Versatile night vision spotter

[Dave-G]

Here is one of my new versatile spotters with 5" HD monitors and genuine KPC E700 low light cameras. It can be ordered with a T30 AS IR led - or with a Black Sun T50 IR installed in it.

Because the superior camera can sometimes be used in a spotter without an illuminator there are two separate circuits, each with its own latching switch that have a momentary action if needed. The upper switch powers only the cam and monitor. The lower switch is for the illuminator and works just like the tail switch of the torch: Half press to change the power level and full press to lock on. Both switches have a visual reference - if the IR button is 'in' you left it on. The single IR battery lasts the same as an AS led in a single cell 'T' torch. Both switches can of course be turned on at the same time with two fingers.

Shown here with a T38 AS IR LED integrated illuminator:

The entire single cell torch body is used and if you are ever unfortunate enough to run over the spotter it can be removed and used with the tail cap that is supplied with it... assuming you are strong enough to defeat the Loctite retainer. :angel:

It will be supplied as default with a 50mm lens that is ideal for bunny and fox - at the expense of being too zoomed in for close range use such as ratting ETC. A 25mm alternative lens can be supplied if specified but I would recommend you just buy one from ebay for usually under £20 if you prefer a wide angle view so you can optimise for each role.

The machined handle is chunkier than my older one's to better fill the hand and has a smaller section to wrap a finger round so it requires less grip to retain it. It has a twist grip action that tensions a steel band around the torch body to allow a degree of articulation to account for bonnet drops etc: Unscrew it to slacken its tension, rotate the unit as required then lightly screw it up - it only needs nipping up gently.

There is an M6 threaded insert in the base of the handle that allows a powerful rubber coated magnet to be screwed into it. The handle is very close to the units balance point.

I know some shooters like to get on it like a car bonnet, but perhaps not to this extreme. :angel:

Or maybe use a metal post or building:

Or a farm gate you happen to be hiding behind or resting on:

The monitor can be shifted a few inches away from the unit - or much further away, perhaps inside the truck using 2 x 1 meter extension cables at £5 if ordered with the spotter, two will be needed to reach from the roof to below the dash area on a pull out ashtray or drinks carrier to avoid being seen from outside the vehicle. The very powerful rubber based magnet can be unscrewed from the base of the handle.

Two illuminator options are available, A T38 that is suitable for most of us - or a Black Sun T50 for improved bragging rights.

Buyer supplies the 3 flat top 18650's needed to operate it, I generally use 'free' one's rescued from duff laptop batteries.

A block cable connector has been used for the final part of the IR LED circuit so it is easily removed by the user in case it fails or a new LED spec becomes available rather than send it back to me for repair. It is inserted into the torch body and can be fetched out with a hook or fine nose pliers etc. :

You can see how to fit and replace the batteries part way through this video:

Another small video:

Price is £250 collected or £260 posted RMSD to UK postcodes for a T38 AS IR equipped model... in stock

Price is £270 collected or £280 posted RMSD to UK postcodes for a Black Sun T50 AS IR model, shown here, in stock:

Edited December 14, 2015 by Dave-G

[Marksman1997]

I have something similar to this. Was wondering if you ever get screen filters for them? Quite alot of light comes off them.

[Dave-G]

I have something similar to this. Was wondering if you ever get screen filters for them? Quite alot of light comes off them.

There are gel filters available but TBH I lost the link for them. These 5" 800x480 HD monitors have brightness and contrast menu buttons on the back because just like mobile phones daylight use needs them to be bright. I turn the brightness almost fully down at night and that keeps it well under control - as it would with a mobile.

Edited December 14, 2015 by Dave-G

[johnny]

With the ir sticking so far out can you see it on the screen?

[Dave-G]

With the ir sticking so far out can you see it on the screen?

Ner - the glass element is quite a bit smaller than the outer frame of the lens body.

[Elby]

_{How far out could you pick out stuff at?}

_{Also do you have any videos of it in action at night?}

[Dave-G]

_{How far out could you pick out stuff at?}

_{Also do you have any videos of it in action at night?}

EDIT - sorry getting my rigs mixed up lol.

 

Several hundred yards without using the illuminator in good moonlight, more than you will generally need with IR for eyeshine. In poor light and depending on moisture in the air etc the spotter is good for 350 + yards 'almost certain its a fox' but confirm its not badger with the rifle scope or study its movements longer.

Edited December 14, 2015 by Dave-G

[Elby]

PM sent

[Dave-G]

_{How far out could you pick out stuff at?}

_{Also do you have any videos of it in action at night?}

I don't get out in cold damp air much these days because of lung issues but...

 

If the weather forecasts hold true I hope to get some footage after work (after midnight then) over the next couple of nights which have very little moon so the illuminator will need to be used almost all the time which will likely reflect off some moisture.

The only thing I currently have near it was done at subsonic ranges with my truck spotter using a tiny 501b illuminator and the same 50mm lens - but with more ambient light. The moving smaller beam was a red lamp on a rifle. Video is Black and white of course:

 

Edited December 15, 2015 by Dave-G

[Dave-G]

_{How far out could you pick out stuff at?}

_{Also do you have any videos of it in action at night?}

The video.

 

Edited December 18, 2015 by Dave-G