Need NV gurus help

crapshoot

crapshoot

Well-known member
I just purchased a Sightmark Wraith 2-16x28 digital day/nightvision scope
Model SM18021.
From what i recall, most people recommend upgrading your torch.
I have an xlr-250 as well as a w-403 ic. Both of which i can get IR diodes for, either 850nm or 950nm.

Is one light much better than the other and which diode shoild i get?
 
Not sure which light is better. Not familiar with them.

I ran Sniper Hog Lights with both 50 and 66 mm lenses. You’ll get a clearer image with the 850 but I’ve had it spook coyotes occasionally. The 940 is better for very wary critters. I don’t think they see the light, but the 850 makes the light lens glow red where the 940 isn’t hardly visible. I think the spooked coyotes saw a round red ball floating around on their way in and smelled a rat!
 
I have the same scope. The factory light is good to near 200 yards on a good night if adjusted correctly. I never upgraded because where I am using it that's plenty far enough.
 
Ok but how does that equate pertaing to what you are viewing through the nv, not what you are seeing looking at the ir device?
 
crapshoot said:
Ok but how does that equate pertaing to what you are viewing through the nv, not what you are seeing looking at the ir device?
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I don't think it does... light power is not the same as what wavelength that power is projected at. Maybe someone can explain it better.

With IR lights the Wavelength (visibility) is in nanometers (nm) and power (throw) is in milliwatts (mW).

Example... the TNVC Torch Pro is 100 Mw in the 805 nm spectrum... meaning it can be seen and it throws a pretty damn good IR beam downrange.
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The 850 is much brighter, but as stated by Bowhnt6pt, it glows that can standout at night......best I can describe, is it looks like the end of a lit cigar.
 
TXCOONDOG said:
The 850 is much brighter, but as stated by Bowhnt6pt, it glows that can standout at night......best I can describe, is it looks like the end of a lit cigar.
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I don't believe that under a NV Device one could discern the difference between a 850 wavelength vs a 940 wavelength with both power outputs being the same in milliwatts. The most important aspect should be can it be seen by animals or people down range.

ETA- in other words, scientifically there very well may be a difference but will it matter in field conditions?
 
Bowhntr6pt said:
I don't believe that under a NV Device one could discern the difference between a 850 wavelength vs a 940 wavelength with both power outputs being the same in milliwatts. The most important aspect should be can it be seen by animals or people down range.
Click to expand...

I don't know about the Wraith, but I can defiantly tell a difference with the Spectrum. Not only by (how clear/far) distance, but the Spectrum has trouble taking in all the light at anything closer then 150 yds on bright.
 
TXCOONDOG said:
I don't know about the Wraith, but I can defiantly tell a difference with the Spectrum. Not only by (how clear/far) distance, but the Spectrum has trouble taking in all the light at anything closer then 150 yds on bright.
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Digital NV?

If you're talking about digital NV then I can't comment as I have no experience with that. I'm talking about Image Intensification Tubes like PVS-14's, etc. The technologies are different and I assume the performance is as well.
 
Bowhntr6pt said:
I don't believe that under a NV Device one could discern the difference between a 850 wavelength vs a 940 wavelength with both power outputs being the same in milliwatts. The most important aspect should be can it be seen by animals or people down range.

ETA- in other words, scientifically there very well may be a difference but will it matter in field conditions?
Click to expand...
You can see a difference. 850 is a cleaner light if that makes sense. 940 will give a more violet hue and not throw as far. Sniper Hog lights has a graph on their websight to help people choose the distance thrown for each light size and led type. 940 is always less than 850.
 
crapshoot said:
Ok but how does that equate pertaing to what you are viewing through the nv, not what you are seeing looking at the ir device?
Click to expand...
I have used a variety of 850nm illuminators over the years. Coyotes do see the red glow, but the majority pay little attention to it. Not all 850 lights are created equal. Technology has advanced so much since I first began using them. I am using a Wraith 850nm torch that I got from the UK and is the best one I have ever used. I am sure some of the illuminators here are equally as good. With a good illuminator and a 4k digital scope, the view is pretty darn good.

Here’s an example:

 
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