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Posted: 1/8/2007 5:21:53 AM EDT
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It's been discussed here before, having an IR light/laser for up close night vision duties.So, I bought a Streamlight TLR-2 laser/light with the intent of having it converted into a true infrared tool.After searching I found a gentlemen that was up to the task of converting the LED to an IR replacement.The job was very labor intensive, but it came out very nice.(I don't think he's ready for anymore)The illuminator puts out a huge wall of light, that reaches out past 100 yards. Next, I sent the TLR-2 to Tim at Tactical Supplies to convert the red visable laser to an infrared laser.Tim knocked the conversion out in no time.The laser itself is adjustable for beam width,and very nice. Now for my crappy pics.The fuel tanks are 90 yards from the porch where I had the NV monocular laying on a table with the camera behind it.I set the TLR-2 about 2 feet to my right , aimed at the tanks.BTW, it was a very dark night.(over cast with no moon yet) Here's the specs: Laser is 5mw power and 850nm wavelegnth Illuminator is 1.5w power and 850nm wavelegnth I will get some indoor pics soon. Tanks with no illumination  Tanks with illuminator only  Tanks with laser aimed between them  Tanks with laser on the left tank(notice the bloom)  Tanks with both illumination and laser aimed at left tank   |
..Great idea, wes.. That looks like it has the potential to be a really neat little package, if the price didn't get way outta hand by the time the mods are done and the laser mechanics are up to snuff..  Midway had the original rig for like $289.. .. I'm really liking Vic's adjustable Torch for longer stuff but would sure like something lower powered and real wide for maybe a helmet mount to use with the shotgun/GP's.. Even wide open that flamethrower is cookin'.!! ..It's always something..  d:^) Jake( Yeah, I know.. Bitch, bitch bitch..  )
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the laser mechanics are good to go, water tight, and milspec parts, glass lense also. I did not do the mod on the illuminator, another guy did that, but i did play with the light, and it sure is bright, I think wes could get more mods done on the lights, and it really seems like a nice illuminator to me, I want one |
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.. Cool beans.. Is the illuminator beam width adjustable.? Heck, with DaTorch it seems to lessen the intensity of the bloom a good bit.. The red beam may be just fine for shotgun work if it doesn't overpower.. .. The mechanics on the OTAL I got are OK.. After an adjustment I can tap it and the Xhairs will move till they settle in so I hafta allow for that.. But after it "settles" it stays on pretty good and RTZ's close enough for minute of close coyote.. Most everything that's been "shown the light" becomes a "worry free" individual..  ..How about this unit.? Reasonable RTZ.? Solid adjustments.? Light cone direction inline with the rest of the gang or adjustable.? Construction.? I'm looking forward to hearing more about this.. d:^) Jake |
The illuminator is not adjustable, only the laser.(set it and forget it) Haven't shot it, been too busy deer hunting.(don't like blasting at night durning deer season)But in it's previous(visable) life it held zero, on my Glock and Sig.(400 rounds shot) |
Wes, looking forward to seein' that up close and personal next week!  Gonna have sooo many toys out there, from Atilla's, PEQ's, Vitals, D-Bals, GCP's, etc., how on earth shall we choose what to kill yotes with!! Comms are all set with the Vertex's and Liberators as well!
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Not a filter, Not a cover, it is an led, a high powered unit, not sure what the wattage is, but it is bright, and i had the light apart after the conversion, it was done professionally, and looks nice |
The LED is 1.5w |
that is power...
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no, it is 5MW, a nice laser, but they can be made in power up to 150MW if needed, the light is where the power is, 1.5 watts is great for a handgun mounted illuminator |
yes, I personally think 5 is about right, but even that is too much sometimes at close handgun ranges, some people like less than 1 MW for pistol use up close and dirty, i guess it is personal preference 5 is actually good on a rifle, I have a 400 measured yard area to test, and i get 400 easy, a nice useable dot, and one of my 5mw modules goes 700 yards or more, i have not had a chance to test the limit on that one yet, but a laser at 700 is not really needed unless you are designating a target for the big guns |
Though I'd chime in here....I've used and sold an awful amount of IR lasers over the last year...I feel the best all around power for CQB out to medium ranges (300-400m) is a power rating of around .7mW, The NVEC vitals seem to do the best thus far in this power range. No blooming at any range. It is the best for CQB scenerios with it's built in illuminator out to 25 yards or so. Now for most laser illuminators, I want as much power as the unit can muster! I've used an illuminator with 150mW of power without washout of the main laser due to the focusing nature of most IR laser illuminators out there and some have the ability to adjust the output power as well. Most can adjust out to 12deg or more. This power does NOT wash out the main beam as the key IS the illuminators adjustable beam. With 150mW of power and the dial set to its widest approx 18deg beam, I can light up the world a long way away! Wes, if indeed this unit is pushing out that much power, you must be seeing a LOOONG way away,  I look forward to seeing this unit!! Edited to ad...The best units I've used are high power units that have adjustable power levels for BOTH the laser and illuminator with an adjustable focus for the illuminator as well. Hands-down, NVEC's Attilla is the best of the best I've tested thus far! |
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Vic, The LED illuminator on this conversion is a powerful 1.5W, but it's more of a "wall" of light, not a focused beam like your Torches.The IR TLR-2 actually shuts down the NVD's ABC, when used in confined areas, such as living rooms,& hallways, but it really shines(pun intended) when used outdoors.The IR TLR-2 is great for up close(under 50 yards) incounters with pigs, yotes,etc...(especially moving critters)The TLR does reach out farther, but peters out due to the loose focus. I did a little test, Using a 6015 with a Daytime cover(in a dim lit room), I shined the beam of the TLR(IR)illuminator and the Original Torch, and compared(6 ft. from the wall)Of course the torch made a very nice defined circle of "light", where as the IR TLR-2 made a "wad" of light.(not much defintion) As for seeing a looong way, I had a 150mw laser built that illuminates a football field sized area at 600 yards!Yep, those critters have no idea what's coming on the 21st! EDITED: ( more dumbass typos) |
Wes, is the IR LED a little too bright? I can dial down the bias, say to around 1W (even less if desired) if it causes any bloom in the NVD. Another idea is to use a diffuser lens or build a diffuser that can be attached or removed. I prefer fixed diffuser so no chance of coming off accidentally but it limits your applications of the light. However, for long throw, I think the KL1 you got from me would suffice for other purposes. |
Actually, I think it's pretty much perfect for an outdoor pistol set up, it would work well on a scattergun also. So, have you forgot yet? 
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Yeah, those damned pics or the laser caused a memory dump
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I have dreams of hog huntin with nv gear, nice setup wes |
You are correct, it is "not necessarily hard". But let me explain further if I may. Aside from having to modify the reflector (I think I can do away with this step in future work) removing the old LED took a lot of time. The old LED is epoxied on and it is surrounded by surface mount components. You can't just take a screwdriver and hammer and pop it out. One wrong move and you've destroyed a bunch of components that are small enough you can probably inhale them and not notice. You have to carefully grind the old LED off the board. Not hard but it's very delicate work. Doing such work exposes me to the risk that if I damage the circuit, I will have to buy Wes a brand new TLR-2 out of my own pocket. I'm not going to tell him tough s**t, I would do the right thing and replace what I damaged at my cost. Now, since it's "not necessarily hard", I'll let you try one out. You do it on someone else's light (make it a TLR-2, not a cheap TLR-1) and if you damage it, you buy him a new one. You can buy one LED from me for $15. My cost, no markup. Are you up to the challenge? |
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Is the LED put into the board via surface mount? I hope not as surface mount soldering is a trick to be sure. I had to go back to a special school to learn it. Done correctly you don't use solder and an Iron. You use something called solder paste, which is small (tiny really) droplets of solder suspended in flux. For a heat source a 900 degree hot air jet is used. A drop of the paste is applied to the connection point and then heated with the jet till the solder droplets melt in the flux and form the intermetalic bond. All of this done under a microscope. now this method will produce some of the most uniform soldered connections possible. At some point I will be in line to get a TLR -2 converted. IPSC_GUY SIERRA II ALPHA NIGHT VISION HAS THE ALCHEMICAL CAPACITY NOT TO TURN LEAD INTO GOLD, BUT SOMETHING FAR MORE VALUABLE: IT TURNS DARK INTO LIGHT. |
Hard. Sounds like you put alot of effort into that setup CMM. Let me ask around and find someone with a TLR-2. Thanks, D. |
this is the guy who does them, i have seen and like the work, all we need to do is get him cuffed to his equipment and send him some tlr-2 units to fry.... i am in line for one... |
OK, I can do two right now and then I'm out of LED's. I'm trying to get about 10 more pieces but everyone wants me to buy a whole reel. I'm working on that issue right now. It ain't going to be cheap though. |
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