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.

Go to this website https://www.nightvisionstore.co.uk/
I have both the Black sun dark engine blade in 850nm and the Black sun V20 in 940nm. they are both VCSEL torches. The 850nm will go out to around 450m with my Pard Night stalker.
the 940nm about 350m. They are both very compact.
What night vision scope are you using?

Black Sun Dark Engine Max from NV store uk linked by zero pak is a good unit for the price. Pretty large though because of the lense which allows a tight beam for very long range illumination.

Step up from that to laserluchs maybe.

What NV are you using?

Also buy a variable output / dial tail cap switch for dark engine stuff if you can. You don't want to blow out your sensor with max output on a close target.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Roamr

Black Sun Dark Engine Max from NV store uk linked by zero pak is a good unit for the price. Pretty large though because of the lense which allows a tight beam for very long range illumination.

Step up from that to laserluchs maybe.

What NV are you using?

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Yes the Max is a large unit. The blade is much more compact and around ½ the weight. It comes with a beam intensity dial on the end cap. Sp does the V20. The blade is the latest version of the Black sun models, and the most expensive. Value for money the V20 is a great deal and gives up very little in performance to the new Dark engine blade. I have also had the V20 in 850nm, I sold it to buy the dark engine blade, so I have seen the differences.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zeropak

Yes the Max is a large unit. The blade is much more compact and around ½ the weight. It comes with a beam intensity dial on the end cap. Sp does the V20. The blade is the latest version of the Black sun models, and the most expensive. Value for money the V20 is a great deal and gives up very little in performance to the new Dark engine blade. I have also had the V20 in 850nm, I sold it to buy the dark engine blade, so I have seen the differences.

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Ive ordered the V20. Big price difference between that and the Blade. Converting pounds to NZD is a shocking experience. Freight was 33 pounds. I need to go and lay down.