IR aiming lasers; a love story

At this time, the Class I lineup consists of the OTAL and ITAL Classic, EOLAD-1I and DBAL-I2 models. I noticed a dry erase board in the back of the office that had Class I as a header with nearly every product that Laser Devices makes written on it. Clark explained this was just some brain storming he and his colleagues had been doing and that nothing was set in stone at that time. I expressed my desire to see a Class I DBAL-A2 and A3 model, but Clark explained that at this time those units are not in the Class I lineup. He did say that if a customer wanted a Class I OTAL-A (advanced) or AR-2A, he was willing to discuss it.

Clark informed me that Laser Devices is open to custom work. While walking around the production area I had a chance to inspect some DBAL-I2 units that were being built for the military of a U.S. ally nation. I could see that these units were set up to use AA batteries and had battery cap retention wire cables installed instead of the standard rubber lanyard. Clark stressed that customization is not limited to large military orders. I told him I was interested in a AA battery version of the DBAL-I2 with a Class I laser on the right and an IR illuminator on the left in tan, and all the control surfaces in black. His answer: “Sure. It’ll be like a chocolate chip.” Due to various processes in manufacturing, custom orders may take longer to deliver than standard orders, but in the end the customers get exactly what they need.

The standard Class I DBAL-I2 has a visible red or green laser on the right side and an IR illuminator on the left. The IR illuminator can be adjusted from a wide flood to a tight beam to be used as an aiming point. The laser and illuminator are adjustable for windage and elevation. The unit can be activated by a button on top, remote pressure pad, or a constant-on setting via the activation mode selector switch at the rear of the unit. The DBAL-I2 is available in models to use either a single 123 or AA battery. The AA battery units have some additional circuitry and a longer battery cap. The nice part is that by substituting a 123 battery cap on the AA model you can use 123’s as well. Using AA batteries reduces battery life but allows the use of the more common AA battery. 123 units cannot use AA batteries. The DBAL-I2 is available in black or tan in both the 123 and AA versions.

Both the OTAL and DBAL-I2 come standard with Laser Devices’ new HT throw lever mount. This mount appears to be superior to the mounts the company previously used. The throw lever is available separately from Laser Devices if one wishes to upgrade an older unit. The throw lever incorporates an attachment point for dummy cording.

I compared the current OTAL to my old OTAL and noted several design improvements, including the change from a proprietary pressure pad to the U.S. Military standard plug-in type found on the PEQ-15A, also, the laser now projects around the left side of the unit’s body. The OTAL/ITAL can be activated by the pressure pad or by rotating the activation mode selector switch to the “on” position. It runs on one AA battery, is lightweight and compact. The OTAL was chosen for the Class I lineup because it is one of the most popular units Laser Devices offers and has been a solid, reliable performer for many years.

The EOLAD-1I mates a Laser Devices Class I IR laser to the left side of an EOTech 552 weapon sight. At the range on a cold, rainy day I put the sight through its paces. I was impressed. The optic worked great and sight in was easily done with both the optic and the laser. The weather had no affect on the laser or the optic.

My main concern is that the laser and optic operate off the same batteries. If these batteries were to go dead or the battery box was damaged, both the laser and optic would be out of play. The EOLAD would make a great setup for weapons without railed hand guards; simply attach it to a rail on top of the receiver and attach the pressure pad to have both an IR (or visible) laser and an electronic red dot sight. After spending some time with the EOLAD I like it and want one.