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Which IR Illuminator #5842820 07/22/15 03:26 PM
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hogwilde Offline OP
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I hunt hogs every year down in Texas but didn't start using night vision until 3 years ago. Night Vision equipment isn't legal here in my home state so I only use it approximately 2 weeks a year. I don't work with it much and know very little about it and reading the reviews on the internet can get confusing. I want to purchase a IR Illuminator that has more power than the built in units the two scopes I have now use. Some of you use your night vision weekly if not daily so I felt you would be better qualified to give me some recommendations. I have a Sightmark SM16016 3x60mm Night Raider with the built in IR they use and an ATN X-Sight 5-18 with their Illuminator. The one's I'm looking at right now are the Streamlight Super Tac IR, UNV 20IR Illuminator and the Surefire M1. I don't have a local dealer that handles these so I can't actually handle or see them here. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5842875 07/22/15 03:53 PM
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We got on these in and used it a few weeks ago on a crappy night for NV
Even with Gen3 you couldn't see cows at 400 yards..

With this IR it was like a lightwsitch.

http://www.steiner-optics.com/laser-devices/spir

Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5842926 07/22/15 04:27 PM
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Jhop Offline
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I use a UNV 20IR and I like it. Has three modes and you can focus the beam or make it really wide. I've found the lowest power setting works best. I've also found mounting it has far away as possible helps a lot. I use a one inch riser and a Burris signature Z ring(high) to mount it on top of my Armasight Nemisis 6XQS(Gen 2).


Retired U. S. Army, which means I still have to work to make a living.
Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5843306 07/22/15 08:36 PM
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From what I've seen the SPIR is about as good as it gets. That said, the SPIR is literally 7x more expensive than the Streamlight Super Tac. How far do you shoot? The Super Tac is good well past 200 yards with Gen 3. I haven't tried it with digital, so I can't give you a number, but it's pretty darn good for shooting at reasonable ranges.


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Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5850982 07/28/15 12:39 AM
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hogwilde Offline OP
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Until this year I haven't had to shoot any farther than 60 yards but the landowner put me in a blind over a peanut field and the shots were out to 300 yards. The equipment I had wouldn't reach any where near that distance.

Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5851168 07/28/15 02:22 AM
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My longest shot with UNV 20IR was 360 yards. It'll illuminate much farther than that. 360 yard shot at night of a brush guard on the front of a pickup truck is a very tuff shot to make.


Retired U. S. Army, which means I still have to work to make a living.
Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5852256 07/28/15 08:33 PM
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X2 on the UNV 20IR smile

Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5853068 07/29/15 11:28 AM
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Same thing for 25% the price...
T-20 IR Illuminator on Amazon

Last edited by Rockfish Dave; 07/29/15 11:29 AM.
Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5853313 07/29/15 02:37 PM
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I just ordered a T-20 for testing. Thanks for the suggestion. I've lusted after a SPIR for a while now, but I flinch every time that I see the price tag.


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Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5853605 07/29/15 05:21 PM
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I use the unv20 and like it.



Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5853625 07/29/15 05:32 PM
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I have a couple of Sightmark 805s that work well with gen 1, 2 and my N750.
They don't work well at all with the Photon 5X.
I also have a Streamlight SuperTac IR that makes the Photon 5X and N750 see much further than I wish to shoot but it can be overpowering at less than 100 yards.

If I had it to do over, I would be using the UNV version....the versatility of this unit trumps the others I have tried.

I just received a new Pulsar N750A yesterday but haven't tested any of them with it as it's a full moon!


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Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: Jhop] #5863123 08/04/15 08:26 PM
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I have a Streamlight TLR-1 IR unit that throws surprisingly well for its size. out of the ones you recommend, I'd say the Streamlight Supertac IR is going to be the absolute best bang for the buck. It show throw REALLY well with that big @ss reflector. Price is definitely doable at $120.

The Surefire M1 is good for ranges up close to about 50-75 yards, but is more of a general use/navigation light.

The UNV 20IR is the most overpriced unit you can possibly buy. It seems to be a rebranded Chinese IR zoom light.
This one looks just like what UNV offers, but is only $35:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/T38-809-mini-Hun...=item3cf226f937

Last edited by clandr1; 08/04/15 08:29 PM.
Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5863186 08/04/15 09:02 PM
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The T20 arrived and passed the 30 second back yard test. I'll try to give it a more serious work out in the near future. I will say this: it's certainly worth $35 as a backup, if nothing more.


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Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5865511 08/06/15 03:39 AM
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hogwilde Offline OP
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This gives me a better idea of what to try and I believe I'll pickup a T-20 also just because the price is low enough that if it failed within a short period of time it still wouldn't break the bank. I thank all of you with your suggestions. It looks like the Streamlight would be my best choice for now.

Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5865664 08/06/15 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted By: hogwilde
This gives me a better idea of what to try and I believe I'll pickup a T-20 also just because the price is low enough that if it failed within a short period of time it still wouldn't break the bank. I thank all of you with your suggestions. It looks like the Streamlight would be my best choice for now.


The T-20 is the same thing UNV is selling for $200. In an old thread I provided the information to order direct from the manufacturer in China. The manufacturer will even laser engrave your logo on the lights for free on orders over 100 if I recall correctly. The unit price from the manufacturer is only around $15, but you can negotiate that lower.

Just get the T-20 you will be no better or worse off, other than saving a boat load of $.

PM me if you want to buy my old Streamlight, as I no longer use it.

Last edited by Rockfish Dave; 08/06/15 11:54 AM.
Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5865676 08/06/15 12:04 PM
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Found the old post:

Chargers:
Smart Universal Soshine H4 Digital LCD A...rger + AC Power

Sources and info links:
The UK Night Vision Forum had sources direct at a lower cost, but more hassle.
[Link to the forum thread]

Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: Rockfish Dave] #5866611 08/06/15 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted By: Rockfish Dave
Originally Posted By: hogwilde
This gives me a better idea of what to try and I believe I'll pickup a T-20 also just because the price is low enough that if it failed within a short period of time it still wouldn't break the bank. I thank all of you with your suggestions. It looks like the Streamlight would be my best choice for now.


The T-20 is the same thing UNV is selling for $200. In an old thread I provided the information to order direct from the manufacturer in China. The manufacturer will even laser engrave your logo on the lights for free on orders over 100 if I recall correctly. The unit price from the manufacturer is only around $15, but you can negotiate that lower.

Just get the T-20 you will be no better or worse off, other than saving a boat load of $.

PM me if you want to buy my old Streamlight, as I no longer use it.


I agree. The UNV T20 is way over priced and my converted T20 with a 52mm lens is way brighter. I recently tested a Sniper Hog Lights 66LR IR and it is so much brighter than the T20 its embarrasing. And its like $100

Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5867321 08/07/15 03:58 AM
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I bought a T-20 for my first photon it works great. Just bought a second photon so I ordered a second T-20.

Just my 2 pennies.

Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: miket1] #5867350 08/07/15 04:14 AM
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Originally Posted By: miket1

I agree. The UNV T20 is way over priced and my converted T20 with a 52mm lens is way brighter. I recently tested a Sniper Hog Lights 66LR IR and it is so much brighter than the T20 its embarrasing. And its like $100


They sell the T-67 on Amazon as well, that's where I got mine for $45 delivered if I recall correctly. They had both long and short tube versions. I bought the long versions (2 batteries).


Last edited by Rockfish Dave; 08/07/15 11:32 AM.
Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: Rockfish Dave] #5867664 08/07/15 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted By: Rockfish Dave
Originally Posted By: miket1

I agree. The UNV T20 is way over priced and my converted T20 with a 52mm lens is way brighter. I recently tested a Sniper Hog Lights 66LR IR and it is so much brighter than the T20 its embarrasing. And its like $100


They sell the T-67 on Amazon as well, that's where I got mine for $45 delivered if I recall correctly. They had both long and short tube versions. I bought the long versions (2 batteries).




Very interesting. Does it use the Oslon Black LED? Sniper Hog Lights uses a different LED, I honestly had my doubts that it would beat my self converted T20 with the Oslon Black but it does. Are you by chance located anywhere near the Montgomery Plantersville area? I would like to compare the 2 in the next few weeks.

Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5867709 08/07/15 02:32 PM
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I searched for the T-67 on Amazon and didn't find anything. Do you have a link?


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Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5868179 08/07/15 07:24 PM
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Looks like the guy I bought mine from isn't carrying any at the moment: Evloa IR Illuminator

Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5886784 08/20/15 02:35 AM
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Hey guys I'm pretty new to nightvision and I'm wondering is 1500mw a good power output for a IR device? I'm looking at the Nitecore C16. It looks like a cool little torch. Also does anyone know the mw output for the streamlight super tac ir? I know a lot of people recommend that one for the price.

Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5887934 08/20/15 09:21 PM
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I don't think that light has a powerful IR function. I would pass on it.


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Re: Which IR Illuminator [Re: hogwilde] #5888546 08/21/15 05:39 AM
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firemed13 Offline
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I have a pulsar n750 and use the TNVC torch pro which I think is currently on sale. Easy illumination out to 400 yards.

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