Black Sun Dark Engine IR

Clive Ward

Well-Known Member
Hi All,

We're finally in production with our new Black Sun Dark Engine IR illuminator now and it can be ordered from our website here:

Black Sun Dark Engine IR Illuminator

Essentially we have applied our knowledge of very high efficiency LED illuminators and pills to the new generation of laser diodes. Through careful design and experience with laser safety, the dark engine does not fall under laser safety laws and is no more hazardous in normal use than an LED illuminator.

Obvious advantages are it's very light at 200g making it the smallest and lightest. A sunnranger or derivitive is over 50% heavier and bulkier.

In terms of power it has more than enough. Even on the Pard 007 which has a poor response to IR, it will produce a very good image at even 400 yards at 10x magnification. On better systems such as the Ward D Vision 800L it will get out to 600 yards happily.

There is a video on the product page taken with the Pard 007 behind and MTC Mamba out to 400 yards for reference.


Cheers





Clive
 
Managed to get a bit more video last night of the Dark Engine in action:

This was with the Warden Adder, behind an MTC Mamba on 10X magnification (20x total with the Adder).

No problems with white out, even at close range or with bounce back from very near objects. Great image all the way out to 300+ yards.




Cheers





Clive
 
Im very interested.
Currently running a Solaris SRX, would like to see a side by Side comparison.
I have spent an unearthly amount on nv torches over the last three years - a lot with you Clive! but its usually fairly easy to move the better ones on and recoup some funds.
Buying just to try it out is an expensive game.
 
Hi All,

Yes much more power than a Sunnranger Ruby and much more covert as the Dark Engine is 850nm. Combined with the small die size and lens system / coatings the visible signature is very small. It's also quite a lot lighter and smaller.


Cheers





Clive
 
Hi All,

Yes much more power than a Sunnranger Ruby and much more covert as the Dark Engine is 850nm. Combined with the small die size and lens system / coatings the visible signature is very small. It's also quite a lot lighter and smaller.


Cheers





Clive
Clive

Should we take you skirting round my question, to mean there is not much between your new model and the SRX?
The SRX looks the same as yours in body and lens, so I expect weight is identical.
But will there be a measurably greater reach?
The clarity on the SRX is seamless, even at full spot beam there is no clutter; just clean light.
I would think we are about as good as we are going to get currently, while still remaining within the class 3 category.
 
Clive

Should we take you skirting round my question, to mean there is not much between your new model and the SRX?
The SRX looks the same as yours in body and lens, so I expect weight is identical.
But will there be a measurably greater reach?
The clarity on the SRX is seamless, even at full spot beam there is no clutter; just clean light.
I would think we are about as good as we are going to get currently, while still remaining within the class 3 category.

Hi Hammo,

Sorry I didn't see a question. :confused:

There could be quite a difference as the Dark Engine uses different bodies, lenses, pill design and components, etc.

The Dark Engine is smaller and lighter than anything else of this type on the market.

There are no artefacts in the beam of the Dark Engine either. It's completely even.

Performance and reach isn't lacking. As the videos show we are getting out to 400+m shootable image at high magnifications even with an add on behind a day scope that has quite poor response to IR. With a decent add on like our Ward D Vision 800L it's getting out 600+m. With a dedicated scope it will go a lot further than that.

I don't think anyone will be disappointed in buying one. But having said that anyone who's not happy can always return it to us within 14 days for a full refund anyway.


Cheers





Clive
 
Hi Hammo,

Sorry I didn't see a question. :confused:

There could be quite a difference as the Dark Engine uses different bodies, lenses, pill design and components, etc.

The Dark Engine is smaller and lighter than anything else of this type on the market.

There are no artefacts in the beam of the Dark Engine either. It's completely even.

Performance and reach isn't lacking. As the videos show we are getting out to 400+m shootable image at high magnifications even with an add on behind a day scope that has quite poor response to IR. With a decent add on like our Ward D Vision 800L it's getting out 600+m. With a dedicated scope it will go a lot further than that.

I don't think anyone will be disappointed in buying one. But having said that anyone who's not happy can always return it to us within 14 days for a full refund anyway.


Cheers





Clive
Clive

Thanks for speedy response! no offence intended in my post.
I am still using add on PVS14 with a 3+ tube.
Really tempted to try one and see how it stands up alongside the SRX
 
Clive

Thanks for speedy response! no offence intended in my post.
I am still using add on PVS14 with a 3+ tube.
Really tempted to try one and see how it stands up alongside the SRX

Hi Hammo,

No worries. None taken. :thumb:

I think it might be a bit much for a PVS14.

Another thing to consider with the PVS14 is that when used as an add on the optics don't match. The field of view of the PVS14 is more than the rifle scope so you end up creating an image on the tube with a large dark margin around the edge.

Tubes have automatic brightness control, but these work on an average of the whole tubes field of view. Because you have such a large area that is not illuminated this weights the average heavily and you can get in the situation where the centre of the tube is getting far too much light and the ABC won't compensate for it leading to tube damage over time.


Cheers





Clive
 
Hi Hammo,

Sorry I didn't see a question. :confused:

There could be quite a difference as the Dark Engine uses different bodies, lenses, pill design and components, etc.

The Dark Engine is smaller and lighter than anything else of this type on the market.

There are no artefacts in the beam of the Dark Engine either. It's completely even.

Performance and reach isn't lacking. As the videos show we are getting out to 400+m shootable image at high magnifications even with an add on behind a day scope that has quite poor response to IR. With a decent add on like our Ward D Vision 800L it's getting out 600+m. With a dedicated scope it will go a lot further than that.

I don't think anyone will be disappointed in buying one. But having said that anyone who's not happy can always return it to us within 14 days for a full refund anyway.


Cheers





Clive
just ordered one clive on the pretext of what you half stated on hear if it dont work il return it ordered the single mode one im in dumbarton you will know my order hope its as good as you say and if it is ill give you a good right up on hear being ex soviet bazare n/v ie i worked with vladimer i know about night vision all the best rob
 
Hi Hammo,

No worries. None taken. :thumb:

I think it might be a bit much for a PVS14.

Another thing to consider with the PVS14 is that when used as an add on the optics don't match. The field of view of the PVS14 is more than the rifle scope so you end up creating an image on the tube with a large dark margin around the edge.

Tubes have automatic brightness control, but these work on an average of the whole tubes field of view. Because you have such a large area that is not illuminated this weights the average heavily and you can get in the situation where the centre of the tube is getting far too much light and the ABC won't compensate for it leading to tube damage over time.


Cheers





Clive
Clive
SRX is working perfectly for me, reaches a lot further than my self imposed night time range limit of @200m. I may still try your torch at some point, will see how others fare with it. Ultimately if it offers no gain over my SRX, I will stick with what I have.
Best of luck though, I like your ongoing efforts to safely push the boundaries.
 
Clive
SRX is working perfectly for me, reaches a lot further than my self imposed night time range limit of @200m. I may still try your torch at some point, will see how others fare with it. Ultimately if it offers no gain over my SRX, I will stick with what I have.
Best of luck though, I like your ongoing efforts to safely push the boundaries.

No point upgrading if what you have is working.

Here's a bit of more 'real world' performance with the Dark Engine at a sensible range and magnification and the beam flooded out to fill the field of view. It was a rubbish night last night. Very misty and damp, but the IR cut through it very well indeed.




Cheers





Clive
 
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