Comprehensive IR Laser & Illuminator Comparison

My best attempt to give you the most comprehensive laser/illuminator comparison in existence. PLEASE consider subscribing if you found this useful/helpful so I can make bigger and better content in the future.
0:00:00 Intro
0:01:24 Acknowledgments
0:03:02 Visual Test setup
0:04:51 L3 NGAL
0:07:47 InvisbleSight NGAL
0:10:09 Somogear NGAL
0:12:54 L3 PEQ 15
0:15:48 Bigpeqs15 PEQ 15
0:19:23 Somogear PEQ 15
0:21:21 B.E. Meyers MAWL
0:26:04 WADSN MAWL
0:27:43 Wilcox Raid Xe
0:32:26 3EIR Designate IR-V
0:35:37 DBAL D2
0:39:08 DBAL A2
0:41:41 DBAL A3
0:44:32 Holosun LS321G
0:45:55 PEQ-2A
0:49:14 Laserspeed LS-M3
0:52:23 Laserspeed FL-5
0:55:15 SMS XK68
0:57:55 Perst 3
1:01:03 LMD PE
1:02:45 Surefire M600V
1:04:01 Surefire M952V
1:04:33 Inforce WML
1:05:19 Streamlight TLR-VIR1
1:06:34 B.E. Meyers Kiji
1:08:22 3EIR Vulcan
1:11:10 Z-Bolt ACAL (Stand-in)
1:13:10 Z-Bolt Blazer
1:14:25 Armasight Watchman
1:16:20 Photonic Barrier Test
1:34:19 TEST DATA
1:38:30 Unit Overviews
2:00:43 Outro
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[@4MRRanch]

Be sure not to miss the photonic barrier test, and overview of the different units at the end of the video. Please subscribe so we can grow the channel to do more content like this. Thanks for watching.

[@sobekdesignsllc]

This is the type of comparison we wanted to do. Well done.

[@spoonskill7080]

A ton of work was put into this, and everyone appreciates all the hard work you did. Thank you.

[@F1SH_L3G]

Outstanding! This is the type of data that you love to see bundled together, thank you for taking the time to put this together and share it with the community 🍻

[@veritasflux8005]

I legit did a double take when scrolling past this. This might be the most comphrehensive laser video of all time.

[@4MRRanch]

It is.. until I drop the next one! But that was the goal!

[@Hugh-Glass]

Goal well met. ​@@4MRRanch

[@primalapple3109]

Not the hero we deserve. But the hero we need.

[@4MRRanch]

Happy to serve the goon community🫡

[@alexanderschooler579]

Well 10 minutes in and I’m already impressed with the invisible sight NGAL.

[@4MRRanch]

Mk4 review coming soon

[@brandonw4866]

The king of IR laser comparison himself!

[@4MRRanch]

I will humbly accept that title

[@harryparma8941]

This video needs to be in theaters. Best motion picture 2024 hands down. I watched it twice.

[@4MRRanch]

lol thanks man

[@KidCorporate]

Wow... dude THANK you for this. Also as an early adopter of the DIR-V I just wanted to say 3EIR are a fantastic group of folks, they absolutely stand by their products.

[@4MRRanch]

They’re very great at what they do and take care of their products. I already received word they’re looking into the slight misalignment of their lasers on the unit I got. It wasn’t assembled in their normal process as I needed them to rush me a unit last second for the video, but the fact they’re immediately investigating and making sure they’re products meet their standards says a lot

[@thejohnhend]

Just the size comparison alone is gold

[@4MRRanch]

I’m glad you’re impressed

[@cdun6969]

I just sold my dbal a3 and bought an dbal a2 FP (still waiting on it to show up) but this video helped reassure my purchase. Really excited to have much more power

[@4MRRanch]

I like the A2 quite a bit

[@forwardirregular]

It's been a while since I finish a 2 hour length video. Amazing work!

[@4MRRanch]

I know it’s a long video to sit through, but tried to keep it as relevant as possible

[@russellmurphy1359]

This video legit needs an award

[@4MRRanch]

I wish, the KZbin gods still hate me

[@abramwarner5119]

Found your channel when you posted it on the FB group, commenting for the algorithm, and liking for an extra boost. Great information that’s invaluable to consumers/users/responsible people. I hope you get return on the time you invested in this!

[@4MRRanch]

Thanks for the support. I’m glad you find this useful. More to come

[@SneakyKittyGameDev]

Was expecting the somogear vs IL and instead got an entire class....Nice!

[@4MRRanch]

I aim to exceed expectations lol

[@lukekerr7024]

This needs a million views....

[@4MRRanch]

Maybe eventually

[@Blake12804]

Literally bought duals today so this is super helpful

[@4MRRanch]

Perfect timing!

[@dannyotter7247]

Dude - as a Brit in the old country, thank you for doing this sort of test - really useful, informative and generally fascinating, not just for the variation of LAMs but with a good/FoM NODs.

[@4MRRanch]

I have Armasight to thank for providing the quality nods in support of this effort!

[@BangSwitchActuator]

This was seriously the best video on night vision lasers and illuminators I've ever seen. Absolutely crushed it. Subbed.

[@4MRRanch]

Round 2 will eventually make it to the channel, glad you enjoyed it

[@jurpo6]

Peq2a is a gem

[@4MRRanch]

It really is

[@OverNightObservations]

Just plain astounding. Great job!

[@4MRRanch]

Thank you!

[@chappy5373]

Thanks for doing this massive comparison! Appreciate the work put into it to show these results 💪

[@4MRRanch]

Happy to do it. Thanks for watching.

[@ILruffian]

Fantastic work. Thanks for taking the time to put this all together.

[@4MRRanch]

Happy to do it, thanks for watching

[@SOCO145]

Fantastic job! Thank you for putting in the time and efforts. Most comprehensive comparison to date. Looking forward to more to come

[@4MRRanch]

I appreciate it. Thanks for watching

[@larryfisher2670]

Trying to give you that boost you deserve. Thanks for putting all the time and effort into this!

[@4MRRanch]

I appreciate that!

[@braxtonnelson7976]

Wow dude. Incredible work. Can't wait to sit down and dive in.

[@4MRRanch]

Hope you enjoy

[@AustinWebbInventive]

That IR Laser lineup is fire! Amazing video man

[@4MRRanch]

Much appreciated. Hope it’s useful.

[@linux-usr]

Thank you for this comparison video, its hard to find such a comprehensive list and actual real world usage and footage.

[@4MRRanch]

Happy to do my part

[@marktrevino2344]

Lots of useful info brother great vid Thanks to those sponsors for all the goodies keep them coming

[@4MRRanch]

More to come! Glad you enjoyed

[@BriickTX]

Thank you for taking time to make this video.

[@4MRRanch]

Happy to do it, thanks for watching

[@armasight_usa]

Great review as always! Appreciate you looking at the Armasight Watchman.

[@4MRRanch]

Thanks for your support in this video!

[@allterraintrucks5612]

HOLYYY!!! THANK YOU for this video!! Insane amount of work.

[@4MRRanch]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidreruk3924]

Insane effort on your part, very interesting!

[@4MRRanch]

It was, but I had fun doing it and was fortunate to be able to get to test these all first hand

[@EmpTy-kf2rq]

Great overview of all you tested! Thanks

[@4MRRanch]

Glad it was helpful!

[@trevoromara4244]

Thank you for that, it's been the most informative and exactly what I needed to see, so that I can now make a very informed decision on which device or devices are gonna be the most useful for me, thanks man

[@4MRRanch]

Glad it was helpful! What was your pick based on this video?

[@JakeStrange]

Really great job, this video will pay off for your channel. The time and effort I watched you put into orchestrating this whole thing was awesome, and people like you are what keep this community alive.

[@4MRRanch]

I appreciate your support on this effort!

[@carbon4201]

The laser video to end all laser videos. Nicely done my dude!

[@4MRRanch]

That was the goal. Thanks!

[@reeseysosa]

Great video. Awesome job putting the info together dude 💪🏽

[@4MRRanch]

Thank you! More like this to come soon

[@permagenix]

Amazingly-useful real-world video. Thank you!

[@4MRRanch]

You’re welcome, glad you enjoyed it

[@vaas-one]

Brilliant, and wow dude! This took INSANE work. Just wow.

[@4MRRanch]

This took many hours to record data and edit, and cost me an irresponsible amount of money. But I’m trying to do my part to help those who are frustrated in trying to find out what is the right gear for them.

[@vaas-one]

@@4MRRanch Brother, we appreciate it, and value given will convert into value received. "Cast your bread upon the water, and soon it will come back to you."

[@huntermann7799]

This is awesome we all needed this

[@4MRRanch]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@0v417]

thanks for this video! your channel is going to be big one day.

[@4MRRanch]

I hope so! It will only let me make bigger and better video

[@donm.6356]

Time and effort to make this video is unreal. Great job !

[@4MRRanch]

You have no idea how much time and cost this was, but I’m considering it an investment to help grow the channel to only do bigger and better videos in the future

[@donm.6356]

Definitely looking forward to it

[@jalowery1246]

Damn that was extensive. Great video man!

[@4MRRanch]

Thank you!

[@nickwalters9311]

Your work didn't go unnoticed my friend, I definitely subbed and turned on the bell🔥💯

[@4MRRanch]

Thanks for the sub, welcome!

[@nickwalters9311]

@@4MRRanch thank you😎🇺🇸

[@coledickerson9856]

The PERST 3 was on the highest setting and I forgot to mention how to turn the power down! hahaha. Wonderful video, we've all needed this.

[@4MRRanch]

Yeah I realized that once I got back home from filming..

[@coledickerson9856]

@@4MRRanch looks like we’ll have to go shooting and try it 🤠 insane video, so cool to see all these devices getting compared on a level playing field..

[@jpb1502]

Great video, thank you for all of your hard work.

[@4MRRanch]

Happy to do it, thanks for taking the time to watch

[@carlh4350]

This is the best laser content I've seen. Thanks for doing this. It must have taken many hours to do the testing and video. Thanks

[@4MRRanch]

A ton of time and an irresponsible amount of cash, but happy to do my part.

[@carlh4350]

@4MRRanch well this random guy on the internet appreciates it 👍 thanks again.

[@stefanmcfarland7905]

Solid work. Have made two recent purchases based solely on your reviews.

[@4MRRanch]

Glad to hear they’re useful enough that they help you decide what works for you

[@petem9876]

Great content and a lot of great information. Thanks.

[@4MRRanch]

I appreciate that. Thanks for watching!

[@deekay270]

Best laser comparison on KZbin bar none!!! . Bravo. However, similar to a couple others that have reviewed the perst3 they did not realize that power levels on both the laser and illuminator are independently adjustable just like the raid X. it’s awesome! It saves the program that you had it on. If I remember, I think there’s five power levels on both the illuminator and the laser. attorney illuminator on high or maybe even two notches down from high, but you always have the laser on low and it works perfectly in almost all situations. Under 100 yards diffuser cap.

[@deekay270]

Forgive me if you mentioned that later in the video, I’m only one hour in. Great job though.

[@4MRRanch]

Yes I do mention it later. I didn’t get much time with each loaner unit to become proficient and this was filmed in the middle of the night when your boy was tired as hell lol.

[@deekay270]

Hahaha. Yeah I see that now. But seriously man that video was awesome. Had no idea you were going to measure power also. This is the only video anyone would need

[@gevharutyunyan]

Lots of sweat and time! Thanks for the excellent video!!! I will be grateful to watch a daylight vis laser comparison. Good luck!!!

[@4MRRanch]

Thanks for the suggestion. Maybe on the next one I’ll include that

[@gevharutyunyan]

@@4MRRanch Thanks a lot!!! Good luck!!!

[@kdtaylor3284]

Great break down for all of us dummies . Thanks I now know a lot more about all the devices !!!!

[@4MRRanch]

Glad to help

[@markjacksonmusic21]

Incredible man. Soooo helpful!

[@4MRRanch]

Glad to hear it was useful, more to come man!

[@marksmith9176]

Thanks, I’m looking to buy one of these products so I’m very appreciative that you’re doing this.

[@4MRRanch]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@marksmith9176]

@@4MRRanch I did enjoy it and I subscribed. Thank you

[@jamesspears2635]

Awesome content ! Thank you !

[@4MRRanch]

Thanks for taking the time to watch

[@shootingwithsheps]

Outstanding work

[@4MRRanch]

Thank you very much!

[@PreppenWolfLLC]

This is another incredible video.

[@4MRRanch]

I appreciate it! This one was a lot of work, but hoping it helps many!

[@TacShooter]

Awesome, this is exactly what I was wanting.

[@4MRRanch]

Glad to hear it

[@calebdapra1162]

Doing the Lords work

[@4MRRanch]

Love to do it

[@davidmckechnie2640]

Nice work, man! 🤘 It'd be cool to see a MAWL-DA Triple Click in the mix, too.

[@4MRRanch]

Thank you. I tried to get one, no luck. Maybe on the next one!

[@davidmckechnie2640]

​@@4MRRanch Maybe we could arrange that. 🙂

[@willthrill94]

Commenting just to add to the algorithm for this guy, what an awesome video

[@4MRRanch]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the support

[@davidschlageter5962]

Wow amazing!!! Well done!

[@4MRRanch]

Thank you!

[@4MRRanch]

Thank you

[@gatcattill]

Great stuff. I’m glad to see my observation on the somogear ngal were accurate with low laser being 5mW just by how it compares to knowns.

[@4MRRanch]

It can be tricky to visually asses but looks like your eye may have been pretty good if that was your assessment

[@gatcattill]

@@4MRRanchyep. I made the claim in my video review 😂

[@sfbeninati320]

Unbelievable job, looking forward to the IS MK4 review, I’m waiting on two from my July2023 purchase date.

[@4MRRanch]

Thank you. I should have a mk4 review in the near future

[@coldharboursupply]

Holy shit. Thank you for doing this.

[@4MRRanch]

Happy to do it. Let me know if you guys would want to collaborate on content in the future.

[@Senpai_B]

This channel should be at 1 million subs!

[@4MRRanch]

If only KZbin didn’t hate me..

[@pws629]

Insanely good job

[@4MRRanch]

Thank you!

[@4MRRanch]

Much appreciated

[@antnlam]

Nice great work!

[@4MRRanch]

Thanks for watching.

[@wildcat8598]

Great video. I’m extremely jealous of the L3 NGAL. I wish I could get/afford one so bad. Not only for its performance but also the size. It’s great not having a huge bulky LAM up front or on a mount. Realistically I think the next one I’ll get is probably another Holosun but the IRIS whenever it comes out.

[@4MRRanch]

The real NGAL isn’t mine sadly, only the clones. Maybe one day

[@problemprone]

Amazing video! I looked for this video over the past 3 weeks while I selected mine. I went with a FP Raid XE which unfortunately isn’t on here but fantastic video.

[@4MRRanch]

I really liked the raid xe out of this line up. Solid unit

[@iTzxNooBs]

Incredible vid

[@4MRRanch]

Thank you

[@treycantu1097]

Awesome video thanks a lot bro

[@4MRRanch]

Happy to help

[@vurvurvur]

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I've wished for so long that someone would finally have the capital or the means to produce something like this.

[@4MRRanch]

Happy to be the one go all in

[@ZroCool_Garage]

Great Video, was hoping to see the Arisaka IR

[@4MRRanch]

Maybe on the next one!

[@boejiden1942]

Thanks for doing this! We need more mawl clones.

[@4MRRanch]

Happy to do it, thanks for checking it out

[@jakobthomas3587]

you rock. this is a godsent.

[@4MRRanch]

Happy to do it. Thanks for watching.

[@Ripcord10]

Haven’t watched, but know it’s gonna be good stuff. Here for the algorithm

[@4MRRanch]

I appreciate you.

[@maxchalice5625]

Another great content creator representing Texas. Good job brother, that was a lot of work. But I wonder if there's somebody out there that could tell me if some of these OverPowered devices wouldn't be a better fit for a generation 2 or 2 plus PVS 14. For somebody that only uses their night vision a few times a year, I just never could rationalize spending the extra money to upgrade. Yeah the resolution is probably a little lower and the contrast is definitely a little lower. But aside from getting whipped in the nuts by the occasional young Mesquite tree that I didn't catch they work pretty good😂.

[@4MRRanch]

Older Gen NV is not nearly as efficient with their signal to noise ratio. I drive around hog hunting in black out conditions in my truck, I need the best signal to noise ratio possible because of the loss of light transmission through my windshield. Id imagine Gen 2 or older would be much harder to navigate with or spot wildlife. In term so far power output of some of the units, I’d say that’s why it’s important to have adjustable power based on your application or the ability to diffuse or diverge the beam substantially to where it’s not as concentrated of a hot spot but still strong enough to light the environment. Of you didn’t see the photonic barrier segment, be sure to check that portion out.

[@ShOCKeRpb123]

Here from the FB group. Subbed, liked, and here for it. HYFY.

[@4MRRanch]

Happy to have you here, thanks for the support.

[@w2rac]

Doing the lords work!

[@4MRRanch]

Glad you think so

[@jeremiahjohnson3018]

Dude, Thank you.

[@4MRRanch]

No problem!

[@Kaotix_music]

Not all heroes wear capes. Some of them wear night vision

[@l.robertvandyke4398]

Thank you!

[@4MRRanch]

You’re welcome, hope it was useful

[@sergemarlon]

Incredible video. Super impressive. One thing I wish the video had, controversial I'm sure, is a half screen of analog NVG footage alongside some digital NVG footage.

[@4MRRanch]

It was PITCH black. The footage would have been garbage. Luckily I had a fairly high spec PVS 14 to give us a fighting chance of seeing things

[@sergemarlon]

@@4MRRanch Excellent. Thanks for letting us know.

[@danielloera25]

Reddit led me here. Liked and subscribed!

[@4MRRanch]

Welcome!

[@williamflowers9435]

The insight WMX200 would be a good addition as well. At first I was confusing the Inforce WML with it until the end of the video. I’m mostly curious because the WMX200 is still pretty common in current pics of SOF despite being relatively old. I doubt its white light performance is the reason.

[@JamesMelton]

Wow, unreal video! Big thanks to those who sent their gear in to make this possible. As a MAWL C1+ owner, I'd really like a clone that i could use for airsoft. The WADSN seems like it was pretty much just a bad illuminator flood, right? Are you aware of any other clones currently available or coming to market? Of course i can just use my real one, but i really don't like having a 3k device on an airsoft rifle.

[@4MRRanch]

The WADSN was definitely a flood only and from what I can tell many of the WADSN clones don’t n have The IR illuminator so you gotta take what you can get. I think it’s usable within 100 yards. Not sure how far your Airsoft engagements will be..

[@JamesMelton]

​@@4MRRanch Thanks for replying! Airsoft engagements typically happen much, much closer and the farthest engagements are no more than about 70-80 yards.

[@R55Shibby]

Haven't even watched this yet, but you got the Like, Subscribe, Comment, and Share already.

[@4MRRanch]

Much appreciated

[@walker932]

Thank u for the time

[@4MRRanch]

Happy to do it

[@EmberArcher]

Holly God damn that thumbnail 🤯

[@4MRRanch]

The funny part is that my wife saw these units and had no idea the value in front of her

[@TheAnytony]

God damn. Nice

[@4MRRanch]

Thanks for stopping by

[@williamflowers9435]

Awesome video!!! Any chance of doing the same tests either a OGL, DBAL A4, an/peq16, an/peq16 a & b, Perst 4 and LLM-01? Maybe a Vario-Ray if you can find one. It would be interesting to compare these to the other military issued unit’s you’ve already done.

[@4MRRanch]

I’ll eventually revisit this, but it’ll be another month or two. This cost me an irresponsible amount of money to put together.

[@williamflowers9435]

@@4MRRanch understandable… most of these are out of my budget

[@JustAnotherPaddy]

Wow. That’s a lotta laser

[@4MRRanch]

Yes it was. Wish they were all mine but sadly they’re not

[@CK-jb8qh]

Sick

[@4MRRanch]

I had fun with this one

[@tiiiimmmmmm]

Thanks so much for this wealth of data. I'm curious about your experience between the Mawl and DIR-V. Do you have any further subjective insight into that comparison?

[@4MRRanch]

I will be doing a dedicated DIR-V review soon. So far though, I can’t justify the almost double price tag of the mawl. The DIR-V is super capable, you just can’t swap from close to far range rapidly without moving a diffuser whereas the mawl has two mode buttons.

[@pa3gungal]

The SOTAC Kiji clone is a pretty decent knockoff. A bit more focused of a spot but it’s adjustable from 1-3 degrees and bright as hell. Actually a good setup with the laser on the WADSN mawl clone (illum taped over)

[@4MRRanch]

Didn’t know this was a thing, thanks!

[@problemprone]

Shared on IG! Great vid. When you say “I have these turned way down, I don’t want to damage my tubes” what are you referring to being turned down?

[@4MRRanch]

I had to manually turn the gain down on the PVS 14 tube so as not to wash the image out. When the image is washed out, it’s harder to tell if I’m potentially causing damage to the tube because I can’t see anything. Concentrated bright spots that sit for too long on the view angle of a night vision tube can cause temporary and sometimes permanent damage.

[@yeredfarias7662]

Sms is working on an updated version of the xk68. Would be nice to see your review on it when it's out.

[@AK47Uprising]

I’d really like to see you do the VIR1 with the focusing lens. I haven’t really seen any good independent reviews on it yet.

[@4MRRanch]

I’ll look into

[@RandomWorx]

Comment for the greatest laser video of all time

[@4MRRanch]

I appreciate your support

[@jpbarbosa8081]

you should check out some of the SOTAC Lasers, they have a peq15 and a perst4 that seem very decent. I'd be curious to see how it compares to other brands

[@4MRRanch]

Maybe on the next go around!