Here is the LDI Neutral Density IR Filter installed on my DBAL-D2:
Here is the MonoCam/PVS-14 setup, will use it tonight to see how the filter performs with the IR laser:
The LDI Neutral Density Filter works absolutely perfect and sheds the bloom, leaving a nice precise laser beam footprint!
Here are the photos of it from my MonoCam ITT PVS-14 setup at 175 yards using exact same camera settings, one set is 1X and the other set is zoomed in some for a close up of the beam footprint.
You just leave the filter cap on over the lasers for low power, and flip the cap over to use high power, super simple and it even works now if you had forgotten to flip the cap to begine with and then needed to use it…
It does not make any mention of the filter strength on the filter or the packaging from LDI.
But this LDI Neutral Density filter works great on the DBAL-D2 turning it into a two level IR laser, low & high, there is another model available for the DBAL-I2 and OTAL & ITAL lasers…
Low seems to be equal to about 0.1mW and High is of course 0.7mW.
Here is a comparison shot from my 0.1mW LASTAC pistol laser compared to the 0.7mW IR DBAL-I2:
Here is the pictorial story of the LASTAC 0.1mW IR laser compared to the DBAL-D2 0.7mW IR laser close up @ 30 yards and @ 175 yards to show the major decrease in bloom associated with the use of the LDI Neutral Density Filter on a 0.7mW IR laser footprint:
Outstanding thread. I really appreciate your method of comparing the different configurations and using the LASTAC as a control. What are your thoughts on the build quality, ease of adjustment, durability, ability to retain zero etc on the devices you tested? I’ve found the rubber band style filters to be pretty durable when I’m actually using the weapn but they seem to want to come off or snap when they’re bouncing around in a case or vehicle.
I am using two DBAL-D2s and a DBAL-I2 for hog and coyote hunts.
Although I use two FLIR Thermal Weapon Clip-On sights for lethal shots once we get setup, the ability to utilize helmet mounted PVS-14s and IR lasers for lethal shots on the long hikes to our feeders and traps deep in the woods and swamps while hiking on cattle trails is a big plus. We kill allot of hogs and coyotes this way.
Of course, having the nice IR Illuminators on the DBAL-D2s helps allot as does the TNVC Torch Pro on the rifle with the DBAL-I2, but still the laser bloom has been a continuing problem for us when trying to make lethal shots in close to medium range encounters out past 100 yards.
The Neutral Density filters pretty much solve that problem.
As to the quality of the LDI DBAL-D2 and DBAL-I2 laser, I just bought another one last week because they are so damn good to have and use. I have not experienced any problems with them while riding around in pickups, ATVs, UTV, or long hikes. I’d say they are first class Mil-Spec instrument, just like the FLIR Thermals are…
I’m still not seeing the benefit of having a DBAL/ITAL/OTAL over a LASTAC…even on a carbine.
Skypup, I know I’ve asked you about this before, but now that you’ve had more use with each system, could you maybe provide some insight as to the pros cons of each?
Also, I’m talking about usage/shots within the 175yds or so that you showed in your pics. Just seems the LASTAC gives you everything you would need, and nothing you don’t with less fuss and lower price. Throw it on at 12:00 like you would an X300 on an AR and it would be a pretty ergonomic setup, correct? Am I missing something?
For one, the DBAL’s have both visible and IR lasers and are built to cowitness both lasers, once you sight one in the other is sighted in too.
THe LAS/TAC is either visible or IR, but not both. Also, the DBAL series housing is mil-spec, not polymer, so they will take allot more abuse.
That said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using a LAS/TAC IR for night hunts, they do hold zero and are super light weight.
The Visible Green laser on both my DBAL-D2s and my DBAL-I2 certainly comes in handy at dusk and dawn when you can use the visible laser at extreme ranges with a handheld thermal scanner like the FLIR PS-32 or LS-64 series, as well as during the middle of the day in heavy forest canopy.
I mounted my LAS/TAC on my Ruger 10/22 for night patrols using my helmet mounted PVS-14 and the TNVC Torch Pro 850nm IR Illuminator and it is a piece of cake to snipe out armadillos in the garden at 75 feet!
I think the only thing that I would like more about the DBAL is the ease of sighting in and the fact that it’s theoretically more durable. However, I really don’t care to have a VIS laser for anything outside of a co-witness sighting process to be honest, so I think the LASTAC may be best.
You would be amazed at exactly how well those visible Green 0.7mW DBAL lasers work at dawn and dusk when there is allot of activity and unable to utilize NVOs due to too much light. They spot out at least as far as my lethal cartridge range is >200 yards.
They also work extremely well in dense forest during the day.
The cowitness with the IR is a great benefit as it is almost always a hassle checking the IR POA at night.
I would agree with the green laser at dawn/dusk for a hunting rig, but not so much for a fighting gun. Lasers work both ways, so I would rather use my RDS for that.
And yeah, the co-witness for the sight-in process would be MUCH easier than just IR, no doubt.
Okay, I received a few PM’s wondering how the Neutral Density filter performs with the DBAL-D2 IR laser, so here is the DBAL-D2 IR Illum and 0.7mW IR Laser @ 175 yards with NO Filter:
Here is the same shot with the Neutral Density Filter On:
As is the case with most Night Vision photography, the real thing is always better than the internet photos are…
One thing is for certain and that is the Bloom is completely GONE!
