If you are one of those hunters that are fond of hunting nocturnal animals, you need the right night hunting kit. Night Is one of the best times to hunt as a lot of animals are active at night. But if you are there with your night scope only then you maybe return home empty-handed. Because the night scope sometimes isn’t enough. You need good infrared light for night vision with it too. The Best IR illuminator for night vision will give you the most perfect and clear view.
How IR illuminator works is that they emit light in the infrared spectrum which in return brightens up the image. IR illuminator with your night scope will take your night hunting game to another level. Your prey will not be able to hide anywhere. But IR lights for night vision are not a cheap product you can buy a lot of. So, you need the best IR illuminator for night vision that has the good feature as well as durability
To save you from wasting your money and time, we have made a list of the best night vision IR light that is worth buying. So, peruse to know.
Topics we covered
Buying guide for the best IR Illuminator for night vision
First, start with the things to consider before going for the best one. Here are several things which make the IR illuminator worth and shouldn’t be ignored.
Range
The range of the illuminator is the most important aspect to keep an eye on. The range tells how much distance will the illuminator be able to cover. It will tell you the distance of light. Some illuminators are short-ranged while some are long. Long range IR illuminators serve a better purpose for both. Look into it according to your personal preference.
Weather Resistant
When you are out hunting, you don’t know the circumstances and the weather condition there. You need an illuminator that can easily withstand harsh and rainy weather. Because if it isn’t weatherproof, it will be damaged in no time.
Battery timing
The illuminators run on different batteries with different timings. The Li-ion battery is the best type of power for the illuminators as it can run for 7 hours. Whereas, other options like AA batteries and CR batteries can only run from 3 to 4 hours.
Durable
Durability is not an option it is a necessity. Look for a high-quality option that is durable and will last you a very long time. Because an inferior quality illuminator will not only stop working in no time but can also be a problem during hunting.
Type of wavelength
The wavelength of the illuminator comes in 2 different options the 850 and 940 nm. Both works are similar but different at the same time. In the 850nm, the illuminator will produce a red light while looking whereas the 940 option will not put any light and the wavelength will be invisible. However, looking at the numbers the results are opposite. The 850 nm will cover more distance as compared to the 940nm
Our top picks for the best IR Illuminator for night vision
1. Pulsar 940 IR Illuminator
Key features:
- 940nm invisible light
- Quality result
- Adaptable weaver mount
- Durable
- It comes with 3 AA batteries
Moreover, it comes with 3 AA batteries so that you don’t run out of it while hunting. It is a water-resistant option with an IPx6 rating. You don’t have to worry about rain or any kind of harsh weather while using it.
The pulsar is a 940nm illuminator which means that its range will not be very long as compared to 850nm or other products. This can be a downside of this illuminator. On the other hand, this infrared light bulb for night vision also has an adaptable weaver mount and many other more features. So, we highly recommend the Pulsar 940 IR Illuminator.
2. Streamlight 88704
Key features:
- Lifetime warranty
- Durable
- Long-range focus beam
- Shock-resistant
- Made of TAC aluminium
The Streamlight 88704 is an 850nm IR illuminator that can cover a very long distance. It can easily cover 346m with a very high-quality result. This can be your go-to illuminator if you love to hunt long distances.
The Streamlight is a very durable option that is made up of high-quality TAC aluminum. Moreover, it also comes with a lifetime warranty. So, this illuminator is here to stay with you for a very long time or even generations.
This infrared illuminator for night vision scope is also a shock-resistant option due to the anodized casing that it comes with. Looking at the cons of this illuminator, the only downside is it’s not water-resistant. This can be a very big problem for use in harsh and rainy seasons. Apart from this, the Streamlight illuminator is a very durable and well-performing light. It won’t be wrong if we call it the best IR illuminator for hunting.
Related Article
You can also check out our blogs about Best night vision scope for coyote hunting, to know more about night vision scopes.
3. BestSun Mini IR Illuminator
Key features:
- Portable and easy to carry
- Water-resistant
- High-quality aluminum made for durability
- It can give a beam of 850nm
- It has 2 illumination modes
The BestSun IR Illuminator is one of the best options in the market that is durable as well as portable. This small illuminator is very easy to carry everywhere and anywhere. Apart from its small size, it is made from very high-quality aluminum which makes this very long-lasting.
The BestSun gives a beam of 850nm which is also a plus point in it. This is an ideal illuminator if you are looking for a small-range option. Another plus point of this infrared illuminator-led flood light bulb is the two illumination modes you can choose from easily.
The battery life of this illuminator is the very major problem that can only run for 1.5 to 3 hours. This can cause a problem while hunting for a long time. This illuminator is also a waterproof option that will hold good in harsh and rainy weather. If you want a separate small range illuminator buy it instantly.
4. ATN SuperNova
Key features:
- Long-range of 400-450 yards
- High-quality aircraft aluminum
- It comes with a lithium battery
- Waterproof
- It comes with 4 stages of operation
The ATN SuperNova is one of the best-selling Illuminators you can find anywhere. It is equipped with everything a hunter is looking for. Made from high-quality aircraft-grade aluminum, the ATN illuminator can last you a lifetime.
Despite being made from quality material, this illuminator is a very lightweight option. It also has an easy rail mount system. The most attractive feature is the four modes or stages you can choose from. This will facilitate you very well.
The ATN SuperNova is a perfect long-range illuminator. It can cover a pretty astonishing 400-450 yards. This illuminator is also waterproof which means you don’t have to worry about its use in rain. The illuminator only supports rail mount which can be a problem sometimes. Other than that, it is the best flashlight for hunting at night and an illuminator that will always be the best.
5. FandyFire 940nm IR Illuminator
Key features:
- It is a waterproof illuminator
- It has a zooming head technology
- Made from Aluminium alloy
- It has an optics convex lens
- Very user-friendly
The FandyFire is a very affordable and user-friendly illuminator that is one of the top sellers. Despite being affordable it is made from high-quality aluminum alloy which also makes it durable and long-lasting. This can be used for many purposes such as IR light for security cameras, hunting, camping, etc.
The waterproof option adds more durability to the illuminator and makes its use more efficient under the rain. The best feature unarguably is the Zooming head of this illuminator. You will get a floodlight effect when zoomed out and a very concentrated light beam when zoomed in.
The FandyFire is coming with an optics convex lens which provides a very clear and high-resolution image. The anti-slip body and design of this illuminator make it more reliable. However, the beam range of this illuminator is limited and not very long. On the other hand, this infrared illuminator for night vision scope is worth the money.
6. ATN Pro Long Range
Key features:
- It comes with 3 stage output
- Waterproof
- Best for long-range
- It has a range of 300mm
- High-quality aluminum made
The ATN Pro Long Range as the name says is a very high-quality long-range illuminator. Made from aircraft quality aluminum makes it very durable option. The illuminator is also a waterproof option to make it withstand rainy and harsh weather.
The ATN Pro Long Range comes with a 3-stage system to choose upon. This system will increase or decrease the battery life of the illuminator. This long range IR Illuminator can cover a long range of 300mm very easily.
This IR illuminator for rifles has a very long battery life which can easily last the whole night without causing any problems. The downside to this battery powered infrared light is that the battery t is non-rechargeable. This is the only problem with this illuminator. The ATN Pro Long Range also has an adjustable mount. We highly recommend this one of the best IR lights for night vision.
7. Streamlight Protac
Key features:
- Made from high-quality anodized aluminum
- Long-range illuminator
- Shock and weather resistant
- Three stages of output
- Easy to carry
The Streamlight Protac can take your night hunting to another level with its high performance and amazing built. Made from anodized aluminum this illuminator will surely be with you through your whole life. We can also call it the Streamlight super tac IR due to the similarities.
The shock and water-resistant facility enable you to use it anytime and anywhere without getting bothered by the weather conditions. This illuminator has 3 different stages to choose from the low, medium, and high.
The Streamlight Protac can also serve the purpose of portability due to its nice design. It can easily fit in your pocket. The C4 LED Technology makes this weapon mounted IR Illuminator give high-quality results. It has a very nice long range. The only complaints about this product are the unimpressive battery life. Other than that, it is a very good budget IR laser illuminator.
8. Odepro KL52plus
Key features:
- It comes with 4 LED Modules
- Military-grade adonized aluminum
- Waterproof
- Durable
- Quality battery
The ODepro Kl52Plus IR Illuminator is one of the most unique illuminators you can have. The most unique feature of it is the 4 LED modules that it comes with. These LED Modules can give you options of colors you can choose from according to your need.
This is a highly durable illuminator made up of military-grade adonized aluminum that will last you a very long time. The innovative zoom system in this illuminator will provide a very clear and high-resolution image at a very long distance.
The illuminator comes in a very durable box along with a rechargeable battery and a charger too. The Odepro KL52plus is a waterproof option which means it will not cause a problem on rainy days. There are however few complaints of some of the LEDs not working sometimes. There is a very rare chance of it happening. So, this illuminator is worth buying.
FAQs about the best IR Illuminator for night vision
What is the best IR Illuminator for long-range?
ATN SuperNova is the best long-range IR illuminator that can easily cover a distance of 400-450 yards. This is mind-blowing as compared to an average long-range illuminator which can only cover 200-300 yards.
What colors show up best 940nm IR red illuminator?
The 940nm IR illuminator doesn’t show any kind of light and is completely invisible. It is the perfect option to use in applications that should be covert. These illuminators have completely invisible LED lights.
What is the best place to mount an IR illuminator?
The best place to mount an IR illuminator is either behind or above the camera. Another thing to keep in mind is that it should be kept 12 feet off the ground. It will result in causing reflection if placed too near.
On blink what is the best setting IR illuminator?
The automatic video recording in low light can be done through the blink. The IR light should be kept on as well as the blink system is armed to activate it automatically.
Why do you need an IR Illuminator?
Night vision alone can’t give you the results you are looking for. So, all night visions need some kind of IR Illuminator with it to serves their purpose nicely.
Conclusion:
Here you have the Best IR Illuminator for night vision. This list includes the all-time best options in the market. However, not all illuminators are made equal. Some have an advantage over other and vice versa. That is why we have done very deep research and stated all the features.
So, choose carefully among them keeping in mind your requirements. We hope you find this article helpful. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment if you have a suggestion or a question.