Night Vision Skeet IR-L as a clip on

[shark3-1]

I’ve read a few different reviews, but I can’t seem to get exactly the answer I’m looking for.

For those that use the BAE Skeet IR-L as a clip on, would I be better off using it in front of a red dot with a 3x magnifier, or does it not optically support 3x and would I be better off using it in front of a LPVO?

Thanks!

 

[SkyScrapin]

LPVO,

Overall, it’s usable but you need to dial out parallax with the Skeet ocular - you still may have shift. It’s not a great clipon but it can work with a little trial and error.

 

[Conqueror]

3x is probably doable but not much more. The Skeet-L just isn’t a great clip-on.

 

[shark3-1]

Would a BAE 640 UTM (not X) be a better clip on unit in front of an lpvo?

 

[Pbjunkiee]

Would a BAE 640 UTM (not X) be a better clip on unit in front of an lpvo?

Very much so.

 

[Dogtown]

And yet, what's the deal with the UTMs? I know they're old but still seem fairly capable, yet so many just sit around on various forums with no one biting.

 

[Conqueror]

Thermals are expensive and it’s hard for people to justify buying an 8yo unit out of warranty with no manufacturer support, even if it’s solid. I’ve had trouble selling my TigIR for half of MSRP even though it remains a very competitive unit compared to chinesium stuff that people happily drop $6-7k on.

 

[Cbum]

Thermals are expensive and it’s hard for people to justify buying an 8yo unit out of warranty with no manufacturer support, even if it’s solid. I’ve had trouble selling my TigIR for half of MSRP even though it remains a very competitive unit compared to chinesium stuff that people happily drop $6-7k on.

Z6+ or Z20?

 

[Conqueror]

6z+

 

[Cbum]

6z+

IM in the market for my first proper clip on, if you have any interest in selling send me a PM.

 

[Evolution 9]

I’ve owned several UTMs (not X). They work a little better than Skeet-L but most aren’t collimated for clip on work. This is why they’re so cheap (2500ish right now).

The skeet-L is similarly poor because of a lack of collimation.

Now, there appears to be an exception…

I’ve owned at least a dozen Skeet-L, and so far, the COTI compatible ones have all had pretty good collimation. These can usually be identified externally by a rubber battery cap/data port plug retaining band, as opposed to the wire retainer on the non-COTI ones.

At approximately 2500-3000, these are still not super attractive because of Chinese alternatives with better resolution at about the same price. The Chinese option isn’t collimated so it’s not a fair comparison, but most guys go that route and put up with the need to zero the thermal.

There are a couple UTM-X floating around for 4-6K and they rock. I had one for a while and it’s image is almost identical to the Voodoo-S, but it’s a risk since there’s no factory support when something goes wrong.

 

[wigwamitus]

Tips for "poors" who might want a long distance thermal clipon.

==

Back in 2016ish, after rereading a post on here by "IR-V"one of the "gods of thermal clipons" (if not THE). And banging around ideas with others on here and elsewhere - I decided to take a deep breath and go for a UTC-x. And I mean buy a new one from a dealer. It was supposedly impossible, but, I gritted my teeth and decided to try anyway. One of my coaches ( Sure Shot NV Jay ) was overseas at the time - so he couldn't help directly, but he said "Get the funds ready so you can execute when you find one - and start the search - expect it to take 6 months".

Well, my wife and I then and now, more or less live "hand to mouth" ... so I didn't have a spare $20k sitting around and never would - UNLESS - I sold tons of sh^t and saved and saved and saved.
I have and even then had - a job - and I could (and still can) practice some "delayed gratification" (a very useful life skill). So given those factors - I felt like a had a chance.
First I sold a TON of stuff - all 5 of my Armasight thermals (right after FLIR bought em) - and all 4 of my pulsar thermals - I was stepping up to long distance thermal clipons !
It seems like it took at least 3 months to sell those thermals and that got me most of the way there ... the rest I pulled $800 per month out of my paycheck (with very skeptical wife approval) and earmarked it for this purchase. That meant I had zero discretionary spending. It took 10 months to get there. But I would've done it if it took twice that long - I really wanted a real, serious LDTC.

As to the search, there weren't very many official BAE Oasys dealers in those days - and all but 2 said NO. One of the others said "yes but $23K" ... so I keep talking and looking. Finally I found the 2nd one who said "maybe" - and the dealer asked BAE and somehow got a YES answer - I have a copy of the email. This was in 2017. So I proceeded forth. And got my new in box UTC-x with papers for $18k. One of the few commercial buyers direct from dealer - so I'm told. In August 2017, BAE announced the termination of the OASYS Program and then I understood, why BAE approved. They were willing to let the dealer clear their shelves before the announcement. But I couldn't believe the unit when I got it. I am not a big smiler - but it had me smiling ear to ear - at least inside - for years. It was definitely a huge leap up from the capability of the units I sold. I could use my day scope reticle and do head shots at 600 meters at night (i.e. 6 inch steel).

So, for you other poors like me out there. You might not have $20k sitting around - I didn't and dont'. But if you have a job and can practice some delayed gratification - you can get there.
And I repeat my recommendation to stay away from the used market in this space and go either the with PoT M or the Theon ELR v2. And we can put you in to either. And I'm not recommending them because we sell them. Its the other way around - we sell them BECAUSE we recommend them !!

 

[Pbjunkiee]

I’ve owned several UTMs (not X). They work a little better than Skeet-L but most aren’t collimated for clip on work. This is why they’re so cheap (2500ish right now).

The skeet-L is similarly poor because of a lack of collimation.

Now, there appears to be an exception…

I’ve owned at least a dozen Skeet-L, and so far, the COTI compatible ones have all had pretty good collimation. These can usually be identified externally by a rubber battery cap/data port plug retaining band, as opposed to the wire retainer on the non-COTI ones.

At approximately 2500-3000, these are still not super attractive because of Chinese alternatives with better resolution at about the same price. The Chinese option isn’t collimated so it’s not a fair comparison, but most guys go that route and put up with the need to zero the thermal.

There are a couple UTM-X floating around for 4-6K and they rock. I had one for a while and it’s image is almost identical to the Voodoo-S, but it’s a risk since there’s no factory support when something goes wrong.

My UTM is dead nuts on. Love it with my elcan at 1x and 4x. Have hit steel at 300m with it no issue.

 

[Evolution 9]

My UTM is dead nuts on. Love it with my elcan at 1x and 4x. Have hit steel at 300m with it no issue.

Yes, that definitely can happen. But after owning several, I can tell you that purchasing one with that expectation would not be a bright move.