What Is an IR Illuminator and Do You Need One?
What is an IR illuminator? It's basically a torch that shines infrared light, which your eyes can't see but a digital night vision device can. If you run digital night vision, you'll almost always want one, because on a dark night there isn't enough natural light for the camera to work with. Here's how they work and how to pick one.
The short answer
An IR illuminator (often called an IR torch) lights up the scene with near-infrared light. Your eyes see little or nothing, but a digital night vision scope or monocular sees it clearly, a bit like a spotlight that only your optic can see. Digital night vision needs one on most nights. Thermal doesn't need one at all, because thermal reads heat, not light.
Why digital night vision needs IR
Digital night vision is a sensitive camera. It amplifies whatever light is around, including starlight, moonlight and near-infrared. On a bright moonlit night it might cope on its own. On an overcast night with no moon, there's very little light to amplify, so the picture gets dark and grainy.
An IR illuminator fixes that. It gives the camera its own light source, so you get a clear picture even when it's pitch black, without lighting the paddock up for everything to see.
A lot of digital night vision scopes come with a built-in IR illuminator. Many hunters still add a stronger external one, because a more powerful beam usually means a brighter, cleaner image further out.
850nm vs 940nm: what's the difference?
IR illuminators are sold by wavelength, measured in nanometres (nm). The two you'll see most are 850nm and 940nm.
- 850nm: the most common for hunting. Digital sensors see it well, so you get a brighter image. The catch is that the emitter shows a faint red glow if you look straight at it.
- 940nm: close to invisible to the eye, with no obvious glow. The trade-off is that most digital sensors are less sensitive to it, so the image is usually dimmer for the same power.
For most hunting, 850nm is the practical pick. If stealth matters more than image brightness, 940nm is worth a look. Some kits let you swap between the two.
Can animals see IR light?
Most of the animals we hunt in Australia don't see near-infrared well, which is why IR works so well on spooky foxes and deer. That said, an 850nm emitter does give off a dim red glow up close, and some hunters reckon wary animals can pick it up if you shine it straight at them. If you find animals reacting, try dimming it, keeping it off their eyes, or switching to 940nm.
What to look for in an IR illuminator
- Fit: make sure it mounts to your scope or rail. Some are made for specific scopes.
- Adjustable focus: a zoomable beam lets you go from a wide flood to a tight spot.
- Brightness control: dimming stops close-up targets washing out white.
- Rechargeable batteries: handy if you're out regularly.
Not sure which one suits your scope? Send us the model and we'll tell you straight what fits.
Shop the gear
- IR lights and illuminators: the full range of IR torches and modules.
- Z-Vision NV-303 3-in-1 IR torch: a popular add-on IR torch.
- PARD IR2 850nm: made for PARD Night Stalker scopes.
- Night vision scopes: digital scopes that pair with IR.
FAQ
Do I need an IR torch for thermal?
No. Thermal sees heat, so an IR torch makes no difference to the thermal image. IR is for digital night vision.
Do I need an IR illuminator if my night vision scope has one built in?
Not always. A built-in IR is fine for closer work. Many hunters add an external one to get a brighter image further out.
Is 850nm or 940nm better for hunting?
850nm gives a brighter image with most digital night vision. 940nm is stealthier but dimmer. Most hunters start with 850nm.
Can I see IR light with my phone camera?
Often, yes. Many phone cameras pick up an IR emitter as a faint purple or white glow, which is a handy way to check it's switched on.