Lost in the land of night vision.

[Rocketvapor]

Most brands of (low end) Night Vision Scopes are both a compromise of capability (cost) and computerized features over another model.  Finding a perfect fit will be difficult. 

Thinking back to Toad's 'Toad Vision' where a good rifle scope, eyepiece camera, digital display, and IR light source could be selected for the best parameters, performance could easily beat low end commercial products. 
It was basically an optimised home brew product


I understand he is developing a version for a (Glock) pistol.

[Toad]

You could honestly make a home brew "Corner Shot" system for a Glock, in NV, send it to a cell phone for recording, for less than $100. I kinda nerd-ed out. I'd continue with the project, but every year, the image sensors get better and cheaper....as do the commercial units.

[Rocketvapor]

Too cold to spend time outside at night (in the mid 30's here).
Finished the 25AH 12V packs, with BCM and tried one last night with the Big IR Floodlight.
13hrs and have about 45% charge left.

Might set one up with a 25watt solar panel.
Battery in a small ammo box, solar panel and IR light on a tripod as a temporary/semi permanent illuminator.

[ramblin84]

RV, how about providing an M-BOM and Assy instructions? 
The photos help but some of us don't have the background to comprende.

[Rocketvapor]

Sure.  While we wait for someone (cough, cough) to post some NV videos;
The batteries are LiFePO4, 25 amp hour.
Rated at 1C charge, 3C discharge, 5C burst (10 sec).
Contact posts are 6mm x 1mm.
4 wired in series.
The BMS is 4S, 30 amp.
Both from BatteryHookup.com

The pack is not as compact as a Li-ion/LiPo pack but is "safer" and the output voltage is flatter across the discharge range.  Each pack weighs about 6 pounds. 
I charge with a ToolKitRC M6D running off a Xbox 200watt supply.  Everything but the X-Box supply was bought new.  Got 3 of them CHEAP, opened, cleaned fans, and great supply for the size.
Connectors are XT60.
Here is a pic of the wiring (CLICK FOR LARGE VIEW).  Notice different orientation of cells between the two packs.
Can't see it in the pic but each cell has a plastic spacer between the cells to isolate the cell case.

From the BatteryHookup website;



Ran one last night with the IR light (photocell on to photocell off).  Resting voltage this morning was 3.285 for each cell (all within one millivolt).

[Toad]

***cough cough. Pics or the NV didn't happen.

[Onepoint]

Yeah, it's been cold and I have been a wuss.  It has not been so bitter cold at night and calving will start soon, so I should get some then.

[Toad]

***cough, cough, cough***

[Onepoint]

You need as cough drop for that? 

 I have no pictures downloaded from it yet, but my impressions are I wish I would have went with a lower power thermal.   It would be good for sitting stationary out calling in coyotes, but not so much for moving around and moving between obstructions like vehicles and building where the focus distance changes etc.  Too much menu based stuff to deal with to be fast.  Too much magnification for anything closer than 50 yds.   Have to have it set good for day time use to set it for night. Since I don't use it only sporadically I need to take the manual with me so I can decipher the menus.   The illuminator has some decent range even at 940nm. 

 Its is a better buy than the Sightmark or ATN in the same price range that I have seen. 

[Toad]

If you are going thermal. Go with whatever handheld you can afford at this time. The technology (for the price an the average consumer can afford) is just not reachable yet. Digital NV is mellowing out, stuff is getting cheaper. 4k full color Digital NV is the end of the line. What you have is considerably "future proof" for a decade or so. Thermal....? New chip sets come out each year. The tech has not yet peaked. It's too soon to go full on Thermal Scope.

Ya know, that thing does record video. Heck, you can even link it to the smart phone for easy posting on the boards. Just sayin' yo.

[Onepoint]

  I know it does automatically when you shoot, and I inadvertently enabled it to record while trying to figure out buttons.  But what it knows and I know about it is still a gap between.   

 The smart phone link is kind of useless though, it will let you download files, but can't access the menu at the same time.

 It will be a while before I go to thermal anyway.

[cvasqu03]

***cough, cough, cough***   

Oh sorry, I think Toad might have given me his cold. 

Possibly during that boating trip where we lost all our firearms. 

[Toad]

Speaking about boating accidents, this thread is taking about as long to produce an outcome as RV's boat build thread. 

Gonna need another COVID booster before these threads end. *cough, cough**

[Toad]

Lets go already. Pics or it didn't happen.

This thread is so old, I've become old and grumpy. 

[Danjal]

You were old and grumpy before you became old and grumpy.