Night Vision MAWL-C1+ or DBAL-A4?

[Viper1973]

Guys,

Finally have my tax refund back and decided to properly outfit my AR for darkness use.

If I had my ultimate choice I’d do a PEC-15 or LA-5 in full power. However, since I do want a warranty and don’t wish to retire to ‘club fed’ I’ve narrowed down my selection to these two... the Mawl-C1+ paired with a white-light Surefire or the DBAL-A4.

For those of you that have or have gotten to play with them which is the better choice? Any issues?

It’ll be going on a 16” suppressed DDM4.

Any feedback or recommendations would be most appreciated. I’d like to get as close as I can to the performance of the two ‘out of bounds’ units as I can without getting into trouble.

 

[Strykervet]

MAWL is the only one that comes close to a PEQ2/15 and it has to do with how the laser was tested more than anything else. It's kinda complex to get into, just suffice it to say it has no peers in the eye safe dept.

A Surefire V light has great output up close but doesn't fare well at distance like a laser does. I use both because they both do different jobs.

If you're planning on a PVS 30 or something like that, you may wanna look more into illuminators. For aiming though, most .7mW IR lasers work fine because the useful range of one is limited to around 300m with an M4. I've seen plenty PAC4's on the range as well as PEQ2's, etc., and they do fine for that range in all but the shittiest conditions.

Vic from TNVC is on here a lot and he really knows his shit and they're a reputable business that's done well by me. They'll answer all your questions and then some and their CS and warranty mean something.

 

[Viper1973]

MAWL is the only one that comes close to a PEQ2/15 and it has to do with how the laser was tested more than anything else.

Thanks....

I’ve placed my order for the MAWL. Hopefully TNVC will get another round of them in soon

 

[Victor-TNVC]

Bar none, the MAWL C1+ performance, it also won't get you a knock on the door in the middle of the night from the men in black. Also won't become a paperweight in the unlikely chance the unit goes down because you can send it back to the manufacturer (and more importantly) get it returned from the manufacturer. All in all, hard to beat the MAWL C1+. Another good system is the DBAL-D2. It is a beast in the size Dept. but the IR Illuminator is great, BUT if you're a left southpaw, it's a real PITA for manual operation due to the fire button location.

You will love the MAWL, and thank you for the order.

 

[Viper1973]

Bar none, the MAWL C1+ performance, it also won't get you a knock on the door in the middle of the night from the men in black. Also won't become a paperweight in the unlikely chance the unit goes down because you can send it back to the manufacturer (and more importantly) get it returned from the manufacturer. All in all, hard to beat the MAWL C1+. Another good system is the DBAL-D2. It is a beast in the size Dept. but the IR Illuminator is great, BUT if you're a left southpaw, it's a real PITA for manual operation due to the fire button location.

You will love the MAWL, and thank you for the order.

Victor,

You guys have always been awesome to deal with.... What Surefire would you recommend to pair this with? It'll be going on a DDM4v7 m-Lok. I'm just hoping the backorder doesn't end up as long as the one for my OpsCore helmet!

 

[Strykervet]

Well, I use 952V's because I got a good deal on 'em but there's several Surefire IR V lights that work well and fit the bill. It may come more down to size and bulk for you in the end. IMO the 720V RAID is the titties but I don't own one.

 

[crossgun]

I am running both the SF M600DF and Fury-DFT for white light. Like them both but only getting about 100 yards out of each of them. Guess it comes down to if you want a fully dedicated weapon light or something that might be a little more useful. With the MAWL I like the 10:30 to 12:00 mounting position if right handed. With just your support hand thumb your in control of both the white light and MAWL VIS / IR functions. You made a great choice and will never look back as nothing compares to the MAWL and its performance.

No need for a IR light on the rifle but you may want to pick one up for your helmet or as a hand held. The illuminator on the MAWL will allow you take full advantage of the 5.56.

If your close to NE Ohio let me know and maybe we can get some range time once you get all set up. If you want to take your game to the next level consider one of the TNVC classes.

 

[Strykervet]

Yeah, about the MAWL? I have various PEQ's and *I* want a MAWL!

Like crossgun said, like I said, don't expect much range from the Surefire V lights. You probably know about what they do on white, on IR it's similar. 100y but it's a wider field. Just a totally different animal from the IR illuminators that focus a beam at distance.

If you use an IR unit and Surefire, ask Vic about switch options. Surefire makes one but they sell on I haven't see elsewhere that'll direct fit a rail, mlok or keymod. It's nicer than the rail only Surefire version that needs to be zip tied down. It's programmable if you wanna pay for that, that's up to you and your use. I didn't. But having one switch is really nice IMO.

I have a vertical V light, the grip light, and I can say while it's nice, it's not worth the money IMO. I'd get a smaller unit or the RAID 720v.

Good luck bro!

 

[TNVC_Augee]

Vampire light is going to wasted with a MAWL, at least weapon mounted. I do use a Vampire light helmet mounted.

I would recommend either the M600DF or the newer 1,000 lumen M600U or 500 lumen M300C as a weapon mounted white light to go with the MAWL.

~Augee

 

[crossgun]

Augee

Whats the beam pattern like on the M600U ? With both the Dual Fuel Fury and M600DF I am finding that they both just fall off at around 100 yards. Anything out there that might punch a little further or have a hotter center spot?

 

[TNVC_Augee]

You may want to take a look at the MOD Lite if you want a longer throw.

:?:

I’m definitely onboard with “all the lumens,” but FWIW, 100+ yds with a white light doesn’t figure heavily in my applications, but again, the MOD Lite would definitely be worth a look if that’s what you’re looking for.

~Augee

 

[Viper1973]

Vampire light is going to wasted with a MAWL, at least weapon mounted. I do use a Vampire light helmet mounted.

I would recommend either the M600DF or the newer 1,000 lumen M600U or 500 lumen M300C as a weapon mounted white light to go with the MAWL.

~Augee

Augee,

Thank you... I picked up a M300C locally. Just a question, wouldn’t 1000+ lumens be less than idea choice for potential cqb instances? Thinking way too much light for anything except large open distances.

Is there an mlok mount that would work well for positioning the light at like the 10:30 position? This is my first dealings with mlok so I’m having a hard time differentiating good designs from junk.

 

[Zemperfi1971]

Sorry.....couldn't help but chuckle.. about the quotes about warranties and federalist knocking on your door.... I think recently our agencies have had bigger fish to fry. Plus lately there has been ton of these units coming out on surplus auctions etc.....granted for LEO/CONTRACT folk. Still getting one second hand doesn't necessarily mean you are going to jail for being an end user. Plus with lasers...they usually don't fix....they replace...... Something to be said about expendable product.... can't expect them to last forever... under civ. use...they last long enough not to mention retain a value the other lasers don't. If you have to pick one....pick the MAWL C1, but they are usually not in stock and power wise....not in the same weight class as a full powered peq15 or LA5, but with the same price tag.....

 

[GBMaryland]

does anyone have the MAWL in stock...

 

[MarinePMI]

Got mine from Mod Armory recently, and it only took like two weeks (or so) for them to get one...the ITAR paperwork took longer to clear up than anything else (though if you have a CAC card, it's pretty easy to digitally sign).

 

[GBMaryland]

I'll call em. Any idea how it stacks up to a DBAL-A4?

 

[MarinePMI]

Nope. I've only had just the MAWL. That being said, I was lighting up a ridge line 800+yds behind the house the other morning...

I'm just glad the neighbors weren't up. I'm sure a guy in pajamas, bath robe, helmet with PVS-14 and an AR with a MAWL on the end would have spooked a couple of them.

 

[GBMaryland]

Ya know... its good to know im not the only one...

 

[GBMaryland]

bastard. I just bought one.

if my old lady asks, I’m just borrowing it.

I could not find any information about the DBAL-A4 v2 online. it’s like they don’t exist. More to the point I can’t find any reviews with someone actually using one and showing the comparisons.

 

[itieknots7]

Augee,

Thank you... I picked up a M300C locally. Just a question, wouldn’t 1000+ lumens be less than idea choice for potential cqb instances? Thinking way too much light for anything except large open distances.

Is there an mlok mount that would work well for positioning the light at like the 10:30 position? This is my first dealings with mlok so I’m having a hard time differentiating good designs from junk.

Just a heads up. If you want the MOST lumens out of the newer lights (Surefire DF, Modlite etc)... you need to run a newer tape switch (TAPS, SYNC, Mod Button, Unity Hot Button).... The older SF tape switches were designed around CR123 lights, and you will be losing 15% or more of output.

 

[gunsandgear]

MAWL all day. The A4 does too many things between the white/IR and really isn't the best at any of them. Rather run a MAWL and a white light any day.

 

[sheepdog697]

Just a heads up. If you want the MOST lumens out of the newer lights (Surefire DF, Modlite etc)... you need to run a newer tape switch (TAPS, SYNC, Mod Button, Unity Hot Button).... The older SF tape switches were designed around CR123 lights, and you will be losing 15% or more of output.

Just out of curiosity, how would the switch cause 15% or more loss of output?

 

[newguy2k3v2]

Just out of curiosity, how would the switch cause 15% or more loss of output?

The older switches can't handle the increased current draw of some of the new heads.

 

[gunsandgear]

Thats too bad because the Surefire dual switches have way better feel in the activation pads than any of the Unity TAPS I've been able to compare them to. I have never heard about old switches being unable to handle the increase current draw from some new devices/heads. Is this info published anywhere?

 

[sheepdog697]

The older switches can't handle the increased current draw of some of the new heads.

Right on. Not trying to argue by any means. Im a union electrician by trade, and im just not following. I dont actually own a surefire switch but is there something going on more complex than a set of contacts closing by pressing the button?