Night Vision The new IR Defense IR Hunter MK II 12um MICRON, last nights down range pics

Victor-TNVC

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Aug 5, 2007
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    www.tnvc.com
    Thought we'd share some spec sheet comparisons and some pics. These new MK II units should be out in approx. 4-6 weeks.

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    I just bought the Gen 1 unit that I would not have bought had I known mk2 was coming.
    It flat ass sucks they bring out a better unit a thousand+ cheaper that does more and does it better while dumping the old stock on the market to the unsuspecting buyers.

    I really wish they had been more truthful about the clip on ability of the gen1 unit. Let the buyer beware, on gen 1, they are NOT going to make any of the colimated eye pieces to make gen1 clip on friendly. They never made the first one. And they were very close mouthed that the acceptable day optic was the Elcan 1x unit, I wasn't able to find that out until after the mk2 announcement. The gen1 clip on ads are right on the edge of bait advertising there Peter....

    I am looking forward though to using the mk2. I can see me owning one.
     
    That's the problem with the market there's always something right around the corner. In 2015 it will be the new MK III or something like that and I bet other companies soon follow with new models or upgrades to stay in the buyers market.

    I also bought a gen 1 unit to be honest I suspected there were changes coming as the prices dropped a grand over night. However,, I liked the gen 1 scope for my use so figured I would save the grand in cash get one.Its been a great scope so far Ive really enjoyed using it. I don't care about the clip on feature personally it does suck if that was a important feature to you and now it's not going to happen.

    I will be curious if IR denfense still comes through with the v2 firmware upgrade for the gen 1 scopes listed in their owners manual. To me if they stopped all support for the brand new out gen 1 models I wouldn't ever buy any of their products again fearing the same would happen when they had the next newest model out. I guess we will see in time.

    Also I assume they will still be making the FLIR 336 models not sure what upgrades if any are coming to them as the new MK II adds only list the new BAE 640 core model.

    I forgot too add my hunting buddy bought his new THOR 336 4.5X several months back right before ATN slashed the pricing on all the THOR models. Overnight his scope was worth thousands less on the resale market. He looked at me and said I guess I will be keeping this scope for several years to get my money worth out of it :(

    On the other hand I was shopping for a new Thor 336 so thought the price cut was great :)
     
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    Phantom, as far as I know support has not stopped for the MK1's. I will check on the v2 firmware upgrade tonight as I shoot with the new MK II's. The MK1's so you know are not going away, they are still going to be produced as well.

    Thanks Phantom.

    Vic
     
    Thanks for the update Vic I look forward to finding out a anwser. From what I have seen from IR Defense so far they have been very fast to fix any issues that arrise (the POI firmware fix in 7 days is unreal), they have listened to customer feedback and made changes for the better in a really short time frame.

    They seem to be highly motivated to provide the best products in their price class which I think is great for thermal scope buyers. I can understand if the MK I firmware takes a step back from the new MK II's hitting the market right now, but I hope it's still completed as the ability to preset your settings for power up and such on the V2 firmware would really make my MK I scope even better overall.

    Personally I love my MK I 336 model IR Hunter its a great scope which I have had zero issues with and I have used it many, many, many nights in the field the past few weeks. I know the new rage is the MK II scopes 640 core at break through pricing point.

    Myself, I am very interested in buying a new MK II 1.5X myself as a second IR Hunter scope in my arsenal. That said I have no plans to run out and sale my Mk I 336 model I paid a great price for it and its a hunting machine it has become my favorite NV/Thermal weapon sight I own right now.

    I think the current pricing on the MK I IR Hunter 336 scopes is a steal right now these scopes are built like a tank, the more I use the control turrents the more I hate buttons, and these scopes are ready to shoot with one quick flip of the on/off lever by the time you have the rifle rasied to your eye its go time.
     
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    <snip>

    the more I use the control turrets the more I hate buttons, and these scopes are ready to shoot with one quick flip of the on/off lever by the time you have the rifle raised to your eye its go time.

    Bingo, said it all right there Phantom, especially wearing gloves and in cold weather!

    Vic
     
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    Glad i'm broke, it allows me to wait lol.

    I thought the existing 320 could be used as a clip on? I guess they never got the collimator out but still. Either way i'm excited as hell about this scope.

    For those that use thermal clip ons is it practical? I want to use it as a clip-on.
     
    Glad i'm broke, it allows me to wait lol.

    I thought the existing 320 could be used as a clip on? I guess they never got the collimator out but still. Either way i'm excited as hell about this scope.

    For those that use thermal clip ons is it practical? I want to use it as a clip-on.

    It can be, and it works well with my 1-4X Elcan DR. The important aspect is the day scope is in alignment with the IR Hunter. In the Elcan's case, it's spot on. :)

    Vic
     
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    Spent several hours with the new MKII last night really seeing what the BAE 12um core is capable of. Set up a shooter from 25 to 75 yards and took several pics. Please NOTE, THESE WERE JUST I-PHONE CAMERA SHOTS AND NO WHERE THE CRISP DETAIL SHOWN IN THE PDF'S ABOVE. The real raw image was quite impressive and I will have image capture shots the next go around. These shots give a good representation of the detail seen, but so much more with the real image with the 12um MKII.

    My goal was to study this system from a defense perspective, if I could ID the gun used, Vest pocket load outs etc. I will populate more pics in the next few days, but here is the first few.

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    A bit further out at approx. 30 yards or so.
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    Can't wait for this product. I'm planning on using it for my mark 4 M2 2.5-8x36mm on my MK12 and probably my SN-3 some.

    I'm wondering because my leupold Mark 6 that i have is the non illuminated model, is it easier to use thermal without illumination than NV? Or is it pretty much a no given the white/black contrast?

    Also the pics look pretty damn good considering it's phone pics. Takes an incredible amount of ambient light to make a phone picture look half decent. There is none in this situation and doesn't look half bad at all.

    I can't wait for this sight.
     
    Can't wait for this product. I'm planning on using it for my mark 4 M2 2.5-8x36mm on my MK12 and probably my SN-3 some.

    I'm wondering because my leupold Mark 6 that i have is the non illuminated model, is it easier to use thermal without illumination than NV? Or is it pretty much a no given the white/black contrast?

    Also the pics look pretty damn good considering it's phone pics. Takes an incredible amount of ambient light to make a phone picture look half decent. There is none in this situation and doesn't look half bad at all.

    I can't wait for this sight.

    Not sure if I understand your question about illumination? Are you talking about illuminated reticles?
     
    The BAE 12um core being used on the new MK II's is sharper with cleaner resolution for fine detail, thus the images I've been posting showing this aspect and this with an I-Phone clipped on the back. I will be posting some raw image capture stuff in the next few weeks.

    Vic
     
    The BAE 12um core being used on the new MK II's is sharper with cleaner resolution for fine detail, thus the images I've been posting showing this aspect and this with an I-Phone clipped on the back. I will be posting some raw image capture stuff in the next few weeks.

    Vic

    Look forward to this. Images with associated distances would be awesome. The images you posted with the tree at stated 75 yard was great. So, some additional further distances would be awesome.

    I just emptied out my piggy bank (man that was ALOT of pennies) on a 640 core FLIR M18, and I am already interested in this new MK II version as a dedicated weapon sight. Vic, your the best source of info on these new MK II units right now, so any crumbs you can throw us is hugely welcomed. I actually have some pretty strong brand loyalties towards FLIR, and this MK II version of the IR Hunter is making me give that some additional thought.

    Regards,

    G.
    Weeble Wobble
     
    Look forward to this. Images with associated distances would be awesome. The images you posted with the tree at stated 75 yard was great. So, some additional further distances would be awesome.

    I just emptied out my piggy bank (man that was ALOT of pennies) on a 640 core FLIR M18, and I am already interested in this new MK II version as a dedicated weapon sight. Vic, your the best source of info on these new MK II units right now, so any crumbs you can throw us is hugely welcomed. I actually have some pretty strong brand loyalties towards FLIR, and this MK II version of the IR Hunter is making me give that some additional thought.

    Regards,

    G.
    Weeble Wobble

    Hi G. Will do as I have further scenarios planned.

    Here is the next set of down range pics out at approx. 75 yards with a man with a gun behind a tree. Once again, these are taken with a I-Phone and no where close to what I was seeing. Raw image capture shots coming.

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    Yes, building is underway...That is the beauty of this company and their line.I have visited their facility in person and everything is made in America from pure shooters. This includes their full up body housings and components are machined, tested, and assembled all in northern California in one facility

    They are not a company who makes 95% components overseas then assembles here and for marketing call it made in America which is a sham.

    We're are very pleased with IR Defense and what the future holds for them. They are the real deal American company inside and out and are shooters from the owner down.

    Hope this explains this company a bit more. Thanks for the questions. :)

    Vic
     
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    Just spoke with Earl at IR Defense, he didn't have a list and said Chris could help with this better next week.

    He did tell me that the Elcan brand works exceptionally well, but any low power scope that's 1.5" above rail should work.

    Sounds to me like many scopes could be used then unless I'm missing something?
     
    Just spoke with Earl at IR Defense, he didn't have a list and said Chris could help with this better next week.

    He did tell me that the Elcan brand works exceptionally well, but any low power scope that's 1.5" above rail should work.

    Sounds to me like many scopes could be used then unless I'm missing something?

    Many scopes can be used in the 1-6x arena, as long as they are 1.5" above rail. A clip-on procedure guide is still forthcoming from IR Defense.

    Vic
     
    Yes, building is underway...That is the beauty of this company and their line.I have visited their facility in person and everything is made in America from pure shooters. This includes their full up body housings and components are machined, tested, and assembled all in northern California in one facility

    They are not a company who makes 95% components overseas then assembles here and for marketing call it made in America which is a sham.

    We're are very pleased with IR Defense and what the future holds for them. They are the real deal American company inside and out and are shooters from the owner down.

    Hope this explains this company a bit more. Thanks for the questions. :)

    Vic

    Very good to know!