New Dark Engine BLADE IR Illuminator

PSE Composites Limited - The next level Rifle Stocks
C

Clive Ward

Well-Known Member
Trade Member
Hi All,

It was a bit of a 'bother' to us that while NV devices were getting smaller and lighter, illuminators were getting bigger and heavier so we set about to put that right.

It took a bit of work as we had to design a new compact lens system to match the diode properly (rather than use a cheaper, much larger off the shelf lens) and single piece body to accommodate it with the features we need.

The result is the new Dark Engine BLADE is the smallest, lightest full power IR illuminator available, by some margin!

It weighs just 170g, is 167mm long and only 34mm at it's biggest diameter.

The lens is very precise and goes from 1.5 degree spot to 6 degree flood in under one turn. So will 'just about' fill the field of view of a 3.5x dedicated scope and also tighten up for long range add on use. There is no play or wobble in the lens system.

The body has 25mm and 30mm diameters for easy mounting.

Power is controlled with a stepless variable rotary intensity control with a very quiet push/push on off function so you have exact control of the illumination for the device, range and conditions. The rotary power control feature can also be used as a completely silent on/off switch.

Performance is not an issue. Even with a Pard NV007V add on, I could easily illuminate tree lines at 900+ yards at 10x system magnification and achieve very good definition of targets at 600 yards at 32x magnification.

More details here on our website:
www.nightvisionstore.co.uk

Black Sun Dark Engine BLADE IR illuminator

www.nightvisionstore.co.uk

And a short long range test video here:


Very proudly designed and made right here in the UK.


Cheers





Clive
 
Hi clive
I take it that's the one I had a look at on thursday can you put me down for one please, I'm out with Jon tonight he is also looking for a small functional IR for his new rifle, so provisionally 2 when they are priced and available :thumb:

Cheers

Phil
 
Overlay said:
Hi clive
I take it that's the one I had a look at on thursday can you put me down for one please, I'm out with Jon tonight he is also looking for a small functional IR for his new rifle, so provisionally 2 when they are priced and available :thumb:

Cheers

Phil
Click to expand...
Hi Phil,

Yes it is. There will be plenty made up for next week for you.


Cheers





Clive
 
Here's a comparison of the BLADE 'top' with one of our Sunnranger's 'bottom'.

IMG_20230619_154048_6.webp

It's a massive difference and that is with our Sunnranger being the smallest and lightest of it's type. Other commercial versions are again bigger and heavier.


Cheers





Clive
 
Tidy work on the illuminator Clive, 850 I take it?
Good job the video was not made in Cumbria 🙃.
 
Pellet Pinger said:
How will this fair with scopes like the C50 and Alpex? have you tested on on these scopes yet Clive? im thinking illuminating full screen on base mag and black hole in the middle issues.
Click to expand...
I've got a chap testing one next week, but general testing on other devices would indicate:

As standard it will 'almost' fill the field of view on base mag. Horizontal 6.6 degree field of view on the scope, 6 degree field of view of the IR. That said, it is possible to adjust the lens on the BLADE so it will fill the field of view. I've not seen any significant darkening of the centre of the beam.

In any case it's not an issue as the diffused pill for the ID series fits and will fill the field of view and have no darkening of the centre.

We would prefer though, if possible, that it can be a universal illuminator for all devices above 3.5x magnification.

Over powering the NV device isn't an issue as the power is infinitely adjustable via the tail switch rotary control.


Cheers





Clive
 
Clive Ward said:
I've got a chap testing one next week, but general testing on other devices would indicate:

As standard it will 'almost' fill the field of view on base mag. Horizontal 6.6 degree field of view on the scope, 6 degree field of view of the IR. That said, it is possible to adjust the lens on the BLADE so it will fill the field of view. I've not seen any significant darkening of the centre of the beam.

In any case it's not an issue as the diffused pill for the ID series fits and will fill the field of view and have no darkening of the centre.

We would prefer though, if possible, that it can be a universal illuminator for all devices above 3.5x magnification.

Over powering the NV device isn't an issue as the power is infinitely adjustable via the tail switch rotary control.


Cheers





Clive
Click to expand...


Sounds just the ticket, will you update when testing has been done plz.
 
Hi All,

A bit more footage showing what the BLADE is capable of.

The first section shows it completely beating dusk light levels at well past 1000 Yards. The first tree line is 1035 Yards and the one behind that is 1750 Yards.

Then showing it will do very high magnification and long range.

I'll try to get some closer footage this week. :lol:




Cheers





Clive
 
Clive Ward said:
Hi All,

A bit more footage showing what the BLADE is capable of.

The first section shows it completely beating dusk light levels at well past 1000 Yards. The first tree line is 1035 Yards and the one behind that is 1750 Yards.

Then showing it will do very high magnification and long range.

I'll try to get some closer footage this week. :lol:




Cheers





Clive
Click to expand...

Any footage from a C50 or Alpex yet Clive?
 
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