IR Torches (Question)

I have two samples that I'm needing some help deciding which to sell.

Option 1:

- 2 year warranty
- top build quality
- remote switch with dimmer (without remote switch it's just a normal clicky with 2x modes)
- 850nm at approx 450-500m
- adjustable focus
- focused spot fills screen
- 27.1mm body dia (makes it harder to sort mounts, can 3D Print 27-30mm adapters)
- $180 incl battery and switch

Option 2:

- 6 months warranty minimum (1 year from my date of purchase, so 6 months + perhaps)
- good quality
- no remote switch, just a dimmer and noiseless switch on the torch
- 850nm at 1000m+ (on a good night I'm getting 1200m)
- adjustable focus
- focused spot is a small square approx 1/3 of screen
- 25.4mm body (standard mount dia)
- interchangeable modules
- $140- 150 incl battery

Using a Pard NV008S LRF

I thought it was pretty amazing to get that second unit just hitting a hill over 2000m away.

I’d go option 2 if was me


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the second one sounds better all round

I'd probably go with option two to avoid mounting hassels. The extra range is nice but not necessary to me, I use a handheld thermal for spotting and 450m would be enough light range for me. I don't generally shoot further than about 380m at night as a rule with NV.

Are these VCSEL or LED? Weight and bulk are also important, what does each weigh. What battery? Whats the diameter of the Lens, smaller diameter means it can sit closer against the side of the scope without interfering with say the range finder on the front of an Alpex.

VSCEL for both

Option 1: Brinyte ZT40

Weight: 231g incl 21700 battery
Head: 54.5mm
Length: 149.6mm

With the standard switch and remote, both have a very audible click for on/off. That could be an issue.

Option 2:

Weight: 269g incl 21700 battery
Head: 44.2mm
Length: 175mm

There is another more compact option for approx 450m. This uses an 18650 battery. Only issue is that the body is 30mm, or 25.4mm but halfway focused in. That's probably not an issue for IR.

Being adjustable models they ideally need to be paired with a mount with adjustable windage and elevation. On the mount they'll both be a good distance away from the scope. I see some just shim a standard low profile mount to line the focused beam to the crosshairs.

The Brinyte ZT40 comes in another variant called the T40 which has a picatinny mount built onto it, just not sure it's best if an adjustable mount is needed or there's no rail.

I’d suggest option 1. You are very unlikely to be shooting further than that at night. My concern with option 2 is that to get that sort of range there would be a lot of reflection off vegetation between you and the animal, and the red glow would presumably be much brighter on option 2 so more likely to be noticed.

What range are these getting out of the 940nm units?

The normal adjustable mount that is available has plenty of material to bore it to take a 27.1mm body.

To me the overall range of the torch indicates the relative brightness at shorter shooting ranges vs the possibility of actually shooting something at that maximum viewing range. So for example I would expect that at, say, 300m you would get a brighter image with option B vs option A. Some factors to consider are.
1: The effect of various optics on how efficiently they can utilise the available IR light. Dedicated NV scopes are the most efficient, add on's like the Sytong or Pard 007 are less efficient particularly when used with more expensive optics with high end lens coatings, these coating tend to block some of the available IR light and therefor require more available IR light.
2: Atmospheric conditions, Nights with a heavy dew for example will cut down the IR light effectiveness because of the high moisture content in the air, the same thing applies to drizzle or fog. I think I would go for option B.

Jacob please let me know what you decide with these IR lights. I need another one and would prefer to buy from you vs import from the UK. I can wait.

I’d say there would be a good market for a good Nz based ir light, I brought a irlightbuild ir from Scotland which is amazing but he won’t send to nz anymore


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Yep option 2