PEQ-15 vs DBAL-A2

[TCBA_Joe]

Great thread. Thanks to the SME for this.

Since I can't take a PEQ-15 home from weekends, I'm looking at the new -I2 once I get some cash, and I have an M952V to go with it.

I guess the hardest thing to balance is where the switch goes. For this setup the SR-07 dual switch seems ideal, but it still is difficult to balance best mounting position, proper hand position, avoiding light/laser NDs, etc...

I guess it's like everything, a compromise.

[WillC]

Sorry to continue the hijack as I still know nothing IRT DBAL-A2, but I dont mind running my LASER in low power, as in close quarters the high power tends to bloom in my NODs. Also, even the high power illum does an insufficent job at penetrating ambient.

[TehLlama]

From the civilian end, (or less conventional forces) without the restriction of an M4 Carbine profile and front sight with 7" rail, are the drawbacks for mounting the unit farther back on the rail still present?
I'm assuming these drawbacks are going to be present on the ITL/MARS units, and whatever Insight's combined reflex/pointers are as well, so I'm at a loss at how that is overcome.

I'm well aware of how hand position (thumb over) in front of a PEQ15 can lead to uselessness (firing IR laser at hand instead of target, blooming my entire FOV) - btdt, luckily on a square range - but the same dual switching setup I see so commonly, does this negate that effect, or are you guys running that using a different hand positioning?

Vic, I had my PEQ15 zip tied as you mentioned, thanks to one tuned in guy from 2/2, and I used gutted 550 cord stateside. The rest of the guys in my current unit looked at me like a sorcerer as they covered their activation switches in baling wire after zeroing and wondered why they were missing ivans at 70yds. Cest la vie.

I'm wondering what sort of ideal idiot-proofed system can be used for this, that doesn't weight too much, but limits how much a less 'adept' user is going to be prone to white light ALD, remote cord removal, excess blooming, washing out pointers, and firing lasers at their support hand - I don't see a system that's really ideal for 100% of these factors at any price.

[C4IGrant]

Hmm, that is not our experience. I do know there was a rash of those DOE units accidentally let go several years ago that had problems we got the call about from numerous unhappy civilian customers. None of which could be repaired, let alone sent back LDI to begin with.

Other than that, we've not had one return of any of the DBAL's, ITAL's or OTAL units over the years from our LE/Mil customers.

Vic

Some of the units were from the DOE, some were not. I also found LDI to be super difficult to deal with (and I was one of their largest distrubtors at the time). In fact, they once told me that they were going to call the FBI about me because I had some of the DOE DBAL's.

Because of their stupidity, I stopped doing business with them and do not recommend them to anyone.


C4

[C4IGrant]

My DBAL shorted out and died after owning it for a few months.


Same. I usually changed batteries when I got issued a different PEQ15, but have never changed batts besides that.

Vickers had one and I think he had the same issue.


C4

[Victor]

Some of the units were from the DOE, some were not. I also found LDI to be super difficult to deal with (and I was one of their largest distrubtors at the time). In fact, they once told me that they were going to call the FBI about me because I had some of the DOE DBAL's.

Because of their stupidity, I stopped doing business with them and do not recommend them to anyone.


C4

Understood Grant. :-) That whole DOE thing put a few in tizzy at that time. I know several higher ups from the DOE lost their jobs on that one.

[Victor]

I'll add this about either unit. BOTH units are way to powerful at the 30/50Mw for most scenarios and I've preached this for years. I like the PEQ-2A for the lo/lo, lo/hi, hi/lo settings, none of which the ATPIAL and DBAL-A2's have. Thus, I run the DBAL-I2 that mimics the 2A. For supplemental illumination, I just run a SF 952V with it's excellent IR flood and use the low IR point ONLY setting on either of my high power ATPIAL or DBAL's.

Not to hijack this thread and introduce my all time favorite IR laze, but that is the Atilla. Independent variable power controls for BOTH the illum and pointer. I can crank up/down the amount of mW I need based on the mission at hand. Drawbacks of this system, ARMS mount at times and pressure thick PAD type.

[brianc142]

I'll add this about either unit. BOTH units are way to powerful at the 30/50Mw for most scenarios and I've preached this for years. I like the PEQ-2A for the lo/lo, lo/hi, hi/lo settings, none of which the ATPIAL and DBAL-A2's have. Thus, I run the DBAL-I2 that mimics the 2A. For supplemental illumination, I just run a SF 952V with it's excellent IR flood and use the low IR point ONLY setting on either of my high power ATPIAL or DBAL's.

Not to hijack this thread and introduce my all time favorite IR laze, but that is the Atilla. Independent variable power controls for BOTH the illum and pointer. I can crank up/down the amount of mW I need based on the mission at hand. Drawbacks of this system, ARMS mount at times and pressure thick PAD type.

I had an ATILLA at one time and wish I had it back. That unit had a lot of merit.

[Victor]

Also, to throw one more tidbit of info out there I forgot to mention about the DBAL-A2's that also includes the DBAL-I2's (Class 1 included)...

There is one LDI version they sell to the U.S. military, and there's one they sell to everyone else. (LE and Fed Agency of course, except for the class 1's, that is technically "to everyone else". )

The everyone else unit has some improvements that were drawn from experience and feedback on the units sent to the U.S. military over the years, but not part of the specification that the U.S. military required them to manufacture to. These improvements include:

a. One combined laser activation/power level switch instead of two separate switches.
b. New low profile Windage and Elevation adjustments.
c. A very slightly elongated IR illuminator lens (which makes the “SPOT” versus “FLOOD” capability of the focusable illuminator very crisp and clear) along with much better ergonomic shape to negotiate the knurled knob with gloves and cold weather.
d. Change from the ARMS mount to the HT Mount (which is far superior in many ways).


Here is a few pics of the current and older still issued Mil version.

Current Issue




Older Mil-Issue

[Titleist]

Yep, bottom one is the one I'm basing my experience on. Looks like the newer single switching system is far better. Vic, thanks for the visual clarification.

Again, seriously, ya gotta love MOM POWER HI as a mode. Makes for a great mother's day picture message for those times when you're away for mother's day due to attending a class.