Infrared Lasers
An infrared laser is invisible to the naked eye but shows up clearly through night vision or thermal optics, letting you aim precisely in the dark without giving away your position with visible light. Impact Guns carries dual-laser units from Holosun and Steiner that pair a visible green aiming laser for daytime use with an IR laser or illuminator for night vision compatibility, all mounted on standard Picatinny rail.
Read our full Infrared Lasers Buying Guide ↓
Why Infrared Lasers Are Invisible to the Naked Eye
Infrared light sits just outside the wavelength range the human eye can detect, so an IR laser's beam and dot are completely invisible without help—but night vision devices and IR-sensitive cameras are built specifically to see that wavelength, which is why IR lasers work so well paired with a night vision optic and not at all as a naked-eye aiming aid.
Dual-Laser Systems: Visible Plus IR in One Unit
Units like the Holosun Infrared System and Steiner DBAL series mount both a visible green laser and an IR laser on the same housing, with a selector to switch between them. That means one device covers daytime aiming with the visible laser and night vision-compatible aiming after dark, instead of needing two separate accessories.
IR Laser vs. IR Illuminator — What's the Difference?
An IR laser is a narrow aiming beam, the infrared equivalent of a visible laser sight. An IR illuminator instead floods a wider area with infrared light so a night vision device can see the whole scene, more like a floodlight than a pointer. Some units, including the Steiner DBAL-A3 and DBAL-D2, include both an IR laser and an IR illuminator in one housing.
Civilian vs. Duty-Spec IR Lasers
The Steiner DBAL-A3 is explicitly marketed as the civilian-legal version of Steiner's duty-issue DBAL line—output power and available modes on civilian units are set to stay within legal limits for laser emissions. Always check a specific listing's stated specifications rather than assuming a civilian and duty model perform identically.
Legal Considerations for IR Laser Devices
Owning an infrared laser or illuminator isn't restricted the way NFA items are, but laser emission power is regulated, and use can be restricted in certain contexts (aiming at aircraft is a federal offense regardless of wavelength). Check your state and local regulations before purchase, and use any laser device responsibly.
Mounting and Zeroing an IR Laser
IR lasers mount to standard Picatinny rail like a visible laser or red dot, but zeroing them requires a night vision device or IR-sensitive camera to actually see the beam and adjust windage and elevation—you cannot zero an IR laser with the naked eye alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can civilians legally own infrared lasers? Generally yes—IR laser and illuminator devices themselves aren't regulated like NFA items, but laser emission power is regulated and use can be restricted in certain contexts, so always check state and local laws before purchase.
Do I need night vision to use an infrared laser? Yes, to see the IR beam itself—since it's invisible to the naked eye, you need a night vision device or IR-sensitive camera to see where it's pointing. The visible green laser on dual-laser units works without night vision.
What's the difference between the Steiner DBAL-A3 and DBAL-D2? Both pair a visible green laser with an IR laser and illuminator; check each listing's specific wavelength and output specifications, since civilian and duty-spec configurations can differ in IR module power.
See Also: Lasers • Night Vision • Red Dot Sights