Great post and hope more people ask this very question with other brands and imports we see out there.  Not sure why folks do not, but you brought up IR Defense, a TRUE US company that builds it's entire line up in northern California.  Let me digress....

Since I started this company in 2005 or so, I made a commitment to only carry brands that we trust our lives on and that means we here at TNVC test internally each and every product we decide to offer.  A lot goes into this decision and a very expensive one on our behalf of time and effort.  In regards to IR Defense, (which was no different that any other company we test products for our use) I personally took part in this one almost a year ago when we were first approached to carry this scope. We knew it was a new US company with the owner who had designed and built some major thermal devices in the past and we were presented with all the sales info.  IR Defense asked us to become a distributor at that time with all our TNVC logo's to be used on their web site, social media, NRA show etc.  At that time we declined for the very reason I outlined, that we had not tested their products, nor understood what this company was all about.  Yes, we heard from others, that the new MK I was a shooters scope, looked great etc. and that we should carry it.  Either way, we declined, and asked for scopes to run under our shooting tests. Another important step I took (once again with all major NV products we offer).

After we tested the MK 1 for approx. 5 months, the next step was to visit IR Defense. I flew up there in person to see the actual operation and where the units were actually manufactured AND assembled.along with meeting their staff.  One of their senior engineers was from the former Night Vision Equipment Company - NVEC, (now DRS) who had built some pretty impressive military thermal devices in the past I personally had used for a long time. Their operation was top notch and the manufacturing process  and their testing procedures included in-depth QA in house and from actual shooting testing protocols. I came away very impressed, and this was the last step in our decision making process to carry the IR Hunters.

As I have mentioned many times before, TNVC could be a company that carry's every line of NV devices out there and make a TON of money "selling".  It's not what we're about, and as long as I'm living at the helm, I will not "sell" all the other products that do not meet our own criteria that carry the TNVC name just to make extra profit dollars. God knows, we've tested many other products that did not do well with our own testing protocols over the years in regards to durability and the companies that stand behind it which you have outlined in your post which is also plays a huge role in our decision making process of a companies return rate which can be substantial with a few companies out there. Thank you fordkicksass, you've been around for awhile and have seen us around for a long time and know we just don't place our stamp of approval on every product out there, and we also take care of all our customers if any interference needs to happen in the unlikely event we need to intervene. Thus far, the companies we surround ourselves with are pretty solid in the major NV circles of quality.  

Vic

Edit, see below for my other comment.

One other note to consider about IR Defense.  They do not develop 10-20 different scopes a year, etc. They test and concentrate extensively on what they developed on this one scope and this is what they have done with the IR Hunter. Testing takes time to do it right and be on that high level playing field.  


Vic

Thank you for the order.

Vic

FYI....19mm arrived this week for the first time and have been shipping.

Got a few emails and a PM on what time and temp were these pics taken under?  Temp was approx. 70deg at approx. 9pm.

IR Patrol info forthcoming for all those who have been PM'ing me.

I'm pretty damn excited about the Patrol.

I'll be even more excited and selling some of my cooler toys to get a couple, IF they have a couple of features I desire so much.

Yes.

Thank God I got the kids' shopping done already.

They're inheriting a lot.

It's the BC #11.  As for the LT-104, no problem with the co-witnessing. That mount will allow a 1.46" optic height which is very close to top of rail to center of the IR Hunter glass with your Razor.

For those asking about the new IR Patrol we are under NDA and were told we cannot post any releases in till tomorrow which is is when IR Defense was allowing it officially. Tomorrow I will have all the pictures that we will be posting as well as a review about its functions and what it does. Yes we know how the unit focuses as we know a lot about the unit and sent gear for the photo shoot for the press release pictures. We will post more when we are allowed to tomorrow after the official release. Thank you.

Vic

Right, I hear ya....For us it's about following the rules, for others it's about the "pictures" and thumping chests I guess and they got talked to about it.   We've been under NDA for quite a long time with the IR Patrol and what it's intended for.  We were not allowed to post pics or talk about it at all or face legal stuff, which is normal for us when we T&E gear for companies. Hope this helps.


Vic

Pre-Orders now being taken for the IR PATROLS!. See our TNVC INDUSTRY PAGE for details!

I was given permission from the folks at IR Defense to post spec sheets and talk about the new IR Patrol units.  

Official Press Release;










UPDATED PRICE LISTS






Pre-Orders now being taken for the IR PATROLS!. See our TNVC INDUSTRY PAGE for details!

More coming as I post up some details.....Yes manual focus front and rear....

Listed below are the pics IR Defense has took of the system. I will briefly talk about each pic and what you're seeing in the pic.  Any questions after this please ask.  

First the unit has unity focus of a true monocular of 1.05x in a 19mm configuration. The beauty of this monocular is it's versatility like a true PVS-14 NVD that can be head mounted, hand held, weapon mounted and (one step up from a 14) mounted in front of a RDS such as an EO Tech as depicted below.

Battery life (which can change) will be approx. 2 hours at 30hz and 1.5hrs at 60hz. With 2 Batts, 5hrs at 30hz and 3.5hrs at 60hz.

Hand Held Mode
A pic showing the relative size coming in at approx. 16oz (which is currently getting machined for even more weight reduction).  
- Note some key features of lens and eye piece focuses (uses the same PVS-14 eye piece as does the standard IR Hunter Rifle Scopes
- Also note the Wilcox Dovetail that is purpose built for their line of mounts...More on what types as we go through more pics


Another Hand Held View
This perspective give another view on how most would be holding the unit up to their eye, but the point to key on is the stick thumb controller that controls all the four function levels (based on the model ordered) with a button selector on top you simply depress. This is really revolutionary what they did here for one handed operation with plenty of room for gloves, fat fingers etc.  Working the controller is fantastic in this fashion!


Accessory Mount View
We knew this unit needed to have a pic rail of some sort (especially for LE type roles) to have mounting options of lasers, Mini RDS, etc.)


Dovetail, Battery Compartment and Download Cable Views
A lot going on in this good view of the battery compartment, dovetail system and download cable.
- Dovetail used here and always envisioned is a Wilcox dovetail that will be ingenious to this system allowing head mount with a G24, and weapon mounting with Wilcox's flip to the side mount. As we designed our TM-14 to have a PVS-14 fro from head to weapon in 5-7 seconds or so, this design has in mind the same quick versatility, "passive to active".
- Battery Compartment seen here will hold one (or two with extender) CR123 battery/s (NOT final here) of 2hrs in 30hz mode and 1/20min in 60hz modes /
-  Download cable allowing USB image capture (More details on modes of use forthcoming as final design is completed)


Weapon Mounted
Unit shown here with the Wilcox Flip to the Side mount showing a good view of the thumb controller and button
- Unit will include in the weapon mount version a standard crosshair and dot (I've recommended a 2moa dot for final design)
- Recoil rated up to .308
- Note location of thumb controller is in a good position for off hand manipulation
- Note view of Picatinny rail


Weapon mounted in clip-on mode
- Another great versatility function of mounting the unit in front of a RDS. EO's will give the best unobstructed views. The last thermal unit to look this and work in this fashion was the Skeeter IR. This unit using BAE 12um core gives some amazing clarity.


Helmet Mounted
Using the Wilcox dovetail shoe interface allows the mating to their L4 G24 system. Our Ops Core Jump helmet is seen here with our TNVC Lanyard system.  We have asked for a catch loop to be installed on the IR Patrol to insure proper retention of the unit in case of accidental departure from the mount. As with all PVS-14, always affix those units to your helmet. I cannot tell you how many fall off at times for many reasons. Right now the loop that holds the video port cap can be used but it's a bit small.


Image Views
These images were taken with the image capture feature showing the typical outstanding views one comes to expect from the 12um BAE core
- Menu functions as noted will be accomplished via the thumb controller we've outlined above
**Please note the level of detail based on IR Defenses High Detail Imagery of the pics below especially the details of the weapon in use is very impressive and very important to our LE clients**... Bottom pic, we clearly see it's a pump shotgun



We are excited about this latest line up from IR Defense that will be a great tool for the LE first responders and Mil toolbox.  I'm excited our LE folks that work in a rural areas of the USA can have such an extraordinary tool where someone bails in a field in the middle of the night, they can field this unit immediately that becomes a huge officer safety tool and with the versatility to match any mission requirement. High end hunters will also love the system for the same versatility reasons outlined above.


Here is some size comparisons of a TM-14 vs. the new IR Patrol.






For those of you lucky enough to be attending the upcoming Shot Show January 20 - 23 2014 at the Sands Expo Center, TNVC will be the first to debut the new IR Patrol at our booth 6502. We will have the unit displayed in several of the configurations shown here.  Pre-Orders will be start to be taken in the next few weeks with initial deliveries starting in February where TNVC will have the first initial units. If you would like to get on the email sales list, simply email sales at tnvc dot com.  


Thanks guys!

Vic

I will place this link here until I upload them.  http://www.irdefense.com/irp-main-price.html Last night it appears a graphic was posted with incorrect pricing. These are final price points.

There is other options being discussed to increase battery life.