ones i know of are ATN xsite , sightron photon , sightron wraith and nitesite series which i heard/read went under. any comments on these or any other ones currently being released?
night vision options for 2021
- Thread starter rangur1
- Start date
There are a few decent digital night vision scope set ups out there. Some are more decent than others.
This is not exactly a review cuz I only have a couple of these but more of listing of specs to make them easier to understand to choose between the units.
I have been trying to keep up with the less expensive nightvision stuff as it comes out it’s not an easy task sometimes. So I thought I would let you in on my findings on a few of them. I listed the specs on things that I thought really mattered and left some of the other specs out. Things like battery life, weight, sensor resolution, record resolution, FOV, minimum focus distance and refresh rates really matter and every one should consider them carefully before laying down the $$ and purchasing one or you could be very disappointed.
Lets talk about a few of these specs.
Battery life; I have seen a few comparisons between the Pard008 and the ATN 4K units where somehow the Pard came out on top!!!! Actually as one can plainly see the ATN has 18hrs of battery life built in so way more than twice that of the Pard. With that much battery life it really does not matter that it is built into the unit.
Most have fairly short battery life but most also have batteries that can be quickly replaced. If you purchase some decent rechargeable lithium batts you won’t have a problem if you are going to purchase batteries off the shelf it can get spendy. So watch your battery life.
Weight; When you are out in the field an extra pound or two can be tiresome after a couple of hours lugging it around. Let’s face it most of these things are heavy as a brick with the exception of the Pard and the Nightshot 3x with the plastic case and lens which both weigh in at about 1.3 Lbs.
Sensor resolution; One would think this would be on top of the list as everything depends on this not on the screen or recording resolution. Without good sensor resolution the screen and recording resolutions suffer as they can do no better than the sensor used.
Record resolution; If you want good vids you need at least 640x480 or better. If you want to see the pellet fly you need better than this. Your screen resolution has nothing to do with your recording resolution it’s only what you see at the moment.
FOV; Field Of View is extremely important if it’s not wide enough when you are getting up close and personal your quarry it will disappear in an instant or you won’t even be able to find it in the viewscreen. So wider is better.
Minimum focus distance can mean a big deal if you are doing some close quarter pesting. It’s nice to be able to make out what you are shooting at and even better to see a nice clear video rather than a big blur.
Refresh Rate; A slow refresh rate means you just see a blur or a jittery image when following a moving object in your scope. It’s the same when an object is moving in your field of view if you really want to see it you need a decent >30fps refresh rate. Want to see a moving pellet? Then you really need at minimum 120fps although 240fps is much better.
Apps; most of these scopes are lacking in apps that can be used. The ATN has more than its share and if you turn too many on it can slow the CPU down to a crawl making it difficult to do anything. So think about what you are doing. You don’t need to use them all at the same time.
I love that I can have the ATN and ABL units range an object apply software to compute not only the distance but the elevation change and move the reticle for the shot.
The ATN 4K 3x14 and 6.5x20 has all the apps of the modern world.
Internal battery lasts 18hrs so plenty for a couple of long days/nights hunting
They do a good job of recording your shots with decent quality sound included
WiFi connects to your phone easily you can control the scope functions from the phone
Magnification There is a multi-step digital zoom feature 3x14 or 6.5X20 models
Adjustable Parallax
Great FOV 46' @ 100 yards for the 3X14 about half that for the 6.5X20
Minimum focus distance 16.4ft for the 3x14 or 32.8ft for the 6.5x20
CMOS resolution 3864x2218 At least I think that is what those numbers mean
Refresh rate 30, 60, 120Hz,
Video record resolution 1920x1080
Color day B/W night
They are built like a brick which is a plus
Weight 2LB heavy like a brick a minus
Color day B/W night
Supplied IR
Picatinny mount
Lots of Apps
I have one of the 3X14 scopes and with my limited use it is a great unit.
https://www.amazon.com/X-Sight-Smart-Night-Rifle-Compass/dp/B079TDC1XS
The Pard 008 6.5-12 is a much lighter, less complex and more compact scope.
Companion rangefinder available in the LRF model
Half the weight and size of the ATN 4K which are big pluses for the unit
Battery life is said to be 8 hours and is user replaceable.
Records your shots sound is not so great.
WiFi connects to your phone can be a pain to find apps to use for it.
Magnification New units have continuous 1x-2x zoom digital from 6.5x12 others have two step zoom either 6.5 or 12
Adjustable parallax
FOV I have not been able to find that information but would speculate it would be near half of the ATN 3×14's 46' at 100 yards.
Minimum focus distance is 9.8ft the lowest of the group
CMOS resolution; I am unable to find this information
Refresh rate 30Hz
Video record resolution 1920x1080
Color day B/W night
Supplied IR
Decently built
Weight 1.3LB so a bit over half the weight of most of the others.
Kind of a funky Picatinny mounting system often requires shims
Very few apps
So if you can deal with a few less apps, 8 hr. battery and a bit of a funky mounting system but in a much more compact unit with half the weight of most of the rest of these scopes the Pard 008 is very good from what I have seen on YouTube.
I don't have one of these and am spoiled by the features of the heavy as a brick ATN. Else I would have a hard time deciding which to purchase.
https://www.amazon.com/Pard-lightest-Digital-Riflescope-Waterproof/dp/B07WPK1D3D
Link to another nightvision post with an in depth account of the Pard at the bottom
https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/pard-nv008p-vs-atn-4k-pro/#post-82996
The Sightmark Photon RT 4.5X42S is a bit less sophisticated than the ATN
Newer units weigh in at slightly less than the ATN but it is still a heavyweight
Battery life is much lower like 3.5 hours with lithium batteries. User replaceable batts Optional plug in battery packs are available.
Records video and sound
WiFi connects to your phone easily
Magnification Two-step digital zoom 4.5-9
Adjustable parallax
FOV 22.5' @ 100 yards for the 4.5x9 or 24ft for the 3.5x14
Minimum focus 32.8ft for the 3.5-14
CMOS resolution 768x576
Refresh rate 50Hz
Video record resolution 640x480
B/W day and night
Supplied IR
Well built
Weight just under 2LB so near to a brick
Picatinny mount
Very few apps
I have one of these Photon units and it werqs quite well.
https://www.amazon.com/Sightmark-SM18015-Digital-Riflescope-4-5x42S/dp/B078FHGXRT
Sightmark Wraith HD Night Vision Rifle Scope 2-16x 28mm
Battery life 3.5 to 4.5 hours 4XAA
Records Video no audio
No WiFi
Magnification only 2X lens zoom and 8X multi-step digital zoom
Adjustable Parallax
FOV 42ft @ 100 yards
Minimum focus distance 2x16 16.5ft 4x32 12ft
CMOS resolution 1920x1080
Refresh rate I see complaints of lagging video which usually points to slow refresh rates
Video record resolution 2x16 1920x1080, 4x32 1080x720
Color day B/W night
Supplied IR
Picatinny mount
Well built
Heavy 2LB+ heavier than a brick
The Wraith has very good HD resolution on both the sensor and screen. Specs would point to this unit having the best quality picture but I don’t have one so can’t say.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/102288033?pid=882357
Almost fergot the Nightshot 3X It is stripped down unit with very basic features
Much smaller, lighter and far less expensive than the most of these set ups
Plastic chassis and Plastic Lenses
It has a 3hr battery life. User replaceable batteries
Does NOT record your shots
Does NOT have WiFi
Magnification Fixed 3X magnification
Fixed parallax set at 100 yards.
Much lower FOV than the 3×14 ATN
Minimum focus distance 10ft
CMOS resolution
Refresh rate 30Hz
Video record resolution None
Black and white day and night
Supplied IR
Weight 1.3LB
Picatinny mount
It’s all plastic
Weight 1.3lb
https://www.opticsplanet.com/night-owl-optics-nightshot-digital-night-vision-riflescope.html
This is not exactly a review cuz I only have a couple of these but more of listing of specs to make them easier to understand to choose between the units.
I have been trying to keep up with the less expensive nightvision stuff as it comes out it’s not an easy task sometimes. So I thought I would let you in on my findings on a few of them. I listed the specs on things that I thought really mattered and left some of the other specs out. Things like battery life, weight, sensor resolution, record resolution, FOV, minimum focus distance and refresh rates really matter and every one should consider them carefully before laying down the $$ and purchasing one or you could be very disappointed.
Lets talk about a few of these specs.
Battery life; I have seen a few comparisons between the Pard008 and the ATN 4K units where somehow the Pard came out on top!!!! Actually as one can plainly see the ATN has 18hrs of battery life built in so way more than twice that of the Pard. With that much battery life it really does not matter that it is built into the unit.
Most have fairly short battery life but most also have batteries that can be quickly replaced. If you purchase some decent rechargeable lithium batts you won’t have a problem if you are going to purchase batteries off the shelf it can get spendy. So watch your battery life.
Weight; When you are out in the field an extra pound or two can be tiresome after a couple of hours lugging it around. Let’s face it most of these things are heavy as a brick with the exception of the Pard and the Nightshot 3x with the plastic case and lens which both weigh in at about 1.3 Lbs.
Sensor resolution; One would think this would be on top of the list as everything depends on this not on the screen or recording resolution. Without good sensor resolution the screen and recording resolutions suffer as they can do no better than the sensor used.
Record resolution; If you want good vids you need at least 640x480 or better. If you want to see the pellet fly you need better than this. Your screen resolution has nothing to do with your recording resolution it’s only what you see at the moment.
FOV; Field Of View is extremely important if it’s not wide enough when you are getting up close and personal your quarry it will disappear in an instant or you won’t even be able to find it in the viewscreen. So wider is better.
Minimum focus distance can mean a big deal if you are doing some close quarter pesting. It’s nice to be able to make out what you are shooting at and even better to see a nice clear video rather than a big blur.
Refresh Rate; A slow refresh rate means you just see a blur or a jittery image when following a moving object in your scope. It’s the same when an object is moving in your field of view if you really want to see it you need a decent >30fps refresh rate. Want to see a moving pellet? Then you really need at minimum 120fps although 240fps is much better.
Apps; most of these scopes are lacking in apps that can be used. The ATN has more than its share and if you turn too many on it can slow the CPU down to a crawl making it difficult to do anything. So think about what you are doing. You don’t need to use them all at the same time.
I love that I can have the ATN and ABL units range an object apply software to compute not only the distance but the elevation change and move the reticle for the shot.
The ATN 4K 3x14 and 6.5x20 has all the apps of the modern world.
Internal battery lasts 18hrs so plenty for a couple of long days/nights hunting
They do a good job of recording your shots with decent quality sound included
WiFi connects to your phone easily you can control the scope functions from the phone
Magnification There is a multi-step digital zoom feature 3x14 or 6.5X20 models
Adjustable Parallax
Great FOV 46' @ 100 yards for the 3X14 about half that for the 6.5X20
Minimum focus distance 16.4ft for the 3x14 or 32.8ft for the 6.5x20
CMOS resolution 3864x2218 At least I think that is what those numbers mean
Refresh rate 30, 60, 120Hz,
Video record resolution 1920x1080
Color day B/W night
They are built like a brick which is a plus
Weight 2LB heavy like a brick a minus
Color day B/W night
Supplied IR
Picatinny mount
Lots of Apps
I have one of the 3X14 scopes and with my limited use it is a great unit.
https://www.amazon.com/X-Sight-Smart-Night-Rifle-Compass/dp/B079TDC1XS
The Pard 008 6.5-12 is a much lighter, less complex and more compact scope.
Companion rangefinder available in the LRF model
Half the weight and size of the ATN 4K which are big pluses for the unit
Battery life is said to be 8 hours and is user replaceable.
Records your shots sound is not so great.
WiFi connects to your phone can be a pain to find apps to use for it.
Magnification New units have continuous 1x-2x zoom digital from 6.5x12 others have two step zoom either 6.5 or 12
Adjustable parallax
FOV I have not been able to find that information but would speculate it would be near half of the ATN 3×14's 46' at 100 yards.
Minimum focus distance is 9.8ft the lowest of the group
CMOS resolution; I am unable to find this information
Refresh rate 30Hz
Video record resolution 1920x1080
Color day B/W night
Supplied IR
Decently built
Weight 1.3LB so a bit over half the weight of most of the others.
Kind of a funky Picatinny mounting system often requires shims
Very few apps
So if you can deal with a few less apps, 8 hr. battery and a bit of a funky mounting system but in a much more compact unit with half the weight of most of the rest of these scopes the Pard 008 is very good from what I have seen on YouTube.
I don't have one of these and am spoiled by the features of the heavy as a brick ATN. Else I would have a hard time deciding which to purchase.
https://www.amazon.com/Pard-lightest-Digital-Riflescope-Waterproof/dp/B07WPK1D3D
Link to another nightvision post with an in depth account of the Pard at the bottom
https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/pard-nv008p-vs-atn-4k-pro/#post-82996
The Sightmark Photon RT 4.5X42S is a bit less sophisticated than the ATN
Newer units weigh in at slightly less than the ATN but it is still a heavyweight
Battery life is much lower like 3.5 hours with lithium batteries. User replaceable batts Optional plug in battery packs are available.
Records video and sound
WiFi connects to your phone easily
Magnification Two-step digital zoom 4.5-9
Adjustable parallax
FOV 22.5' @ 100 yards for the 4.5x9 or 24ft for the 3.5x14
Minimum focus 32.8ft for the 3.5-14
CMOS resolution 768x576
Refresh rate 50Hz
Video record resolution 640x480
B/W day and night
Supplied IR
Well built
Weight just under 2LB so near to a brick
Picatinny mount
Very few apps
I have one of these Photon units and it werqs quite well.
https://www.amazon.com/Sightmark-SM18015-Digital-Riflescope-4-5x42S/dp/B078FHGXRT
Sightmark Wraith HD Night Vision Rifle Scope 2-16x 28mm
Battery life 3.5 to 4.5 hours 4XAA
Records Video no audio
No WiFi
Magnification only 2X lens zoom and 8X multi-step digital zoom
Adjustable Parallax
FOV 42ft @ 100 yards
Minimum focus distance 2x16 16.5ft 4x32 12ft
CMOS resolution 1920x1080
Refresh rate I see complaints of lagging video which usually points to slow refresh rates
Video record resolution 2x16 1920x1080, 4x32 1080x720
Color day B/W night
Supplied IR
Picatinny mount
Well built
Heavy 2LB+ heavier than a brick
The Wraith has very good HD resolution on both the sensor and screen. Specs would point to this unit having the best quality picture but I don’t have one so can’t say.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/102288033?pid=882357
Almost fergot the Nightshot 3X It is stripped down unit with very basic features
Much smaller, lighter and far less expensive than the most of these set ups
Plastic chassis and Plastic Lenses
It has a 3hr battery life. User replaceable batteries
Does NOT record your shots
Does NOT have WiFi
Magnification Fixed 3X magnification
Fixed parallax set at 100 yards.
Much lower FOV than the 3×14 ATN
Minimum focus distance 10ft
CMOS resolution
Refresh rate 30Hz
Video record resolution None
Black and white day and night
Supplied IR
Weight 1.3LB
Picatinny mount
It’s all plastic
Weight 1.3lb
https://www.opticsplanet.com/night-owl-optics-nightshot-digital-night-vision-riflescope.html
Upvote 0
Pard 008 is fantastic, been using one for around a year. No issues, uses common and cheap rechargeable 18650s.
I run the output to a 5 inch rechargeable battery pack monitor that mounts to the side. Excellent setup.
I run the output to a 5 inch rechargeable battery pack monitor that mounts to the side. Excellent setup.
Upvote 0
Have nite sight. And wraith.. sit and wait. Mite sight is easy to use. Walk & stalk the wraith is great. Can be used day and nite. Extremely clear and crisp @ low to medium. Digitals get a little pixelated @ high res. Lots of scopes do, in fact. However completely usable @ 32, prefer mid teens. Nite site allows using sticks allows relaxed scanning of shooting sector.
For grand I'm still liking the Pard, just because its light.
For grand I'm still liking the Pard, just because its light.
Upvote 0
pulsar looks great , however , their price tag is way steep. but I appreciate the feedback.
Upvote 0
I had way too many issues with my atn 4kpro. I was impressed with it when it worked, though I hated the weight. I was waiting for the wraith 4K, and wasn’t able to get my hands on a pard. A local shop called and had a Bering optics super hogster so far I love this scope. Very light, I run it off of a battery pack that I put in my pocket. I’ve got it on a 17hmr right now
bobcat back by my pond about 100-105 yards. It was 19 out and I didn’t feel comfortable taking the shot so I passed.
bobcat back by my pond about 100-105 yards. It was 19 out and I didn’t feel comfortable taking the shot so I passed.
Upvote 0