User Panel
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I don't have any real need to drop the dough on one of these, but since I have a damn nice pvs-14 and want to get IR laser and illum on my rifle, it's tempting. I need an excuse. View Quote my excuse was I spent 3k on a pvs14, bought IR lights, and I had a cheapo aiming laser why not have a quality laser if you are that deep into the game |
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my excuse was I spent 3k on a pvs14, bought IR lights, and I had a cheapo aiming laser why not have a quality laser if you are that deep into the game View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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I don't have any real need to drop the dough on one of these, but since I have a damn nice pvs-14 and want to get IR laser and illum on my rifle, it's tempting. I need an excuse. my excuse was I spent 3k on a pvs14, bought IR lights, and I had a cheapo aiming laser why not have a quality laser if you are that deep into the game You have a good point, no doubt. My counter point is that I can do a lot of things with my PVS-14 that don't involve a rifle, so the investment could stand alone. I'm not a LEO and I don't night hunt currently, so I could spend $300 on a Lasermax Unimax and a WML IR light and get some of the night time capability at a fraction of the cost. But after researching the options on the civilian market, this ATPIAL-C unit really does seem to be the cat's ass. So I'm still tempted. |
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I had the opportunity to play around with a new ATPIAL this weekend. The illumination was a complete circle, not a bar as some have photographed... View Quote Mine is rectangular as others have posted. I was going to buy two more, but decided against it because of this. Wonder why that one wasn't. You sure it was the C model? |
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Yes. It was a c- model. I have heard that the ambient lighting can affect the perceived shape. I was in an indoor controlled lighting facility, almost zero ambient light, perfect circle.
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Mine is rectangular as others have posted. I was going to buy two more, but decided against it because of this. Wonder why that one wasn't. You sure it was the C model? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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I had the opportunity to play around with a new ATPIAL this weekend. The illumination was a complete circle, not a bar as some have photographed... Mine is rectangular as others have posted. I was going to buy two more, but decided against it because of this. Wonder why that one wasn't. You sure it was the C model? |
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I suspect lighting plays a large role.
The edges of the circle may not be as bright as dead center so any ambient light may wash the circle out some. |
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No. It is not round, period, in any ambient light. I notice it every time I use it, especially since mine is mounted on the side of my rail since the FLIR is so low. This means I get a vertical rectangle. It is real, and is NOT an optical illusion.
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Ramblin, maybe we need to look at it. Give Jaimie a shout ext. 104 tomorrow and we'll send out a shipping label so we can take a peek if you like.
Vic |
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It was really too bright out tonight to take a decent pic of the IR Illuminator, but on both low and high it was perfectly round.
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Quoted: No. It is not round, period, in any ambient light. I notice it every time I use it, especially since mine is mounted on the side of my rail since the FLIR is so low. This means I get a vertical rectangle. It is real, and is NOT an optical illusion. View Quote |
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Well, I want to know if it can be fixed before I send it in. I have hunts scheduled this week and next week. How fast can it be turned around, Vic?
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Well, I want to know if it can be fixed before I send it in. I have hunts scheduled this week and next week. How fast can it be turned around, Vic? View Quote Here is the explanation I received as to why it is what it is: "Yes we're aware of the rectangular (oblong) shape of the IR Lum. Regarding our test unit, if you look closely this unit also has a brighter rectangle in the center but not as pronounced as what you're seeing. In talking with the L3 Engineers, here is what the lead has informed us on the rectangular shaping. So you know, my restricted unit is also oblong as well, but much brighter at 25mW. I am aware of the condition you and your customers are describing on the fixed focus, Class 3R, IR illuminator. As you already know, solid state laser diodes normally emit a rectangular pattern that is managed, through a combination of optics and apertures, to be as circular as possible. At the time I joined this effort (August), there was some question concerning the allowable illuminator output for civilian consumption consistent with the IEC 60825 specification. In order to be Class 3R compliant, we slightly modified the longstanding, existing illuminator design to permanently fix the focus and reduce the energy density from the aperture. During production, we even individually optimized each illuminator for the best looking beam possible. " So the configuration of the diode, being rectangular, is conveyed to image because of a fixed focus. Why some are circular and some are not may be that they fix focus each individual unit as best as the illumination puts out. There does not seem to be a standard other than what looks best......evidently some are rectangular, so I don't know how this is what looks best. |
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Well, I want to know if it can be fixed before I send it in. I have hunts scheduled this week and next week. How fast can it be turned around, Vic? View Quote Not sure, we would have to look at it to see if its even defective. I would do your hunt first and then maybe send it in for us to have a peek. Vic |
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Thanks, but that doesn't work for me. I'll consider sending it directly to L3, but not back to the store. If and when L3 owns up and fixes the issue, I'll send it in. That, or I'll dump it on the EE and buy the LDI with better features when they come out.
Funny, none of my LED flashlights with LED chips have rectangular illumination patterns, even my Chinese knock-offs with IR heads have round illum patterns. |
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Thanks, but that doesn't work for me. I'll consider sending it directly to L3, but not back to the store. If and when L3 owns up and fixes the issue, I'll send it in. That, or I'll dump it on the EE and buy the LDI with better features when they come out. Funny, none of my LED flashlights with LED chips have rectangular illumination patterns, even my Chinese knock-offs with IR heads have round illum patterns. View Quote Once again it's NOT an issue as another posted above what L3 engineers have stated about it. I offered to take a peek at yours just to verify free of any extra shipping charge....Sorry that does not work. |
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You weren't clear about that. It sounded like you wanted to see it yourself as if you don't trust my opinion.
ETA: email or IM shipping address/RMA number to me and I'll get it in the mail tomorrow. |
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You weren't clear about that. It sounded like you wanted to see it yourself as if you don't trust my opinion. ETA: email or IM shipping address/RMA number to me and I'll get it in the mail tomorrow. View Quote How can we understand your issue if we cannot see the unit? Has NOTHING to do about trusting your opinion and yes we need to see it for ourselves to troubleshoot and ascertain if there is even an issue. PM Sent, as stated you do not have to pay for shipping but we will at least need your name so we can send you a label. |
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Please post your results of the investigation. If it is a problem with the unit and it gets fixed...I'll be honest. I want mine round too. If it's not an issue that can be fixed and is a design flaw. I also want to know that information.
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Please post your results of the investigation. If it is a problem with the unit and it gets fixed...I'll be honest. I want mine round too. If it's not an issue that can be fixed and is a design flaw. I also want to know that information. View Quote just out of curiosity, how far away were you in the pics you posted on page 23? i may get mine out in my apartment tonight and play with it some, unfortunately my indoor apartment range is only about 15ish yards |
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Please post your results of the investigation. If it is a problem with the unit and it gets fixed...I'll be honest. I want mine round too. If it's not an issue that can be fixed and is a design flaw. I also want to know that information. View Quote Please read the engineering post above. There is no design design flaws. Vic |
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just out of curiosity, how far away were you in the pics you posted on page 23? i may get mine out in my apartment tonight and play with it some, unfortunately my indoor apartment range is only about 15ish yards View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Please post your results of the investigation. If it is a problem with the unit and it gets fixed...I'll be honest. I want mine round too. If it's not an issue that can be fixed and is a design flaw. I also want to know that information. just out of curiosity, how far away were you in the pics you posted on page 23? i may get mine out in my apartment tonight and play with it some, unfortunately my indoor apartment range is only about 15ish yards That's what about it was on the inside of my home. I do, however, get the same image outside. I would of been a bit harder to capture the image at a longer distance. Being the same as outside, I went with a solid background of inside the home. |
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Please read the engineering post above. There is no design design flaws. Vic View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Please post your results of the investigation. If it is a problem with the unit and it gets fixed...I'll be honest. I want mine round too. If it's not an issue that can be fixed and is a design flaw. I also want to know that information. Please read the engineering post above. There is no design design flaws. Vic Well, I've read it several times. From your perspective, it's the same in your non C version as it is on the C version. The C version is a fixed focus alternative to the regular version. There are several illuminators that have a round illumination. From the perspective of the customer, it is a design flaw as you are not getting a round image, but more a rectangular one. I just don't belive it's impossible to configure the image to be round. In my eyes, no matter how it's made now, it's a flaw. Some may find it acceptable. Some are getting round images and others rectangular. Why is this? My is apparent to the eye, as it would be apparent to some whom have commented on theirs being round. Not consistent. There has to be human error in there somewhere. Even your own pictures upon presentation of the device are round. Mine are not. It's an objective finding and not my opinion that there are differences amoung units. An educated person will ask why. Vic, we've had this conversation. I'm not asking for a refund at this point. I'm measly pointing out that there are inconsistencies in image projection amoung units |
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Correct, and I get the same slight deviations in beam patterns with all the restricted units as well from DBAL'S to ATPIAL's along with somewhat retangular patterns in the older NVEC GCP's. I even have PEQ-2A's with dark and shaded spots within the illuminator. None of them are true perfect circles or rectangules. Just because it's not a pure perfect circle or retangules does not make them defective. It's the inherent design as outlined fron the L3 engineers we quoted, I pasted this again below.
Vic |
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Here is the explanation I received as to why it is what it is: "Yes we're aware of the rectangular (oblong) shape of the IR Lum. Regarding our test unit, if you look closely this unit also has a brighter rectangle in the center but not as pronounced as what you're seeing. In talking with the L3 Engineers, here is what the lead has informed us on the rectangular shaping. So you know, my restricted unit is also oblong as well, but much brighter at 25mW. I am aware of the condition you and your customers are describing on the fixed focus, Class 3R, IR illuminator. As you already know, solid state laser diodes normally emit a rectangular pattern that is managed, through a combination of optics and apertures, to be as circular as possible. At the time I joined this effort (August), there was some question concerning the allowable illuminator output for civilian consumption consistent with the IEC 60825 specification. In order to be Class 3R compliant, we slightly modified the longstanding, existing illuminator design to permanently fix the focus and reduce the energy density from the aperture. During production, we even individually optimized each illuminator for the best looking beam possible. " So the configuration of the diode, being rectangular, is conveyed to image because of a fixed focus. Why some are circular and some are not may be that they fix focus each individual unit as best as the illumination puts out. There does not seem to be a standard other than what looks best......evidently some are rectangular, so I don't know how this is what looks best. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Well, I want to know if it can be fixed before I send it in. I have hunts scheduled this week and next week. How fast can it be turned around, Vic? Here is the explanation I received as to why it is what it is: "Yes we're aware of the rectangular (oblong) shape of the IR Lum. Regarding our test unit, if you look closely this unit also has a brighter rectangle in the center but not as pronounced as what you're seeing. In talking with the L3 Engineers, here is what the lead has informed us on the rectangular shaping. So you know, my restricted unit is also oblong as well, but much brighter at 25mW. I am aware of the condition you and your customers are describing on the fixed focus, Class 3R, IR illuminator. As you already know, solid state laser diodes normally emit a rectangular pattern that is managed, through a combination of optics and apertures, to be as circular as possible. At the time I joined this effort (August), there was some question concerning the allowable illuminator output for civilian consumption consistent with the IEC 60825 specification. In order to be Class 3R compliant, we slightly modified the longstanding, existing illuminator design to permanently fix the focus and reduce the energy density from the aperture. During production, we even individually optimized each illuminator for the best looking beam possible. " So the configuration of the diode, being rectangular, is conveyed to image because of a fixed focus. Why some are circular and some are not may be that they fix focus each individual unit as best as the illumination puts out. There does not seem to be a standard other than what looks best......evidently some are rectangular, so I don't know how this is what looks best. Thought I would paste this again from the L3 lead engineer. His words when we specifically inquired. |
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IM replied to with my customer info.
So L3 says that's the way it is? Is there anything that can be done? (Unit looks to be pumped full of potting glue and non-serviceable to me). Besides "yeah, we see it. It is typical, not a defect, here is your unit back". This is my concern, dude. I will send it in and give you the benefit of the doubt. I would prefer my illuminator throw as perfectly round a pattern as Skypup's, please. |
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I pulled mine out last night to look as well.
its like it wants to be round, but isnt quite there. its a half canted square, I do find it odd now that I think about it that L3 says the IR led's throw a square pattern. I do some engineering with components on the side and the IR led's I work with throw a perfect circle. Just like a surefire M1 led I would say the circle from my illuminator is about half of the one displayed with the product images, and canted from about 10 oclick to 4 oclock. I may try to take some pics tonight for giggles ETA: I looked at the images on the 1st page again now that i know what im looking for. it looks like they do have darker area's forming a rectangle but the rectangle is vertical in the TNVC images as opposed to horizontal how im looking. |
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its like it wants to be round, but isnt quite there. its a half canted square, I do find it odd now that I think about it that L3 says the IR led's throw a square pattern. I do some engineering with components on the side and the IR led's I work with throw a perfect circle. Just like a surefire M1 led View Quote I may be mistaken, but the L3 Engineer in his/her explanation mentions that the 850nm IR Illuminator is coming from an IR laser, not an IR LED, hence this unit has no visible reddish glow due to the laser being much more monochromatic IR light than what you can possibly get from an IR LED. |
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I may be mistaken, but the L3 Engineer in his/her explanation mentions that the 850nm IR Illuminator is coming from an IR laser, not an IR LED, hence this unit has no visible reddish glow due to the laser being much more monochromatic IR light than what you can possibly get from an IR LED. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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its like it wants to be round, but isnt quite there. its a half canted square, I do find it odd now that I think about it that L3 says the IR led's throw a square pattern. I do some engineering with components on the side and the IR led's I work with throw a perfect circle. Just like a surefire M1 led I may be mistaken, but the L3 Engineer in his/her explanation mentions that the 850nm IR Illuminator is coming from an IR laser, not an IR LED, hence this unit has no visible reddish glow due to the laser being much more monochromatic IR light than what you can possibly get from an IR LED. you are correct. I dont know why im thinking it was an led. its been a long day today |
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IM replied to with my customer info. So L3 says that's the way it is? Is there anything that can be done? (Unit looks to be pumped full of potting glue and non-serviceable to me). Besides "yeah, we see it. It is typical, not a defect, here is your unit back". This is my concern, dude. I will send it in and give you the benefit of the doubt. I would prefer my illuminator throw as perfectly round a pattern as Skypup's, please. View Quote None of them have perfectly round FULL circle ....NOR is there a tactical disadvantage and that includes every one of my restricted units as I outlined above including my DBAL A2 restricted unit accept it's 25 and 300mW. They all have some outside shading (brighter retangle) within a circle that is purely cosmetic and all throw 1mW power through a fixed beam. I cannot be any clearer than that. If you want a refund, I will GLADLY refund your item with shipping no issues here at all and not send your unit back if you wish if we find no defects... We're not here to rip anyone off or imply this or that, but you know that already!. Never have, never will. Hope this helps and PM sent. Edit, the reason I'd rather have you send the unit to us vs. L3 is the wait that can happen sending units to L3. If the unit does turn out to be defective, we can have a replacement unit sent out pretty quick so your down time is minimal. We in turn can run the L3 return hurdle for ya. |
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you are correct. I dont know why im thinking it was an led. its been a long day today View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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its like it wants to be round, but isnt quite there. its a half canted square, I do find it odd now that I think about it that L3 says the IR led's throw a square pattern. I do some engineering with components on the side and the IR led's I work with throw a perfect circle. Just like a surefire M1 led I may be mistaken, but the L3 Engineer in his/her explanation mentions that the 850nm IR Illuminator is coming from an IR laser, not an IR LED, hence this unit has no visible reddish glow due to the laser being much more monochromatic IR light than what you can possibly get from an IR LED. you are correct. I dont know why im thinking it was an led. its been a long day today Here is the engineering statement again of the solid state lasers. That also apply to restricted units as well, but these are at a much higher output level. I am aware of the condition you and your customers are describing on the fixed focus, Class 3R, IR illuminator. As you already know, solid state laser diodes normally emit a rectangular pattern that is managed, through a combination of optics and apertures, to be as circular as possible . At the time I joined this effort (August), there was some question concerning the allowable illuminator output for civilian consumption consistent with the IEC 60825 specification. In order to be Class 3R compliant, we slightly modified the longstanding, existing illuminator design to permanently fix the focus and reduce the energy density from the aperture. During production, we even individually optimized each illuminator for the best looking beam possible |
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yea I read the info from the L3 Engineer, I think my post may have been misunderstood.
im not meaning to come off like there is something wrong with it and I understand the nature of how it works. Its a great product, does what is advertised, and I wouldnt hesitate to buy another. I do appreciate the hours spent working with them to bring the civilian version to us. I tinker on alot of things part of why my hobby turned into a career, mostly just thinking out loud. I wish these suckers were not sealed up I would love to have a look inside of one or chat with an engineer |
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I'd take some representative NV pics of my ATPIAL-C IR laser illuminator but the almost full moon has been coming up right after sunset pretty much annihilating it.
I does work fine for me out 200+ yards and mutes out the IR laser bloom but it is no where near as powerful as the DBAL-D2 or SPIR or TorchPro IR illuminators. It works great for what I use it for, shooting out between me and 200 yards though. Nice that you can adjust it to completely encircle the IR laser to pinpointing it in the center of the IR Illum beam. Pics later once we have some decent dark nights around here. |
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I'll tell you what, I am liking this kit even better after spending sometime in the woods with it at night!
That IR filter built into the lens cover is super nice and unless it is very dark I don't even need the IR Illuminator when utilizing the IR laser for shooting. The laser IR Illuminator is nowhere near as powerful as the DBAL-D2 LED IR Illuminator, the APTAIL Illum only is good for about 200+ yards instead of 600+ yards, but it has no red visible signature and I knew the IR Illum would not be as powerful as the DBAL-DR or SPIR. Really have no need to be using the IR laser at night past 200 yards anyways, mostly it is used less than 100 yards for snap shooting hogs and coyotes. Since I have been used to using my DBALs for years now, it just takes a little more brain time to remember the switch is on top of the unit instead of on the back of the unit, but am getting used to using that in the dark easily. |
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Anyone know of an offset sure fire scout mount that works with the ATPIAL? I just tried my thorntail mount and it didn't work. I'm using a quad rail.
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Back on page 24, TNVC has a mount coming out that will work. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Anyone know of an offset sure fire scout mount that works with the ATPIAL? I just tried my thorntail mount and it didn't work. I'm using a quad rail. Back on page 24, TNVC has a mount coming out that will work. Ya that's pretty nice, but I don't want that whole front sight setup just a light mount |
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Ya that's pretty nice, but I don't want that whole front sight setup just a light mount View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Anyone know of an offset sure fire scout mount that works with the ATPIAL? I just tried my thorntail mount and it didn't work. I'm using a quad rail. Back on page 24, TNVC has a mount coming out that will work. Ya that's pretty nice, but I don't want that whole front sight setup just a light mount Here's the mount base by itself. http://www.unitytactical.com/shop/vtac-micro-hub/ |
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Back on page 24, TNVC has a mount coming out that will work. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Anyone know of an offset sure fire scout mount that works with the ATPIAL? I just tried my thorntail mount and it didn't work. I'm using a quad rail. Back on page 24, TNVC has a mount coming out that will work. Just a FYI, these just arrived into our office on Friday! You can call Jaimie to order these, until Chip post these up on the web site later in the week. These can be ordered in left or right hand hub models to mount your lights. |
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