Night hunting equipment advice

[Jeff_Ver]

Hi everyone, my name is Jeff. I am thinking about night hunting so the first thing on the list is binocular with night vision. If anyone here has something decent, do not hesitate to describe what optics guys you have. I am interested in something at $350 max with 1300 ft viewing range with rangefinder

 

[Travis Hobbs]

You want a night vision set of binoculars, with a built in rangefinder for $350? Dude I don’t think you can buy a regular set of binoculars w/ rangefinder for $350, good luck and if you find a set, let us all know

 

[cmahoney]

What do you plan on hunting? A good spotlight is probably essential too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Desk Jockey]

Welcome, Jeff. Night hunting is a bit of an odd bird. Illegal in most states for just about all types of game so make sure you check your local laws.

Based on my limited experience most prefer a night vision scope. I hunted pigs in Texas and some of the high rollers had military grade, big dollarscopes. Some had cheap Russian surplus. Everyone shot plenty of pigs.

For your price range I would check out the sportsman’s guide and some surplus shops.

Good luck.

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

Night vision equipment is one of the things that you get what you pay for. You need to expand your budget by about 1000%.

 

[WCB]

yeah you need a bigger budget. and I would recommend Thermal if it is legal. Don't know how good binos would do if you can't see it to shoot it. Get a thermal scope and be done.

 

[BradArnett]

Agree with guys above on your budget. Ive not made the jump to thermal yet but would like to. Currently im running a pvs-14 behind my scopes for coyote hunting at night. Its not ideal but works good on ar's where you can mount your scope far enough forward so that the nv isnt too far back when mounted. Ideally i would run a thermal on the gun and the pvs-14 to scan.

Goid luck on your search!

 

[Britt-dog]

Thermal is definitely the way to go if you can swing the cost. I have hunted coyotes and hogs with both NV and thermal. Currently using a Pulsar XQ38F scanner and a XQ30 rifle scope. Deadly combo. If all you can afford is a cheap thermal scanner, then get that and a weapon mounted kill light. Watch the classifieds on predator masters and arfcom for deals.

 

[Courtlandfarms]

Here is my 2 cents if it helps. Hunting outfitter in Tx, I have many thermal scopes and one nightvision. While the thermal is superior there are some reasonably priced night vision scopes in the $500 range that I have been impressed with.

 

[OneRingTrTa]

There are several different types of night vision devices and qualities.
I have not tried many, but a generation 1+ device was a bit disappointing.
Although of quite high quality, the field is narrow and there is severe edge distortion.
Also the edge performance is poor.
The only good view I had was of an amazing blizzard.

Another device is a low light level CCD or CMOS detector device, such as made by Meade a few years ago.
Again, binoculars were better, although it was interesting.
They may be getting better as low light level security cameras become better and cheaper.

Another device is an integrating camera I think like a Mintron?
This integrated perhaps up to 128 frames over 2 seconds and gave quite a good view on an old 6inch portable T.V. or a T.V monitor.
But for a moving animal they may not be very useful.

A used generation 2+ device is a revelation. 165mm f/2 coated lens, acting like a 5x 82mm device.
The field is virtually distortion free and of good quality more or less to the edge.
It is a bit heavy and long and is best on a tripod but can be hand held.
For astronomy it performs as well as a 20 x 80 binocular as far as faint stars are concerned, but instead of a 3 or 3.5 degree field it has over 6 degrees field. So one sees many more stars than in a binocular.
However, the resolution is similar to a 5x binocular.
So M 42, The Orion nebula is bright but small.
Jupiter's moons are very bright but difficult to resolve.

One has to take care with all these devices not to use them in bright lights or into a car headlamp as the tubes can be destroyed. Daylight can destroy them. They usually have a tiny hole in a tight fitting cap for daytime testing. The Sun would destroy them, may be even if they have protective circuits.
So one has to check carefully and have a careful programme when using them.

In addition, the tubes have a limited lifetime depending on type, and degrade over time even without use.

The generation 2+ device is impressive.
The infra red beam has three settings. It is claimed up to 150 plus metre range, but the 2 AAs get quickly drained.
The gain control has an enormous range and even at maybe 30,000x the resolution is good.

The device was available for about 650 euros, but I think worth it. New they may be around 2,500 euros?

This is a vast subject. I am sure othere have much more experience with these devices.

For some countries there are restrictions on high end devices.

Hope that helps

 

[Jeff_Ver]

Here is my 2 cents if it helps. Hunting outfitter in Tx, I have many thermal scopes and one nightvision. While the thermal is superior there are some reasonably priced night vision scopes in the $500 range that I have been impressed with.

Can you name any, please? I guess I could handle $550-600 price. Rangefinder is not necessary

 

[Courtlandfarms]

Can you name any, please? I guess I could handle $550-600 price. Rangefinder is not necessary

I have some experience with the ATN X sight 2 and 4. If you shop around you should be able to find the 2 on sale in the 5-600 range.

I was actually surprised by this scope at this price range, I wouldn’t say it’s best for covering lots of ground like a $3k plus thermal but to see well enough to make decisions on game at night it’s effective and clear.

It actually has essential all the features as my $$$ thermal setups so that was very surprising.

Can actually use it day and night however it’s not the best for day as the digital zoom gets bad fast and it really shows during the day.

I don’t like that it uses 2 different batteries, but has the capability to run on an external battery and I highly recommend that.
If you have any questions let me know and I can help if you need any more suggestions or clarity.

 

[Jeff_Ver]

I have some experience with the ATN X sight 2 and 4. If you shop around you should be able to find the 2 on sale in the 5-600 range.

I was actually surprised by this scope at this price range, I wouldn’t say it’s best for covering lots of ground like a $3k plus thermal but to see well enough to make decisions on game at night it’s effective and clear.

It actually has essential all the features as my $$$ thermal setups so that was very surprising.

Can actually use it day and night however it’s not the best for day as the digital zoom gets bad fast and it really shows during the day.

I don’t like that it uses 2 different batteries, but has the capability to run on an external battery and I highly recommend that.
If you have any questions let me know and I can help if you need any more suggestions or clarity.

ATN X sight 2 like this one? the first on the list? I just saw on that site three $3k+ options you are talking about (Pulsar and N-Vision https://outdoorsly.org/best-thermal-binoculars ). I guess those are for military purposes (at least I saw Pulsar in American Sniper..) Look through the table please, tell me which one could worth its money

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

That ATN is the one my sons have. It’s going to be ok for 100 yards on most nights with the IR light. The external battery pack is a must. Is has a lot of features for the money, but the range and clarity leave a lot to be desired.

 

[Courtlandfarms]

ATN X sight 2 like this one? the first on the list? I just saw on that site three $3k+ options you are talking about (Pulsar and N-Vision https://outdoorsly.org/best-thermal-binoculars ). I guess those are for military purposes (at least I saw Pulsar in American Sniper..) Look through the table please, tell me which one could worth its money

That’s the one. Pulsar and NV Vision are the most popular for hog hunting around here.


Of that list the ATN is the one I would choose, they have been in the night vision/thermal game for awhile.

 

[PaulBlair90]

In this price range you may look for a night vision monocular, however their max viewing range is >1000 ft.

Firefield Nightfall is smth that may suit you according to feedbacks on the web. I didn't test it personally, but this is smth I would consider to buy if I needed optics for night hunting.

And there is really no need to expand your budget by 1000%, except cases when you want to go stargazing with those binoculars)

 

[wytx]

Hop on over to the Texas Hunting Forum, they have great threads about the various night vision instruments. You can also rent equipment from a place in Ft Worth.
Way above your price range but we have a FLIR handheld, Scout 640 from when they first came out. Great monocular. Cableas has a cheaper version right now for $599: https://www.cabelas.com/product/FLI...VAo9bCh0pxwSIEAQYASABEgIiXPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

We use ours for spotting then move in with a LED light attached to the rifle for shooting, works great for us. Look into a Windfire Led light.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I picked up the ATN X Sight II 3-14 on amazon for $500. Have it mounted on a 5.56 and bore sighted. Taking to the range in a couple of days to zero, and hopefully next week will use it take out a couple of boar hogs that are making themselves comfortable at my corn feeders. I will be in a climbing stand about 70 yards from the feeders, so thinking this should suffice. Initial impressions are "WOW" for the money. It has several reticles to choose from, takes video, and also can connect to the ATN Obsidian app on your phone. I got the external butt-stock-mounted battery pack per everyone's recommendations on reviews. Will report back after actual some use in the field, but so far I am optimistic and feeling like the scope a good value for $500.

 

[Smid]

^^ post an update after your hunt. I’ve been looking at reviews of the ATN and Sightmark wraith