Beta Light source?

Sesoku

Sesoku

Joined
Oct 19, 1998
Messages
498
I would like to find a source for Beta lights as described in the SAS Survival handbook. Does anyone know how/where a civilian can get one?
 
Hi Sesuko,

If it's exactly the small glasstube /vial that you're looking for like 'pictured' in the SAS survival book then I still don;'t know a source.
However Traser-UK sells an small "torch like" Beta light and you might try them but be warned these babies cost a lot.

I also found the next story/info at: http://www.survival-center.com/dl-list/dl27-ret.htm

"BETA LIGHT L3280 - British Pounds 54.95 (appx $US 83.00) "A self-illuminated unit, the Betalight Torch is compact, robust, and has an in-service life of over 10 years. Illuminates well without affecting night vision. This torch works without batteries, light being provided by a glass capsule internally phosphor-coated and filled with tritium gas which activates the phosphor to emit light."

[The editor received his beta light 3-18-96. It is ruggedly constructed and emits a dim green light. There is no on/off switch; there is merely a flap that can be opened or closed. How bright is it? I would compare it to the newer watches that glow green such as the Timex Indiglo. It is bright enough to read a map, find a keyhole, or possibly lure fish. Don't expect to cook dinner or follow a trail with it! My beta light has the following markings: SAUNDERS-ROE DEV LTD HAYES MIDDX UK NATO No X4/6260-00-965-3582 BETALIGHT T19c1]"

Sesuko, I know I once had an address for a simple glass vial type of Beta light but I can't find it right now.

Also Traser-UK can get you much larger glass-vials from the company in Switserland that makes them however these are very expensive and no delivery to the USA.

I'm looking further for you, have a good Easter weekend,

Bagheera
 
Try Penrith Survival Equ. They are a U.K. Co. that will ship to the U.S.A. Also try Traser they have some newer products that look interesting.<><
 
Thanks for the replies frediver and Bagheera,
I have already checked out Trasers website, and I saw thier little traser torch. It looks cool but I want something small enough for the altoids kit I am making if its possible. I also checked trijicon but didn't find anything. I will check out the Penrith site, thanks for the suggestions guys!!
 
I'd love to have the Traser "torch" and some of the little "key fob" thingies they make to attach to things I want to ba able to find at night. Unfortunately, Penrith Survival charges a lot for shipping and last time I looked at the Traser website, it said they could not ship these items to the US or Canada. I've got a buddy who goes to Sweden a lot. I might ask him to pick them up for me, but I wouldn't plame him if he would rather not take radiological material through an airport right now ;)
 
The smallest you will find is the key fob. It is very bright,easily
seen from 10-15 ft. If you don't mind some eye strain you could read a map with it!
Just for your info. it is shielded so well that it does not register
on a dector,all you will read is normal background radiation.
The item that interested me was the new Traser map reader. It looks like a small dome magnifier with a glow ring around it so it will illuminate the center under the magnifier.
 
Yes it is true that the glowrings do not emit any radiation, I checked mine on a gieger counter. What I would really like is something about the size of a tube of chapstick that was about as bright as a chemical lightstick. I emailed penrith to have them send me a picture of their beta light because they didn''t have a pic on their site. Does anyone here have a picture of one?
 
I'm pretty sure there is a picture on the Penrith site, but the Glowring is pictured with a bunch of other items. I had their catalog and the Glowring was pictured there. The item in question looks like a clear acrylic crystal with a Tritium tube inside. Go to the Traser Website and click on "Products." They have pictures there. Also click on "Military" for pictures of the torch and map reader.
 
Diletante, I know what the glo-rings look like, I have a few. The picture I am looking for is of the Beta light, which is sold by penrith, but the picture is absent from their site.
 
Sorry :o Is the device in the SAS handbook different from the Traser torch? The torch is in Penrith's print catalog, but I can't find it on their website either. I've seen some tritium illuminators a lot like the chemical glow sticks, but I can't find them at the Traser site anymore. Can you post the description from the SAS handbook? Maybe someone will recognize it.
 
Diletante,

The description reads "Beta Light : A light-emitting crystal, only the size of a small coin but ideal for reading a map at night and auseful fishing lure - expensive but just about everlasting" pp.16; Survival Kit, SAS Survival Handbook by John 'Lofty' Wiseman.

The pic shows a small thingy about the size of a Photo Light. Hard to tell the size since no dimension given ... just from the description that its about the size of a coin.

Bob
 
I have one. It is about 1 1/4 dia. 1 1/2in. tall with a hinged rubber flap pop top to cover the source. Also the other end has a molded
rubber ring,like a childs pacifer but locked in position,used to grip the light and attach a neck cord.So if you add this ring the unit is about 1 1/4x 3in long. Maybe the mil. can get these without the rubber body,they might only be coin sized out of the housing?<><
 
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