Night Vision DBAL-D2 Questions

[dbransco]

I just picked up a DBAL-D2 and am fairly new to lasers. Can someone explain why it is preferred to run the DBAL-D2 on the top rail? I could understand if the lasers were centered above the bore, but they are offset to begin with. If mounted on the top rail, the point of laser impact is above and right. If mounted at the 3 O'clock position, laser impact is low and right. If you zero your lasers parallel with the bore, does it really matter where it's mounted?

Also is there a published laser offset (distance from CTR of mount to lasers?

Thanks.

 

[JohnnyC]

WIth the offsets, mounting position matters not so much. Realistically you want the offset to be above the bore as typical 5.56 zero as far as the .mil is concerned never puts the POI above the laser so you only have to account for drop (there are targets out there with the offset printed on them). As far as left and right, as long as it's parallel with the bore, as long as you remember how far from the boreline it is, you shouldn't have any problems as long as you take this into account when you shoot.

That's the hypothetical stuff. At CQB distances, that small offset really isn't going to make enough difference.

12 o'clock is always the ideal mounting position, but if you do you homework any position can be made to work.

 

[Delta4-3]

For me it's because other relevant accessories are easier reached other places, and it's out of the way on top.

 

[Eric-TNVC]

We mount at 12 and as far forward as we can go for a few reasons. One, reducing the chances for a hand, tape switch, sling or any other gear for that matter, impeding or obstructing the path of the laser when you need it most. Another reason, is it takes a lot of the guess work out of adjusting for offset. Know your hold for height over bore for your optic? Should be the same for the laser mounted at 12, so just adjust for the windage only. Like JohnnyC said, CQB distances offset will be negligible as long as you are plugging center mass, however, you still need to know your hold. And lastly most of the devices are designed for ease of manipulation at the 12 o'clock while using your thumb, if you don't like running tape/pressure switches (which I do not).

 

[Victor-TNVC]

I agree with Eric here about tape switches. I also do not like them at times. In the case of the design of the D2 (we did talk with LDI after we saw their initial body housing design) that the fire button is a no go for south paw shooters forcing these folks to use a tape switch due to the location of this fire button on the far left side of the housing when mounting the D2 at the 12 o'clock. No joy.

Vic

 

[Dallas4rceMarine]

I have been running lasers for a long time and have found 12 o'clock is best. Only time I have ever run it on the side is on an SR-25 and the front of the rail was reserved for the PVS-22.

The only thing I would say different from above is we have had a few lasers have issues when mounted far forward on piston rifles, easy fix just slide it back a few notches. if not a piston rifle go as far forward as you can like mentioned. Also your expected ranges of engagement should determine your zero and it is ok to have a POI above the laser. I zero my eotech at 36yds which give me a POA/POI at 200yds. I then co-witness my laser at 200 so yes at 50-150 the poi will be slightly above the laser but not by much allowing me to have a pretty flat trajectory. this flat trajectory is easy to use from 0-200 and like mentioned at close range the offset is not an issue at all.