WeltoolLH2 High Density Infrared LED Light Head,Single Mode, Throwing Beam Weapon Light Head W35, W65, BB3, BB6 Light Body and Surefire M600DF Body (Black)

(For context, I have a Nocturn industries Katana with photonis echo WP tubes. 2200 FOM, 31 SNR) Had a holosun LS321 LAM on my rifle but the illuminator was useless outside CQB range. Decided to replace it with an LS221 and this light head, and let me just say, it's awesome. Output is bonkers, and frankly way too much for anything closer than like 75-100 yards, it was still autogating my nvg's at that distance, and completely overpowering my laser even on high. To remedy this, I drilled a small (approx. 5/16") hole in the flip cap that came with the light and voilà; a perfect amount of light allowed through for up close, and easy to flip open cap if I need to push it out to longer distances.With that small DiY modification, I'd say this is absolutely the best standalone IR illuminator option for anywhere near this price point.

So, I paired this head with an 18650 light body, and DS00 tailcap with associated tape switch. I was going into this hoping to find a decent ir option, but I found much more than expected. I will pause to say I'm not going to speak to the durability or toughness of this light head, as I just haven't had it long enough. But, there is one and really it's the main point here, this thing is powerful. When I say powerful I mean full bore swamp out a laser based illuminator and full power laser; autogate your NVD'S if you catch some of the spill against a tree much less a wall, illuminate something too close-nope, sorry. Forget using it indoors unless you were in an old empty warehouse. It will utterly swamp your tubes.So, now all that's out of the way. This thing is cool. It's an option in an area of the market where there aren't many choices oddly enough. Being able to easily replace the lense and the included spare is top as well. It seems well enough. And the only real changes I could think of would be (and this is a kind of across the board feeling with all light heads) would be to ditch the design and just go simple and streamlined. And maybe an internal "output power" potentiometer, set it where you want and you might not have the power of the sun, but you'll still get to see.This will end up living on something sometime, so it's definitely a keep.