Night Vision Which IR laser for 100-150 yard coyote hunting?

[jake243tax]

I'm currently scanning with a thermal ld19a with my right eye and have a pvs 14 strapped on my head to view through my left eye. I currently have a pulsar core rxq30 thermal scope on my rifle. I'd like to mount a IR laser on the side or top of the rifle and have the option to shoot with my head up through the pvs 14. There are a million different opinions on IR lasers is my problem. The Steiner OTAL-C is probably near the top of my budget @$400. Just wondering if anyone has experience with any other cheaper IR lasers like the Element PEQ15 LA5-C UHP (ebay for $68), or Holosun LS117IR ($250), NcStar green & IR ($90), the Lasermax Unimax IR ($160) or G&P red / IR beam ($1 ebay). I know this is a big question, but my main use will be for calling / hunting coyotes at night in southeastern Ohio, most of my shots are under 150 yards and pretty quick. For my main purpose, if you feel that any of these cheaper lasers would work for my setup, please let me know. If anyone has any other suggestions on their setups I'd like to hear also. Thanks

 

[JCCinOhio]

I've got a Unimax IR and an ITAL (the in-line OTAL that they don't make anymore for whatever reason). I've used the Unimax on my 223 and it does the job, little more beam spread and not as bright as the ITAL. Haven't tried it on my 308, not sure I'd want to. The Unimax can be a pain to zero as you're turning little screws with an allen wrench and there are no positive stops. I love the ITAL, easy to mount, easy to zero (knobs that click), has the neutral density cover that can drop brightness when you don't need it. Used this on my 308 without worry.. it's very well built.

The Unimax is pretty handy for critter control on the 22LR though..

Both are fine to 100yds I'd say, ITAL probably gets you a little further due to a cleaner beam. Much more than 100-130, I need magnification.. Of course you'll need an illuminator as well.

Oh, I did make a cover for the Unimax out of kydex, and put a neutral density filter from an ITAL on it. That helps for close up yard clean up.

 

[sgtsmmiii]

Like JCC, I use a Unimax IR on my SBR in .223. And, just like he said, it's kinda a pain in the rear to zero, but I haven't had any issues with it since it was zeroed. I have mine mounted on the top rail ( instead of the side ) so in my mind I'm not dealing with lateral offset, just elevation. It's small and un-obtrusive. Most of my shots are within 150 yards ( probably more inside of 100 ). I'm happy with it.

Here's a recent victim.........

 

[jake243tax]

I've got a Unimax IR and an ITAL (the in-line OTAL that they don't make anymore for whatever reason). I've used the Unimax on my 223 and it does the job, little more beam spread and not as bright as the ITAL. Haven't tried it on my 308, not sure I'd want to. The Unimax can be a pain to zero as you're turning little screws with an allen wrench and there are no positive stops. I love the ITAL, easy to mount, easy to zero (knobs that click), has the neutral density cover that can drop brightness when you don't need it. Used this on my 308 without worry.. it's very well built.

The Unimax is pretty handy for critter control on the 22LR though..

Both are fine to 100yds I'd say, ITAL probably gets you a little further due to a cleaner beam. Much more than 100-130, I need magnification.. Of course you'll need an illuminator as well.

Oh, I did make a cover for the Unimax out of kydex, and put a neutral density filter from an ITAL on it. That helps for close up yard clean up.

That's the kinda feedback I'm looking to see. Thank you. I'm aware of having to make a possible neutral density cover from some of my research.

 

[jake243tax]

Like JCC, I use a Unimax IR on my SBR in .223. And, just like he said, it's kinda a pain in the rear to zero, but I haven't had any issues with it since it was zeroed. I have mine mounted on the top rail ( instead of the side ) so in my mind I'm not dealing with lateral offset, just elevation. It's small and un-obtrusive. Most of my shots are within 150 yards ( probably more inside of 100 ). I'm happy with it.

Here's a recent victim.........

Thank for your info. I was just afraid the laser dot would make such a plume that I wouldn't be able to see a coyote very well. Or that it would be like a 24" dot and not very accurate. Sounds like so far the unimax is winning. I would also plan to mount on top as long as it doesn't interfere with my thermal scope, which I don't believe it would. Thanks

 

[JCCinOhio]

Here's what my cover looks like.. it works, it's ugly, but you can't see it in the dark.. I dimpled the flat piece on top so it would lock on
to the slot on top of the Uni.. this one snaps on pretty good so it won't get knocked off in the dark.. like version 2.0 did.

 

[wigwamitus]

For yotes out to 150yds I think any ir-laser will do ...
general bloom reducer is ir-illum on helmet. Washes out the bloom.
I have 2 laser max myself, one is 3.5 years old and still works. Both the pressure pads broke however.