Villain Weapon Systems ATPIAL-C External Focusing Lens GEN 2 (EFL)

***These will not work with standard / high power ATPIAL / AN/PEQ-15s or any of its derivations. DAMAGE MAY OCCUR TO STANDARD / HIGH POWER PEQ-15s IF THIS LENS IS USED.***

 

***For the AN/PEQ-15 Enhanced Narrow Diffuser, click HERE***

ENHANCED ATPIAL-C CLASS I PERFORMANCE FROM VWS AND TNVC

 

Initially introduced by TNVC in 2014, the L3Harris / Insight ATPIAL-C, the Class I / 3R “civilian legal” variant of the DoD-issued AN/PEQ-15 was the first directly “commercialized” variant of an issued, MIL-SPEC laser system available on the market and still remains one of the most popular options for commercial NIR Multi-Function Aiming Lasers (MFALs).

While newer commercial lasers have been released in the decade since the ATPIAL-C was developed, the L3Harris ATPIAL remains one of the most widely used, combat proven, and reliable MFALs in existence, with many users appreciating the familiarity of the ATPIAL-C to their issued AN/PEQ-15 systems, something that cannot be understated in a device intended to be used primarily in the dark, by feel only, where it is critical that you are able to get the device to do what you want when you want it, without having to fiddle with controls or guess at what setting the device is switched to.

Nevertheless, due to the requirements of making the standard power Class IIIB (45mW) into a Class I variant that could be sold and purchased by non-government customers openly and without restrictions or shady back-door deals, and while it can be effective in many environments and conditions, the “as-issued” the ATPIAL-C has reduced NIR illuminator performance and functionality compared to its Class IIIB / 3R counterpart.

 

ENTER VILLAIN WEAPON SYSTEMS (VWS)…

 

The Villain Weapon Systems ATPIAL-C External Focusing Lens Gen 2 (EFL) greatly improves the performance, functionality, and effectiveness of the ATPIAL-C, opening up the operating envelope of the ATPIAL-C, making it more than capable of handling most carbine applications within the effective PID range of head-mounted, unity night vision systems without permanent or warranty/serviceability voiding modifications, and without significantly altering the manual of arms and ergonomics that is one of the reasons for the ATPIAL-C’s continued popularity.

The VWS ATPIAL-C Gen 2 EFL is a ruggedized housing and lens system that allows the user to focus their fixed ATPIAL-C illuminator. Focusing your illuminator creates a useful, intense light source for long range engagements. Once installed (requires removal of the factory diffuser cover), simply flip the focusing lens in front of the aperture of the illuminator and increase the intensity of the laser illuminator an approximate 3-6x. The premium focusing lenses chosen for this task have Near-Infrared Anti-Reflective coatings to ensure maximum light transmission (~90%). These specialty coatings applied to the lens also ensure little to no laser light gets back-reflected into laser cavity.

TWO FOCUSING LENS OPTIONS:

 

Mid-Range: Focuses your illuminator approximately 3x. Your 6°/105mrad illuminator will be focused to an approximate 2°/35mrad beam.

This lens is great for Mid Range engagements or to defeat photonic barriers.

 

Long-Range: Focuses your illuminator approximately 6x. Your 6°/105mrad illuminator will be focused to an approximate 1°/17mrad beam.

This lens is great in conjunction with magnifiers/scopes for illumination out to longer ranges. (Not recommended for targets inside of 50 meters)

 

While the EFL does remove the “close-range” soft, diffused illuminator cover, the already wide beam divergence and diffused output of the Class I / 3R ATPIAL-C provides suitable illumination for most close-range applications, and is still accessible on the EFL by flipping the EFL lens/cover out of the way — snap the cover on for mid-to-long ranges, flip the cover off for closer-in use.

 

PROTECTIVE HOUSING & INSTALLATION

 

The EFL assembly is composed of two individual pieces. The Body is bottom most portion of the EFL assembly and is responsible for a secure fit to the ATPIAL-C’s illuminator. The body is also responsible for housing the replaceable sacrificial windows that come with your EFL Assembly. Any 1/2″ x 1/16″ window can fit into the provided cavity. (2 sacrificial windows are provided)

NOTE: A secondary “ghost” image of the illuminator may appear if the user chooses to use a sacrificial window because of the internal reflection of the uncoated material. 

To Install, align the two small arrows on the sides of the EFL Body to the textured grooves on the illuminator. (DO NOT REMOVE SET-SCREWS; CROSS-THREADING RISK). Set screws are pre-coated with vibra-tite—no need to apply more.

Do not over-tighten. Only a small amount of torque is needed to affix the body of the EFL securely to the illuminator. A Vibra-tite VC-3 thread locking packet is included with your END/EFL for use on the set-screws IF your device becomes loose in the future.

The second piece that makes up the EFL assembly is the Head. The Head is responsible for housing and protecting the focusing lens. There are two curved channels that run through the Head providing space for a 1″ ID x 1-1/8″ OD x 1/16″ CS O-Ring to sit. The O-ring connects to the two struts on the body and on top of the EFL head.

NOTE: Due to the tight tolerances of the Head/Body connection– to ensure little movement occurs when the optic is flipped– the user is encouraged to push the Head of the device into the Body to make sure it is fully seated. When the head is fully seated and perpendicular to the body, your illuminator should return to zero.

Note: These focusing lenses are made specific for the illuminator diode found in the Civilian ATPIAL-C. These will not work with standard power ATPIAL / AN/PEQ-15s or any of it’s derivations. DAMAGE MAY OCCUR TO STANDARD POWER ATPIALs IF THIS LENS IS USED.

WARRANTY FOR THIS PRODUCT

Villain Weapon Systems LLC fully warranties your product’s housing. Optics (other than diffusers) are NOT warrantied by VWS or TNVC. If damage occurs to an optic, a small fee will be requested in order to fully repair (or replace) it.

Neither VWS nor TNVC claims responsibility for incorrect use of this product on standard / high power devices. Neither VWS nor TNVC claims responsibility for injury for use of this product. Neither VWS nor TNVC claims responsibility for damage to your laser product by external optics or unorthodox mounting methods. By purchasing this product, you agree to these terms.

 

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