Surefire M1 IR Illuminator Employment

[Submariner]

The thread on x200A vs. X200B was most helpful. Boom also sold me an Surefire M1 IR Illuminator. (Thanks, Boom.) I have a helmet mounted NOD so I am looking for ideas on how best to employ this tool to aid night time practice.

Mount on a LaRue double mount with a white light?

LF's basicload mounts it on his helmet:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/DasBoot56/blkit.jpg

[yrac]

If you're using helmet-mounted NV, I would consider doing the same for the M1. This will let you use it for general illumination as well as shooting. If you mount it to the weapon, then for safety reasons, you limit it to the role of a weaponlight. If you're using weapon-mounted NV only, then putting the M1 on the weapon makes sense. If the NV is helmet-mounted, I think you'll lose versatility by mounting the M1 to a weapon.

[C4IGrant]

If you're using helmet-mounted NV, I would consider doing the same for the M1. This will let you use it for general illumination as well as shooting. If you mount it to the weapon, then for safety reasons, you limit it to the role of a weaponlight. If you're using weapon-mounted NV only, then putting the M1 on the weapon makes sense. If the NV is helmet-mounted, I think you'll lose versatility by mounting the M1 to a weapon.

Bill makes a good point. My only concern would be that the M1 has a tight pattern to it. So if you cannot get positioned just right, it might not point to where you want it too. Just a thought.


C4

[Submariner]

Surefire makes an IR illuminator that mounts on the side of the MICH and partially covers the ear. How does its beamwidth compare with the M1's?

[Patrick Aherne]

If you're looking for flood-type IR illuminators, the Pentagon Light S2-IR LED is without peer. NOTE: I am HIGHLY biased in this regard, so caveat emptor.

[C4IGrant]

Surefire makes an IR illuminator that mounts on the side of the MICH and partially covers the ear. How does its beamwidth compare with the M1's?


No where near the same throw (think close range).

Pat is right on the PL IR for flood purposes.



C4

[KevinB]

For Illuminator duties --
PEQ2B

The IR lights like the M1 do an okay job as a local light but for IR Flood duty the Illuminator on the PEQ2 (or Attila or IPIM)

Flashlights with an IR filter just plain suck...

[fivepointoh]

what about the new variable "da torch" by Victor?

i'll post some pix. i've got an M1 and the others are right about it being a direct beam and not much of a flood....i cannot take credit for the following pix but do know the orginal "da torch" and the variable "da torch" are in the price range of what you're looking at.


BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I HAVE NO AFFILIATION W/ VICTOR OR TACTICAL NIGHT VISION COMPANY

WITH THAT SAID HE HAS A VERY GOOD REPUTATION AND TURNS OUT SOME GREAT STUFF BASED ON REVIEWS. I AM CURRENTLY GETTING INTO THE WHOLE NV THING AND WILL BE LOOKING TO GO WITH HIM IN THE FUTURE FOR PURCHASES.

These are the specs Vic posted of each

TRUE effective range of all 3 units is as follows under a no moon setting,
New Variable Torch - 400M+ (at tightest beam setting, 2deg)
Original Torch - 300M+
M1 Illuminator - 70 yards

Shown left to right, Da Original Torch, Da New Variable Torch, and Surefire M1


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Clutch99/ELR%20Prototypes/WesELRSidebySide.jpg




Original torch with the new pressure switch

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Clutch99/ELR%20Prototypes/PIC_Pressure3.jpg




Variable torch with Standard Silent Switch and 8 deg setting

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Clutch99/ELR%20Prototypes/PICT0005.jpg


PVS-14 shot at 200M with variable torch on left (2deg) and the original torch on the right.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Clutch99/ELR%20Prototypes/PVS-14_K2andELR.jpg


Raptor 4X shot at 200m with variable torch on the left and the origianl torch on the right

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Clutch99/New%20ELR/Raptor_K2andELR.jpg


PVS-14 300m shot with wew variable torch on the left, (2deg setting) and original torch on right

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Clutch99/ELR%20Prototypes/Wes300mcomparison.jpg










You can contact him here

Victor Di Cosola
Tactical Night Vision Company - NVC
victor@tacticalnightvision.com
(909) 659-2842



and BTW I do know that these IR Illuminators have been used in the sandbox.



ETA: you might wanna also check out http://www.nightvisionforums.com


LOTS OF GOOD INFO THERE!