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Posted: 6/2/2014 3:19:19 PM EDT
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I have seen a couple pop up for sale lately. Does anyone have experience with this unit ? I am most curious of the max distance and focus of the IR illuminator.
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Read the really old linked thread below.
Personal experience was that the Vital illuminator sucked http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_20/235434_Comparison_of_IR_Lasers_Illuminators.html |
| The aimer is excellent IMHO, the illuminator is VERY low power and is not focused. It will light up a room nicely or a tree your looking up into, but the range is limited to 20ish yards in DARK conditions. The variable power of the aimer is very handy for shooting at small targets. If you buy one of these, don't do it for the illuminator or you will be massively disappointed. |
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The aimer is excellent IMHO, the illuminator is VERY low power and is not focused. It will light up a room nicely or a tree your looking up into, but the range is limited to 20ish yards in DARK conditions. The variable power of the aimer is very handy for shooting at small targets. If you buy one of these, don't do it for the illuminator or you will be massively disappointed. Hmmm... sounds a lot like the Wilcox Raptar Lite 
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Quoted:
Hmmm... sounds a lot like the Wilcox Raptar Lite Quoted:
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The aimer is excellent IMHO, the illuminator is VERY low power and is not focused. It will light up a room nicely or a tree your looking up into, but the range is limited to 20ish yards in DARK conditions. The variable power of the aimer is very handy for shooting at small targets. If you buy one of these, don't do it for the illuminator or you will be massively disappointed. Hmmm... sounds a lot like the Wilcox Raptar Lite Yeah but the Raptar is so cheap, what do you expect? 
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Does the VITAL-100 have the same illuminator as the VITAL-2? Is it only the IR laser that goes from 0.7mW (V2) to 100mW (!!) (V100)?
Both are in the EE right now, and if the illuminator on the 100 is higher output than the V2, I may have a new toy for my infatuation. |
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Does the VITAL-100 have the same illuminator as the VITAL-2? Is it only the IR laser that goes from 0.7mW (V2) to 100mW (!!) (V100)? Both are in the EE right now, and if the illuminator on the 100 is higher output than the V2, I may have a new toy for my infatuation. AFAIK the illuminator on both is the same. I've used the VITAL-2 EXTENSIVELY, but never actually handled a VITAL-100. A pure aimer w/ 100 mW output doesn't interest me in the slightest. For an aimer, I want the lowest possible output while still being able to see the dot. The slow-pulse and fast-pulse feature is nice too when the guy next to you is using his aimer as well, it lets everyone know whose dot is whose when you can't actually see your beam (due to turning the output almost all the way down). |
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AFAIK the illuminator on both is the same. I've used the VITAL-2 EXTENSIVELY, but never actually handled a VITAL-100. A pure aimer w/ 100 mW output doesn't interest me in the slightest. For an aimer, I want the lowest possible output while still being able to see the dot. The slow-pulse and fast-pulse feature is nice too when the guy next to you is using his aimer as well, it lets everyone know whose dot is whose when you can't actually see your beam (due to turning the output almost all the way down). Quoted:
Quoted:
Does the VITAL-100 have the same illuminator as the VITAL-2? Is it only the IR laser that goes from 0.7mW (V2) to 100mW (!!) (V100)? Both are in the EE right now, and if the illuminator on the 100 is higher output than the V2, I may have a new toy for my infatuation. AFAIK the illuminator on both is the same. I've used the VITAL-2 EXTENSIVELY, but never actually handled a VITAL-100. A pure aimer w/ 100 mW output doesn't interest me in the slightest. For an aimer, I want the lowest possible output while still being able to see the dot. The slow-pulse and fast-pulse feature is nice too when the guy next to you is using his aimer as well, it lets everyone know whose dot is whose when you can't actually see your beam (due to turning the output almost all the way down). Yeah... I was hoping the illuminator would be more powerful, too. The EE guy is selling both, and the prices seem pretty good for the mint condition the units are in, with all packaging and accessories to boot. I really want more illumination. Guess I just need to get another Goat. |
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXJcdtwiS3Q
Here is a quick vid I got with mine. The constant light you see is white so I could see the target at 50 yards. I love that you can turn the brightness of the laser down gradually for really any lighting condition. There is no constant on and its hard to shoot left handed with it unless you have the box tape switch which I think is garbage. The IR illuminator is only good for CQB shit in my opinion. Other than that I think they are awesome units. |
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After reading about the capability of the unit, I am still intrigued with the aimer. Can this laser handle some abuse ? What would you guys pay for a used VITAL ? Depends on your version of "abuse." I've got somewhere between 5k and 7k of rounds downrange w/ the class 1 VITAL-2 and I've never had one lose zero. I don't beat them senseless as I'm not as hard on my stuff compared to what our servicemen and their rifles/lasers have to endure. Bouncing around in our John Deere Gator is about as bad as it got for them, aside from recoil obviously. I was initially very excited about the Crimson Trace Railmaster IR laser due to its size and negligible weight, but I still much prefer the VITAL-2 given the power adjustments. My crimson trace will now sit on my pistol from now on. I wanted to get a LDI DBAL-D^2 for the dual function laser/illuminator but I'm way too used to having adjustable beam power. It spoils me too much. The TNVC Torch Pro does all I need for illumination. It's a wonderful combination, plus the batteries on a VITAL-2 are just AAs and have seemingly no drain when not in use. |
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[ Depends on your version of "abuse." I've got somewhere between 5k and 7k of rounds downrange w/ the class 1 VITAL-2 and I've never had one lose zero. I don't beat them senseless as I'm not as hard on my stuff compared to what our servicemen and their rifles/lasers have to endure. Bouncing around in our John Deere Gator is about as bad as it got for them, aside from recoil obviously. I was initially very excited about the Crimson Trace Railmaster IR laser due to its size and negligible weight, but I still much prefer the VITAL-2 given the power adjustments. My crimson trace will now sit on my pistol from now on. I wanted to get a LDI DBAL-D^2 for the dual function laser/illuminator but I'm way too used to having adjustable beam power. It spoils me too much. The TNVC Torch Pro does all I need for illumination. It's a wonderful combination, plus the batteries on a VITAL-2 are just AAs and have seemingly no drain when not in use. Quoted:
Quoted:
After reading about the capability of the unit, I am still intrigued with the aimer. Can this laser handle some abuse ? What would you guys pay for a used VITAL ? Depends on your version of "abuse." I've got somewhere between 5k and 7k of rounds downrange w/ the class 1 VITAL-2 and I've never had one lose zero. I don't beat them senseless as I'm not as hard on my stuff compared to what our servicemen and their rifles/lasers have to endure. Bouncing around in our John Deere Gator is about as bad as it got for them, aside from recoil obviously. I was initially very excited about the Crimson Trace Railmaster IR laser due to its size and negligible weight, but I still much prefer the VITAL-2 given the power adjustments. My crimson trace will now sit on my pistol from now on. I wanted to get a LDI DBAL-D^2 for the dual function laser/illuminator but I'm way too used to having adjustable beam power. It spoils me too much. The TNVC Torch Pro does all I need for illumination. It's a wonderful combination, plus the batteries on a VITAL-2 are just AAs and have seemingly no drain when not in use. +1 well said. The power adjustments are the key factor in this unit. |
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+1 well said. The power adjustments are the key factor in this unit. Quoted:
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After reading about the capability of the unit, I am still intrigued with the aimer. Can this laser handle some abuse ? What would you guys pay for a used VITAL ? Depends on your version of "abuse." I've got somewhere between 5k and 7k of rounds downrange w/ the class 1 VITAL-2 and I've never had one lose zero. I don't beat them senseless as I'm not as hard on my stuff compared to what our servicemen and their rifles/lasers have to endure. Bouncing around in our John Deere Gator is about as bad as it got for them, aside from recoil obviously. I was initially very excited about the Crimson Trace Railmaster IR laser due to its size and negligible weight, but I still much prefer the VITAL-2 given the power adjustments. My crimson trace will now sit on my pistol from now on. I wanted to get a LDI DBAL-D^2 for the dual function laser/illuminator but I'm way too used to having adjustable beam power. It spoils me too much. The TNVC Torch Pro does all I need for illumination. It's a wonderful combination, plus the batteries on a VITAL-2 are just AAs and have seemingly no drain when not in use. +1 well said. The power adjustments are the key factor in this unit. Yep, I couldn't fully appreciate it until I used one. Since supersonic 5.56 and 7.62x51 stuff is essentially flat shooting out to a couple hundred yards, w/ the laser mounted properly there really is no correction out to normal night shooting range for critters. You can dim the thing down until you actually can't see it anymore, it's rheostat adjustable there are no clicks. It's fun to make milk jugs full of water hemorrhage at 200 yards. Also, that looks funny in thermal when you load it w/ warmish water 
ETA: only downside to these things is lack of a constant on function, so far that hasn't really affected me since I prefer tape switch moment activation anyway. |
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[ Depends on your version of "abuse." I've got somewhere between 5k and 7k of rounds downrange w/ the class 1 VITAL-2 and I've never had one lose zero. I don't beat them senseless as I'm not as hard on my stuff compared to what our servicemen and their rifles/lasers have to endure. Bouncing around in our John Deere Gator is about as bad as it got for them, aside from recoil obviously. I was initially very excited about the Crimson Trace Railmaster IR laser due to its size and negligible weight, but I still much prefer the VITAL-2 given the power adjustments. My crimson trace will now sit on my pistol from now on. I wanted to get a LDI DBAL-D^2 for the dual function laser/illuminator but I'm way too used to having adjustable beam power. It spoils me too much. The TNVC Torch Pro does all I need for illumination. It's a wonderful combination, plus the batteries on a VITAL-2 are just AAs and have seemingly no drain when not in use. Quoted:
Quoted:
After reading about the capability of the unit, I am still intrigued with the aimer. Can this laser handle some abuse ? What would you guys pay for a used VITAL ? Depends on your version of "abuse." I've got somewhere between 5k and 7k of rounds downrange w/ the class 1 VITAL-2 and I've never had one lose zero. I don't beat them senseless as I'm not as hard on my stuff compared to what our servicemen and their rifles/lasers have to endure. Bouncing around in our John Deere Gator is about as bad as it got for them, aside from recoil obviously. I was initially very excited about the Crimson Trace Railmaster IR laser due to its size and negligible weight, but I still much prefer the VITAL-2 given the power adjustments. My crimson trace will now sit on my pistol from now on. I wanted to get a LDI DBAL-D^2 for the dual function laser/illuminator but I'm way too used to having adjustable beam power. It spoils me too much. The TNVC Torch Pro does all I need for illumination. It's a wonderful combination, plus the batteries on a VITAL-2 are just AAs and have seemingly no drain when not in use. Good to know it will handle bouncing around your ATV. The only abuse is a drop of the weapon with it mounted and stuff that happens during hunting. I would love to see some pics of your combo in use. Do you have any ? |
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Define garbage. What do you compare it to ? Quoted:
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There is no constant on and its hard to shoot left handed with it unless you have the box tape switch which I think is garbage. Define garbage. What do you compare it to ? Comparing it to LDI, Surefire's SR-D-IT, and SR07 tape switches. Its a big square switch with velcro backing that's hard to mount without it protruding out a lot. Its very awkward to me but that's just my opinion. I much prefer the paddle switch it comes with. |
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I have a couple and I really like them. However, the switching sucks horribly and it really needs a constant on function.
The IR LED illuminator is useless. It's more for navigation than target id and engagement. As for the Vital-100, I REALLY can't see the use for that kind of power. To me that's playing with fire. The possibility of blinding something unintentionally or reflecting it back at yourself is just too great with 100mW of power. |
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Comparing it to LDI, Surefire's SR-D-IT, and SR07 tape switches. Its a big square switch with velcro backing that's hard to mount without it protruding out a lot. Its very awkward to me but that's just my opinion. I much prefer the paddle switch it comes with. Quoted:
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There is no constant on and its hard to shoot left handed with it unless you have the box tape switch which I think is garbage. Define garbage. What do you compare it to ? Comparing it to LDI, Surefire's SR-D-IT, and SR07 tape switches. Its a big square switch with velcro backing that's hard to mount without it protruding out a lot. Its very awkward to me but that's just my opinion. I much prefer the paddle switch it comes with. I didn't like the square switch at first but I've since gotten used to it. It's not a slim piece like on LDI stuff, but the boxy shape absolutely prevents accidental activation. Not a huge deal for me but if I was on a two way range I would like the idea of no accidental discharges of the laser. At first I taped my switch down (on top of velcroing it) on my grip-pod since it looked like it could pull off, but eventually I ditched the tape and it has never fallen off. A few nights ago I was scanning the far bank of an adjacent pond (230ish yards) w/ my Crye Nightcap/PVS-14/3x lens combo and activating the laser from time to time. It's an EXTREMELY potent combination and it doesn't subject that precious tube to any appreciable shock. Might have to do that again tonight 
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Has anyone tried splicing an SF tape switch ? How robust is the connection between the unit and the remote switch ? From the crappy cell phone pics I've seen, it looks like a weak point. I can't imagine a tougher connection point. There is literally NO WAY to accidentally pull it back out of the unit. Well, if there is I haven't found it at least. It inserts UP into the laser housing via a very tight-fitting hard rubber boot sort of thing. Hard to explain, but it works great. It's got a curious battery compartment design as well but it works great and I can attest to how waterproof it is. I've used a lot of lasers, NVS/NVEC products always seemed to be well thought out, light, and very durable. |
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Has anyone tried splicing an SF tape switch ? How robust is the connection between the unit and the remote switch ? From the crappy cell phone pics I've seen, it looks like a weak point. They are very weak. Thinner than most tape switches currently produced. And yes, I've seen a couple people rewire the switch to work with insight. Personally I love tape switches but not without a backup. Same reason I only use a clickie tailcap on a scout light. |
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