![]() heat and condense) metal powder into a solid structure. DMLS is a 3D-printing technique that uses a laser to sinter (i.e. This characteristic comes from its Direct Metal Laser Sintered (DMLS) aluminum construction. (Photo by Nate Gerhart)Īt its core is a metal housing with an unusual-looking raw finish. It features parts from Arbor Arms, Arisaka Defense, JK Armament, Primary Arms, RISE Armament, Strike Industries. The CTF-1 covers all three of the most important functions - white light, infrared laser, and infrared illuminator - in a single compact unit.Ībove: We mounted the CTF-1 on this Aero Precision EPC 9mm AR pistol, which will be featured in a separate article soon. This caught our attention, so we requested a sample to review shortly after it was released in late 2021.Ībove: Our sample is marked as serial number 12, indicating just how “hot off the press” it was. The Phantom Hill CTF-1 is described as “a simple tool at a fair price that can be put to immediate use without the need for additional components.” The MSRP for this unit is $799, a price that's roughly half that of the multi-function IR laser/illuminators we mentioned earlier, not to mention the extra cost of a separate white light. Only recently did the company decide to launch its first product under its own brand name. Phantom Hill has spent the last 14 years designing night vision equipment behind the scenes for some of the biggest players in the industry: Ops-Core, Gentex, S&S Precision, Princeton Tec, and Crye Precision, to name a few. You probably haven't heard of Phantom Hill - neither had we - but that doesn't mean it's a newcomer to this market. Phantom Hill CTF-1: An All-in-One Solution It has often left us wondering why there isn't a simpler and more affordable “turn-key” option on the market - Phantom Hill set out to provide exactly that. But for newcomers to the world of night vision, this cost and complexity can be discouraging. Once you've spent the time and money to configure a rifle with a traditional light/laser/illuminator setup, the results are certainly rewarding. That's another rabbit hole full of multi-function switches, mounting adapters, and wire-routing accessories that add to the total cost of your setup. Depending on each device's positioning and how much rail space you have to work with, you may need to add remote switches and route their wires carefully to keep your setup organized. A pair of remote switches allow activation of each device.Īs if that's not enough, you'll still have to figure out how to mount your white light and IR laser/illuminator onto your rifle. It's easy to spend another $1,500 or more on a multi-function IR laser/illuminator unit such as a Steiner DBAL or 元-Harris ATPIAL-C, plus $300 or more on a quality white light.Ībove: Tom Marshall's second rifle features a Holosun IR laser/illuminator and a white light that incorporates parts from Cloud Defensive and Valhalla Tactical. If you're thinking that this sounds expensive, you're not wrong. ![]() Typically, this will be paired with a separate weapon-mounted white light, which can be used in low-light and transitional environments where night vision isn't required. ![]() Since IR light isn't visible to the naked eye, an IR laser and illuminator acts as a light source and aiming point that only you (and anyone else in the area wearing NVGs) can see. ![]() The first, seen here, features a Steiner DBAL-I2 IR laser flanked by a SureFire Scout light with Vampire head that can switch between IR and white light settings. The Challenges of Traditional Lights, Lasers, and IlluminatorsĪbove: OFFGRID editor Tom Marshall wrote about two rifles he configured with traditional light/laser/illuminator setups. Once you've done your research and chosen a night vision setup, the next item you'll need is a weapon-mounted infrared (IR) laser and illuminator. Refer to OFFGRID Issue 43 for several in-depth articles explaining the basics of helmets and night vision systems. ![]() The cost for these items adds up quickly and can easily exceed $5,000 or $10,000, and that's before you consider common accessories like helmet-mounted lights, strobes, battery packs, and ear protection. It requires a substantial amount of gear - for starters, you'll need a helmet, shroud, mount, and goggles or a monocular. However, like most superpowers, night vision comes with some inherent drawbacks. Although it's not quite as impressive as flying like a speeding bullet or lifting a semi truck, the ability to see clearly, identify targets, and shoot accurately in a nearly-pitch-black environment feels like an unfair advantage. If you've ever tried wearing modern night vision goggles, you'll understand why they're often described as a superpower. ![]()
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