I did some digging/searching on here and haven’t found a recent thread on IR illuminators in quite a few years. I am looking for info on a good weapon mounted system. Yes, I am aware of the MAWL but wondering about other options out there. School me.
A lot of folks are pairing a DBAL-A3 or 9007 with an Luna ELIR3, saving some bucks and having similar performance.
The Luna is hands down the best and most cost effective illuminator on the market. You would need an aiming laser to couple with it however.
Robert speaks big facts.
I love the DBAL 9007 as it’s cost effective and I have no need for a visible laser. Coupled with an LED illuminator & TAPS it’s as good as my needs require.
If a simple IR pointer will fill the need, the Steiner mini TOR is a neat little unit . And very friendly on the wallet. Santa gave me one this year, and mounted up on a 300 BO it works great. Coupled it with a surefire IR light head.
I’m using the same setup on a rattler. It works well, but the ergonomics leave something to be desired since there is no remote switch for the TOR.
I’m wondering how that would compare to a Modlite IR-850 couple with a IR laser.
I’ve mentioned this before in other threads but I’m using a CQBL paired with an IR light on a Unity TAPS Sync.
I was originally using a Modlite IR850 but recently picked up the Malkoff EXIR250 from Arisaka and think that’s the way I’ll end up going.
Benefits of this setup for me are numerous.
Cost - can dang near buy 3 of these setups for every one MAWL
Modular - can take the light off when not using NODS
Size/Weight - comparable to what’s on the market for all in one units, but can be smaller/lighter without the light attached
Slaved lasers on CQBL (not the case for DBAL IR 9000 series units) allow me to zero during the day (and yes the vis laser sucks for most of the daylight hours)
The Luna is fully adjustable for power and beam. Dial it down to a light sabre at distance or open the flood to wider FOV than your NODs at shorter range. Power is fully adjustable as well.
How does the Perst-4 compare to some of the Steiner offerings such as DBAL or CQBL? The price of the Perst is the deciding factor for most people but what would be given up with some of the cheaper ir illuminations/lasers?
I second this- a DBAL-A3 with a quality IR LED light will serve you well. I’m running a TAPS Sync switch to take advantage of the M620V on my rifle.
For an idea about what kind of performance to expect from a 620V- the plate rack in the vid below is 50 yards out and was crystal clear from my POV. Anecdotally, I’ll use the laser’s illuminator for more point-illumination (like a balcony/window) at distances greater than 50ish yards, and the 620V handles everything else.
[video=youtube_share;Sjn9-6RT0RE]https://youtu.be/Sjn9-6RT0RE[/video]
That’s good shooting. If I were a tyrant I’d fear you.
If you intend to get a MAWL, I’d take a gander here to avoid getting burned by a vendor: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?228660-Operational-Detachment-Source&p=2929473#post2929473
I’m currently rocking a Modlight IR 940, which is OK. I wish for more throw. T2/Scalarworks 1.9” works quite nicely, just have to remember to change the setting, so its not great for transitioning from IR to white light at an entrance. Dual illuminated RMR is actually pretty decent for that. Something I need to explore more, perhaps as a piggyback. I need to test that somewhere with black matte walls.
DBAL D2 is as good as the MAWL-C+ in output. In fact, its rather impressive. I’m in the market for a FP PEQ-15 for a clone, BTW. They work better than some guntubers imply. I like the button on top and the standardized switch port.
Perst has impressive output, but falls short in other ways.
Sorry to hear you got screwed. Call your card immediately and dispute the charge right away. If they give you crap about the time involved tell them you were informed there was a lead time with the product, hence why you waited a bit to give the vendor a chance to deliver the product.
There is a reason your card shouldn’t be charged until an order is shipping out- it’s the ethical way to do business. If a business doesn’t have enough “float” (cash of their own) to finance their business there is no reason for YOU to finance it for them. And that’s exactly what’s happening when a company charges your card upfront for something that won’t ship for months- they are using YOUR money to finance THEIR business.
I hear you. Resolution in progress with the vendor. That thread got me the phone call I needed that night. I’ll remove that link and update the currently locked thread when my resolution is satisfactory.
FWIW, info provided by BEMeyers after that thread was started matches info provided by the vendor in that phone call.
You have any MAWLs laying around?
I refuse to give someone money if a product isn’t ready to ship. I don’t need whatever it is badly enough to have to place my trust in them that they will do the right thing when they hold thousands of my shekels.
1168 got his issue sorted out, so that’s good.
Glad to hear it.
We don’t sell the MAWL.
I’m kicking myself in the ass for not picking one up when Big Tex sent me an email they had them in stock. :mad:
I passed on at least 3 opportunities that I know of because I already had one backordered and paid for.
There are aspects of the MAWL that I like. The size for one. Mounting it high on the right with a white light below seems like a good set up. I also like the easy selectability and dual function buttons. Control position can’t really be adjusted by the user much, but sometimes too much freedom leads to overthinking vs just learning the system. I’m sure I’d learn it easy enough. What I don’t like is the price. Basically the same money as a full power PEQ new in the bag. Not saying they are gouging, it costs money to innovate and make product. Just comparing on what I find of value.
As mentioned, the Steiner OTAL is a pretty good value. It’s a no brainer for mounting on backup/secondary guns. Not that it can’t be used as your primary, just saying it lends itself to buying in bulk. Yes, you need to pair it with illum. but stand alone can allow for some freedom in your selections. Works with standard laser switches.
Personally for my money my primary in the dark monster hunter is the full power PEQ. Yeah, it’s old school. Guess what… it still works as intended even if it ain’t tip of the spear cool. They are vetted and pretty much bulletproof. They are switch controllable, or there is the easy button right there on top. Switching modes in the dark can be a pain, but experience and familiarity help. The “standard” full power 15 is easily available new, legally, if a little “grey market”. I run an LA-5B. Same unit with hotter high illum. and a hotter vis laser. The 5s are a small premium over the 15 but I like the extra illum. I also like the hotter vis laser. Sure it is a little more useful as a daylight laser, but mostly it helps get a good zero at range with the slaved IR laser.
I honestly don’t know enough about the DBALs to say anything of value. I can’t even keep track of which one is which. Same with the Russian job.
I had a chance to play with a RAPTAR. Not much, I didn’t really even get a handle on its capabilities. I would love to really learn/run one. It seems pretty awesome. At a basic level it’s a PEQ with a rangefinder, but the controllability of it seemed cool.
That’s my .02. In for more info.
Oh, can we get a dedicated “Do S#!t in the Dark” area. I appreciate the work it takes to make and operate this forum. I couldn’t do it. It’s just that lights, lasers, NODs, thermal,… the posts end up scattered about. A nightlarper section would be awesome.
Where can I buy a new FP PEQ15 or LA5 right now?
yeah, I feel like I need a PHD to sort through Steiner’s laser catalog. Kinda like Holosun’s dot catalog.
Moderators, a forum for vampires, please.