What do you think is the best rifle mountable IR illuminator with a focusable beam? I'm currently using the Streamlight Super Tac, and it does a pretty good job, but I'd really like something with a focusable beam, if only to reduce glare when around trees and brush. Variable intensity would also be really nice.

Best is very subjective but, I just bought a Nite Snipe NS550. I did a lot of research and watched as many videos as I could find of comparisons. For the price, it should do what I want to do with it paired with my Sightmark Wraith 2-16x28. I haven't taken it hunting yet but hope to soon.

After looking around, I'm strongly considering the Luna Optics ELIR Laser illuminator. It's not cheap, so if anyone has any negative feedback about the device, I'd appreciate the input.

You can spend as much money as you want. Flashlight Voodoo is everywhere. Let me tell you it won't shine any better than a cheap ebay t20 to t50.

I bought mine when It was really hard to get a 950nm pill. But now you can get a uf-t50 850nm on ebay for $50. Don't buy into the hype.


850nm UF-T50

Select the IR-850nm Flashlight

In theory, the Luna Optics unit mentioned above is both focusable and dimmable. Also, in theory, the fact that it's a laser rather than an LED should reduce the reflection backsplash when in semi-brush.

That's the theory, anyway.

Laser seam to have more grain or shadows. It's nice to see out to 500 yards but the lasers I have have imperfections that leave the view mottled. It is hard to beat a t50 with a good 850nm pill.

I don't need to shoot beyond 200 yards, but I was attracted to the focused beam and the reduced reflection.

I had an evil a that I really liked but can’t find them on amazon anymore. They were nice especially for price

I bought an ODEPRO KL52 IR light for my Photon RT4.5S. Changed the range and quality substantially! For about $90 on Amazon get the IR light, charger, dimmer switch, etc. It is dimmable and zoomable. I use to only see about 175 yards with the on board IR light and it was not very bright. Now I can see 300 plus yards but to 200 yards is a lot brighter and clearer picture than before. Made my inexpensive Photon look amazing. I had no idea how a better IR Light not only can increase distance but clarity as well. I also tried a EVOLA T-20 and on the Photon I could not tell much of a difference than what came on the unit unless both were on at the same time. When both were on at the same time, it got a little brighter picture but not anymore distance.

That looks like a nice unit, but how did you mount it? It didn't appear to come with a picatinny rail mount.

Kit includes a ring to mount the IR light to a rail. Also, has this other device that lets you adjust the light but a little bulky for me so I don't use it. A friend with an ATN NV Scope ordered one and said he has been happy with it.

Be sure to search the following:

Odepro KL52-IR Zoomable 1312ft IR850nm Infrared Light with Dimmer Remote Switch for Hunting. THen look at the pics and all the stuff that comes with the light.


I almost bought the Streamlight you have but new I wanted a way to focus the beam so went this direction.

I ordered the Odepro today, so we'll see what we see. Right now it's 20% off on Amazon.

One thing a lot of people overlook when getting an IR light is the ability to move and point to light to the center of your screen view.

Lots of those lights just mount in a scope ring, and where it aims is well... where it aims.

The lights I use have a ring mount that incorporates a swivel type adjustment. You tighten the beam down to the brightest square, then move the light to be in the center of your field of view, then tighten the mount down until it's ridged.

When you want to see more than a couple hundred yards, you can tighten the beam, and see much, much further.

Another plus, is the ability to tighten the beam when hunting in brush, and not be getting whiteout in your scope from reflecting light off of brush a wide beam light may be hitting.

Sometimes you just get what you pay for.

If you want a wide beam and only be able to see 2-300 yards, and hunt in open areas where whiteout from brush isn't an issue, then you may not need a better light system.

I can see much further than I can shoot...Clear view out to 800 yards or so. And can tighten the beam to not get whiteout when shooting down senderos, or ranch roads.

To me, after trial and error, it would be like mounting a scope on a rifle without sighting it in. Just because it is pointed in the same direction, doesn't mean the light is hitting center of view.

BVR, what kind of scope/illuminator are you using to go to 800 yards? I can get around 300 yds out of my Wraith with factory illuminator in excellent conditions.

I have two that will light up that distance.

First is the Coyote Cannon 850nm. Made my Sniper Hog Lights.

Here's how it's mounted..



The other, on my .308 is a 66LRX by Sniper Hog Lights.

Have it mounted on my .308.



I sure don't try to shoot that far, but seeing that far can be helpful when locating hogs in a field.

Sexiest post of the day! Love the black and red

BbarVRanch, what mount did you use to attach your illuminator to your pic rail? Inquiring minds want to know.

I just used the adjustable mount that came with the light package.

The inside of the rings have a swivel capability. Just point the light to the center of your viewer screen on the night vision, and tighten it down.

Has worked well for me.

https://sniperhoglights.com/predator-pro-rail-mount/

Bbar VRanch - Does the Sniper Hog 66LRX feel lighter / smaller on your gun than the Coyote Cannon. I almost bought one of those but felt like a huge light hanging off the side might be difficult, but would love the range and may be able to live with the smaller of the two? I hunt inside blinds so banging a light on a window, etc. will be harder with a larger light.

I have both.

Just for the reasons you mention, I prefer the 66LRX.

I don't notice an appreciable difference in the distances I can see. Upwards of 800 yards or so. Further than I can shoot, for sure.