Peak Beam Systems, Home of the MAXA Beam Searchlight

Infrared

Infrared Filters

MBA-1715, MBA-1850, MBA-1900

Attach an infrared filter to a Maxa Beam to turn the searchlight into a covert IR illuminator.  The Maxa Beam’s infrared beam is invisible to the naked eye but will aid IR-sensitive cameras and night vision devices at long ranges.

Choose from three longpass filter options that block light energy below 715nm, 850nm, and 920nm. The 850nm Filter is typically the best filter choice for most applications because it offers a good balance of range and covertness.

Each filter attaches to the searchlight using a positive locking technique that requires no threading or tools, making it easy to install or remove a filter in seconds with only a quarter turn.

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  • ModelDescriptionSharp Cut-OnRange*Visible to Naked Eye?
    MBA-1715Semi-Covert IR Filter715nm2500mYes, Red Glow
    MBA-1850
    NSN 6230-01-393-1816    		Covert IR Filter
    BEST CHOICE FOR MOST APPLICATIONS    		850nm1400mRed Glow only if Beam is
    Bore-Sighted at Close Range
    MBA-1900Fully Covert IR Filter920nm500mVirtually Undetectable

    *Range Calculations based on images produced by a Watec 902-K camera with various 2.2 speed Rainbow Zoom Lenses with 1 µwatt of IR energy reaching the target. Tests were conducted on a clear moonless night with the Maxa Beam Searchlight set to 1° spot in high beam mode.

  • As a very general rule, the unaided human eye can typically see “visible light” energy below a wavelength of 760 nanometers (nm) and night vision devices can see “infrared light” energy above 760nm.  The higher the wavelength, the more undetectable the energy will be to the human eye and lower quality night vision devices. But by the same token, the more invisible the beam is, the shorter the range will be because the higher wavelength filters are blocking more and more of the searchlight’s overall output.

    • The 715nmFilter blocks the least light energy, resulting in the longest range but also the most visible light transmission.  With this filter installed, the searchlight emits a faint but visible red glow.
    • The 850nm Filter is the best filter choice for most applications because it offers a good balance of range and covertness.  With this filter installed, the searchlight’s beam is nearly invisible to the naked eye.  A very faint red glow may be visible if the beam is bore-sighted at a close distance.
    • The 920nm Filter blocks the most light energy, resulting in the shortest range.  With this filter installed, the searchlight’s beam is undetectable to the naked eye. The beam will also be less visible to less sensitive IR cameras and some night vision devices.

  • Infrared Filters Datasheet [PDF]

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