Steiner DBAL I2 vs G&P DBAL A2

Primer Précis
7 min readNov 23, 2016

A comparison of the Steiner eOptics Laser Devices DBAL-I2 (red eye safe version) and the G&P knock off of the DBAL A2.

When getting into using night vision in a ‘combat’ (I use that term loosely, where I’m talking about airsoft combat, not real combat) situation, there are three options.

  1. Mounting your NOD, Night Optical Device, on your rifle.
  2. Trying to co-witness your helmet mounted NOD (very awkward) with your rifle mounted optic.
  3. Lastly, finding a laser designator / pointing device and using that to aim your weapon system.

This small article is about the 3rd option.

G&P DBAL A2 (Airsoft replica)

The biggest ‘problem’ with night vision for airsoft combat applications is actually utilizing it to shoot. As of right now there are many Chinese ‘IR’ replica devices flooding the airsoft market. These are all either floods, or small IR LEDs that can’t really point at a subject save one: The G&P DBAL A2. DBAL stands for Dual Beam Aiming Laser and new it runs about $180, which in airsoft replica terms, is a bit on the high-end of price points. This device is well worth the price. It’s laser is very bright, zeros, and the IR ‘flood’ isn’t terrible. The E-Hobby Asia site states that the DBAL Red Laser is <5mW and the IR is <5mW — <8mW (very strong), later in the article I’ll do a comparison and it seems that the IR and Red laser are a bit stronger than the real DBAL. I’m interested to see if that’s because the real DBAL is cleaner, or the Chinese specs are made to be ‘lower’ for import and safety but actually are higher in reality.

There’s adjustments for a BUNCH of different modes:

  • Low Power Constant On
  • Low Power Momentary On
  • High Power Constant On
  • High Power Momentary On
  • Off (duh)
  • IR Illuminator
  • Visual Laser
  • IR Pointer
  • IR Pointer + IR Illuminator

Only drawback to the G&P DBAL A2 is that the laser (both visible and IR) are slaved, and since it’s an airsoft replica, when you zero your visible laser, the IR laser is off — and vice versa. That and if you mounted it to a real AR (anything above an AR22) the mount will come loose and fall / break and you’ll lose your zero.

For airsoft purposes, the G&P is hands down the best investment for night vision combat applications. It’s sturdy, with it’s all metal construction, it holds it’s zero on a tippmann with a heavy bolt, and at costing under $200 for a usable IR laser, you can’t beat it.

Update: After doing some more research and asking questions to the right people, it seems that the IR output on the G&P DBAL is VERY strong and is actually not eye-safe, so please be careful when using this DBAL on your subjects. Also due to its wave length of 850nm, that’s why it blooms so much.

I should note that there are other companies who produce non-replica IR devices that are at a low price point. These include the run-of-the-mill IR laser pointers etc, and I have no interest in them.

G&P DBAL mounted to a VFC 416.

You can find the G&P DBAL at most online airsoft locations as well as over seas:

E-Hobby Asia
Amped Airsoft
Evike
Redwolf Airsoft

Steiner DBAL I2

Now before you say “Why isn’t he comparing the Steiner DBAL A2 and the G&P DBAL A2?”, it’s because the Steiner DBAL A2 costs $1,200 and I got the DBAL I2 for a REALLY GOOD DEAL. So I’ll only be comparing the IR pointer and Visible Red Laser on these systems. I most likely will be upgrading in the future, but the deal was too good to pass up.

The Steiner DBAL I2 (red eye-safe version) is the little brother of the A2. It doesn’t have the IR Illuminator, which as I’ve seen personal is the bees’ knees, but it does have the dual beam output of (<5mW) visible laser and a Class I IR laser (<.7 mW)*. It’s also made of Anodized aircraft aluminum 6061T-6 and is lighter and stronger than it’s replica counter part.

The Adjustments are easily accessed on the top and side. An interesting note is that the visible laser adjustment requires a screw driver (or coin) to operate, but the IR adjustment has it’s own easy knob. I assume its because at night you don’t want to be messing around in your pocket to find a dime to turn the windage and elevation.

The number modes are a little less than the A2 as there is no IR Illuminator:

  • Low Power Momentary On
  • High Power Momentary On
  • Off (duh)
  • Visual Laser
  • IR Pointer

There’s no ‘constant on’ mode, which I’m totally ok with. Sometimes my weapon system will shift during transport moving my G&P DBAL to constant on… and then draining my battery.

Steiner DBAL Mounted to my TM Recoil Shock 416 W.I.P.

You can find the Steiner DBAL I2 on most websites for optics and guns, here is a few:

Optics Planet
B&H

As well as more info from the manufacturer: Steiner

Steiner DBAL I2 on the left, G&P DBAL A2 on the right.

Side-by-side Comparison

Weight:
Steiner DBAL I2: 7.6oz
G&P DBAL A2: 8.7oz

Steiner DBAL I2 on the left, G&P DBAL A2 on the right.

Seems that the real DBAL is a little lighter than the replica. Which would make sense since it’s actually aircraft aluminum.

Battery:
Both use one CR1231

Mounting:
Both have a QD (Quick Detach) mount on standard Picatinny rails.

Laser Comparisons:
Red Laser High Output:
Both say they’re 5mW
Steiner DBAL I2 on the left, G&P DBAL A2 on the right.

Steiner DBAL I2 on the left, G&P DBAL A2 on the right.
Steiner DBAL I2 left, G&P DBAL A2 Right

IR Laser High Output:

All Night vision shots are taken and only adjusted for contrast on an Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II through a Gen 3 ATN PVS-14, autogated, manual gain on high, Omni 6 tube.

UPDATE thanks to Chris F. I was mistaking wave length with power output:
G&P is rated at a high 5mW to 8mW IR laser and is significantly brighter than the Steiner .7mW (eye-safe) IR laser.

Steiner DBAL I2 on the left, G&P DBAL A2 on the right.
The blooming effect is quite great on the G&P DBAL.

Steiner DBAL I2 on the left, G&P DBAL A2 on the right.

IR Laser Low Output:
Steiner DBAL I2 on the left, G&P DBAL A2 on the right.
G&P Still has quite a large bloom.

Steiner DBAL I2 on the left, G&P DBAL A2 on the right.

Biggest difference with IR is that the G&P has a HUGE footprint. Even looking straight down on the G&P DBAL unit, the spill of IR is large.

Also, I haven’t confirmed this, but it’s interesting to me that the G&P DBAL shows up almost gray to white under NODs and the Steiner DBAL still appears black. I’m wondering if there’s non-reflective IR paint on the Steiner DBAL? I’m not sure.

Steiner DBAL I2 on the left, G&P DBAL A2 on the right.

The Lowdown

If you have the cash to spend, get the real deal. It’s lighter, waterproof to 3 meters (obviously airsoft guns are not), and if you’re thinking of getting a real AR, then you can go from airsoft mounted to real AR mounted without the problem of losing your zero. If you’re an airsofter and you’re justing looking to find a way to actually use your night vision in a combat situation, the G&P DBAL is the way to go.

Now… if I ever get my hands on a ATPIAL… I would have to write another article.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

-Ted “Primer” VOA-01

Special thanks to Cody J. for pointing out my error on A2 vs A3.

*specs from B&H Photo

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Primer Précis
Primer Précis

Written by Primer Précis

Once dedicated to TeamVOA, an Airsoft Mil-Sim team, this blog is now dedicated to reviews and write-ups on tactical accessories and other related topics.

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