I have a Colt 6920 and use a Magpul AFG if that matters any. I currently use my PVS-14 Weapon Mounted and do not have a helmet.

I'm trying to figure out if I should go with an external IR illuminator such as TNVCs new light which looks awesome by the way, a White Light/IR Flashlight like one of the Surefire lights (Not sure what one), or possibly a DIABL type system that has a IR laser and IR illuminator and than go with a white light flashlight.

I would not say I am on a budget but the last option is much more expensive and at this point I only use the PVS-14 weapon mounted.

I currently do not have ANY weaponlight at all and would prefer a buy once type system that will do it all.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

-HB65

If you run night vision, you have no options.

My NV set up runs a Surefire M952V Dual Output LED/IR Weapon Light.

The weapon light is very bright to blind your opponent and in NV mode (a simple twist of the head) turns it into a very effective IR light. The IR light can be seen 100 yards away using a PVS-14. In the darkest of nights the NV is very much able to see under cars, or trees with ease.

Surefire also sells just the head if you already own the basic Surefire weapons light. This is what I did to give me IR capabilities.

It looks like this on my setup.

I use a Surefire X300 on all of weapons, including those I use w/ NV.  IMHO it's the perfect and most unobtrusive weapon light out there.  Even a fantastic light w/ an IR filter still can't hold a candle to a true IR illuminator.  My advise is to get a stand alone weapon light like the X300 (they're releasing a much more powerful X300 type unit in the next few months FYI) and then get a stand alone IR illuminator.  If you can shell out a bunch of dough for a DBAL D2 maybe that would work for you, otherwise an IR laser + an IR illuminator.

Here is a link who sells them. Or at the very least you can read up on the description.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/surefire-m952v-white-ir-led-weaponlight-for-rifles-carbines-smgs-with-picatinny-rail.html

DBAL D2. Period.  

Start saving now and don't waste money on anything else unless you think you need white light also.


Oh and check exchange for 952v's.  You don't have to pay that much for those things.

A Surefire 620V, 952V 720V are all great options for IR and white light.  If you don't need to engage past 100 yards at night than these work great.  I have a 952V and a 720V and the extra IR output of the 720V (240mW vs 120mW) makes a noticeable difference at greater distances.

For an affordable setup I recommend picking up a used 952V for around $200-$250 on the EE, and run that with an LDI Class 1 OTAL or ITAL (depending on where you need to mount it) IR laser.  This puts you in the $700 range for a great white light/IR light and IR laser setup.  The DBAL D2 (cheaper red version) goes for $1,485 so you could have two rifles equipped as I mentioned for the same price.  Also, the battery life on the D2 when using the illuminator is just around an hour, where the Vampire light from Surefire give you 8 hours or better.

I am not saying that the D2 isn't an awesome unit, but it is important to asses your personal needs and go from there.  For lighting up a target from several hundred meters, you cant beat illuminators like the D2, SPIR, or TNVC's tourch.

EDIT:  MIssed the no helmet part   If you don't plan on ever using a head mounted NOD setup, the IR laser is of little/no use.  That said, most prefer running a head mounted monocular aith an IR laser as an all around better do everything option.  Again, your personal needs may dictate otherwise.

I respectfully disagree completely.  The DBAL-D2 is expensive, heavy, and the 1 hour runtime is very short.  A Torch PRO or SF Vampire along with an ITAL/OTAL is a fraction of the cost, and arguably produces better performance.

I agree with the OTAL+Vampire suggestion. That's the best all around solution for the money.

That being said, I think anyone that is serious about NV hunting or shooting will eventually come to the helmet mounted/ IR laser setup.

Holy cow I had no idea the D2 had such a short battery life.  I've never tested the actual battery life of my variable torch but it seems like it's much longer than an hour.  Also, the price on those things is obscene at best.

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I ended up with the Surefire Vampire setup at 6 with the LDI OTAL class 1 IR laser at 12.  Gives me significant white/IR light capability and the IR laser in a nice package.




You really need to get a helmet to enjoy the full use of NVG.  They can be had relatively cheaply.  TNVC sells a non ballistic version that I bought with the VAS shroud included for $158.  Add a surplus used Rhino mount and J arm which can be had on the EE here for around $50-75 and you are fully functional.  As already pointed out by others, the IR laser is really useless without the helmet.  Once you get the helmet, I predict your NVG will spend very little time mounted to the rifle.

http://tnvc.com/shop/a-alpha-half-shell-helmet/

Here is my helmet as currently setup with the INVG mount upgrade.  If money is truly no object, I love the Norotos INVG mount.  I'm currently using it with their dual dovetail adapter.  All available for purchase at TNVC.

Very nice rig TD!

For me, if running a weapon-mounted IR illuminator currently, it is typically an SF M600x with a KM2 head and clickie tailcap at 3 o'clock.  The new Torch PRO looks very nice for providing enhanced capability/versatility along with comparable robustness, and the compatibility with folks existing infrastructure cannot go unappreciated. I am much looking forward to trying one out firsthand.

When running an IR laser, it is typically an ITAL at 12 o'clock in my case.  Higher power IR lasers tend to bloom at reasonably expected ranges for such un-magnified usage.  If you are illuminating targets for support from other assets, than the issued devices seem to do what they should do in that environment.

The vast majority of the time it is simply a PVS-14 in front of the left eye for nav, an M24 in a pouch on the right hip for periodic scanning of initial target location when moving using the dom eye, and a D-740 on the carbine for PTI and actual engagement.

Depends up how you hunt. From a blind the helmet option is no-go for me. I prefer PVS-14 on gun. I like to sit around drink beer, play cards and smoke cigars till hogs show up on Thermal output to LCD.








Then pick up gun and blast away. The idea of all that heavy crap on my head waiting for game to show up is DOA. I have no use for White Light in this situation. Do not even use a laser. Just a PVS-14, and Torch works fine. I also am trying out the Inforce and the SPIR-D too, I am sure all will work well.



Now of course when I am hunting by stalking, I use a ITAL and similar IR illuminator. I have NV on helmet, but once again I have no use for White Light (on gun).





 
 
 

I'm mobile most of the time so I hardly ever run weapons mounted NV.

It really depends on what your doing I guess. I have ran an OTAL with 952v. It works fine for most situations but the 952v has its limitations. Im running a D2 now and it's illuminator beats all I have seen. ( I have never used a torch though)

As for the battery life?1hr run time is with illuminator on high I believe.  I'll see how it works real world.

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