Night Vision THERMAL sight battery life

[Nukes]

I assume that manufacturer published battery life is not what users are seeing in the field.

Are there any users who could comment on battery life in a variety of THERMAL units (sights and clip-ons)?

I have reviewed the Raytheon W1000-9 Battery Performance Testing thread and am interested in comparisons.

 

[Whole Bunches]

UTAC-32M: Manual says >4 hrs at 70 degrees F.

Actual life = ~3 1/2 hours with screen brightness set on "6" (brightness goes from 1 to 12) with 1400mAh CR123A.

Actual life = ~4-4 1/2 hours with screen brightness on "6" with 1550mAh CR123A.

Actual life = ~ 1 1/2 hours with screen brightness on "6" with 900mAh RCR123A (rechargeable CR123A).

When in a stand waiting for hogs, I can turn down the brightness to "1" (as low as it goes) and that will give at least a half hour more on the RCR123A and at least an hour more on the 1550mAh CR123A. While I've not seen a hog yet, at "1" deer are easily seen, but if I were to shoot at something, I'd turn it up to 5 or 6 in order to see the crosshairs of the day scope better. The CR123A's go down in power slowly. When the RCR123A starts to go down, it goes down quick, as in minutes. When not trying for a hog, I leave it on "6", as the smaller critters I'm trying to spot show up brighter. The UTAC uses 2 CR123A's and is rated to be able to use rechargeables.

 

[Nukes]

Thank you for that. Others' experiences?

 

[GBMaryland]

I assume that manufacturer published battery life is not what users are seeing in the field.

Are there any users who could comment on battery life in a variety of THERMAL units (sights and clip-ons)?

I have reviewed the Raytheon W1000-9 Battery Performance Testing thread and am interested in comparisons.

You trying to make me go out an purchase a UTAC-32M for battery testing!? -wink-

I've been using a helmet mounted PAS-29 with good results... (it was a PITA to get the accessories, but I got em)

Anyway, if the product uses a CR-123A battery, or a number of them in either parallel or series, we should be able predict how that unit is going last.

The big thing I'm going to assume is that the quality of the CR-123A is the biggest factor. The question is, if you use it alot, are cheaper CR-123's worth it?

I know that they usually range from 1200mAh to 1500+mAh, which should result is better run times.

Take a look at this comparison:

(I don't know the current drain on the test bed used... so it may not be comparible to the UTAC-32M... BUT, unless the UTAC is a high current drain device, the general trends will be similar.)

Selfbuilt's CR123A Battery Comparison 2013

Then there is this shoot-out, which is at .5, 1.0,and 2.0 amps of drain in testing:

123 Battery Shoot Out

I tested the W1000 options because it was using a 6 x 9volt cassette... and there are limited options with the 9 volt battery and it just turned out that the li-ion rechargables with significantly lighter, and ran the unit for longer than top of the line alkaline 9 volts.

You've got lots of options for CR-123As!

 

[Whole Bunches]

To put it another way: The 1400mAh CR123A's are from China and are less expensive than USA made ones that are 1550mAh capacity. (The Chinese ones I buy in bulk have good reviews and the necessary protection for overload/high drain rates.) Doing some quick math, I find the Chinese batteries are 12-20 cents an hour cheaper to run my UTAC-32M thermal than USA made 1550mAh ones.

Here's what I do: Rechargeable for the first couple of hours on the hunting stand (not as likely so see a hog), followed by USA or Chinese made batteries when a hog is more likely, and I don't have to be changing batteries in the middle of the hunt. Walking around my farm: rechargeables. Flashlights or IR illuminators: Chinese.

Also, I buy batteries on-line in bulk; the savings are significant. I use Battery Junction, and they send my a coupon for 5% off the next order with each order, but there are other on-line dealers too.

 

[GBMaryland]

Yeah, I purchase in bulk too. ...and if you keep you eyes out, you can get some pretty good deals on the large boxes of CR123As. I can tell you, for sure, the Tenergy's did not last as long in the PAS-29 or the Teralux TT-1 I've been using mostly. Both eat batteries... to the point that I picked up the external battery pack for the PAS-29.

Interestingly, you CAN get away with decent rechargable AA batteries with the battery pack, and even the Tenergy 123A rechargables. However, the little PAS-29 is an engergy hog, but compariable to the unit the OP mentioned.

...but at the end of the day, if you want decent run time, you need the top-of-the-line US or Chinese [protected] CR123As.

 

[Nukes]

Anyone have battery life experience with the FLIR T50, 60, & 70?

 

[SkyPup]

Anyone have battery life experience with the FLIR T50, 60, & 70?

FLIR T-50 = 5-6 hours on 3- Panasonic CR123A 3 Volt Photo Lithium Batteries 1550mAh

FLIR T-60 = 4-5 hours on 4- Panasonic CR123A 3 Volt Photo Lithium Batteries 550mAh

FLIR T-70 - 4-5 hours on 2- Panasonic CR123A 3 Volt Photo Lithium Batteries 1550 mAh

If you are video recording to an external mini DVR, the recording eats up more battery power and decreases the time before changing the batteries.

Of course, when you shoot as many hogs and coyotes as I do, you need to purchase your batteries in bulk:

Panasonic CR123A 3 Volt Photo Lithium Battery - BatteryJunction.com

 

[flounderv2]

Skypup, you need to invest in rechargables. You and your cool toys, Im jealous.

 

[SkyPup]

You do not want to run rechargeables in FLIR thermal equipment due to their higher voltage and less amperage...only use primary batteries.

 

[Whole Bunches]

While I do use rechargeables in the UTAC since it is rated for them, I do use the following precaution.

Right after being removed from the charger, the voltage reading will be higher. I give them a while (an hour or so, but they normally sit overnight or longer since I have several sets of them) to "settle down" (my term). You will see the voltage reduce and then be at a steady state. I've read on the Internet that the high voltage reading just off the charger COULD damage some electronics and light bulbs. It doesn't hurt for me to take that precaution.

 

[Nukes]

Seriously useful information.

Much appreciated!

 

[DingDong]

The T70 actually gets less run time on 3 AA batteries..... Why? I can't explain this one.

 

[MODArmory – Nicole]

Do not trust the manufacture
In cold weather expect less battery life.

I assume that manufacturer published battery life is not what users are seeing in the field.

Are there any users who could comment on battery life in a variety of THERMAL units (sights and clip-ons)?

I have reviewed the Raytheon W1000-9 Battery Performance Testing thread and am interested in comparisons.