Surefire M1

[Carpe Diem]

I`m thinking of getting a Surefire M1 to use with NVD`s, but I`m wondering how useful (or not) it would be. If anyone has one and tried it out...what are your thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[SilverFox]

Surefire M1 SilverFox reply

Hello Carpe Diem,

I had a M1 for one day. I have returned it due to a manufacturing problem. There seemed to be a chip in the optics that cast a spot in the beam. The IR LED was also put in backwards. The instructions say to install the battery with the + end away from the lens. My light would not work at all that way. I decided to check the light with another battery, and just happened to install the battery backwards - it worked.

I purchased the M1 to work with my digital video camera. Your mileage may vary with other viewing devices.

The beam is quite focused. It reminds me of the PT Impact or the PALight beam. I ended up zooming in a little to have the beam fill the frame. SureFire claims 100 meter distance. In Super Night Shot mode, I was not able to verify that claim. At 20 feet, the light works good, at 50 feet I was just able to make out my target. I was in a dark park looking at a moss covered fire hydrant between some large cedar trees. (By the way, at 100 feet the ARC LSH-P could just light up the target and moving out to 200 feet, the Blaster II could just make out the target, and the TigerLight just lit up the whole area.)

I am quite pleased with the light and am looking forward to getting it back from SureFire. My intended use is from 20-30 feet and it works good at that range. When I get it back (about 2 weeks) I will be able to do a better test on it and will be able to give you a more informed opinion.

I did some checking on Night Vision scopes and found that for most of the Generation 1 devices, the good viewing range is about 100 feet EDIT this is wrong - The advertised viewing range is 100 meters not 100 feet. . What kind of Night Vision device are you going to use the M1 with?

Tom

 

[Carpe Diem]

Re: Surefire M1 SilverFox reply

Hi Tom...

Thanks for your post. If you would, please let me know your further thoughts when you do get a chance to use your M1.

If I get one, I`ll use it with a couple of ITT 150 GenII monoculars that I have...when the moonlight or ambient light is not sufficient for a good view. (Dark nights or indoors, for instance.)

I also did buy on Ebay a nice ITT Mariner 160 GenIII monocular, so I won`t be totally "in the dark" on moonless nights outside. I would still like to have, though, a good IR illuminator for indoors use for those situations where there would be no other light source available.

I did buy, BTW, the ITT Infrared flashlight, and that is a nice unit that can be attached to the ITT monoculars, but I`m still intigued by the smaller size and styling of the M1.

Again, please let me know your further thoughts on the M1 when you can.

Take care.

 

[rdwilson]

Re: Surefire M1 SilverFox reply

The Surefire unit blows ITT's offering away. The ITT unit is focusable where the SF is not. The SF beam is a perfect circle and useable to at least 50 ft. with my Gen3 160.

ITT's mount is nice for convenience but makes the unit unwieldy. With the SF, I'll place the tailcap to it's most sensitive press-on position. By gripping the SF between the 160 and my hand, I can activate it using my forefinger. This is hard to describe with words but if you have the monocular, it's easy to do.

 

[Carpe Diem]

Re: Surefire M1 SilverFox reply

Hi Rick...

Thanks for your post.

I agree with you on your thoughts about the ITT infrared light. Based on your comments, I`ll get an M1 and try it.

Thanks again!

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[SilverFox]

Gen 3 160

Hello Rick,

I do not know what a Gen 3 160 is. Could you tell me? Edit. I looked it up last night. Nice...

I was hopeing that the Generation 3 devices would be sensitive enough to utilize the advertized claim of the M1. Are you sure you can only see 50 feet with it? Is there any way you could check this out?

What do I need to get to see 100 meters with the M1?

Tom

 

[Size15's]

Re: Gen 3 160

You need to contact Shelby Chan
http://www.usualsuspect.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=78

And ask him about the SureFire M1.

Tell him I sent you!

Al

 

[SilverFox]

Re: Gen 3 160

Hello Al,

Thanks.

I had a discussion with Shelby. He said that the night vision built into my Sony digital camera is not very sensitive (I am rating it at Generation 0.75). The M1 works better with Generation 2 and 3 equipment. I am having a hard time coming up with that much extra money to play with Gen 3 equipment (even if I stopped buying flashlights!!!). I do have a wish list though...

My M1 is due back this week. I will then be able to give it a good work out.

Tom