New Dark Engine BLADE IR Illuminator

R. Macleod & Son - The Best Hunting Companion
mealiejimmy said:
The Burris Zee Signature rings have a plastic ball joint type insert that allows the torch to be moved around until it is pointing where you want and can then be locked into that position
The problem is that you have to buy a pair of rings
This adjustable mount from Ludicrous Lumens works just as well and is a good bit cheaper
www.ludicrous-lumens.co.uk

NEW FULLY adjustable IR mount 25MM & 30MM lamp bodies.

Fully adjustable 25mm OR 30MM IR/Lamp mounting Please select 25mm or 30mm Lamp body above. (30mm mounts are lead time is 7-9 working days) Our new Fully adjustable picatinny/weaver mount is made from super strong SLS nylon 12 material & is very stress & temperature resistant. Allows a large arc...
www.ludicrous-lumens.co.uk www.ludicrous-lumens.co.uk

Cheers

Bruce
Click to expand...

Thanks

I had a look and bought the LL mount and I’ve ordered a Blade for my Hik Alpex, hope it’s a good choice, I think the blade is laser IR, hope it works well with the Alpex!
 
Jelen said:
Because the Blade is so light in weight I bought one of the Ludicrous Lumens mounts to try. It works perfectly. Withstands the knocks and bumps of prolonged use in a Gator. If needed, which is rarely, can be adjusted one handed quickly.
Click to expand...
Did you get the 30mm or 1” or it doesn’t matter?
 
I just use a cheap picatinny mount and shim it.
Really like the look of the Burris Zee rings but far too tight to buy a pair as only one is needed.
If anyone fancies going splits on some give me a shout!
 
Hi All,

Just a quick update:

The parts we were waiting for have arrived. A lot of manufacturing has been done, all hands to the pumps working long hours, and all the back orders have finally been processed, packed and sent out.

Good news is we built a few extra up for 'stock' and will be keeping on top of this:
P1000647.webp

The price is 'held' at the moment, but will be increasing very soon. It is wildly under priced. There is a very stark difference in cost between what we do vs. buying a standard torch from china, and a standard lens from china and simply screwing the two parts together. Hopefully that's understood.

The price increase was supposed to be in effect as soon as the back orders were cleared, i.e. NOW, but I have declared a short amnesty in the interests of fairness. The reason being that in my absence from the office before Christmas (a whole other story), I don't think all enquirers were told about the impending price increase.

Other good news is that we have taken the opportunity to resolve the only negative point about the product we received from a small number of customers. That was the grip (or lack of) for the focus adjustment. I didn't find it an issue personally, but we have added knurling to the lens focus, and also changed the finish to a more grippier matt anodising. It's now very grippy!

It must be the 'perfect' IR illuminator now.


Cheers





Clive
 
Hi All,

Had a bit of feedback on the BLADE this week from a few customers.

This succinctly sums it up from a customer who has 'tried them all':

"I’ve already got a Didgex C50 with a ******.
Now getting the new Alpex LRF. Tested the torch last night very happy with it, can’t believe it’s so small. Held its own to the ****** no problem."

I've redacted the brand of their now 2nd favourite IR out of politeness.

And this gentleman has done a quick video review covering buying experience, packaging (or lack of) and use and comparison. I think it's very fair.


Note: We are working on posh(ish) packaging. I'm personally only interested in the product, but I have become aware that customers do appreciate what it comes in. As an engineer though, it does seem a bit odd to spend time and energy designing, tweaking and testing something that will immediately be thrown away upon receipt by the customer.


Cheers





Clive
 
Clive Ward said:
Hi All,

Had a bit of feedback on the BLADE this week from a few customers.

This succinctly sums it up from a customer who has 'tried them all':

"I’ve already got a Didgex C50 with a ******.
Now getting the new Alpex LRF. Tested the torch last night very happy with it, can’t believe it’s so small. Held its own to the ****** no problem."

I've redacted the brand of their now 2nd favourite IR out of politeness.

And this gentleman has done a quick video review covering buying experience, packaging (or lack of) and use and comparison. I think it's very fair.


Note: We are working on posh(ish) packaging. I'm personally only interested in the product, but I have become aware that customers do appreciate what it comes in. As an engineer though, it does seem a bit odd to spend time and energy designing, tweaking and testing something that will immediately be thrown away upon receipt by the customer.


Cheers





Clive
Click to expand...

I save all boxes from goods bought and use them to send 2nd hand stuff out when I sell it.
Never open then throw useful stuff away.
Even keep the paling from inside too.
Also, Jiffy type cages are good for multiple use.
Cheers,Ken.
 
Clive Ward said:
Hi All,

Had a bit of feedback on the BLADE this week from a few customers.

This succinctly sums it up from a customer who has 'tried them all':

"I’ve already got a Didgex C50 with a ******.
Now getting the new Alpex LRF. Tested the torch last night very happy with it, can’t believe it’s so small. Held its own to the ****** no problem."

I've redacted the brand of their now 2nd favourite IR out of politeness.

And this gentleman has done a quick video review covering buying experience, packaging (or lack of) and use and comparison. I think it's very fair.


Note: We are working on posh(ish) packaging. I'm personally only interested in the product, but I have become aware that customers do appreciate what it comes in. As an engineer though, it does seem a bit odd to spend time and energy designing, tweaking and testing something that will immediately be thrown away upon receipt by the customer.


Cheers





Clive
Click to expand...

Ordered mine last Sunday night arrived Wednesday morning. Delighted with it to be honest and actually think the knurling is a nice touch. Not fussed on how it's packaged to be honest as long as it arrives undamaged. I have a BSDE, PBIR-L and a Wraith 2x to compare.
 
zerovarm said:
Ordered mine last Sunday night arrived Wednesday morning. Delighted with it to be honest and actually think the knurling is a nice touch. Not fussed on how it's packaged to be honest as long as it arrives undamaged. I have a BSDE, PBIR-L and a Wraith 2x to compare.
Click to expand...
Please feed back with a comparison, especially compared to the Wraith X2 👍
 
Andyquadra said:
Please feed back with a comparison, especially compared to the Wraith X2 👍
Click to expand...
Not a problem Andy. I've bought it to pair with a Hik 4k when they land. The Wraith is setup with my Vulpine Mk3 currently so next night out I'll bring the Blade along (off feet currently with a chest infection, hopefully not long). The Wraith will take some beating in my opinion.
 
zerovarm said:
Not a problem Andy. I've bought it to pair with a Hik 4k when they land. The Wraith is setup with my Vulpine Mk3 currently so next night out I'll bring the Blade along (off feet currently with a chest infection, hopefully not long). The Wraith will take some beating in my opinion.
Click to expand...
Thanks, my Wraith is currently with a Pard 007S, it is very good.
 
zerovarm said:
Not a problem Andy. I've bought it to pair with a Hik 4k when they land. The Wraith is setup with my Vulpine Mk3 currently so next night out I'll bring the Blade along (off feet currently with a chest infection, hopefully not long). The Wraith will take some beating in my opinion.
Click to expand...
The BLADES are setup (unless asked otherwise at time of order) for dedicated scopes. It will also work well enough with add on systems, as is, but...

If you want to use it with an add on and find the beam not quite tight enough, especially for higher magnification and longer range:

Undo the grub screw on the neck with a .9mm allen key...DO NOT LOOSE IT.
With the torch vertical, lens up, hold the lens by it's fixed part (not the focus adjuster) and unscrew it and remove it.
Remove the o-ring spacer between the lens and pill.
Unscrew the pill with a pair of tweezers or needle nose pliers.
Fit the o-ring spacer behind the shoulder of the pill.
Screw the pill back in until it touches, and then add 1/4 turn compressing the o-ring.
Screw the lens back in.
Refit the grub screw.

You will then be able to focus the beam very tightly at distance for use with an add on at high magnification.


Cheers





Clive
 
Clive Ward said:
The BLADES are setup (unless asked otherwise at time of order) for dedicated scopes. It will also work well enough with add on systems, as is, but...

If you want to use it with an add on and find the beam not quite tight enough, especially for higher magnification and longer range:

Undo the grub screw on the neck with a .9mm allen key...DO NOT LOOSE IT.
With the torch vertical, lens up, hold the lens by it's fixed part (not the focus adjuster) and unscrew it and remove it.
Remove the o-ring spacer between the lens and pill.
Unscrew the pill with a pair of tweezers or needle nose pliers.
Fit the o-ring spacer behind the shoulder of the pill.
Screw the pill back in until it touches, and then add 1/4 turn compressing the o-ring.
Screw the lens back in.
Refit the grub screw.

You will then be able to focus the beam very tightly at distance for use with an add on at high magnification.


Cheers





Clive
Click to expand...
I assure you Clive I won't be undoing any grub screws, removing seals or needing tweezers🤣 As stated it will be used with a Hik Alpex 4k so that would be fairer to use for any comparisons
 
Clive Ward said:
The BLADES are setup (unless asked otherwise at time of order) for dedicated scopes. It will also work well enough with add on systems, as is, but...

If you want to use it with an add on and find the beam not quite tight enough, especially for higher magnification and longer range:

Undo the grub screw on the neck with a .9mm allen key...DO NOT LOOSE IT.
With the torch vertical, lens up, hold the lens by it's fixed part (not the focus adjuster) and unscrew it and remove it.
Remove the o-ring spacer between the lens and pill.
Unscrew the pill with a pair of tweezers or needle nose pliers.
Fit the o-ring spacer behind the shoulder of the pill.
Screw the pill back in until it touches, and then add 1/4 turn compressing the o-ring.
Screw the lens back in.
Refit the grub screw.

You will then be able to focus the beam very tightly at distance for use with an add on at high magnification.


Cheers





Clive
Click to expand...
As tight focus as the Dark Engine Max Clive please?
 
Andyquadra said:
Please feed back with a comparison, especially compared to the Wraith X2 👍
Click to expand...
I can give you the comparison. I sent the blade back and still have the Wraith. The Blade came nowhere close to the Wraith when used with a rear add on. It was woeful. I emailed my dissatisfaction with an ask to return and following Clive's direction to have me adjust it (as above) to meet the needs of a rear add on, it still fell well short of the boasted performance. The Wraith beat it hands down. I then emailed again to ask on returns process. Strangely the first email was responded to immediately and the second email took forever to respond to and when I returned via recorded delivery, I had to chase my refund (I luckily had myself covered with evidence of return etc.). Buyer beware, if you have a dedicated nv scope it might be grand, but it comes nowhere close to the claimed performance for rear add on use and the customer service ebbs somewhat when the feedback lands. Cheers.
 
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