Category Archives: Night Vision

The Captured Russian ‘Spider’ IR Threat Detector Demonstrated.

You may recall a few days ago I posted a link to an article with a device captured by Ukrainian forces off of a Russian Wagner Group Mercenary. Link to previous article.

This video (not our video) has been released demonstrating the use and function. Pretty much exactly as we all thought.

Update with new information:
The following is unconfirmed. Apparently this device is from Shinex Tech from Finland. Available for $10,000/each and you need 4 for full coverage. Their website has been “down for maintenance” for a little while. Presumably to attempt to weather the bad press from being associated with Wagner at any level.

Two new housings announced from AB Night Vision

There is a lot happening this year in the world of night vision. AB Night Vision is responsible for the nearly bullet-proof RNVG (Ruggedized Night Vision Goggle) that has made a huge impact on the NOD community. It looks like (just in time for SHOT Show) they are announcing two new housings. The ARNVG (Articulating Ruggedized Night Vision Goggle) and the RNVG-VG (VG = Variable Gain). This is big news for those of you who prefer aluminum dual tube housings. The two things that the original RNVG lacked (according to some) was variable gain and articulating pods. Now there are a couple of new options on the market.

AB is not very active on social media but their dealers are. Off the top of my head we have Steele Industries Inc and Night Vision Inc showing it off on their social media.

Early reports (not verified) indicate that the ARNVG housing will go for around $2,400 (no optics or tubes). No word yet on the RNVG-VG.

Night Vision Inc says they will have units available for viewing at SHOT Show this year at Booth 60004. Steel Industries Inc has stated the same. Both firms appear to have units ready to sell on their website.

https://www.abnightvision.com/

https://steeleindustries.com/

https://nvincorporated.com/

Russian ‘Spider’ active IR threat detector found in Ukraine

This is an interesting read from Defence Blog regarding a mystery device found on a pro-Russian member of the Wagner Mercenary group in Ukraine. It appears to be an IR threat detector. Which should be able to detect infrared laser energy used for aiming at night or with laser range-finders. The best part about this story is that the unit was found WITH the operating manual.

https://defence-blog.com/russias-unusual-laser-devices-fall-into-ukrainian-hands/

Image from the Defence-Blog article.

While I was not aware of this product and it definately doesn’t have that “Russian Look” that I am familiar with it is not really a novel idea. The Hel-Star Designator Threat Alert (DTA) is supposed to have this capability built into an IR becon package and of course this type of idea has been used for a long time in fighter aircraft and even civilian cars for avoiding speeding tickets.

If you don’t understand what the purpose of this device is it would give the wearer a warning if there was an active infrared designator targeting them. Likely with a buzz or sound and from any direction. Always good to known second before the bullets start flying.

I review the Phantom Hill CTF2 Laser Aiming Module

The Phantom Hill CTF2 is a modular laser aiming device for night vision shooting. Here are my thoughts on it.

Disclosures: No money exchanged hands for this review however I was provided the CTF2 by Phantom Hill for the purpose of review.

You can find this product on the Phantom Hill website: https://phantomhill.design/collections/ctf2

The Kiji IR Illuminator head was loaned by GP Armory for this review. https://gp-armory.com/
https://www.instagram.com/g_p_armory/ https://www.facebook.com/gparmoryllc
Check them out for great IN-STOCK night vision, thermal, and light products.

The SureFire head was loaned to me by a good friend. Check out his links below:
https://www.instagram.com/kcgewehr/ https://www.youtube.com/@GCMKC

Continue reading I review the Phantom Hill CTF2 Laser Aiming Module

Do Russian Lasers Blink?

While lazing my neighbors house the other night (as one does) I noticed my Zenitco Perst-4, when moving rapidly, would appear to have a blinking frequency. A slow enough frequency that I could see it. Hard science then took place as I grabbed a DBal i2 (9003) and tried to duplicate the results. So far only Perst (Russian) lasers seem to do this. None of the American or even Chinese lasers seem to do it. Anyone know why?