IR confusion

[Rusty knife]

Im using a pulsar C50 with a Night master SL ir torch. Im considering getting something else possibly a pbir will it be much better than the night master ? After reading threds on here im a bit confused about the different types of torches what’s the difference between lazer and led or are they the same thing ? What’s the pros and cons of each. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Shooting on open hill

 

[mealiejimmy]

Laser based torches use a special type of laser called a "vertical cavity surface emitting laser" (vcsel) to produce the IR while LED based torches use a "light emitting diode" (LED) to produce the light
The difference is that laser based torches produce a much higher intensity of IR than LED based torches so are better for long range work, or when used with digital scopes that are not very sensitive
The C50 is very sensitive so doesn't need a huge amount of light so in most cases and LED IR torch will do the job OK
Going to a laser based IR will increase the range at which the scope will give you a shootable image, but it may be overpowered and white out at close ranges
Forget about the PBIR and buy one of these Black Sun Dark Engine BLADE IR illuminator

Cheers

Bruce

 

[Rusty knife]

Laser based torches use a special type of laser called a "vertical cavity surface emitting laser" (vcsel) to produce the IR while LED based torches use a "light emitting diode" (LED) to produce the light
The difference is that laser based torches produce a much higher intensity of IR than LED based torches so are better for long range work, or when used with digital scopes that are not very sensitive
The C50 is very sensitive so doesn't need a huge amount of light so in most cases and LED IR torch will do the job OK
Going to a laser based IR will increase the range at which the scope will give you a shootable image, but it may be overpowered and white out at close ranges
Forget about the PBIR and buy one of these Black Sun Dark Engine BLADE IR illuminator

Cheers

Bruce

Thanks that makes sense the ir works really well to be fair but dose struggle a bit at distance especially in poorer weather conditions

 

[Tulloch]

Let me stop you before you go spending £100's on an IR .

If your using a Digex the sensor is seriously sensitive and with the bigger torches it is easily flooded out . I recently have had better results with a Nitefox £40 one off Amazon thatn I have ever had with the wickedlight or the PBIR etc. The sensor is way too light sensitive to give any balance

 

[Clive Ward]

Im using a pulsar C50 with a Night master SL ir torch. Im considering getting something else possibly a pbir will it be much better than the night master ? After reading threds on here im a bit confused about the different types of torches what’s the difference between lazer and led or are they the same thing ? What’s the pros and cons of each. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Shooting on open hill

Hi Rusty knife,

If you're going to buy another IR, then the Dark Engine BLADE is the way to go. It's a new design that solves all of the issues with VCSEL lasers used as illuminators, especially for lower magnification scopes, such as the C50, Alpex, etc. Normally to widen the beam you end up with a darker hole in the centre, this can be evened out with a diffuser, but this can then invert the problem with a white centre to the beam and add some unpleasant artifcats. A diffuser also reduces output power. This power can be 'got back' at the expense of battery life, but there is a limit on what is legally able to be sold.

With the BLADE, rather than use a standard lens, we designed a new lens, matched exactly to the emitter. This means we don't need a diffuser and there is no hole or indeed hot spot in the centre of the beam. So when you set the beam to fill the field of view, white out isn't an issue as the NV can then properly adjust it's exposure. If you reach the limit of that self adjustment, then you can reduce the power of the IR exactly with the rotary tail switch.

The aded bonus is that it's only 170g and has absolutely no handicap on power, compared to anything else you can buy, regardless of how big it is.


Cheers





Clive

 

[quarrystalker]

Hi Rusty knife,

If you're going to buy another IR, then the Dark Engine BLADE is the way to go. It's a new design that solves all of the issues with VCSEL lasers used as illuminators, especially for lower magnification scopes, such as the C50, Alpex, etc. Normally to widen the beam you end up with a darker hole in the centre, this can be evened out with a diffuser, but this can then invert the problem with a white centre to the beam and add some unpleasant artifcats. A diffuser also reduces output power. This power can be 'got back' at the expense of battery life, but there is a limit on what is legally able to be sold.

With the BLADE, rather than use a standard lens, we designed a new lens, matched exactly to the emitter. This means we don't need a diffuser and there is no hole or indeed hot spot in the centre of the beam. So when you set the beam to fill the field of view, white out isn't an issue as the NV can then properly adjust it's exposure. If you reach the limit of that self adjustment, then you can reduce the power of the IR exactly with the rotary tail switch.

The aded bonus is that it's only 170g and has absolutely no handicap on power, compared to anything else you can buy, regardless of how big it is.


Cheers





Clive

Hi Clive,
What do you think the issue would be for this reviewer of the Dark Engine Blade. Is it due to the onboard ir on the newer 4k LRF ? I have a Hik Micro A50T & not the 4k LRF the customer has, but was considering one for future. Currently mainly use it on sub 12 ft lb air rifle for rabbit`s & ocassionally on the .308 for Boar so usually only 100 yds max. I`m mainly looking at just getting a spare 940nm IR illuminator for the boar that is compact & lightweight & if I inadvertently forget to attach said ir whilst zeroing in daylight wich may of happened on a previous occasion review below

I saw several reviews online and on YouTube and thought I’d give it a try. Now bear in mind I’ve just switched from an ATN with a night master nm1 xl if torch to an alpex 4k lrf. I saved 1/2 kilo just by changing scopes so thought I would save weight on the ir.
What I’ve experienced is that the torch on flood will not illuminate the whole screen on the alpex. It is dark brother edges, not reaching the full edge. So I’ve come from a full screen to about half. Will probably shelve the torch.

 

[Jon P]

. I`m mainly looking at just getting a spare 940nm IR illuminator for the boar that is compact & lightweight & if I inadvertently forget to attach said ir whilst zeroing in daylight wich may of happened on a previous occasion

Have you found much zero shift with the IR illuminator attached if zeroed without?

I have never noticed, but have not shot paper in dark just foxes with IR fitted- rifle zeroed with no IR fitted.

 

[quarrystalker]

The problem I had with medium mounts on my Tikka T3X & using the Hik Mcro a50T, was that I couldn`t then attach the ir torch with the supplied scope mount after I had already zeroed in daylight. I have since bought an M-lok torch holder, wich I`m going to mount on the rifle & carry a spare ir torch in case of a failure etc.

Dan.