Yukon Ranger 5x42 Digital Nv

[ColinR]

Initial review.
I expect many of you are interested in the latest night vision developments at a cost that is “sensible”.
Just received the new Mark II version of the Yukon Ranger. All the superlatives you have read prior to the launch of the new model are true.

I tried it last night under conditions of heavy cloud cover giving an orange (light pollution)/grey cast and Zero cloud cover but with a full moon.

First up, it works perfectly with glasses giving a full view of the internal screen, unlike some of the Gen 1 night vision monoculars’ where the eye relief is too short to give the full picture when glasses are worn. Not something that most people consider but critical for those that wear glasses or use eye protection when walking in the woods in total darkness.

The screen gives a flat picture just like the eyepiece of a video camera, and there is adjustment for how bright you want the screen.

Secondly, it works where they may be a light source near to where want to look, with Gen 1 night vision this flares out the screen and you see nothing.

I assumed that it would only work with the infrared light source switched on. This proved to be not the case as I cover the small infrared lamp with my thumb and the picture viewed was the same as traditional NV, the ambient light was amplified.

This small infrared light which always runs when the screen is switched on “lit-up” my dog’s eyes at 70 yards, and the larger infrared light “lit-up” cattle eyes at 150+ yards. Note that the reflection from cattle eyes is nowhere near that of rabbits and foxes.

As a comparison I have a Yukon NVMT 3X fitted with additional infrared, this is good for 100-150 yards for spotting depending on rabbit eyes or fox eyes, but is not so friendly to use due to image distortion and correct eye line up of the eye piece plus the image flair if used near an urban environment. The Ranger is in a different league, it is way ahead of Gen 1 and I don’t mean a little better. One point to note is that because of the 5X magnification there is a limited field of view, basically like scanning fields through a 5X-power riflescope.

I can’t wait for a truly dark night to test it’s full potential. :)

[larena]

Have to endorse your comments Colin,took delivery of my unit yesterday,gave it a 10 minute trial last night on the local sportsfields,two fox perfectly visible on the short grass at over 100 yards,three rabbits at approx 50+ yards,and a small thin hedgehog storing up winter fat at a paced 54 yards,top kit,well worth the ££££ ;)

[ColinR]

Addendum to review.
OK, I’ve used this quite a few times now and under different lighting conditions.
General impression, It does the job superbly, I have not encountered any situations where I have been anything but impressed with this unit.

If there is any ambient light around this unit works without the main illuminator.
Example: I use a Tasco Titan 4-12x52 and viewed sheep on a hillside 180yards away, the ambient light was such that when I had acclimatised to the dark I could just “perceive” where the sheep were. Using the Ranger in standard mode I could observe the sheep and ascertain what they were doing.

Switch on the main illuminator and WOW, it’s like looking at B+W TV. Eyes light up, and you see details.

On a truly dark night i.e. after acclimatising to the dark and you still cannot see your hand held in front of you, the main illuminator will be required for any distance past 50 yards for detailed identification.

Perhaps, a more interesting point, my shooting Buddy and I were watching sheep stock on the said hillside.
He’s using a Yukon NVMT 3X fitted with additional infrared and I have the Ranger.
Two foxes are working amongst the sheep; I switch on the main illuminator and watched the pair of “diamonds” as they moved around, they were completely unaware that I was observing them.
Next up my buddy switched on his additional infrared and the foxes look straight at use and run off.
(This pair were known to be very lamp shy on white light and red filter)

This has happened on a few occasions, leading me to believe that they cannot see in the IR wavelength of the Ranger illuminator. The averting blurb says that the unit is semi covert; my experience concurs with this.

Note, a Yukon NVMT Gen1 unit cannot see the illuminator from the Ranger, but the additional infrared used by my Buddy is way too much light for the Ranger, I have to turn the screen brightness right down.

I don’t use a dedicated night vision riflescope, as I prefer to use my “day rifle” with a mounted lamp.
Sometimes there is a very short window available from turning a rifle lamp on and the target moving, the Ranger enables me to observe an area, clearly identify a target and mark the position of that target and then allows me to be “on” the target before turning the rifle lamp on.

To sum up, the Ranger is absolutely cracking to a minimum of 200 yards, were target details can been observed and identified, plus that advantage of being covert.

If you use additional infrared then this extends to 350+ yards, it’s actually beyond the usable range of a scope mounted million-candle power Cluson lamp with a red filter.

[Baldie]

Two foxes are working amongst the sheep; I switch on the main illuminator and watched the pair of “diamonds” as they moved around, they were completely unaware that I was observing them.
Next up my buddy switched on his additional infrared and the foxes look straight at use and run off.
(This pair were known to be very lamp shy on white light and red filter)

This has happened on a few occasions, leading me to believe that they cannot see in the IR wavelength of the Ranger illuminator. The averting blurb says that the unit is semi covert; my experience concurs with this.

Note, a Yukon NVMT Gen1 unit cannot see the illuminator from the Ranger, but the additional infrared used by my Buddy is way too much light for the Ranger, I have to turn the screen brightness right down.

I don’t use a dedicated night vision riflescope, as I prefer to use my “day rifle” with a mounted lamp.
Sometimes there is a very short window available from turning a rifle lamp on and the target moving, the Ranger enables me to observe an area, clearly identify a target and mark the position of that target and then allows me to be “on” the target before turning the rifle lamp on.

To sum up, the Ranger is absolutely cracking to a minimum of 200 yards, were target details can been observed and identified, plus that advantage of being covert.

If you use additional infrared then this extends to 350+ yards, it’s actually beyond the usable range of a scope mounted million-candle power Cluson lamp with a red filter.


Taking your [worthy] points one at a time......

The Rangers illuminator uses a different wavelength to the other illuminators on the market at the moment. The illuminator isn't that powerful either. (It isn't,) but the digital processor inside is VERY sensitive, and gets into Gen III territory.

Illuminator brightness is also an issue. Even the LED illuminator on the tubed NVMT will be a bright point at some distance. Try the test: Stand at 100 yards with the Ranger illuminator on, and then do the same with the LED torch supplied with the NVMT. I doubt you'll see the Ranger at all. We are about to try a LightForce lamp with similar IR filtering to the Ranger, to see if this can be used effectively.

In the new year, a new type of illuminator will be available, and a mounting bracket for it, that will allow greater and similarly covert viewing at greater distances. At present the on-board illuminator of the Ranger will go out to 200 yards (effective) as beyond that recognistion becomes a problem. With the add-on bracket, and additional (semi-covert) illuminator, it will be possible to adequately recognise potential targets out to 400 yards or so. [Not that it would be safe to shoot at those sort of distances, but you'll be able to recognise/track an animal at that distance.]


In summary, wavelength and illuminator brightness give you away. But watch this space. Solutions to both will be available soon. (Circa 4/6 weeks.) ;)

[nwillow]

Browsing about came across this website with laser illuminators rangeing from ir 530-810 and the same laser which ranges ir 530-920 which they say is invisible to the eye but visible only to digital night vision.Might be handy for the ranger,can't do a link dont know how but here's the web address.
http://www.infraredviewers.ru/en/irilluminators.htm

[nwillow]

My thinking was that if you use a laser with with ir range between 530-920 on the ranger you will have yourself a totally invisible long range spotter.I have noticed on some foxes that they can detect lasers which emit a glow especially when you focus the beam on them.

[Baldie]

My thinking was that if you use a laser with with ir range between 530-920 on the ranger you will have yourself a totally invisible long range spotter.I have noticed on some foxes that they can detect lasers which emit a glow especially when you focus the beam on them.


As I have tried to indicate, I have my doubts the image brightness of the laser will ever allow it to be truly 'invisible', and is why emitters of 900nm+ wavelength have been termed "semi-covert". As a side issue, the product shown on that web-site is only available from one source, as they won't ship to anyone other than their UK distributor. And he doesn't (currently) carry stock of these, so it's 'special order' only.

The Ranger has a tripod socket that has a thread size of 1/4" Whitworth. The later 90mw IR lasers have a metric thread on the fixing bolt. They can be screwed directly to the Ranger, but you'll be lucky to get one thread of the laser into the tripod mount of the Ranger. I don't think I'd want to risk losing my £200 laser on one thread that wasn't even the right size ......

That aside, you don't need a laser to make these things perform even better. Almost any LED illuminators will greatly improve their performance. Yukon do one for £80-£100 that comes with the right thread too. ;) I'd be surprised if one of these LED illuminators upset a fox at 200+ yards. ;)


And as a closing note, the Rangers are not, nor will they ever be upgradable. What you buy is what you get. The End.

Towards the middle of next year, there maybe a 'Pro' version of the Ranger. It will perform better than the standard Ranger, and it will cost more money. So it won't be the same product, nor the same price. If you have already bought the cheaper, and very well spec'd standard Ranger, you'll own a product that stands up on its own merits. Though I'm not sure everyone will agree you can accurately define rabbits at 200 yards with one. See them, maybe, but not define them accurately. [You might see some eyes moving around at the front of a body, but you won't know if it's a rabbit/fox/badger.]

The 'Pro' Ranger is scheduled for delivery spring/summer next year. That's some time off, and it isn't unusual for companies like Yukon to have a change of plans, so don't expect too much too quickly. If you think you might be interested in buying a Ranger, buy one now. They come with a 3 year warranty, so their re-sale value will stay high. ;) Useful to know if you ever wanted to 'upgrade' to a more expensive model. :cool:

[Baldie]

The Digital Ranger has an on-board IR LED 920 Range wave length IR illuminator that is equivalent to 200mw,

This is an amazing bit of information, considering you once told me it was 2000mw. Now only one tenth of the "original" power? :D

Since I didn't know what the power rating actually was, I rang the importers, and they didn't know either. They will be asking Yukon directly. I will report the answer here.

to add a 100 mw LED illuminator device will not improve the range or viewing distance at all, again bad advice I am afraid,

Actually, it does. Or at least a customer tells me it does. Using the laser can just 'wash out' the picture at close distances because it's too bright. Sure it works at longer distances, but why use a £200 laser when an £80 (new) unit will do the job?

an IR laser will more than double the viewing range to 400+ yards, fact, I am happy to show anyone that would like to take a look, I've invested heavily in this product for one reason, it's a fantastic product that works very very well.

A laser WILL increase the viewing distance to 400 yards, but will the resolution of the Ranger, and for that matter your eye adequately resolve the image at that distance? Even with perfect 20/20 vision [which obviously you are not going to get looking at a pixelated digital image] would you really be able to see the difference at night between a clump of grass and a rabbits backside at 80 yards with the naked eye? [Equivalent of x5 mag at 400 yards] I certainly can't. Sometimes I can't even do it at 40 yards with a decent maglight.

What I'm looking for is a pretty decent image at 150/160 yards tops with a x5 mag Ranger, and as a unit (without extra's) that's exactly what it gives me.

An adaptor plate is being produced to allow the coupling of an IR laser to the Digital Ranger's tripod mount as already stated,

Not by Yukon it isn't. Any remarks I'VE make about a bracket, is the one being developed for me to sell. Perhaps you have the same thing in development. If you have, it's nothing to do with anything I'm selling.


A Digital Ranger with an IR Laser will surpass any Digital Ranger Upgrades that are planned for this unit in the next 24 months I promise or you can have your money back:D




I think that remark is come will come back to bite you.

If you think a laser will make up for the resolution improvements that will be available during the next 24 months you are being incredibly naive. This year alone I have personally experienced 3 significant improvements. If development continues at (only) the same rate, you are expecting a laser (which I don't think many will need anyway) will make up for the doubling or quadrupling of imagine resolution expected during the next 6 enhancements in digital chip/software performance?

As for 'commitment' I have doubts you have committed anything like the resources I have.

These little 'digs' at my advice/experience are getting a bit tiresome too. My advice was so bad it was made a 'sticky' in the airgun section until we decided to go our separate ways and I was forced to delete it. [Soon to re-appear on one of my many web sites.] That advice was so bad you actually watched the Marketing Director of an NV importer actually tell me how good that advice was.

Bottom line is, you sell Rangers, so do I. Yours apparently see rabbits at 200 yards, mine not so well. Let's leave it at that eh?

:) :) :)

[Baldie]

Looks like I did a bit more home work researching my products than you;)


Regards Rob


Well you looked where I didn't bother to, that is true. ;)

But the data is wrong, as we both know. ;) :D

So you wasted your time then? :D


Someone at the Yukon web authors may have hit the button a couple of times more than they should have.:p Hence my actually finding out from 'the horses mouth' as it were. I believe the system is so sensitive, the output of the onboard illuminator, is very very low.

So I don't think it's anything like 200mw, but I don't mind if you think it is. You are allowed to be wrong. ;) :D I'll be trying my own test with a 100mw LED illuminator in the next couple of days (with the new mounting system arrived this morning) and will report back my findings.


I could not find any claims that I made about spotting Rabbits at 200 yards with clarity

the Digital Ranger is capable of holding a good image out to 200 yards as standard,

I obviously misunderstood. Silly me. :) :D

[Marky610]

Geoff, have you had time to play with the different types of illuminater with this unit? I have been playing with mine using my old Deben tracer and i/r filter, no problems at all seeing up to 200yrds but it turns the whole thing into something quite unweildy.

What I need is a nice little illuminater, bracket to mount it to the unit which still allows the use of a tripod. I have plumbed the av outlet into a portible dvd player (thanks for the advice Rob ;) ) to eleminate the blinding you get from staring into the veiw finder. My plans are to bait up an area set myself up with the device and wait for charlie to come and get his breakfast then, due to no add on system that can take the recoil from my 22-250, on with the lamp and nail the bugger ;)


ps, thanks Baz for the N/V section :cool:

[Baldie]

Geoff, have you had time to play with the different types of illuminater with this unit? I have been playing with mine using my old Deben tracer and i/r filter, no problems at all seeing up to 200yrds but it turns the whole thing into something quite unweildy.

What I need is a nice little illuminater, bracket to mount it to the unit which still allows the use of a tripod. I have plumbed the av outlet into a portible dvd player (thanks for the advice Rob ;) ) to eleminate the blinding you get from staring into the veiw finder. My plans are to bait up an area set myself up with the device and wait for charlie to come and get his breakfast then, due to no add on system that can take the recoil from my 22-250, on with the lamp and nail the bugger ;)


ps, thanks Baz for the N/V section :cool:


Aaaaah, there's the rub. ;)

I have a bracket that allows a laser to be attached, but guess where it screws into?

Have done tests with a couple of lamps with IR filters and every one works. Not been able to loan an LED IR illuminator as the local fella to me with one, upped and left for NZ. :eek: Now we have an NV section, perhaps I can place a 'loan' ad' for one?

Your bracket solution might be dead simple. ;) Will double check and discuss the answer later on today.


"Blinding"? You do know the little wheel at the front of the unit turns the brightness down, doncha?

As for 22-250 and recoil .... I take it the rifle isn't modded then?

[Marky610]

;1612279']Aaaaah, there's the rub. ;)




Your bracket solution might be dead simple. ;) Will double check and discuss the answer later on today. All it needs is a 1/4" thread opisite to the mounting screw ;)


"Blinding"? You do know the little wheel at the front of the unit turns the brightness down, doncha? Yes still find it hurts my eye after a short while

As for 22-250 and recoil .... I take it the rifle isn't modded then?

22-250 is a heavy barreled varmint Sako fitted with a T8, it must weigh 10lb's+ so if theres a rifle suitable for nv then this is I would have thought

[Baldie]

All it needs is a 1/4" thread opposite to the mounting screw

Eh? :confused: I'll leave it with you then..... ;)

Yes still find it hurts my eye after a short while

I have started recommending that people only use the Yukon for 30 second 'view' periods, before a 2 minute 'break'. There is obviously a problem with how the eyes work for some people. Many of us who have been using this system for 6 months, can spend HOURS looking through the Ranger with no apparent effect. [This excludes whitened skin, extended canine teeth, and an unhealthy lust for blood. ;) :D :D ]

Others are reporting eye strain, usually in the form of a headache. This can only be because they don't cope well with one eye getting light, while the other gets none? A strange phenomena. Weird, but it has happened to one or two. :(


22-250 is a heavy barreled varmint Sako fitted with a T8, it must weigh 10lb's+ so if theres a rifle suitable for nv then this is I would have thought


A monocular with Long Eye Relief and supa-dupa IR laser will help out with foxing when using a 22-250. However, experience tells me you might experience a certain amount of disorientation once a round has been fired. [aka The gun moves and hot gases mask your view.] In a situation like this, it is prudent to have a second shooter .... ;)

Mindful you are getting eye-strain, sticking to using a lamp for a while might be better. [See if you can used to using just the one eye first?]

Ahhhh..... it just occurs to me, try a slightly coloured gel over the viewing screen of your Ranger? Green is a bit obvious, but pink or red might be more effective. If you don't have any, let me know and I'll cut you some to try.

A coloured light may not be such a strain on your eye.

...

[Marky610]

;1612552']A monocular with Long Eye Relief and supa-dupa IR laser will help out with foxing when using a 22-250. However, experience tells me you might experience a certain amount of disorientation once a round has been fired. [aka The gun moves and hot gases mask your view.] In a situation like this, it is prudent to have a second shooter .... ;)
No different to shooting a light weight 308 in daylight then :D
Mindful you are getting eye-strain, sticking to using a lamp for a while might be better. [See if you can used to using just the one eye first?]

Ahhhh..... it just occurs to me, try a slightly coloured gel over the viewing screen of your Ranger? Green is a bit obvious, but pink or red might be more effective. If you don't have any, let me know and I'll cut you some to try.

A coloured light may not be such a strain on your eye.

...


Cheers chap, I'll give it a try ;)

[patsmash41]

had a demo with one of these units last week with Baldie [aka GeeDee] what a tool! i was that impressed i got my mate to buy one. many thanks Baldie for a top bit of kit especially when used with the Merlin add on:)

[nwillow]

Anyone selling an adaptor to fit a laser to the rangers yet.

[Baldie]

Anyone selling an adaptor to fit a laser to the rangers yet.



Yes. :cool:

Worked out the second type tonight. ;) Now do the adapter for both types.

Will post piccies tomorrow. ;) :D

[Baldie]

And here they are: [Now I've stopped p155ing against the wind. :D ]


Adapter mounted on the Ranger. (http://www.postmaster.co.uk/fs/geoffreydavies/Public//Ranger%20and%20illuminator%20adapter.JPG)

Laser mounted on the adapter. (http://www.postmaster.co.uk/fs/geoffreydavies/Public//Ranger%20and%20laser%20fitted.JPG)

:) :)

[Skany]

And here they are: [Now I've stopped p155ing against the wind. :D ]


Adapter mounted on the Ranger. (http://www.postmaster.co.uk/fs/geoffreydavies/Public//Ranger%20and%20illuminator%20adapter.JPG)

Laser mounted on the adapter. (http://www.postmaster.co.uk/fs/geoffreydavies/Public//Ranger%20and%20laser%20fitted.JPG)

:) :)


geoff what sort of range are yop getting with the laser mounted?

im still trying:o

Andy

[Baldie]

geoff what sort of range are yop getting with the laser mounted?

im still trying:o

Andy


Elwood has a system on 'demo' for an unbiased review. The 1st advantage is that clarity at 200 yards is enhanced because there is less 'noise'. 2nd advantage is that the laser is good for 300-400 yards, but the limitation is really the x5 mag of the Ranger, and the resolving image of the unit.

If you are interested...... ;) But the package isn't cheap. It's tilted toward a shooter (or pair of) who might also use the laser for NV work too.

If you already have a laser? Or already have a Ranger? It makes sense to have both. ;) :D

Will PM or ring you later.

...

[pothunter]

Superb bit of kit for the price.
I have a merlin add on unit with laser and a 4x lens to use for scanning, and have had it around 6 months, trouble was getting 100% positive ID on foxes beyond around 150yds.
Got in touch with Rob last week, ordered the ranger on Friday, here on Saturday.
Been out with it 3 times since, once on poacher patrol and twice foxing and the preformance exceeds my expectations, very clear id's out way beyond 200yds, eyes out to a huge distance.
Low light performance at dusk is excellent and can be used with traditional lamping kit to positively id quarry under a red filtered lamp.
Perfect addition to the add on with long eye relief for air rifle (inc springers), rf .22 and probably CF .222/.223
If you can afford to get one I would recommend it. Not involved with Rob but he is doing a deal on the outfit (add on plus ranger), at the moment if anyone is tempted.
Thanks Rob for excellent service.