pin Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Like a lot of folk I picked up a lidl night vision unit a while back. At the time I mentioned my plan to make an infra red illuminator from a cheap 12v 3million candle power torch I had lying about (the ones you get at b&q for £15). I sourced some IR pass filter material after a long search on the net, which arrived recently. Biggest I could find was 20cm x 20cm which turned out to be a perfect size. Got the dremel out and cut it to size, removed the screw on bezel and fitted the filter sheet in place. With the torch tuned on you can see a faint red glow from the bulb, if you look right at it, nothing is radiated out in the visible spectrum of any note. I picked this particular filter material because it passes a lot of light in the 850nm range, which is where the gen1 tube is most sensitive. WOW, it works a treat. You get a beam usable out to about 150yds, anything within that is lit up like an xmas tree :yp: I have yet to try it in the field but for the price it knocks spots off any of these expensive dedicated IR devices you see. Its hard to take pictures through the NV itself, but I will have a shot when its not raining and post the results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Okay, so is this for shooting or perv'in. Let me know how you get on 'out in the field' :yp: and don't forget those photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Well done Pin. I missed out on the Lidl offer, but hope that they may get them in again. Could you please post a link to the sourse of your IR filter material. webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted January 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Certainly :- http://www.alanaecology.com/acatalog/Infra...ter_Sheets.html The people who make it, or supply it to them are Cobra Optics http://www.cobra-optics.co.uk/infra_red.htm Cobra sell the sheet but oddly for a lot more than the first place Okay, so is this for shooting or perv'in. Let me know how you get on 'out in the field' :yp: and don't forget those photos. I am still waiting for the camera adaptor for the NV unit, it's coming from bresser in Germany for some reason. As soon as I get that, and find some "bunnies" to photo, I will pass them on to the usual email account mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 This sounds really interesting. I have a few questions. What thickness did you use, the 5mm one? Do you have any pictures of the set up? Where did you find the lens adapter to use it as an SLR lens? Cheers. :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferretboy111 Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Wicked mate, im going to buy the magnification bit but havent found a supplier nearby as yet that sells them. Is such a plan, ive gotta get myself some for my tracer max pro, ill erect my high seat and sit out one night n see what i can get. ALEX :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pestbry Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Infra-Red-Lens-Mater...1QQcmdZViewItem i got a gen 1 nite sight i made a home made I/R buy using some of above sheet and put it on my culite lamp them tried it . Like pin says the stronger lamp with I/R pushes the gen 1 out to 150yrds plus. hope the ebay link works only £10 for the I/R sheet glass Bry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth Stalker Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Bring it round tommorrow night Pin I went out with the dog & lamp to see whats about, counted over 40 about the place, also lamped up 2 baby bunnys :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted January 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 We shooting or am I just demoing it? Its excellent, just been over to arthurs and over to the shoot to have a look, its better than 150yds, more like 200+. I'd say you would be able to spot eyes out to 300 with it on a clear night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted January 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 This sounds really interesting. I have a few questions. What thickness did you use, the 5mm one? Do you have any pictures of the set up? Where did you find the lens adapter to use it as an SLR lens? Cheers. 3mm, 5mm wouldn't fit under the bezel of the lamp I was using. Because the lamp generates a lot of heat I didn't want to replace the glass lens that was there already in case the heat damaged the plastic. If you were replacing the lens then perhaps the 5mm would have been a better choice. The website with the accessories is http://www.bresseroptics.co.uk/products.php?id=59 Here is a pic of the assembled IR torch :- Here it is showing the filter material and the bezel :- Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth Stalker Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 We shooting or am I just demoing it? We could maybe pop off a few I wouldn't mind seeing this IR in action, its ******* wet over there tho! Fancy getting out with the ferts Saturday, hopefully Peltys free aswell. SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted January 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 No bother, will bell you tomorrow night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Cheers pin for the info. I got an old lamp too, might give it a bash! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted January 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Hmm, just noticed a problem, well, might be a problem anyway. Testing this out on my pet rabbit, his eyes shine brightly under the IR from the NV itself, but don't seem to shine from the IR put out from the home made device Not sure why this is, given that rabbits eyes shine with normal lamps, filtered lamps and the NV light itself. Wonder if its the wavelength of light, or if its just so bright his pupils are constricted.. Will have to try out in the field and see what's what, might have to do some research if this isn't putting out the right kind of light to pick out bunny eyes.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the pelt man Posted January 17, 2007 Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Hmm, just noticed a problem, well, might be a problem anyway. Testing this out on my pet rabbit, his eyes shine brightly under the IR from the NV itself, but don't seem to shine from the IR put out from the home made device Not sure why this is, given that rabbits eyes shine with normal lamps, filtered lamps and the NV light itself. Wonder if its the wavelength of light, or if its just so bright his pupils are constricted.. Will have to try out in the field and see what's what, might have to do some research if this isn't putting out the right kind of light to pick out bunny eyes.. Are you sure He was awake or had his eyes open maybe he thought you was gonna shoot him I can't see why if it works in the field out to the distance you say, that it's not showing up eyes. Maybe your bunnie has Cataracts Their eyes don't see IR so i can't see why it's Pupils would constrict Take your bunny out tonight and stick him in the middle of the field, walk to the edge and test it. If you see a pair of eyes then you know its working, if you see two pair of eye's, one pair larger than the other you know your pet bunny is about to snuff it Pin you need to get this sorted fast before i order my IR sheet. PELTMAN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted January 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 I did some extensive research last night, looking into the whole chemistry and biology of why some eyes reflect and some don't. Very interesting stuff. What I found out was that very long wavelengths of IR are not reflected by all tapetum lucidum (the stuff in animal eyes that reflects). I couldn't find any research into rabbit eyes as such, but I found a couple of Phd's to ask and have bashed off a couple of emails I think the filter sheet I got is mostly letting about 850nm wavelengths through (and higher towards 1000nm). Looking at the IR device on the NV spec that seems to be much lower at around 700nm. As the wavelength increases it moves further away from the visible spectrum (300-600nm ish). Given they show up in normal torchlight, and in the NV (so say 400nm-750nm) perhaps they simply can't reflect anything higher. I will see what the profs say if they get back to me, in the meantime I have found out that lighting gels (stage lighting filters) are suitable for this purpose. "congo blue" combined with "primary red" film will do what I want (they are transparent to IR but combined they block visible light). I have found a supplier who will do a sheet of each 1200cm x 50cm delivered for £11.75. Ordered some of that, which should be enough for a few torches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the pelt man Posted January 17, 2007 Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Hi Pin I have been looking into it aswell. I have come to the same conclusion as yourself, i feel that the max filter should be around 700nm. As you go lower in nm's the light becomes more visable from the IR lamp. With the new gels that you have ordered what will be the nm, and could you let us know the supplier. Another point should be made, you can use your camcorder with IR as it see's IR light. So you can film your night shooting and post it, although it will only play in black & white PELTMAN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted January 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Great minds and all that The filter gels on order apparently block visible but pass all IR. I don't know this for sure, but the source on the net was an article on how to build a NV scope from parts - the guy seemed to know what he was talking about If this is true then we should see light from say 630nm - > 1000nm+ which should do what we want. The torch filter I have made is still useful since it outputs right at the sensitivity range of the tube, it certainly works very well. It might show up bunnies in the field at longer ranges as the light refracts - we will see tonight. Supplier is formatt.co.uk - though if it works I will have plenty left over for a few more torches so its probably not worth it until I see if it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted January 17, 2007 Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Dang, a disappointment. Maybe the beam is too strong, 3 million candles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted January 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Good idea but I don't think its that, if I take off the filter and shine the torch at my rabbit (it has variable power so I ain't blinding him before anyone says anything) his eyes shine. Pretty sure its wavelength issue, if so I have some more sources for material and will get there in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the pelt man Posted January 17, 2007 Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Pin I take it you were looking at your bunny through your NV when testing the lamp ? Its just come to me that i think it will be more likely that your bunny was shutting its eyes or as you say closing its iris right down as it was sensing the intense heat &/or IR radiation at such short range The reason for this conclusion is that the eyes would have still reflected back the correct wavelength from other light sorces or the IR lamp on the NV scope. If it would be OK i would like to attend the test this eve with you & SS. PELTMAN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted January 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Of course, bring your NV too Not sure really either way on the eyes thing, I don't think the little guy can see the IR at all, its so clear under the lamp I am sure he's got his eyes open but can't be sure what his pupils are doing. We will sort it out tonight with a little wander I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferretboy111 Posted January 17, 2007 Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Keep us posted, could do with the extra range, as the lidl's one does limit its range. I want to be using it when i sit on a high seat waiting for mr fox. ALex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kip270 Posted January 17, 2007 Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Gone straight over my head faster than Concorde used too hope it works after all that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted January 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 Went out with SS to have a look for some bunnies, it isn't shining up their eyes Mind, it works a treat, throwing a beam 300yds+ Back to the drawing board Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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