Hey folks,
Any tips (links) on where to find one without breaking the bank.. I find plenty of IR illuminators, but none actually say if they are invisable...
Any help appreciated..

Dave

There are two types. 850nm wavelength and 940nm - both throw invisible beams. However the 850nm diodes will glow faint red when on, the 940nm will be totally invisible.

Obviously 940's will be more expensive than their 850 counterparts.

In my experience, when using them with Gen I or Gen II night vision, the 850 actually is much brighter and the beams carry further. That's "In my experience" -- but I should temper that by saying I bought the lower end 940 types.

You get what you pay for - go cheap and you'll likely be disappointed.

I have a 940 that I'll let you try out to get an idea.

What you get depends on your application. The very best technique for illuminating around the feeder is to forego trying light it up from far away. Instead I got a couple of these IR flood lights. These little doohickeys look like a game cam diode array with a little flexible tripod.

I put out a couple around the feeder and they light up the whole area like daylight when viewed through my night vision. This works a LOT better for me.

The flashlight types never seem to live up expectations to really light up stuff more than 75 yards out. But maybe I just need to buy a more expensive one. LOL

John, could you post a link to one of the IR floodlights you're taking about? I've been looking for one but haven't quite found what I'm looking for.

Daven is in Germany, I think. Daven, seek out Ian at ir.light.builds@gmail.com. He is in the UK and is the go to source for DIY hunting lights. His Facebook page has his prices,
https://www.facebook.com/Ir.light.builds
Here is a link to the ones I built for my own use.
DIY light thread

Actually, there are a lot more than "two types" being the 850 and 940. Those are just nm wavelengths. They are common and popular wavelength, but not the only options. I have had IR Illuminators that were closer to 800 nm (790 and 805).

The only totally invisible versions I have seen use a filter. Otherwise, the unfiltered versions emit some of the more visible wavelength at the source. It is very weak, but does produce a dull red glow.

As noted, Gen I does not do well with the high wavelength. HOWEVER, regardless of generation, if you want performance, the lower end nm is the way to go. You start losing throw as you go higher in nm. A 940 nm IR illuminator has a significantly reduced throw compared to an 850 and 850 will throw further than an 800 (assuming same amount of power, etc.).

It was mentioned that a flashlight IR won't get you more than about 75 yards. That is about what we get from a Solarforce drop-in module for a P6 styled flashlight (850 nm) and gen II or digital nv. http://www.lighthound.com/Solar-Force-IR-Drop-In-for-L2-Flashlight-ETC_p_3978.html

However, with a similar sized package, you can get 300+ yards from a UNV20IR http://www.ultimatenightvision.com/20-IR-Infrared-LED-Illuminator-Flashlight-p/unv-20ir.htm

It looks as though Ian and Ultimate Nightvision are using the same host, the UniqueFire T20? How does the UNV 20ir tighten up the zoom? On my 3 builds I wrapped Teflon tape around the threads to create some resistance. Have they found a better more professional way to accomplish the same thing?

is this what I'm looking for??

IR?

Daven, that is a 3w IR light. It will get you about 75 yards, as noted.

Here is it for sale in the US with a slightly better description...
http://www.amazon.com/Ultrafire-Wf-501b-Infrared-Vision-Flashlight/dp/B008RL0KS6

Here are some pics of one of my Phantom Lites.
www.phantomlite.com

These are units that pro Hollywood film crews use. That ain't cheap, but they work great. But again, this is for my application of spot area/flood illumination around feeder or travel area.

By accident one time, I discovered this trick:

I had set up 5 cams on trails leading to one of my stands. I had all the IR cams set for video, which meant to IR stayed on for a few seconds.

Sitting in the quad pod the next morning scanning with my Gen1 monocular, I could see bright "light bombs" going off along the trails before I could ever see the animal.

I could see them coming a long way off!!

I have since kept old cams that don't take pics anymore if I can still get them to trigger the IR by motion and use them just as signal lights along trails.

Btw, I bought a Night Optics IR-940 from the Ultimate NightVision folks for about $200 and it didn't fit what I needed it for - now I have no use for it.

If anyone wants it, make me an offer and I'll give it up cheap. Works perfectly, just not what I needed. Used it one time.

Thanks

I thought I had linked a 15 watt one. 75 yards is actually good, but how far do you think the 15 watt would reach?

Well, buy it and see. Its only 25 pounds. It would be exciting if it is truly 15w.

DNS is correct. The only way to make any of these lights invisible is to use a filter, but it also costs you some distance. I was out playing with a Gen II white phosphorous scope the other night and alternating an 850 and 940, both Oslon's. I could easily see 100 yards with either. I'll check 150 tomorrow night. I didn't check beyond 100 yards, but I could see both lights from the 100 yard target area. The 940 just isn't all that much stealthier in the real world.

Daven, I have one of those lights. I can't remember exactly, but I think it gets out beyond 50 yards and less then 75 yards... Cheap lights are just that...

Just did... It'll be on the orient express and headed this way soon. Just bot a Gen1 (?) NV monocular yesterday and it did more than I would ever ask of it... IR light on it is .5 watt 850nm. Moon is pretty much full so I'll try it with no moon and see how it does. Thanks for the tips...

Be sure to give is a report when you get it!