European scopes and rear night vision?

[Essexsussex]

Original LEP rig set up on scope, new LEP for comparison, left:
View attachment 428534


New setup:
View attachment 428535

New LEP set up alone:
View attachment 428537

Original LEP rig:
View attachment 428538

Removing the 2g spring pocket clip and replacing with a non ‘Campagnolo-drilled-out’ alkathene water pipe push-fit spacer adds 1 gramme, though this could easily be reduced by slightly shortening and/or drilling holes in it to reduce that extra weight ‘penalty’:View attachment 428539

Batteries for the wee torch weigh 19g, one third of the whole rig; a replacement 21700 cell for my original LEP weighs 72g, ie 25% more than the new torch and battery combined (57g).

Operation is silent; a throw lever could of course be added, but I personally prefer it as it is; the rest you may imagine, having seen the video at #24. The low-power first setting gives plenty of light with which to positively ID and shoot out to beyond the distance I’d consider sensible.

In summary, there’s not much not to like:

Simple to attach, and agreeably lightweight and unobtrusive;

No different light wave band used, so you retain the sharp focus of your preferred day scope — this means less faff when in use;

No adjustment nor IR reflection off vegetation (no spill from LEP);

Easy to carry replacement batteries in the event of a longer duration session;

Minimum weight and bulk addition to achieve the result;

Power cells can be recharged via USB C from eg car, power bank, etc.

NV? Yes, but just not as is commonly considered.

A bit ‘Left field’, then? — Sure, but effective?
— Certainly.

At £76 to your door, worth thinking carefully about….

Looks very interesting - what is LEP please?

Thank you

 

[Freeforester]

I would add, when I have been out foxing and put the ir on a red deer to have a look at it, they dont like it. They stand alot longer in a while light than an ir.

They stay undisturbed longer if that light is of a low lumens.

 

[kenbro]

Hi Ff,
Please answer my question

 

[Freeforester]

Looks very interesting - what is LEP please?

Thank you

Light Excited Phosphor.

I don’t know much about CD or video recorders, TV’s and the like, so bear with me, but basically it’s a white light which is generated via a wee blue laser hitting a wee bit phosphor and then the intense light is pushed out the front lens arrangement with very tight, beam-like qualities, but from what appears to be a tiny, dim and distant source — like a wee star in the sky as seen from the quarry point of view, but as a scope filling pool of very useable light from the user’s point of view.

You can also put a colour filter on the front to change it to your colour of choice.

 

[kenbro]

Hi Ff;
I must be near the front of the Q for getting answers?
Pretty please…
Ken.

 

[nun_hunter]

Something to consider as I have been in almost the same situation as you.

I had the same Zeiss scope as you but then bought a Delta Titanium 2.5-15x56 for another rifle. Comparing the scopes side by side the Delta was better in my opinion. The image quality was on par but the greater mag range I found very useful and the illuminated centre dot is incredibly fine and has plenty of brightness adjustment.

The Zeiss has a slightly finer cross hair which is good for day time and precise aiming but became harder to see in low light. The Delta had a thicker cross hair but the illuminated dot was much finer than the reticle so balanced this out and meant that in low light conditions it performed better.

The Delta has adjustable parallax and is renowned for working well with a rear add on (I use a Sytong HT66).

The point of this long winded post is that you could easily sell your Zeiss and buy a secondhand Delta with the money and have the best of both worlds. A better quality day scope which also works very well with a rear add on NV.

 

[Freeforester]

Hi,
Is the beam out of the LEP adjustable?
Thanks, Ken.

If you mean can it be tightened or made more flood like, then the answer is it depends on the model of torch you buy, there are a couple on the go with adjustability in that respect, but most are simple on and off; I have to say I’ve never been interested in those adjustable ones, because they’re bulkier and have a more complicated lens focussing system, that probably could get broken over time.

The wee Vastline Bow Mini when in use has an option of ‘low’, high and strobe beam setting, but no flood to beam adjustment, which I’d suggest is simple and effective, though why you’d want strobe when using for eg hunting I don’t know, but for locating for rescue operations then it might be something useful. The video explains how it works.

 

[Essexsussex]

If you mean can it be tightened or made more flood like, then the answer is it depends on the model of torch you buy, there are a couple on the go with adjustability in that respect, but most are simple on and off; I have to say I’ve never been interested in those adjustable ones, because they’re bulkier and have a more complicated lens focussing system, that probably could get broken over time.

The wee Vastline Bow Mini when in use has an option of ‘low’, high and strobe beam setting, but no flood to beam adjustment, which I’d suggest is simple and effective, though why you’d want strobe when using for eg hunting I don’t know, but for locating for rescue operations then it might be something useful. The video explains how it works.

Thanks FF

So basically a torch that you switch on when you have identified a potential target with a thermal spotter, and it lights up the target and can therefore use your normal daylight scope? Rather than the “invisible” IR torch and a digital scope solution?

 

[Freeforester]

Thanks FF

So basically a torch that you switch on when you have identified a potential target with a thermal spotter, and it lights up the target and can therefore use your normal daylight scope? Rather than the “invisible” IR torch and a digital scope solution?

You’ve got it. Very simple, very effective. Fills the scope view with intense light that from the quarry point of view seems to be just a very insignificant light source, like us seeing a dipped car light or similar from half a mile away, or a wee star in the sky, albeit from below the horizon.

If you were going ‘lamping’ with a chum in days of old they could shine the light off from one side of you to the quarry, and you’d see the quarry but much of the parish between you and said quarry would be lit up; this ain’t like that, it’s a stealthy source of all the light you can use, without the bit that isn’t helpful.

 

[kenbro]

If you mean can it be tightened or made more flood like, then the answer is it depends on the model of torch you buy, there are a couple on the go with adjustability in that respect, but most are simple on and off; I have to say I’ve never been interested in those adjustable ones, because they’re bulkier and have a more complicated lens focussing system, that probably could get broken over time.

The wee Vastline Bow Mini when in use has an option of ‘low’, high and strobe beam setting, but no flood to beam adjustment, which I’d suggest is simple and effective, though why you’d want strobe when using for eg hunting I don’t know, but for locating for rescue operations then it might be something useful. The video explains how it works.

Thanks Ff.
I. Think wifey has ordered one of those for me but it’s not due until late August.
On and off for last few years been using a green laser with adjustable beam and find it good to be able to open it up for close in shooting.
Thanks again, Ken.

 

[Freeforester]

Thanks Ff.
I. Think wifey has ordered one of those for me but it’s not due until late August.
On and off for last few years been using a green laser with adjustable beam and find it good to be able to open it up for close in shooting.
Thanks again, Ken.

Aye, the Sub-Zero laser designator was an example of the adjustable laser (still got mine, works well), which is effective, but about ten times the weight of this Bow. You could disperse the beam for eg ratting by placing a bit of thicker glass or acrylic or filter in front of the beam.
Time to get an elastic band and the Quality Street tin contents unwrapped, purely for research purposes of course!

By the way I ordered it from the maker, it took about ten days to arrive. I got good communication from them though, and I am very happy with the product. Very simple to use, and very easy to bear.

 

[kenbro]

Bought this from a member here (Said he was a Vicar) some years ago.
I swap it between a 20 gauge SG and a rifle hence the magnetic mount.
Had to put packing shims in with the torch to align the spot with the cross hair, though with the beam being focusable by twisting the marked ring it doesn't matter if it's not spot on.
I've watched deer at 300 yards with it and they seem to not notice and keep feeding.
As you say, size makes it more clumsy.

 

[Essexsussex]

Thanks FF

So basically a torch that you switch on when you have identified a potential target with a thermal spotter, and it lights up the target and can therefore use your normal daylight scope? Rather than the “invisible” IR torch and a digital scope solution?

Sound very useful

What model is the lightweight one you refer to please?

Thanks
ES

 

[Freeforester]

Sound very useful

What model is the lightweight one you refer to please?

Thanks
ES

See video in post no 24,
Vastlite Minima Bow

Deep dive review from a torch tech type:

Vastlite Minima Bow review |

Brand & ModelVastlite Minima BowFlashlight categoryEDC, LEP flashlightBattery config.1*16340Switch typeTwistyDimensions:Length71 mmHead diameter20 mmWeight with battery56 gLED & BeamLED typeLEP (shine through)High CRINoFocusable beamNoFeaturesOnboard chargingNo Power bankNoSpecifications and...

1lumen.com

It works, and does so simply, this is my reason for having one.

 

[reddog]

Which supplier did you use please?


At £76 to your door, worth thinking carefully about….

 

[kenbro]

Which supplier did you use please?


At £76 to your door, worth thinking carefully about….

Feel sure Wifey paid more than that for the one she’s ordered.
Ken.

 

[Freeforester]

Which supplier did you use please?


At £76 to your door, worth thinking carefully about….

Vastlite

Flashlightgo is Middle to High-end LED Flashlights and lighting Gear retailer,Catering to your requirements, a collection of the best flashlights in the world,such as Tactical Lights、Lanterns、Camping lights、Bike Lights、Work Flashlights、Safety Flashlights、EDC Flashlights、Batteries、Chargers and...

flashlightgo.com

They have increased the price, to £77….
You can get 10% discount on your first order though

Having bought the tritium and glow in the dark inserts I’d say on balance they’re not really necessary. The Tritium insert is extremely small, though of course it will light up in the dark for ten years. It may serve as a switch locator, it tbh I think if ordering again I wouldn’t bother with it.

 

[Essexsussex]

Vastlite

Flashlightgo is Middle to High-end LED Flashlights and lighting Gear retailer,Catering to your requirements, a collection of the best flashlights in the world,such as Tactical Lights、Lanterns、Camping lights、Bike Lights、Work Flashlights、Safety Flashlights、EDC Flashlights、Batteries、Chargers and...

flashlightgo.com

They have increased the price, to £77….
You can get 10% discount on your first order though

Having bought the tritium and glow in the dark inserts I’d say on balance they’re not really necessary. The Tritium insert is extremely small, though of course it will light up in the dark for ten years. It may serve as a switch locator, it tbh I think if ordering again I wouldn’t bother with it.

Sorry to be the font of all questions, is your scope / torch mount generic or a fancy one. Think I saw it was a decent one.

I may not ever put this new knowledge to work so if you have had enough of the questions don’t worry!!

 

[Freeforester]

Sorry to be the font of all questions, is your scope / torch mount generic or a fancy one. Think I saw it was a decent one.

I may not ever put this new knowledge to work so if you have had enough of the questions don’t worry!!

Simple generic 1” diameter, but you’d buy the ‘male’ type (which sits on the scope and to which your torch mount would attach to) according to the tube diameter of your riflescope; if it was a 30mm tubed scope you’d go for a 30mm ‘male’ Weaver/Picatinny mount, and then a simple 1” Weaver/Picatinny scope mount into which you’d mount the piece of alkathene, into which the torch is a push fit but clamps when the mount screws are nipped up.

Ant supplies have lots of types, in several tube diameters.

Shooting Sports, Hunting, Airsoft and Bushcraft, Camping Products

We are a UK based supplier of Hunting Products, Rifle / Shotgun Accessories, Airsoft / Paintball Gear, Military, Security, Bushcraft Supplies, plus various other bits of useful gear

www.ant-supplies.uk

HTH.

 

[Essexsussex]

Simple generic 1” diameter, but you’d buy the female type which sits on the scope and to which your torch would attach to according to the tube diameter of your riflescope; if it was a 30mm tubed scope you’d go for a 30mm ‘male’ Weaver/Picatinny mount, and then a simple 1” Weaver/Picatinny scope mount into which you’d mount the piece of alkathene, into which the torch is a push fit but clamps when the mount screws are nipped up.

Ant supplies have lots of types, in several tube diameters.

Shooting Sports, Hunting, Airsoft and Bushcraft, Camping Products

We are a UK based supplier of Hunting Products, Rifle / Shotgun Accessories, Airsoft / Paintball Gear, Military, Security, Bushcraft Supplies, plus various other bits of useful gear

www.ant-supplies.uk

HTH.

Thanks pal