Thread: IR Torch options

What's out there in the 800-850nm range that has a really good output?

I'm finding my nightvision's onboard IR light is struggling to illuminate out far enough, however if I use a red filtered spotlight (EG visible red light) then I can see as far as I want, which tells me it's an illuminator issue rather than the limits of the optics.

I've tried 950nm illuminators but the scope is already struggling to get enough light, so I don't think that's a good solution.

I'd prefer to go with a true IR illuminator rather than keep putting red filters on regular lights.

I've been doing some digging and on the UK forums quite a few people recommend vcsel chip driven IR illuminators (basically a laser diode rather than plain LED), but they don't seem to be common in NZ, or I'm looking in the wrong places.

Any suggestions?

@ANOTHERHUNTER

I have been using the Convoy C8+ Infrared 850nm from peircing the darkness . it is compact and fits nicely on the picatinny peice on the side of my sytong. It gives a much better image at 300 m but seems to disappear after that , maybe 350m. I think that is plenty far enough for night shooting. I like that it spreads the battery load between the 2 devices too as you can turn off the ir torch on the sytong while using it. An issue can be that any grass or even a fence wire etc that is in front of your scope really reflects a massive amount of light back at you mucking up your sight picture. Need to be shooting off sticks mostly. Have shot deer out to 230m with it no problem .Hope that helps.