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There is a handful of choices in these but only a few that are actually available from Steiner now October of 2020 - I mention that in case like everyone else you are wanting to get something "before the election" (we hear that every day on the phone so that's why I mentioned it).
DBAL-I2 - 9007 Updated 4/2022 Steiner now has just one DBAL-I2 model- All others have been discontinued.
The DBAL-I2 9007 model that has an IR laser and an IR illuminator Steiner stock number 9007.This model utilizes the standard I2 body but instead of a visible laser, an IR illuminator has been incorporated so you have BOTH an IR laser and an IR illuminator on this model. NO visible laser on this model.
I like the 9007 and have it on many of my rifles. You can set it to fire both the IR laser and the IR illuminator at the same time- which is nice as you get a large IR spotlight with the IR laser aiming dot in the center of it. This is great because you can instantly PID and be ready to shoot.
DBAL-D2 - This model has a visible green laser, an IR laser and an IR illuminator. This is a big ole' girl compared to the other ones.The IR illuminator in the D2 is more powerful than the other models, but with the small drawback of a "chunkier" body. This may not matter to you, but if you like a balance rifle for CQB, you may have to experiment with placement of the D2 on your rifle in order to find the "sweet spot" of balance. The D2 also has a visible green laser that is "slaved together" with the IR laser- so you can go out during the day and Zero the visible laser and your IR laser is automatically zeroed also.
DBAL-A3- This model has a visible green laser that is slaved together (co-aligned) with the IR laser- so essentially you can go out and zero the visible laser during the day and your IR laser will automatically be zeroed also. The A3 also has an IR illuminator but the illuminator on the A3 is maybe half the strength of the illuminator on the D2, which means less distance for IR illumination.
OTAL-C- Tried and true dependable but basic IR only laser. No extra bells and whistles. For those wanting to keep common batteries this one is great cause it takes AAs where most IR lasers take CR123s- so same battery as your PVS14 or other common NV. NOTE- the OTAL-C doesn't have a fire button on the unit so if you lose your pressure pad or your pad goes down, you are stuck turning it to locked on/always on mode (aka the Light Saber mode). And in classes we have seen a handful of these go down. So you definitely want to have a spare for this.
DBAL-A4 WAS RECENTLY DISCONTINUED BY STEINER
Edited to add- Steiner has that MAP pricing policy non sense which essentially requires all vendors to not Advertise a lower price than the "minimum advertised price." This is why you see "call for best price" type of deals- over the phone you can discount it but you can't advertise a discounted price.
Usage- posted for those that are not super familiar with IR lasers so I'll keep this simple-
The premise is that the IR laser is used as an aiming point for your NV. When people are new to PVS14s they tend to think the best idea is to mount the PVS14 on a weapon. Doing that creates several potential problems- 1. Arm fatigue- when the unit is married to the weapon you have to have the weapon up in your shoulder pocket to get a "look" through your NV. Looks cool on the movies but go try it for 30 minutes in the backyard! 2. If your working with other people it could create safety issues with "sweeping" or "flagging" others- you hear a noise you swing your rifle to get the NODs in place to "look" and your swept Pete and Todd. Not good. Finally, while you can weapon mount certain devices, it's not the most ideal way and larger caliber weapons can damage tubes. So most people helmet mount the 14 and use an IR laser on the rifle. Then your walking around with the rifle comfortable on your body maybe patrol ready type carry and your turning your head to look around the way God designed versus turning your whole entire body with the rifle up- essentially having to do a "facing movement" to use the rifle with the NV to get a "look" around.
"But won't using an IR laser give my position away to anyone with night vision?"
Yes, but so will your MUZZLE FLASH. And I don't care how good of a suppressor you may have, there will always be SOME muzzle flash. 30 years back we were taught by the old SF Vietnam vets to shoot at small cyalume sticks in total darkness- this was done to simulate muzzle flash and as one guy stated "sometimes that's all you can see to shoot at."
So then what do you do?
Simple, you fire and you move. This negates both any IR issues as well as muzzle flash issues. Even if it means displacing just a few feet, it is still something.
An IR laser- used properly will not create that big of a signature.
"What does "used properly" mean?
That means activate the laser with the momentary switch, fire and immediately release the pad. Do not "lock" the laser on or you will get the light saber effect. This sounds easy enough in theory, but it requires PRACTICE. This is one of those things I keep on students about at our NV classes cause it's a habit you definitely want to get into quickly.
Troubleshooting-
Can't tell you how many freak out calls or emails we have gotten where a customer thought an IR laser "wasn't working" due to the following two things they were doing wrong-
1. There is a little flip cover that comes installed on the output for your IR laser/visible laser and IR illuminator on the Steiner units. With THAT COVER IN PLACE you will NOT see the laser or illuminator. The cover is blocking the output! GENTLY PULL UP SLIGHTLY on the cover and SLIDE the cover to the side. If you yank hard like a gorilla you WILL break the rubber keepers to the cap.
2. Remember, it's an INFRARED LASER- I've had a couple freak out calls where the customer was complaining that they "couldn't see the IR laser" with their naked eye.... Yes, very combative folks thinking the laser wasn't working when they "couldn't see" the IR laser with the naked eye. Folks, your naked eye CANNOT SEE IR, that's the whole point of using an IR laser- it will ONLY be seen through your Night vision. Seems to be common sense but common sense isn't all that common any more....
DBAL-I2 - 9007 Updated 4/2022 Steiner now has just one DBAL-I2 model- All others have been discontinued.
The DBAL-I2 9007 model that has an IR laser and an IR illuminator Steiner stock number 9007.This model utilizes the standard I2 body but instead of a visible laser, an IR illuminator has been incorporated so you have BOTH an IR laser and an IR illuminator on this model. NO visible laser on this model.
I like the 9007 and have it on many of my rifles. You can set it to fire both the IR laser and the IR illuminator at the same time- which is nice as you get a large IR spotlight with the IR laser aiming dot in the center of it. This is great because you can instantly PID and be ready to shoot.
DBAL-D2 - This model has a visible green laser, an IR laser and an IR illuminator. This is a big ole' girl compared to the other ones.The IR illuminator in the D2 is more powerful than the other models, but with the small drawback of a "chunkier" body. This may not matter to you, but if you like a balance rifle for CQB, you may have to experiment with placement of the D2 on your rifle in order to find the "sweet spot" of balance. The D2 also has a visible green laser that is "slaved together" with the IR laser- so you can go out during the day and Zero the visible laser and your IR laser is automatically zeroed also.
DBAL-A3- This model has a visible green laser that is slaved together (co-aligned) with the IR laser- so essentially you can go out and zero the visible laser during the day and your IR laser will automatically be zeroed also. The A3 also has an IR illuminator but the illuminator on the A3 is maybe half the strength of the illuminator on the D2, which means less distance for IR illumination.
OTAL-C- Tried and true dependable but basic IR only laser. No extra bells and whistles. For those wanting to keep common batteries this one is great cause it takes AAs where most IR lasers take CR123s- so same battery as your PVS14 or other common NV. NOTE- the OTAL-C doesn't have a fire button on the unit so if you lose your pressure pad or your pad goes down, you are stuck turning it to locked on/always on mode (aka the Light Saber mode). And in classes we have seen a handful of these go down. So you definitely want to have a spare for this.
DBAL-A4 WAS RECENTLY DISCONTINUED BY STEINER
Edited to add- Steiner has that MAP pricing policy non sense which essentially requires all vendors to not Advertise a lower price than the "minimum advertised price." This is why you see "call for best price" type of deals- over the phone you can discount it but you can't advertise a discounted price.
Usage- posted for those that are not super familiar with IR lasers so I'll keep this simple-
The premise is that the IR laser is used as an aiming point for your NV. When people are new to PVS14s they tend to think the best idea is to mount the PVS14 on a weapon. Doing that creates several potential problems- 1. Arm fatigue- when the unit is married to the weapon you have to have the weapon up in your shoulder pocket to get a "look" through your NV. Looks cool on the movies but go try it for 30 minutes in the backyard! 2. If your working with other people it could create safety issues with "sweeping" or "flagging" others- you hear a noise you swing your rifle to get the NODs in place to "look" and your swept Pete and Todd. Not good. Finally, while you can weapon mount certain devices, it's not the most ideal way and larger caliber weapons can damage tubes. So most people helmet mount the 14 and use an IR laser on the rifle. Then your walking around with the rifle comfortable on your body maybe patrol ready type carry and your turning your head to look around the way God designed versus turning your whole entire body with the rifle up- essentially having to do a "facing movement" to use the rifle with the NV to get a "look" around.
"But won't using an IR laser give my position away to anyone with night vision?"
Yes, but so will your MUZZLE FLASH. And I don't care how good of a suppressor you may have, there will always be SOME muzzle flash. 30 years back we were taught by the old SF Vietnam vets to shoot at small cyalume sticks in total darkness- this was done to simulate muzzle flash and as one guy stated "sometimes that's all you can see to shoot at."
So then what do you do?
Simple, you fire and you move. This negates both any IR issues as well as muzzle flash issues. Even if it means displacing just a few feet, it is still something.
An IR laser- used properly will not create that big of a signature.
"What does "used properly" mean?
That means activate the laser with the momentary switch, fire and immediately release the pad. Do not "lock" the laser on or you will get the light saber effect. This sounds easy enough in theory, but it requires PRACTICE. This is one of those things I keep on students about at our NV classes cause it's a habit you definitely want to get into quickly.
Troubleshooting-
Can't tell you how many freak out calls or emails we have gotten where a customer thought an IR laser "wasn't working" due to the following two things they were doing wrong-
1. There is a little flip cover that comes installed on the output for your IR laser/visible laser and IR illuminator on the Steiner units. With THAT COVER IN PLACE you will NOT see the laser or illuminator. The cover is blocking the output! GENTLY PULL UP SLIGHTLY on the cover and SLIDE the cover to the side. If you yank hard like a gorilla you WILL break the rubber keepers to the cap.
2. Remember, it's an INFRARED LASER- I've had a couple freak out calls where the customer was complaining that they "couldn't see the IR laser" with their naked eye.... Yes, very combative folks thinking the laser wasn't working when they "couldn't see" the IR laser with the naked eye. Folks, your naked eye CANNOT SEE IR, that's the whole point of using an IR laser- it will ONLY be seen through your Night vision. Seems to be common sense but common sense isn't all that common any more....
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