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Originally Posted By mickdonaldson: The Pro is the 2nd Gen Sensor, you can use it unaided down to NL4 (Moonless Starlight in an Open Area, as an example). The Black is 1st Gen and will start crapping out at anything less than a Half Moon in the open (NL2) - so the Pro is about ~twice as good. Your best deals will be catching B&H Photo with a sale, or qualifying for membership at places like Guidefitter, or ExpertVoice...or know someone who is already a member. But people seem to find them in the $7xx range all over, at times - you just have to be on the lookout. Edit: On their comparison chart, look at the 'Night Vision' line - "Near Moonless Starlight" vs "Moonless Starlight". View Quote Thanks, I totally missed that differentiation on their chart. I just bought one from Dvor for $725 and ended up at $775 with tax. |
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This needs to be posted every few pages for new owners. I do not know who the original poster was, but a primer on setting up your Aurora for best results:
SIONYX Black/Classic/Sport will get grainy, and then need IR, somewhere between 1/4-1/2 Moon level of ambient light (or equivalent man made levels). Settings that I like for doing everything (Generally, off the top of my head): EIS - Off EVF Brightness - Low EVF Auto Off - Never (but only if worried about someone else seeing you - otherwise it can save some battery). Night Glow - Grayscale for marginal conditions, Color with a lot of ambient. Invert Image - For Helmet use All Sounds - Off Photo Mode - Auto Shutter if using IR or an IR Illuminator, if not, setting a 1.5 sec shutter can eeek out a bit more performance. 1.5 will blow out with an illuminator though. Video Mode - Here is where you need to experiment for your use - 360p/7.5fps will get you to lower light levels, but is useless for doing anything other than observing. 720p/30 or 360p/30 for shooting - you need to see if one is better for you - I can't tell a quality difference on the EVF, so I leave it on 360p for any extra performance (but I wear reading glasses, so maybe young eyes can see a difference?). 24fps can eek out a bit more, but to me, motion blur on the EVF is a bit more at 24. Under good ambient/IR, and especially if recording video, 720p/30. HDR - I never noticed a difference on the Black/Classic/Sport with this setting, but on the Carpe Nocturnum YouTube channel, he does a comparison and there *is* a slight performance edge to it. On the Pro - it makes a HUGE difference, so it's on for me. I'd say try it both On and Off and see if it helps or hurts you. Electrical Tape the Record light, and the Power On/Charging light near the dial. Remove the Rubber Eyecup if you need to get it closer- squeeze the sides and pop it off. View Quote |
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I do 60fps which allows me to ride a bike in two different color mode bridged on a helmet.
SiOnyx Bike Test Part 2 NO Supplemental IR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KU4zgLDRRo I'm prone to motion sickness where I cant play any FPS video games or ride roller coaster more than once but I can easily ride a bike with it. That path requires a flashlight to navigate at night. |
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Originally Posted By glklvr: This needs to be posted every few pages for new owners. I do not know who the original poster was, but a primer on setting up your Aurora for best results: View Quote What about a primer for setting up the Pro version? I haven't even received mine yet, so I need all the help I can get. |
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Originally Posted By CJofFL: What about a primer for setting up the Pro version? I haven't even received mine yet, so I need all the help I can get. View Quote Its in there - only diff is definitely turn on HDR. Other than that, all the same. 1:1 is only 2 clicks zoom though, since they changed the lens as well. |
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^^^ thanks ^^^
Apologies in advance if this is a dumb question: does the Sionyx require a red dot with NV settings similar to analog NV? |
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Originally Posted By CJofFL: ^^^ thanks ^^^ Apologies in advance if this is a dumb question: does the Sionyx require a red dot with NV settings similar to analog NV? View Quote It'll depend on the exact Non-NV Settings optic, and how much juice the mfg pumps into setting 1. On some, setting 1 is low enough to not blow out the reticle (PA SLx 1-6 Gen III for example), and it is crisp - on others, the lowest setting is still too bright (Swampfox Tomahawk). Only way to know, is to try it. |
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Originally Posted By Ar15Niel: Now only if viewfinder were actually circular https://i.imgur.com/JRXXDud.jpg View Quote That setup might mess with me a lil bit. |
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Originally Posted By glklvr: That setup might mess with me a lil bit. View Quote No doubt. Neat experiment, but the Lion's gear MACHOS allows collimation, and you get a nice 16:9 perpendicular window. You can also collimate with M24 FLIR Shoes if you do some extra filing on the anti-rotation pins. But again, nice experiment and post - this is how we all figure out how to make stuff work/improve/better, etc... Check out the Somogear PEQ-15 thread |
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Originally Posted By Ar15Niel: Just a joke post. What I really run works perfectly I'll assume thermal would too once I buy one. View Quote LOL! - Gotcha! I had the same setup with the 'SOCox' Bridge and two Pro's - lot of capability for the price. When I got BNVD-SGs, I put an MH25 in place of one of the Auroras, and use the other as a handheld. HMT is definitely a try *a lot* before making a verdict - I went from "this is gonna be awesome" to "this isn't as good as I thought" to "Nah, this is actually *almost* as good as I thought" - I'm lucky that my brain merges the images though. |
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Originally Posted By mickdonaldson: I went SOTAC / HM L4G24, SOTAC Wilcox Replica Bridge, and M24 FLIR Shoes. Articulation is nice to have. The Lion's Gear also articulates, and you don't need the FLIR Shoes for it, but I never used his newer MACHOS, as I already had the Wilcox bridge. These are not the "Budget" options though. I have an HHV Ballistic, and two PTS MTEK's. https://i.imgur.com/MT3aOMA.jpg https://i.imgur.com/6WAIGOR.jpg View Quote So, I just mimic'd your setup and I'm finding that the NVG's are way too low even with max adjustment. Just curious if you had the same problem and what the fix was. Or any suggestions? |
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Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
Long time lurker, first time poster |
Originally Posted By RoosterX19: So, I just mimic'd your setup and I'm finding that the NVG's are way too low even with max adjustment. Just curious if you had the same problem and what the fix was. Or any suggestions? View Quote Assuming you have a height adjustable mount (RHINO II or Real/Clone Wilcox) - How much counterweight are you running? Put everything on the helmet and deploy the devices like you are wearing it, and then balance the helmet on your index finger or broom handle at TOP DEAD CENTER. It needs to sit level. Add weight to the back until it does. My HMT setup needs 18oz plus an Anker 15K (which really weighs almost nothing, itself). When I had Dual Pro's, I think it was about 20oz. If under-weighted, it dips forward, and you then need to raise the mount to compensate - you can run out of room without proper counter-weighting. |
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I got to play with the newest version at a swat conference recently. Not sure if it’s been covered in this thread, but their new purpose built helmet mount version is amazing. Should be available Q3 this year. I’m waiting on a T&E delivery soon. Way smaller, better sensor, big view finder, external battery pack. Super cool
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Originally Posted By new_frontier13: I got to play with the newest version at a swat conference recently. Not sure if it’s been covered in this thread, but their new purpose built helmet mount version is amazing. Should be available Q3 this year. I’m waiting on a T&E delivery soon. Way smaller, better sensor, big view finder, external battery pack. Super cool View Quote How'd you get the pleasure to T&E it. Questions: 1. Does the battery pack wire get in the way when flipping it up against helmet ? 2. Any mention of ability to use wilcox dovetail to use on an aftermarket bridge ? 3. Hows the weight ? 4. Any mention of bino/dual ? I'm sure its planned 5. Any plans of price change ? At $2,500 I still think I'll go with analog. |
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Originally Posted By new_frontier13: I got to play with the newest version at a swat conference recently. Not sure if it’s been covered in this thread, but their new purpose built helmet mount version is amazing. Should be available Q3 this year. I’m waiting on a T&E delivery soon. Way smaller, better sensor, big view finder, external battery pack. Super cool View Quote Yeah, The OPSIN is pretty sweet. Unfortunately, they made it too proprietary and limiting for most advanced users. And if they can't get the "street" price low enough (GuideFitter, ExpertVoice, Killer B&H price, etc...) it's just too damn close to a PVS14. Digital has its advantages for certain things (built in GPS, Compass, Color Image, Pics/Video, Remote Viewing, ATAC-Like Positioning On-Screen, etc...) - but it'll still be very niche if it's not hundredzzzz cheaper than a 14. I've owned every one, but I'm skipping this one - No Dovetail mounting ability is a deal killer for me. No "Duals" ability will kill it for others. We'll see - but hell yes I'm glad they made it...that's how stuff advances and gets cheaper. |
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I think NV of the future will be digital, but the -14 remains the standard. To compete, digital is going to have to be a) better, or b) cheaper.
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Originally Posted By Ar15Niel: How'd you get the pleasure to T&E it. Questions: 1. Does the battery pack wire get in the way when flipping it up against helmet ? 2. Any mention of ability to use wilcox dovetail to use on an aftermarket bridge ? 3. Hows the weight ? 4. Any mention of bino/dual ? I'm sure its planned 5. Any plans of price change ? At $2,500 I still think I'll go with analog. View Quote 1. No 2. The one I used was on a Wilcox if I remember corrrectly (swat conferences are drinking marathons) 3. Less than PVS14 (in hand estimate) 4. I don’t see any reason you couldn’t 5. These are definitely priced for pro-users and .gov purchases where performance is the priority over cost. Regardless of cost, the ability of this system to work in a wider range of lighting conditions while (potentially) acting as a recording device is a huge plus. I’ve been using my sports to identify security cameras for over a while now. For our purposes, a digital system has the potential to provide better performance. Think unlit/ shaded back yard, we’ll lit street and unlit structure interior from the same POV. |
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Unless they changed it since I was in contact with Sionyx, it does not have the ability to accept a Dovetail, nor the ability to run as Binos (A. No Dovetail, and B. No internal battery or ability to run off USB...or two connections on the OEM battery pack.) Again, maybe it's changed?
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Originally Posted By mickdonaldson: Unless they changed it since I was in contact with Sionyx, it does not have the ability to accept a Dovetail, nor the ability to run as Binos (A. No Dovetail, and B. No internal battery or ability to run off USB...or two connections on the OEM battery pack.) Again, maybe it's changed? View Quote Maybe it was the bourbons but I remember a dovetail mount being used. I remember borrowing a Wilcox mount to attach it to a helmet at the vendor show. Maybe I’m mistaken. I’ll dig through the pics I took |
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Originally Posted By new_frontier13: Maybe it was the bourbons but I remember a dovetail mount being used. I remember borrowing a Wilcox mount to attach it to a helmet at the vendor show. Maybe I’m mistaken. I’ll dig through the pics I took View Quote Maybe youre thinking of the sionyx proprietary bridge accepting into a g24 mount. |
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Originally Posted By mickdonaldson: Bingo. Yes, it clips into a standard Mount, but the device itself can't accept a Dovetail Shoe, to run HMT or as Duals on Wilcox/KAC Bridge. View Quote That sounds right. To be honest, I was really paying attention to the size, clarity and performance. I’ll have to play with it more, but im leaning towards it over a pvs14 for personal purchase. Being able to transition from dark to well let without manipulating my NOD and being able to see IR lasers in the day light is pretty sweet. |
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Originally Posted By new_frontier13: That sounds right. To be honest, I was really paying attention to the size, clarity and performance. I’ll have to play with it more, but im leaning towards it over a pvs14 for personal purchase. Being able to transition from dark to well let without manipulating my NOD and being able to see IR lasers in the day light is pretty sweet. View Quote You'll get no gripes from me my friend - I transitioned from Dual Pro's to BNVD-SGs only because I had a windfall. But I'm keeping both Pro's because of the performance per dollar. If they fix the OPSIN "proprietary-ness" in the next release, I'll probably grab one. |
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Firmware version 1.34 is available for the Pro (since 12th April) - does anyone know what changes/improvements it makes?
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Originally Posted By RoosterX19: I have a Anker 20k and some chem lights right now. I'll load it up and see if it balances out. I also have another bump helmet I can check. And yeah its a Wilcox clone View Quote That's hardly any weight, your unbalanced - 99.9% that's your problem. Bump Helmets require more weight, so balance on finger/stick for both. |
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Originally Posted By mickdonaldson: Unfortunately, they never list the fixes anywhere. We've emailed in the past, and got some BS "proprietary info" reply. View Quote Their customer service could definitely improve. Thats another reason why I wont get Opsin just yet. I'll wait until every bug is cleared out and every wrinkle ironed out. And also like you've mentioned the proprietary aspect. But lets see. Maybe aftermarket parts can be applied to solve some problems. Maybe some 3D printing. |
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The other night saw the Aurora being used on the skinwalker ranch show on history channel. Moving up into the big time lol
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THIS IS THE WAY
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Originally Posted By GroundhogOZ: https://i.imgur.com/nzEWuG9.jpg View Quote HDR has always been a big performance enhancer on the Pro (versus on the Gen 1 units, where it didn't do much) since launch - are you seeing any other differences? I love your mash-up pics BTW, you got skillz |
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Originally Posted By GroundhogOZ: https://i.imgur.com/nzEWuG9.jpg View Quote Is there a difference in version 1.34? I see it was last modified by Bobrowski in April, but the one on their website from September is also labeled 1.34.. Links to both 1.34: September April |
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Originally Posted By hallway_monitor: Is there a difference in version 1.34? I see it was last modified by Bobrowski in April, but the one on their website from September is also labeled 1.34.. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By hallway_monitor: Is there a difference in version 1.34? I see it was last modified by Bobrowski in April, but the one on their website from September is also labeled 1.34.. The SHA-1 File Hashes are identical - same file: 4FEE0F3252DD322C054DE452186C7506978653A7 4FEE0F3252DD322C054DE452186C7506978653A7 |
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I have an older sport, probably near the original release. I never checked, but have they ever upgraded firmware that I can install? Any worth / improvement to it? @ me if you have info please :)
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Originally Posted By mickdonaldson: The SHA-1 File Hashes are identical - same file: View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By mickdonaldson: Originally Posted By hallway_monitor: Is there a difference in version 1.34? I see it was last modified by Bobrowski in April, but the one on their website from September is also labeled 1.34.. The SHA-1 File Hashes are identical - same file: 4FEE0F3252DD322C054DE452186C7506978653A7 4FEE0F3252DD322C054DE452186C7506978653A7 We speak the same language, thanks! |
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So requesting an update here guys. Haven't been following this thread for awhile. What is the consensus, if you would try to put together a new system, using this unit, in whatever version, with a SG PEQ-15, as an alternative to a -14 and ATPIAL? How close are we? It would seem that what was once considered toys are rapidly evolving into something else.
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Originally Posted By Diz: So requesting an update here guys. Haven't been following this thread for awhile. What is the consensus, if you would try to put together a new system, using this unit, in whatever version, with a SG PEQ-15, as an alternative to a -14 and ATPIAL? How close are we? It would seem that what was once considered toys are rapidly evolving into something else. View Quote An Aurora- Sport, Black or Original, will do what a -14 will do for 90% of the population. The Pro will do what 95% of the population wants from an NVD. |
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For those with helmet mounts, what battery holder are you using? I have what I think is the preferred Anker PowerCore 20000, and its way bigger than the counterweight pouch I bought.
Thanks |
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This has been one great thread. I doubt I'll find another that makes me look backward 115 pages to see who started it. Thanks to all who posted. I learned a great deal.
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Originally Posted By Skinnywater: For those with helmet mounts, what battery holder are you using? I have what I think is the preferred Anker PowerCore 20000, and its way bigger than the counterweight pouch I bought. Thanks View Quote If you are looking to fit it in a pouch, the 13K or 15K is/was the preferred pack. Unfortunately, at last check, the 15K was no longer available, but maybe the 13K still is? You could also go with two x 10Ks, but you'd have to manipulate two buttons. You want the "Trickle Charge" function (like for charging Earbuds) - the Aurora doesn't draw a ton of current, and the battery can shut off if it doesn't have that feature. |
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I picked up the battery and pouch that is shown in the description of kiloohm's video. Im wondering if the mfg changed sizing or something.
Further investigation shows the battery pack is the same size as a Samsung Galaxy 10 phone with an Otterbox case. I may have to get a phone pouch and engineer a solution. |
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Originally Posted By glklvr: An Aurora- Sport, Black or Original, will do what a -14 will do for 90% of the population. The Pro will do what 95% of the population wants from an NVD. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By glklvr: Originally Posted By Diz: So requesting an update here guys. Haven't been following this thread for awhile. What is the consensus, if you would try to put together a new system, using this unit, in whatever version, with a SG PEQ-15, as an alternative to a -14 and ATPIAL? How close are we? It would seem that what was once considered toys are rapidly evolving into something else. An Aurora- Sport, Black or Original, will do what a -14 will do for 90% of the population. The Pro will do what 95% of the population wants from an NVD. We really need a sticky answering the basic questions like these. How does it compare to “X” What is the best applications Best mounts Realistic range Detail with different conditions etc… |
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