LED or VCSEL? 
There are two main options in IR illumination tech, LED (light emitting diodes) or VCSEL (Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser). There are many devices, manufactured by a large number of companies, offered at a wide range of prices, in various form factors. LED chips are an older, low-speckle light solution - but bright and effective - still a solid choice for infrared illumination. LED's are not lasers, so not regulated by the CDRH of the FDA. Chip power is unrestricted, legal for civilian use in all configurations. The Z-BOLT® BLAZER I & ACAL [LED] & Steiner DBAL-D2 / SPIR are examples of infrared illuminator devices that utilize LED chip technology. LED is bright, low-speckle, but "muddled". VCSEL lasers provide the highest level of optical beam clarity, and are speckle-free. Speckle-free light sources (VCSEL lasers) offer significant advantages over those with low speckle or high speckle contrast. Light speckle, or "incoherence" produces a grainy pattern in images when viewed though optical devices, degrading image quality and obscuring fine details. Speckle-free illumination allows for sharper, clearer images, particularly when viewing or acquiring targets via night vision devices. Speckle-free illumination is a desirable trait in many imaging and projection applications, while low-speckle or high-speckle contrast can introduce noise and reduce image or viewing quality. VCSEL laser illuminators are found in the Z-BOLT® ACAL [VCSEL] & BLAZER II; BE Meyers KIJI & MAWL; Wilcox Raid; L3 Harris NGAL. Z-BOLT® manufactures two illuminator product lines. The BLAZER I LED, and BLAZER II LED & VCSEL.

BLAZER II, VCSEL
Made in the USA 🇺🇸
We've recently launched our new infrared illuminator, the BLAZER II. There was a demand for a more robust device for military & law enforcement customers. And a universal request for VCSEL technology.  We have answered the call!  The BLAZER II includes all the light body, tailcap, and battery compatibility features as the BLAZER I.  (all battery types; all "Scout" light bodies & tailcaps) Same 4° to 25° adjustable beam angle as well.  Otherwise improved in every way! 1250 to 3500 Meter beam throws. Engineered, designed, & manufactured by Americans - in America.  Precision machined billet aluminum parts from California; mechanical assembly in Nevada; optical assembly & illuminator qualification in Vermont. Kitted, marketed, and shipped from Oregon. Available in LED (Unrestricted); Civilian Legal Class 3R; Military & LE Class 3B & 3B-M.

No VCSEL
Donut 🍩 Hole!
VCSEL laser chips are square. The output comes predominantly from the edges of the chip array - this creates a VCSEL "donut hole" or "chip image", when the illumination output is viewed fully focused. That's when it's possible to see the "chip image" from the infrared illuminator. (with cameras, or through optics, not always clear with the human eye) This is occasionally seen on devices like the MAWL. The "donut hole" is caused by a drop in VCSEL output in the central region of the chip array - a 40% dip. The image at right shows our BLAZER II VCSEL with a single lens assembly. And a data chart of the BLAZER II VSCSEL chip. The BLAZER II production models feature multiple lenses and diffusers - the light is collected & manipulated - then uniformly distributed.  NO DONUT 🍩 HOLE!!

New Z-BOLT® Tech
Auto Power Scaling
Introducing Z-BOLT® Auto Power Scaling™ [Pat. Pending] technology! FDA laser regulations require manufacturers to “throttle” the power output of VCSEL laser chips, so as to meet the particular Class 3R (civilian legal, <1.95mW) or Class 3B (<500mW) FDA laser safety classifications. Laser power meter results for Class 3R illuminators must not exceed 1.95mW when the device is tested (fixed angle - directed at a 7mm sensor @ 10cm).    Z-BOLT® Auto Power Scaling™ technology offers the highest possible LEGAL output power for a given beam angle setting - the telescopic adjustment bezel providing the end user with beam angle dependent power control. Where previous 3R VCSEL illuminators fall short (increased angle beam settings where the IR light fails in wide area illumination), the BLAZER II & ACAL VCSEL units maintain the maximum permissible power based on the product's FDA classification. Available in both Class 3R (<95mW) Class 3B (150mW~400mW) VCSEL configurations.  The overall design is a product of our continuing ACAL development. We've installed the ACAL illuminator assembly components into a standalone head! The performance and specifications mirror what a customer can expect from our ACAL device later this year.

Improved Design, IP68
Look for FDE & Other Colors
New Accessories On The Way!
The new BLAZER II IR illuminators are ruggedized for drop & shock, and feature IP68 [MILSPEC] environmental protection.  A brass threaded insert makes for buttery smooth installation on all "Scout" type light bodies. Short 90° bezel traverse when transitioning from 4° focus to 25° flood. (DBAL D2 = 360°) for Coming soon - throw levers for quick bezel adjustment; twist-on sacrificial & diffuser lenses (installs into interior bezel threads), and  VWS tethered diffuser bundles. Allows Quick Long Throw to CQB! Three diffuser filters included. Hot Spot & Spill; 15° Flood; 40° Flood.

BLAZER I, LED
Made in Taiwan 🇹🇼
Universal Compatibility
Z-BOLT® entered this market in 2022, introducing the BLAZER IR Illuminator. Most LED infrared products have their chips mounted in a reflector head. Fixed beam fan angle; fixed flood; beam or flood non-adjustable. IR heads compatible with either the Surefire/Arisaka 300/600 light bodies (ie. BE Meyers Kiji) which operate on 1 or 2 pc CR123A, or Z-BOLT®/Arisaka/ Modlite/Surefire 18350/18650/M600/M640DF  light bodies for the higher draw 18350 & 18650 rechargeable lithium batteries.  Head size and thread pitch is fixed. The BLAZER I IR illuminator head operates on all common battery types. As well as all "Scout" flashlight and weapon light bodies. Install our 300/600 light body adapter to run 1 or 2 pc CR123A lithium-metal; 1 or 2 pc CR123A rechargeable lithium-ion OR 1 pc 16650 lithium-ion rechargeable. Standard head threads onto 18350/18650/M600DF/M640DF light bodies. Run 1 pc 18350; 1 pc 18650; 2 pc CR123A (Dual Fuel)

Designed & Assembled
Happy Valley, OR, USA 🇺🇸
4° to 25° Variable Zoom Optics
The BLAZER I features variable zoom optics. The focusing lens travels on a carriage within the housing. The bezel transverses 160°, moving the beam spot/angle from 4° focused to 25° flood. We've developed a new "flip over" diffuser system for Long Guns (Thank You Villain Weapon Systems & HRF Concepts) Allows Quick Long Throw to CQB! Three diffuser filters included. Hot Spot & Spill; 15° Flood; 40° Flood. Hot spot range approx. 200 to 250 meters, with 15° flood. The 15° flood is more narrowly focused and illuminates out to 100 meters. The 40° gives a superior wide area flood, but limited range, about 25 ~ 40 meters, great for CQB. IR diffuser bundle includes 3 pc diffusers; 1 pc diffuser retainer ring; 1 pc housing clamp ring; 1 pc retainer ring tool; 1 pc hex key; 6 pc orings.

IP65, 6x Nylon Wraps
Buy Illuminator Heads ONLY
Or Rifle Mounted Kits, Bundles
Buy the BLAZER I head only, or head with 300/600 light body adapter. Buy as a rifle mounted kit, with 18350/18650 light bodies, tailcaps, and rechargeable batteries. Add 6x nylon wrap patterns for heads, or 18350 light body rifle kits. Order with a special application device bundle. Dual light bodies with LEP or LED light heads; or a bundle to pair with your existing standalone IR laser unit. Includes a Z-BOLT® dual function port tailcap AND dual lead AXON switch to activate IR laser and BLAZER I illuminator - simultaneously!

BLAZER I Product Pages