Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Clip it on, keep your zero, and shoot far after dark. The Armasight CO-LR brings Gen 3 white phosphor clarity to your day optic without changing how you run the rifle.
Instant Night Vision Without Rezeroing
The Armasight CO-LR turns your daytime rifle optic into a true long range night vision system without changing how you shoot. If you want to engage targets after dark without re-learning fundamentals or rezeroing your rifle, this clip on delivers serious capability.
Table of contents
- Instant Night Vision Without Rezeroing
- How the CO-LR Clip On Works
- Clip On Mounting That Locks Solid
- Simple Controls You Can Run in the Dark
- Power Options that Keep You Shooting
- Gen 3 White Phosphor Clarity
- Best Magnification Pairings With Your Day Optic
- Tough Enough for .50 Cal and Rough Weather
- Weight Up Front, Reach Downrange
- IR Help on Dark Nights: The Watchman
- What Comes in the Box
- Key Specs for the Armasight CO-LR
- Pros and Cons After Our Range Time
- Price and Final Thoughts
- Related Reads from GunsAmerica Digest
How the CO-LR Clip On Works
The Armasight CO-LR, short for Clip-On Long Range, mounts in front of an existing day optic and converts it into a night vision system effective out to 1000 yards in the right conditions. Because it sits forward of the scope, eye relief stays the same, and shooting fundamentals remain unchanged. You mount it, focus it, and shoot just like you would during the day.
This unit comes factory bore collimated to better than 1 MOA accuracy, which means it does not shift your zero when installed or removed. That alone makes it appealing for hunters and shooters who want night capability without permanent changes to their rifle setup.
Clip On Mounting That Locks Solid
The CO-LR attaches directly to a standard Picatinny rail using the included quick detach mount. The mount locks up solid and allows tool free installation and removal in seconds. Once mounted, the unit becomes part of the rifle without wobble or flex.
The rail to optical center height measures approximately 1.567 inches, which lines up well with most modern scope mounts. This makes the CO-LR compatible with the majority of AR and bolt gun setups already on the market.
Simple Controls You Can Run in the Dark
Armasight keeps the control layout simple and intuitive. The rear focus knob adjusts from 15 meters to infinity, allowing shooters to fine tune clarity based on target distance. The manual gain control functions like brightness in a photo editor. Increasing gain brightens the image, but pushing it too far can introduce blur or noise.
The power switch controls on, off, and standby modes. A low battery indicator appears in the field of view so you are never caught off guard during use.
Power Options that Keep You Shooting
The CO-LR runs on either one AA battery or one CR123A battery. With an AA battery, runtime reaches approximately 24 hours. With a CR123A battery, runtime extends to about 45 hours at 20 degrees Celsius. Armasight includes a CR123A battery in the box, making it ready to use right away.
Battery swaps are quick and easy, allowing shooters to hot swap batteries in the field and keep running all night.
Gen 3 White Phosphor Clarity
This CO-LR features a Gen 3 thin filmed white phosphor image intensifier tube. White phosphor provides a crisp, high contrast image that reduces eye fatigue during extended use. Armasight offers multiple tube options, including 1800 plus, 2200 plus, and 2400 plus FOM Ghost white phosphor tubes.
Resolution ranges from 64 to 81 line pairs per millimeter, delivering excellent clarity for target identification and engagement at distance. Bright light cut off protects the tube from sudden exposure to intense light sources.
Best Magnification Pairings With Your Day Optic
The CO LR runs at true 1x magnification and works best with daytime optics in the 3.5x to 12x range. While it is recommended for those magnifications, it can still perform well outside that range depending on conditions and user setup.
During testing, the unit performed well even when paired with higher magnification optics, proving it has flexibility beyond the recommended range. We mounted and shot it using a Nightforce NX8 2.5-20×50.
Tough Enough for .50 Cal and Rough Weather
Armasight rates the CO-LR for recoil up to .50 caliber. This allows shooters to run it confidently on nearly any rifle platform without concern. The housing meets IP67 environmental standards, making it dustproof and highly water-resistant.
Operating temperatures range from negative 40 degrees Celsius to positive 50 degrees Celsius, making the unit suitable for extreme environments. This is not a unit you need to baby in the field.
Weight Up Front, Reach Downrange
The CO-LR weighs approximately 2.4 pounds. That weight sits forward of the rifle and is noticeable, but it is the trade off for long range night capability. Shooters who prioritize nighttime performance will find the balance manageable and well worth it.
IR Help on Dark Nights: The Watchman
Night vision amplifies available ambient light. On clear nights with moonlight and stars, visibility can be excellent. On dark, overcast nights, performance drops without supplemental infrared light.
Armasight includes the Watchman IR illuminator with the CO-LR. The Watchman provides infrared illumination invisible to the naked eye but clearly visible through night vision. It includes both a tail cap switch and a pressure switch, giving shooters full control over when and how much illumination they use.
Together, the CO-LR and Watchman create a powerful long range night shooting system capable of operating in nearly any lighting condition.
What Comes in the Box
CO-LR Night Vision Clip On System
Lens Cap
Light Suppressors
Watchman IR Illuminator
Quick Detach Weaver Mount
Battery Key
Product Manual
Lens Cloth
Soft Carrying Case
CR123A Battery
Three year limited warranty with registration
Key Specs for the Armasight CO-LR
[ga_price_button id=”[ItemID]” text=”Check Price on GunsAmerica”]
| Model | Armasight CO-LR |
|---|---|
| Image Intensifier Tube Generation | Gen 3 Thin Filmed White Phosphor |
| Resolution | 64 to 81 lp per mm |
| Magnification | 1x |
| Recommended Day Optic | 3.5x to 12x |
| Recoil Rating | Up to .50 caliber |
| Power Supply | AA or CR123A |
| Battery Life | 24 hours AA or 45 hours CR123A |
| Environmental Rating | IP67 |
| Weight | 2.4 pounds |
| Rail To Optical Center | 1.567 inches |
| MSRP | $5,600 to $5,900 |
Pros and Cons After Our Range Time
- Pros: True 1x clip on keeps your zero; crisp white phosphor image; rated to .50 caliber; tool free QD mount; flexible power options; Watchman IR included.
- Cons: 2.4 pounds up front adds noticeable weight; premium price; image can bloom if gain is pushed too far under close artificial light.
Price and Final Thoughts
MSRP for the Armasight CO LR typically falls between $5,600 and $5,900, depending on tube selection. While that places it firmly in the premium category, the performance and simplicity justify the cost for shooters who want long range night capability without sacrificing their daytime setup.
This first look only scratches the surface. Long-range night shooting is new territory for many shooters, but the Armasight CO-LR makes the transition seamless. Mount it, focus it, and shoot with confidence after dark. For shooters who want true clip on night vision performance, the CO-LR delivers exactly what it promises. Learn more by visiting Armasight.
Related Reads from GunsAmerica Digest
Available on GunsAmerica Now
I’m a U.S. Air Force veteran, an avid hunter and fisherman, and a passionate videographer and photographer. I have the privilege of being the videographer for GunsAmerica, where I get to combine my love for firearms, videography and the outdoors into one incredible career.
When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll find me on the range competing in USPSA pistol matches and 2-Gun, or out in the field chasing the next great hunt or fishing spot.