I'm looking for recommendations on high value IR laser/illuminators. The high end products like APTIALs, most DBALs, etc, are probably not for me, at least initially, as I honestly am just getting into night vision for the fun of it. I'm not a hunter, not an officer of the law or military, and really only wanting it for night shooting, preparedness, and for fun. For these reasons I'm looking at Gen2+ monoculars from Night Goggles, used units here on the EE in Gen 3 with good pedigrees, etc. Probably not going to opt for brand new units in Gen 3 at over $3,000. With this in mind, I don't know if pursuing a DBAL or similar high end IR aiming and illumination gear makes sense for me, but I'm willing to listen.
Are there decent IR aiming devices out there for shooting 150 yards and in that make sense for someone in my position? Similar question for illuminators - right now I am considering products such as the TLR-2 IR, LaserMax Uni-IR laser and a rifle or helmet mounted IR light, etc. Still learning though and hoping to find some decent recommendations.
The OTAL from Steiner also caught my eye as an aiming device around $400. I have a rifle mounted illuminator that I use with a digital night vision scope already, but I am not sure it's practical for use with goggles/helt mounted NVGs. I am also not entirely convinced that a secondary illuminator, whether mounted on a rifle or on a helmet, is something I will need as someone who won't be hunting and lives in a city. Open to opinions on that as well.