Just chipping in with my 2 cents. For those on a budget this maybe a cheap DIY hack. I'm typing this up on my laptop but will edit and attach some pictures from my phone as examples.
V1 - PoC (Proof of Concept)
I brought this IR Illuminator, default to about 60 degree spread. I believe it is 4x 1w LED, Kill-a-watt show 5w draw when it is on so 4w or IR power led and some conversion lost.
these have standard push on 20mm lens.
I brought this vs the rectangular bracket version because I'm mounting this on a wall and aimed at an odd angle, it would have looked odd the way the rectangular housing ended up where I aim it, but theoretically those should be able to be converted just as easily
The cap easily screw off (I will add some dielectric grease for water proofing to the threads), then the default 60 degree lens can easily be pulled out and swap with your lens of choice
I brought these lens, the 8 degree one because they were 1 day faster on delivery, but there is also a 5 degree version. These are not IR specific but they works for IR, I could not find narrow angle lR rated lens on Amazon, I can find them on ebay and aliexpress but didn't want to wait for shipment from China
8 degree
uxcell 10 pcs 20mm LED Lens 8 Degree with Holder for Led Light - - Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
5 degree
uxcell 10 pcs Led Lens 5 Degree with Black Holder for 1W 3W High Power LED Light - - Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
For reference, the blackoak IR pod light uses 4x 3w IR LED for 12w of power and the Axton is 10w. Most of these cheap Amazon options also have dusk/dawn photo sensor. my 12v power supply only draws 0.5w at idle during the day when the IR LED is powered on but not LIT up
V2 in propgress
Since the v1 PoC works, I'm doing a minor upgrade to get closer to the black oak's 12w, again I'm picking this due to wall mounting or aiming, there are cheaper/better rectangular housing one with more LEDs
Amazon.com : LONNKY LED IR Illuminator Wide Angle 8-LEDs 90 Degree 100Ft IR Infrared Flood Light for CCTV Security Cameras, IP Camera, Bullet Camera, Dome Camera, Suitable for Outdoor and Indoor Use : Electronics
www.amazon.com
This should double the power of the V1 with 8w (8x 1w LEDs to be confirmed once I actually get this) and bring us closer to the black oak 12w ($108+) for under $35
Pictures attached are for V1
Pictures are for V1, the basement pictures,
1 with default 60 degree lens,
1 with the 60 degree lens taken off (look at the massive spread by the floor, the 60 degree lens is actually a "secondary" lens, the LED themselves have a 120 degree "primary" lens)
1 with the 8 degree lens.
Second set of V1 pictures, in actual outdoor setting, compared to no LEDs and the HFW5231E-Z12's built in LED and both set of LED on, zoomed in view are taken with the Z12 with exposure locked to 1/15s, 50 gain, and 100% IRIS.
Distance to the first (bottom) reflector marking is about 280 feet, to the second reflector on the tree is about 380ft, to where the sidewalk intersect is about 460ft. You can see the DIY conversion still throwing shadows behind the trees.
Zoomed out overview picture with a 2.8mm lens just to show what the spot looks like up close, and when aimed down the intersection (see some beam spread on my neighbor's house)
