Sight Mark Wraith HD 2-16 X 28 first impressions

[Dodgyeye]

would you recommend wraith then for night vision shooting, to about 60 yd.md

I wouldn't recommend 60 yard shooting with sub 12 even in daylight.

As for the Wraiths capability to 60 yards, once I remember to adjust and focus the illustrator I hope a sight picture will be available at that range or even further.

But remember it's a x28 I have, there is a x50 model available for further distances, but I went for the x28 specifically for air rifle hunting ranges to 40 - 45 yards.

 

[Dodgyeye]

Le032 totally changed things for me. I used to get my range in the light but as it got dark and I moved about I struggled with the flat digital image and distance judgement.

Now a quick flick of the switch Velcro attached to rifle and I can get new distance, calculate and hold and then goodbye

Think your probably right ....I'll get on AliExpress this afternoon

 

[Dodgyeye]

Just hit the buy button on AliExpress for an LE 320.

Having read some reviews, think this will not only be more convenient to use over a handheld in day time, but be indispensable for night shooting, especially using a .22

Just got to make a final decision as to what rifle to use this NV kit on.

 

[Mjd]

I wouldn't recommend 60 yard shooting with sub 12 even in daylight.

As for the Wraiths capability to 60 yards, once I remember to adjust and focus the illustrator I hope a sight picture will be available at that range or even further.

But remember it's a x28 I have, there is a x50 model available for further distances, but I went for the x28 specifically for air rifle hunting ranges to 40 - 45 yards.

I wouldn't ether should have said I have f A C air, and sub 12.md.

 

[Dodgyeye]

I wouldn't ether should have said I have f A C air, and sub 12.md.

I'll be out mid week and this time, fingers crossed, I will remember to set the illuminator up properly.

Then I'll film out to 60 yards and see the clarity

 

[FarmerPhil]

Now to decide whether to hit the buy button on a NV LE 032

Where are you going to mount that? more weight to be added don't you think it'll look like a battle ship soon

 

[Wayno-81]

Today is unboxing and mounting day.

At the weekend I hope to test accuracy and field use, which I will post on here.

I purchased this from Optics Warehouse eBay site. I expected delivery yesterday, but it arrived this morning, with full Post Office Tracking up dates available to me.

Well packaged no external damage and plenty of packaging foam.

View attachment 324922

Extracting from the box and opening shows further foam holds the sight and illuminator secure.

View attachment 324924

Taking the scope out it feels surprisingly chunky, robust and very heavy at 33.3 oz with batteries. I'll come back to the weight later.

View attachment 324926

After loading some rechargeable batteries and clicking on the buttons, they feel good with a robust but easy action, not sure how easy gloved use will be.

The screen is wide landscape style and very crisp and clear.

The cameras eye doesn't reflect the MK1 eyeballs view, which is much fuller than the pic below.

View attachment 324941

Everytime the unit is switched on the mag will be on X2 no matter what the mag when switched off unless there's something in the menu which can set it.

However, my initial impression is x2 mag is Wraith x2 mag and much more mag than a day scopes x2 mag.

The menu was easy to quickly get the hang of, for an oldie like me, to change reticle and brightness, that's all I've done so far, as wanted to mount on a rifle.

Due to weight and other relevant factors, I chose the BSA Scorpion TS .22 to mount it on over the ultra mmc. That may change, as the Scorpion uses heavy pellets at further distances so will require a LE 032 range finder.

Mounting on the Ultra mmc would use flatter trajectory light pellets at shorter distances and do not require an LE 032.

First I mounted the Eagle Vision 13mm scope rail to piccatiny convertor

View attachment 324940

and mounted the Wraith on that.

View attachment 324939
It does mount a little high with a side of chin weld on the stock, instead of a cheek weld.

So will see how that works out.
Back to weight of the unit .....it hardly seems noticeable once mounted.
That's it so far this morning.

I won't be out in the field till the weekend, but will post further up dates with any further thoughts, a night recording tonight, if my spare micro SD card fits, and when I do a short range indoor zero test later today.

The mount that jimmy linked to is a must id say, you have almost the exact same setup as me there. Cracking bit of kit for the price!

 

[Dodgyeye]

Where are you going to mount that? more weight to be added don't you think it'll look like a battle ship soon

I know, lol.

The move from a simple open sight break barrel springer to pcp has led me down this phhttt path to this digital pit of expenditure and destitution

I'll be putting the illuminator to run alongside or underneath the air cylinder and the rangefinder on the piccatiny rail that's on top of Wraith.

That's the plain at the moment anyway

 

[Dan giliballs]

I wouldn't ether should have said I have f A C air, and sub 12.md.

You’d benefit from a better IR, I used the supplied one once, it’s been in its box ever since, ok for up to 50, might stretch to 60 yards, depends on your expectations of it really

 

[Dodgyeye]

Yes expectations need to be managed.

However, I took the Wraith off and mounted the illuminator on top.

Then for first time (isn't getting old wonderful ) correctly focused illuminator to a tree 30+ yards away in back garden and converging to Wraiths poa.

The illuminator setting is on first brightness of three.

The clarity is much better.

I still need to perhaps focus the Wraith better which is easier to do once back on the rifle.

I also worked up through the mag, see number bottom left, I think the Wraith focus needs to be adjusted as the mag is increased. I didn't in this film.

 

[TonySTS]

Yes the focus needs adjusting as mag changes. Not a lot but with a better ir you will notice a sharper image.

I sometimes had it focussed at 10m and it is ok to shoot at 15m but longer distances definitely need focus adjustment.

 

[Mad Andy]

Eneloop! That's the brand of battery that IKEA rebrand and sell.
Pretty sure I read that on this forum somewhen.

 

[alexall]

Storm Babet is on its way from Wednesday (tomorrow) for the rest of the week. You may have to postpone field plans for the week.

As for retina burn, I had that problem and it was the original reason I steered away from NV scope. However, you can always put torn stockings to good use (don't ask for details why they are torn ). Covering the screen filters a fair amount of light down to a more user friendly brightness. The more you stretch it, the thinner more light it passes through.

I think plug-in power bank or a changeover to using Li-Ion rechargeable is the way to go. Ni-cad and Ni-MH have a difference energy delivery curve and dips quickly from maximum strength regardless of the quoted mAH. Even off the more respectable online website like Amazon, some China products/sellers continue to overstate claims of performance.

I recently bought 2 new power banks off Amazon, one rated 26,800 and another rated 30,800mAH, that under testing only offered out 10,685 (39.8%) and 11,267mAH (36.6%) of claimed performance respectively. I kept them not knowing. I do know now as I got myself those 18650 testers that can plug in power banks also.

I still think a power bank is the way to go and this is my next option. You can now buy these power bank cases to insert your own existing 18650 cells. If you have decent ones with known performances, then you at least know what you are genuinely getting,

 

[Dodgyeye]

Good detailed post @alexall

Last time I used tights the Sweeney quickly put an end to it ....

Tbh I didn't have any eye strain issues last week, but now that I've focused beam and mounted on Wraith that may change.

I got a power pack from Amazon yesterday, as needed another anyway, with specs that match Wraith use and I'll give it try. But would want one if those butt pocket elasticated things.

If I put in my jacket pocket I'll forget and walk away from rifle with it plugged in

I've got the eneloop batteries in the Wraith at the moment, so will test tomorrow morning, hopefully early enough to avoid worse of any storm.

 

[wookienookie..]

I'd love something like that if it was springer-proof...

Well, this is all a bit interesting so I’ll be reading some more but just watched a Matt manning review and he aid it was springer proof..

 

[wookienookie..]

Good detailed post @alexall

Last time I used tights the Sweeney quickly put an end to it ....

Tbh I didn't have any eye strain issues last week, but now that I've focused beam and mounted on Wraith that may change.

I got a power pack from Amazon yesterday, as needed another anyway, with specs that match Wraith use and I'll give it try. But would want one if those butt pocket elasticated things.

If I put in my jacket pocket I'll forget and walk away from rifle with it plugged in

I've got the eneloop batteries in the Wraith at the moment, so will test tomorrow morning, hopefully early enough to avoid worse of any storm.

Are you sure that’s the last time you wore tights… chuckle and grin!
Very interesting review from a know nothing about NV point of view..
Just started reading this.
Well done Dodgyeye for explaining very well to non Techno’bobs like myself..

I’m right in saying you still gotta plot your trajectories though..??

(p.s I gotta become a far better day hunter before I even consider nv, quite happy with day hunting but could be tempted some way along the road)

And to be forearmed is like half an octopus

 

[Dodgyeye]

Are you sure that’s the last time you wore tights… chuckle and grin!
Very interesting review from a know nothing about NV point of view..
Just started reading this.
Well done Dodgyeye for explaining very well to non Techno’bobs like myself..

I’m right in saying you still gotta plot your trajectories though..??

(p.s I gotta become a far better day hunter before I even consider nv, quite happy with day hunting but could be tempted some way along the road)

And to be forearmed is like half an octopus

Well I'm a know nothing NV novice too and definitely not a techy, so glad the menu and functions are simple.

Yes trajectory still needs to be plotted. Which is why I ordered a NV rangefinder.

I'm tempted to put Wraith on my Ultra SE .177 for flatter trajectory. But it has a couple of downsides, it's single shot and being .177 wind drift is a consideration.

Bit at the moment for tomorrow morning it's on the Scorpion TS.

 

[Dodgyeye]

Before I write up my findings from this mornings outing about battery life, sighting in, etc, shortly.

For those that can access the hunting section I've posted over there about the Wraith first.

 

[Dodgyeye]

Up at 4 am this morning and switched on the Wraith and illuminator in the dark at 5.30.

With the illuminator correctly set, zero was quickly attained at 30 yards. I didn't take it out further due to the wind.

Lets get this out the way first.......I forgot to put the memory card in the Wraith for filming

The sight picture was clear and crisp enough, much better than when I forgot to adjust it and the Wraith correctly

Although I had moved the illuminator from above the Wraith to just in front of the end of the stock on the air tube. Having it right out front on the air tube made it awkward to operate. I also mounted it to the side instead of underneath to avoid any interference from anything on the ground when I put the rifle down.

Having it on the air tube makes the rifle balance better, avoids any scope glare should there be any, but may be an issue if hiding behind cover. Although it frees up the picatinny rail on top of the Wraith for an NV range finder.

Wild life was spotted this morning, but just had a fleeting glimpse of rabbit high tailing into cover. A moment later a domestic cat was spotted on patrol. This kept rabbits head down so drew a blank for the Wraiths first NV bag.

Although eye shine was spotted out to 150 - 200 yards and for those with powder burners, I would say this would be maximum range.

The batteries that came with the illuminator started to run down at about 6.30am and although a sight picture out to 30 yards was very useable as the batteries gave their last. So these batteries in the illuminator lasted about 3 hours in total.

So far this morning I used the Wraith from 5.30 to 7.30 in NV mode and with Wraith brightness on lowest setting and illuminator on lowest setting I had no eyestrain whatsoever.

As first light come up I moved up to the woods.

At first I still used NV mode, but quickly moved to day mode.

By 8.15 I noticed the AA 'eneloop' batteries powering the Wraith had moved into the red, but I still ran the Wraith on to see how long being in the red would last. With batteries in the red the Wraith still retained accuracy, much to the dismay of a grey.

I finished up at 8.45, with three greys in the bag, and the Wraith was still running fine with batteries in the red.

Straight out the packing these 'eneloop' batteries powering the Wraith should give 3 - 4 hours run time.

In summary is the Sight Mark Wraith a good night/day scope?.......Definitely!

Is it as good in day mode as a day scope.....I'd have to say, no.

But it's perfectly useable in day mode, three greys attest to that. The Wraith offers a few hours use from morning darkness transitioning into day time use in one package.

A word about the rifle. The Wraith was mounted on my open field rifle the new BSA Scorpion TS .22 and the balance on sticks is fine, as is the weight.

I don't consider the Scorpion a woods rifle, but it proved itself effective this morning.

Although, not as nimble and much harder work transitioning to bring on to target in the woods than my Ultras.

But this woods test does show the new BSA Scorpion TS, coupled with the Wraith to be a good all round night/day package.

 

[Simonsays]

Up at 4 am this morning and switched on the Wraith and illuminator in the dark at 5.30.

With the illuminator correctly set, zero was quickly attained at 30 yards. I didn't take it out further due to the wind.

Lets get this out the way first.......I forgot to put the memory card in the Wraith for filming

The sight picture was clear and crisp enough, much better than when I forgot to adjust it and the Wraith correctly

Although I had moved the illuminator from above the Wraith to just in front of the end of the stock on the air tube. Having it right out front on the air tube made it awkward to operate. I also mounted it to the side instead of underneath to avoid any interference from anything on the ground when I put the rifle down.

View attachment 328856

View attachment 328857

Having it on the air tube makes the rifle balance better, avoids any scope glare should there be any, but may be an issue if hiding behind cover. Although it frees up the picatinny rail on top of the Wraith for an NV range finder.

Wild life was spotted this morning, but just had a fleeting glimpse of rabbit high tailing into cover. A moment later a domestic cat was spotted on patrol. This kept rabbits head down so drew a blank for the Wraiths first NV bag.

Although eye shine was spotted out to 150 - 200 yards and for those with powder burners, I would say this would be maximum range.

The batteries that came with the illuminator started to run down at about 6.30am and although a sight picture out to 30 yards was very useable as the batteries gave their last. So these batteries in the illuminator lasted about 3 hours in total.

So far this morning I used the Wraith from 5.30 to 7.30 in NV mode and with Wraith brightness on lowest setting and illuminator on lowest setting I had no eyestrain whatsoever.

As first light come up I moved up to the woods.

View attachment 328853

View attachment 328854View attachment 328855

At first I still used NV mode, but quickly moved to day mode.

By 8.15 I noticed the AA 'eneloop' batteries powering the Wraith had moved into the red, but I still ran the Wraith on to see how long being in the red would last. With batteries in the red the Wraith still retained accuracy, much to the dismay of a grey.

I finished up at 8.45, with three greys in the bag, and the Wraith was still running fine with batteries in the red.

Straight out the packing these 'eneloop' batteries powering the Wraith should give 3 - 4 hours run time.

In summary is the Sight Mark Wraith a good night/day scope?.......Definitely!

Is it as good in day mode as a day scope.....I'd have to say, no.

But it's perfectly useable in day mode, three greys attest to that. The Wraith offers a few hours use from morning darkness transitioning into day time use in one package.

A word about the rifle. The Wraith was mounted on my open field rifle the new BSA Scorpion TS .22 and the balance on sticks is fine, as is the weight.

I don't consider the Scorpion a woods rifle, but it proved itself effective this morning.

Although, not as nimble and much harder work transitioning to bring on to target in the woods than my Ultras.

But this woods test does show the new BSA Scorpion TS, coupled with the Wraith to be a good all round night/day package.

I concur with your findings DE. It’s a better NV scope than day scope but ideal for extending your time from or into the dark.