X-Sight Power Supply

So I've been lurking and following the X-Sight saga here for about 12 months (thanks to everyone for the information and insights) and after reading the largely positive feedback on the 1.8.06.296 firmware, I decided to pick up a 5x X-Sight as my first venture into night vision and to have the ability to record within the scope. So far I’m running firmware 1.8.07.343 and I'm happy with it.

As other users are aware it is fairly power hungry as are most other digital NV units so I am playing with making an external power supply. So in aid of that, I decided to do some power measurements to evaluate what sort of runtime I could expect from different battery solutions.

The only other data I found on power consumption was the info here, originally posted on a UK forum.

I decided to do my own testing with the latest firmware. All measurements taken with the X-Sight running off a 3V supply using firmware 1.8.07.343.

Standby Current: 150uA
Startup draw: ~535mA
On, Viewfinder brightness Minimum (WiFi off, GPS off): 1.242W
On, Viewfinder brightness Maximum (WiFi off, GPS off): 1.284W
Sleep mode: 0.924W
Wifi On adds 0.243W
Wifi On and streaming video adds 0.276W
GPS adds 0.186W

The low battery indicator comes on at 2.67V
The image degrades with noise at less than 1.96V
The scope shuts off at 1.91V

There is not any appreciable difference in power consumption between running day mode or night mode.

These results are significantly lower than the UK results (1.8W Wifi and GPS off, 2W with Wifi and GPS on), possible explanations are that there have been several firmware revisions (and possibly hardware revisions?) since Dec ’14 when these results were posted, and also the test setup could have been different.

With these results I thought the option that will best suit me is running the X-Sight off a USB power bank or other external lithium rechargeable battery pack. I’ve read that 5V power can be supplied through the microUSB connector but I don’t really like that idea firstly because it requires batteries to be present to startup the sight and also because I worry that the microUSB connector will be damaged either from trying to plug in the cable in the dark or from the cable or connector being knocked or pulled.

So to avoid the issues with the microUSB port, I have been playing around with some designs to allow an external connection through the battery compartment. The design of the compartment with all the guides doesn’t really make it easy to fit everything in, but I think I’ve got a concept that will work. Just need to work on getting a voltage regulator in there.

Interesting approach! Please keep us apprised of your progress.

this works great, all night power and not a problem with the micro usb due to the solid grommet that holds it.

grommet set, comes with 5-6 of the right size.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00552Q...ailpage_o01_s00

6' 90* micro usb cable (I use the 6' so I can carry the battery pack in a shirt or pant pocket, much easier)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AR6...ailpage_o01_s00

20000 mah power supply, this runs all night for me (on the 5-18 I had and now on the 3-12), has digital power level display and 2 usb ports on top so it hooks up and stores easily while in use.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OHZV...ailpage_o02_s00


for about 50.00 total cost and a little time to fit the micro usb to the grommet you get a very usable power supply and it will even recharge rechargeable batteries while using the scope. win win

hopalong, how about a picture of the finished product mounted on your 3-12?

I keep the wire coiled around the stock for storage, power pack goes in my pocket to hunt and the 6' cord makes it very easy to use without getting in the way.

the light in the power level window goes out in about 5 seconds when plugged in, does not stay on.

Neat solution hopalong. Thanks for posting the pics.

Do you just leave the batteries in all the time while hunting?
What sort of batteries do you have in there? NiMH I guess?

When you say it charges the batteries, do you know what sort of current/voltage is applied to the batteries?

the pack has 2 outputs, both are 5v with one @ 1a and the other at 2.1a (I use the 2.1a). batteries now are energizers, no need to use rechargeable when the pack is hooked up but I do have a couple of sets, some energizer rechargeable and some westinghouse 2000mah (I prefer these). batteries stay in due to being needed to start, scope draws no power from them while the pack is hooked up.


one other thing about this power pack that I kinda like, it has an led light between the usb ports, makes it easy in the dark to hook up but is not so bright as to be a problem.

Great! Thanks for the pictures and the detailed explanation!

How did you modify the sd card cover cap to accept the usb connector? Or is that something you made?

it is a rubber grommet, the one in the pic is actually 2 of them, large has a hole in center (makes it easier to cut and modify) and smaller one fit perfect but still had to have one side trimmed off.

the usb plug being on the side and close to the edge makes it a little difficult to cut and fit but once done it is sealed up tight.

Ok, I see what it is now. It is a rubber cap, that you cut a hole in and inserted a rubber grommet into.

I will post a pic of what I used later, they are out in the shop.