Think you're getting a glowing review on the SiOnyx Illuminator Kit do ya........Well, yeah, you are

I decided to pull the trigger on the SiOnyx Pro and the Illuminator Kit for the boat. I've had a few close calls at night with unmarked shallow water buoys and No Wake markers that aren't on the charts over the years and no matter how slow you go, having one come into view at the last minute still gets your adrenaline pumping.
My bottom line on the SiOnyx Illuminator Kit? For such a small illuminator, when matched with the Pro, it definitely makes an already visible target in the Pro POP out as if it were lighted. In really low natural light it helps define the area and allows the Pro to get a clearer picture. Without it, when natural light such as a moonless sky or distant city lights are nonexistent, the picture tends to pixelate. Turn it on and the Pro sensor instantly sharpens the view. It does cast a more purplish, monochrome view of the area but I was VERY impressed with the distance it could reach out to and illuminate and how sharp it appears.
I recorded several examples at night and will include still images with it on and off.

This is the 1st test setup, both units mounted with Ram mounts to the Ttop. The camera was picking up the glow from the nav lights so it was moved to the bow and clamped on top of the trolling motor with an unobstructed view ahead. The Illuminator is best mounted where it is and within easy reach from the helm.

The camera/ram mount is easy to install and remove, out of the spray zone and clear of any onboard lighting. I set up just before dark and even though I wish both the camera and the illuminator had a longer battery life both lasted for the run back to the dock. The camera, almost a half hour of continuous use (have extra batteries on hand for longer use). The illuminator was much more and lasted several days without recharge.

The target channel marker illuminated by a hand-held flood light.

That same marker without any illumination. Note the compass light in the foreground and the bows nav lights.

The same marker thru my cell phone with a live Wi-Fi stream from the Pro camera.

And that marker thru the Pro/cell phone setup but illuminated with the SiOnyx Illuminator.

My marina is without power and totally dark except for a motion sensor controlled light at the boat ramp to my left and we'll out of view. My slip is directly ahead in this shot with the Illuminator on.

Illuminator On.

Illuminator Off.

One negative for the kit itself. There's a picatinny rail clamp included in the kit that's very low quality and cheap. The clamping jaw is controlled with a lever lock and is adjustable but with a flimsy barrel nut. Worst yet, the jaw has two springs that hold it open from the rail and the springs fall out. On mine one is somewhat captured and the other falls out. I almost lost it 3 times before pulling out the epoxy and preventing a 4th.