resting on a microswitch on the circuitboard of the device. The red "surveillance detection" led is located next to the switch and shines through the clear plastic switch cover. On the back are 4 screws which must be removed to change the batteries. The Quasar has no water resistance at all and there are obvious gaps in the body joints.

The LED on the end of the light is a 2-die LED which has both white and UV light emitting elements built in to the same casing. As a result, the white beam is at a little bit of an angle to the left and the UV beam is a little to the right.

The switch is a sequential click switch. The modes are in the following order:

1 press = White strobe, red LED blinks constantly
2 press = White solid light, red LED blinks 15 seconds and then will detect radio frequencies above
3 press = UV strobe
4 press = UV solid light
5 press = Off

Batteries: The unit takes 2 x 2016 lithium coin cells (included). To change the batteries the unit needs to be completely disassembled with a small phillips screwdriver. Remove the old batteries, observing polarity, replace with 2 new cells inserted with the polarity the same as the old ones.

Accessories: A key chain is attached to the light with a "lobster claw" clip attached as well.

Reviewer's Impressions:

When I walk around with the Litepro Quasar, I feel like I'm in a James Bond movie. I can use the UV beam to detect counterfeit currency and see invisible UV fluorescent inks. I can use the white LED as a signal or as a light. But perhaps the coolest thing is that I can use it to detect the radio frequency of common surveillance devices, and YES it really does work!

When I set the Quasar on its "radio frequency detect" setting, and placed a call on my cellphone or cordless phone (900 MHz) the detection LED blinked when I waved the unit near the antenna. The detection range seemed to be about 3-6 inches. The detector function seems to work best by holding the unit vertically, letting the keychain dangle, and waving the back of the unit near the potential RF source. Very cool.

Fit and finish are not that good I'm afraid. The screw heads stick up a little bit and the case seams are full of gaps.

Although the construction of the case is a bit cheap, the unit does do everything it claims, including detecting RF frequencies, so the quality seems to be on the inside instead of the outside. As for durability, I don't think this unit would be able to handle much more than the normal wear and tear seen by a keychain light, so I'd be a little careful with it. The LED does protrude from the front of the case and could be subject to damage if dropped.

Output is about what you would expect from a keychain white LED.

Beam quality is OK, but since the LED has 2 die, each a little off center in the LED, both beams (white and UV) project at a little bit of an angle and both are a little lopsided. In practical use, this really doesn't make any difference.

Battery life is advertised as about 12 hours. A battery change means taking the whole unit apart, pretty much the same as a Photon II.

Water resistance is nonexistent. Do not get the unit wet for fear of damaging the electronics.

Important things to note: DO NOT look directly at the LED when the UV light is active. UV light can damage your eyes. This is not a toy and children should not play with it.

Improvements: The case could be better made.

Not very durable or water resistant, but very cool and inexpensive "007" type device that does what it's advertised to.

+ + + Pluses: UV/White in same light, Detects common surveillance devices, Lightweight, Small

- - - Minuses: Not water resistant, Does not appear very durable, Difficult battery change

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