Night Vision Help please mawl, dbal-a3 and corona skeet, coti

[onajoyride]

Hello I am getting back into the NV arena more seriously. I hunt at night a little but really the end goal is I want to be the most prepared to deal with anything given the state of our country. Let's be honest, dirt bags come out more at night and I would like to be able to bring so much aggression and capability to a fight that I never have to engage in said fight. That said I want to take way more night fighting classes and want to be equipped so I can maximize that training time. I have a mod3 bravo helmet mounted PVS-14 on a g24 currently. I planned on going dual mod3 and a mawl. My question given those parameters is as follows.
I love the idea and capabilities the Malw c1 offers but at over 1k more money that an Dbal-A3 is it worth it? I am more curious if I save the money and instead of buying another mod3 bravo/mawl instead would it be a better idea to go Dbal-a3 (to save money) and a corona skeet or on the other eye. Or go duals and get a coti? Which gives me more capabilities and options to bring to any given scenario?

Thank you very much for your time in helping me.

 

[TheHorta]

COTI is so-so. CoronaSkeet is the most capable helmet-mounted thermal monocular on the planet that isn’t named “SkeetIRx.”

Don’t even consider a COTI if you don’t have a quality thermal already. The COTI and CoronaSkeet are effectively the same price, and the MH25 decimates the COTI in every conceivable way.

In fact, I’d MUCH rather run dual CoronaSkeets than NV+MH25 (and I do). [Others may express their disagreement with that statement, but silica-based lifeforms are superior beings and are always correct]

DBAL A3 is just fine but honestly, having used just about everything ever made, in your case I’d stick with a SF Vampire, like an M612V or similar, plus the new TNVC/Steiner TOR. That’s a $600 solution that keeps weight and rail clutter to an absolute minimum, while also providing white light capability in the same package.

MAWL is great, but not if you have limited funds and are lacking other capabilities.

You can always add the little stuff afterward.

 

[CoryT]

Well, the MAWL is top of the line for a pointer/illuminator. However, do you really need the range it provides? It's very user friendly in operation, but is that worth the premium price? The D2 is very good, a bit more complex to use and the illumination is not equal to the MAWL. The A3 has a laser illuminator, less downrange signature but less range that the D2. If cost is an issue, the D2 or A3 would be the way to go, cost no object, take the MAWL.

I like the COTI, but for overall utility/price the M300W or Skeet are better options. Thermal on one eye and I2 on the other seems to work for many people, and the M300W can be weapon mounted as well. Again, cost being an issue, the M24 or M300W is a better choice than the COTI, money on an issue you actually want the COTI on dual tube I2 with the Skeet/M300W as well.

You have more options with a separate thermal unit than with the COTI. For tactical uses, dual tube systems far outperform a single tube setup.

Be advised some people have a hard time merging a thermal/I2 dual tube system, if possible try this out somewhere before you buy it.

 

[MarinePMI]

I'm a knuckle dragger that still writes with crayons (the big fat ones, that come in a box of eight colors)...so I went with the MAWL for ease of use. It's overkill...but hey, I like overkill on certain things.

 

[jeffl838]

I think the COTI, with its shitty image, is hard to value until you're in a no shit fighting environment. It's not perfect, but something like it is the definitely the way of the future. If i was building an NVG armory for night fighting, it would look like:

1. dual tube NVG with articulating tubes
2. vampire light and red dot, if you're willing to go with a red dot
3. coti
4. laser
5. thermal monocular

I definitely value a coti even over a laser because you can't shoot a thing if you didn't notice the thing. COTI's don't let you not notice things because it's always on your face, unlike a monocular. That being said, a monocular is still needed in case you actually want to resolve something in through the thermal spetrum

if you want more detection range add a thermal bino
if you want more shooting range add a night scope or clip on (ideally thermal). add illuminator if i2

If a laser isn't high power, it might as well be super small (ie a CQBL or a Holosun LE221)

 

[TheHorta]

That’s why I love the TOR. It’s built like a tank but is small enough to be used on a pistol and weighs practically nothing.

 

[onajoyride]

That’s why I love the TOR. It’s built like a tank but is small enough to be used on a pistol and weighs practically nothing.

Will the TOR be string enough to engage target with nods out to 150? I am think since I have so much gear I want to buy I may opt for a TOR and then transfer it to a pistol later on after a thermal purchase or two.

 

[TheHorta]

Will the TOR be string enough to engage target with nods out to 150? I am think since I have so much gear I want to buy I may opt for a TOR and then transfer it to a pistol later on after a thermal purchase or two.

Easily to 150+. It’s output is adjustable. At 0.7 it’ll probably do 500 yards no problem (not that you’ll be shooting that far on laser).

 

[extendoclip]

Can someone explain where one can get information on corona/China skeets? I can’t find any info. Where can you buy them?

 

[TheHorta]

Can someone explain where one can get information on corona/China skeets? I can’t find any info. Where can you buy them?

iRAY MH25 — aka ChinaSkeet, aka CoronaSkeet

Check Ultimate Night Vision.

 

[extendoclip]

Cool thanks

 

[gthirteen]

I respectfully disagree with Horta.

I'd much rather have a PVS-14 if I could only have one thing. Thermal is really nice, but secondary to being able to see visible spectrum in the dark. Also, having the ability to see into car windows, through glass, etc (can't do this with dual thermals) is super important IMO. I do agree that I'd buy another thermal before a COTI.

I'd do it in this order:

All at once or piece by piece, but in this order.

Alternatively, being able to see a long way at night is also super cool. PVS-27 for $4k (assuming you have carbine with 2-10 (etc)) would be a good add right before or after D below...

v1 Lite
A. PVS-14 rig (helmet, mount, shroud, pads, etc) $3500
B. ATPIAL-C / (I prefer to DBAL, but if you like DBAL, go A3) $1200
C. standalone thermal spotter of your choice (Patrol, China Skeet, etc) - $4-5k

THEN
D.(1) COTI (I just received one, have literally 45 minutes with it, but it beats the shit out of I2 on one eye and Thermal on the other, even at half the resolution) $5500
OR
D.(2) SELL PVS-14 and BUY DUALS

v2 Middle of the road
A. mid/high road Binocular I2 setup (figure out if you like flippy or not flippy and manual or auto gain and go from there) $7500 (guessing a little here)
B. ATPIAL-C / (I prefer to DBAL, but if you like DBAL, go A3) $1200
C. standalone thermal spotter of your choice (Patrol, China Skeet, etc) - $4-5k
D. COTI $5500

v1 Baller
1. (a). L3 White Phosphor filmless BNVD-UL with battery pack. $12,000
1. (b). COTI $5500
2. MAWL-C1+ $2800
3. Pocket size Handheld Thermal SkeetIR-X $15000

v2 Baller
buy 2 of everything

 

[MarinePMI]

Can someone explain where one can get information on corona/China skeets? I can’t find any info. Where can you buy them?

Sure Shot Night Vision also has them, and the PVS-14 ocular lens kit to aid helmet mounting.

 

[jeffl838]

Any 4th of july sales on the mh25? i love the thing, just wish it was more in pvs14 price range

 

[onajoyride]

Thanks alot for the info. I really appreciate the input.

 

[TheHorta]

I respectfully disagree with Horta.

I'd much rather have a PVS-14 if I could only have one thing. Thermal is really nice, but secondary to being able to see visible spectrum in the dark. Also, having the ability to see into car windows, through glass, etc (can't do this with dual thermals) is super important IMO. I do agree that I'd buy another thermal before a COTI.

I'd do it in this order:

All at once or piece by piece, but in this order.

Alternatively, being able to see a long way at night is also super cool. PVS-27 for $4k (assuming you have carbine with 2-10 (etc)) would be a good add right before or after D below...

v1 Lite
A. PVS-14 rig (helmet, mount, shroud, pads, etc) $3500
B. ATPIAL-C / (I prefer to DBAL, but if you like DBAL, go A3) $1200
C. standalone thermal spotter of your choice (Patrol, China Skeet, etc) - $4-5k

THEN
D.(1) COTI (I just received one, have literally 45 minutes with it, but it beats the shit out of I2 on one eye and Thermal on the other, even at half the resolution) $5500
OR
D.(2) SELL PVS-14 and BUY DUALS

v2 Middle of the road
A. mid/high road Binocular I2 setup (figure out if you like flippy or not flippy and manual or auto gain and go from there) $7500 (guessing a little here)
B. ATPIAL-C / (I prefer to DBAL, but if you like DBAL, go A3) $1200
C. standalone thermal spotter of your choice (Patrol, China Skeet, etc) - $4-5k
D. COTI $5500

v1 Baller
1. (a). L3 White Phosphor filmless BNVD-UL with battery pack. $12,000
1. (b). COTI $5500
2. MAWL-C1+ $2800
3. Pocket size Handheld Thermal SkeetIR-X $15000

v2 Baller
buy 2 of everything

v3 Baller
ENVG-III + FWSI (Head-Mounted Fusion System with Wireless Thermal Weapon Scope/Clip-on)
Wilcox Raid-X

End transmission.

 

[TimmyTime]

This thread is great, I feel like home.

We do a lot of hog hunting with NODs and thermals here in Texas.

I have recently upgraded from a FLIR breach to the "china skeet" Iray mh25. After 2 hunts, I love the units clarity!

I've been looking for bridge mounts to pair the MH25 with a 18um L3 filmless, funny how $700 for a RQE is now outrageous...

I have Wilcox flip on the way, I hope to run as a clip on or possibly a stand alone if the built in recital workout. This will be great if it works they way i imagine!

 

[TheHorta]

This thread is great, I feel like home.

We do a lot of hog hunting with NODs and thermals here in Texas.

I have recently upgraded from a FLIR breach to the "china skeet" Iray mh25. After 2 hunts, I love the units clarity!

I've been looking for bridge mounts to pair the MH25 with a 18um L3 filmless, funny how $700 for a RQE is now outrageous...

I have Wilcox flip on the way, I hope to run as a clip on or possibly a stand alone if the built in recital workout. This will be great if it works they way i imagine!

According the UNV, the MH25 is not weapon-rated and wishes iRAY never included the reticle menu. They’re working on a weapon variant, but I was discouraged from mounting one of mine when I asked them.

But I say rock on and report back.

 

[MarinePMI]

According the UNV, the MH25 is not weapon-rated and wishes iRAY never included the reticle menu. They’re working on a weapon variant, but I was discouraged from mounting one of mine when I asked them.

But I say rock on and report back.

I was wondering about the possibility of the MH-25 being weapon mountable. Is what they're working on, just a differing shell architecture for the same core; just ruggedized to survive recoil/impact? (And obviously a different s/w baseline)

 

[TheHorta]

I was wondering about the possibility of the MH-25 being weapon mountable. Is what they're working on, just a differing shell architecture for the same core; just ruggedized to survive recoil/impact? (And obviously a different s/w baseline)

Yeah, I was told it’s the same core. An iRAY core is also used in the Hogster line (384px).

 

[TimmyTime]

Yeah, I was told it’s the same core. An iRAY core is also used in the Hogster line (384px).

I've got to be missing something. How is it possible to have the same core as 640 Iray and the hogster is a 384?

 

[TheHorta]

I've got to be missing something. How is it possible to have the same core as 640 Iray and the hogster is a 384?

Same core for the in-development WM version of the MH25.

 

[deersniper]

What is corona skeet

 

[SkyScrapin]

What is corona skeet

IRay

 

[kirsch]

I've got to be missing something. How is it possible to have the same core as 640 Iray and the hogster is a 384?

Iray makes multiple cores. It is the 384 version of their core. Honestly at base mag, the Hogster's 384 res looks as good as many 640 cores. I have put more than 300 hours behind a Hogster 35 as a scanner and a weapon's sight. I have used it from -15F up to 80 and have used it in 100% humidity. It just performs and it hasn't had one issue so far. Bering has the IRAY 640 core in their Phenom scanner.

 

[gaucho1]

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