I have a Sightmark Wraith and the Ir illuminator is good but it takes those high dollar 123 batteries which are not available everywhere. And it uses them up pretty quick. What I need is an IR light that is as good but takes the regular AA. No, I don’t want the rechargeable 123’s. Anyone recommend one?
Sightmark ir light
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BigBL87
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Honestly, every illuminator I looked at worth buying when I had a Wraith takes either 123's or a rechargeable battery like a 16340, 18650, etc.. The reason is the amount of power needed to put out a beam strong enough to really throw out as far as you want is above what most standard AA's can provide for very long.
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herrwalther
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Surefire Scout? Pricey but hard to argue the quality of the brand.
https://www.surefire.com/products/other/m600aav-b-z68-bk/
https://www.surefire.com/products/other/m600aav-b-z68-bk/
LonewolfMcquade
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I scrapped the 850nm that came with the Wraith & got the Nitecore 940nm light(wave length is less visible to the naked eye, doesnt spook game as easily either) . It does use a special 18650 rechargeable battery or disposable cr123's. I don't believe a AA powered IR light is going to cut it
BigBL87
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Reading up on the specs, they list the throw of the IR version at 225 yards. With the Wraith, that's only maybe a 50 yard improvement over the stock illuminator IF that's not an overly optimistic number as they often are.
I'm sure it's built like a tank, don't get me wrong, but probably not a good fit for this application.
1942farmall
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I run the Odepro IR on mine for Texas hogs.
Comes with two rechargeable batteries.
It illuminates much better than the factory light and typically runs all night on one battery.
Mounted directed under the front of the barrel helps reduce whiteout after a shot.
Comes with two rechargeable batteries.
It illuminates much better than the factory light and typically runs all night on one battery.
Mounted directed under the front of the barrel helps reduce whiteout after a shot.
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jmorris
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^ that’s better than than trying to switch to throw away batteries.
BigBL87
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For sure. For the cost of a couple rechargeables and a charger, you save a bunch in the long run over disposable AAs and get better performance.
I had a Sniper Hog Lights 66LRX, and could easily see out 400 yards with it, probably farther if I had something to actually look at besides corn stalks and the shed that was at that distance, haha. It used the rechargeables.
Double Naught Spy
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I am not sure what the internal size of your tube is. 18650 batteries are great, but some lights won't accommodate them. It was suggested that you try 16340s. Your light may not accommodate them either as they are each longer than your typical CR123 battery and they are really no substitute for CR123s, running with about half the mah as the CR123s. So akin to the 18650 (same length), but slightly skinnier, is the 16650 battery. The are the same diameter as your CR123s and run about $8-10 each.
It is powered by two lithium AA batteries that cost about as much as CR123s.
https://assets.surefire.com/uploads/2020/12/M600AAV_PIS.pdf
herrwalther
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Website description lists either alkaline or lithium. I suspect, the alkaline will have a lower run time compared to lithium as usual. No skin off my teeth really. OP asked for an IR light on AA batteries and I know the Scout runs. Everything else I know of that is name brand runs off CR123, 18650, 16340 etc.
The laser designator I used in the military had a max throw of about 200 yards. The illuminator, being far down the list of what to use at night with night vision, only had a throw of about 75 yards. That ran on a CR123 battery but the laser designator was the real performer of the device.
jmorris
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Yeah a big difference in what you would use to hunt at night and identify a target that might also have NVD’s and want to kill you.
BigBL87
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Very valid point. The day I see a coyote with an NVD, I'm out!
I do wish we were allowed IR lasers here in the US, alot of night hunters in Europe use them. Allows for a better focused beam than the IR flashlights we're allowed but you can spread it out a bit more than a traditional "laser" and use it as a really solid illuminator.
jmorris
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BigBL87
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Nice! Kinda makes me wish I still had my Wraith. I hadn't found any that were legal in the US.
Dan Forrester
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I have a Surefire AA scout light which is 3 volts and a Surefire vampire V1-C with red and infrared modes that uses one 123a battery which is also 3 volts.
Since both lights use the Surefire E style body and threads the heads interchange between the two lights.
If you search eBay for “Surefire Scout Body” you will occasionally find one with an AA body without the head. Then either buy a vampire V1-C if you want red and infrared or buy a vampire KM2 head directly which is white and infrared.
I use mine with eneloop aa batteries and it works great!
Dan
Since both lights use the Surefire E style body and threads the heads interchange between the two lights.
If you search eBay for “Surefire Scout Body” you will occasionally find one with an AA body without the head. Then either buy a vampire V1-C if you want red and infrared or buy a vampire KM2 head directly which is white and infrared.
I use mine with eneloop aa batteries and it works great!
Dan
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