Night Vision scopes
- Thread starter zachary
- Start date
I have the atn x-sight 5-18x model. personally I like it, I have not encountered any problems with it. will I ever use it? probably not, I brought it just to have. it's currently on my rainstorm 3d, had it on my airwolf and air ranger. it works for me, this is definately one to look at.
the pro's :
cost, among the least expensive.
picture is very good during day and night, you get two options for night white or green. I prefer white
gps and wifi, the gps i don't care about, the wifi is a nice feature, you can connect your apple or android to it and view what the scope see's.
takes photo's and records video 1080P.
image stabilizer and compass
easy zero setup.
ability to use batteries or battery pack to run.
the cons.
eats batteries I didn't have any lith rechargable so I used some duracells, I have a power pack which I run it off of and much better than batteries.
could probably use a stronger IR illiminator but it works for me at the distance I would use it if I had too.
no mildot, would be a nice feature but I had no problems yesterday at our Nj funshoot shooting paintballs and 1/8th targets out to 50+ yards.
there may be more but I just have not encountered any other issues or exposed any.
the pro's :
cost, among the least expensive.
picture is very good during day and night, you get two options for night white or green. I prefer white
gps and wifi, the gps i don't care about, the wifi is a nice feature, you can connect your apple or android to it and view what the scope see's.
takes photo's and records video 1080P.
image stabilizer and compass
easy zero setup.
ability to use batteries or battery pack to run.
the cons.
eats batteries I didn't have any lith rechargable so I used some duracells, I have a power pack which I run it off of and much better than batteries.
could probably use a stronger IR illiminator but it works for me at the distance I would use it if I had too.
no mildot, would be a nice feature but I had no problems yesterday at our Nj funshoot shooting paintballs and 1/8th targets out to 50+ yards.
there may be more but I just have not encountered any other issues or exposed any.
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It's one of the least expensive Yukon 2.5X50, I also added the 2X extender. Takes 2 double A batteries. For night use only, like sunlight can fry it. Just about all you NV scopes sit up very high. I've used it first on a 10/22 for coyotes, with just the factory IR illuminator, catching the eyes and a very good body outline at 50, and 65 yards on two no moon nights. I used it on raccoons in my crawl space, at the time BKL mounts were not available at PA, or other vendors. I purchased a 10.00 leapers and it did not work with the Marauder mag, so I ended up with the scope on a Disco. I used reflective tape and cut 1/4" squares scotch taped them to a black painted pizza box to sight in. Larger patches produce a weird glare and I usually ended up with good groups that were 1.5-2 inch off the strip in all directions when sighting in at 25 yards. The Disco was sighted in at 9 yards, and I cleared out the raccoons in less than a week. a 1/4" square is visable, and a mice eyes are picked up at distance of 25 yards. We usually shoot rats around the full moons, there is a side lever and first click operates the center X push to the next and the illuminator engages. there is a dial to vary the reticle brightness. It's currently sitting on a .25 Sumatra with a .25 yard zero. At a 3 3/4 inch scope height it's got a flat shooting 25-40 plus yard kill range. Battery life is good as I shut it down when not shooting or sighting
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Hi,
I have a Photon Yukon 4.6 x 42s, mounted on my FX Royale 400 (22 cal).
As it came the scope seemed ok for the price, the standard illuminator was good to about 60yds, you can see further but aiming was iffy.
I hunted rats at the same location over a few evenings and on night 3 the rats were definitely tuned into the IR (Red glow) and would scurry off as soon as it went onto them.
To overcome this I installed a Pulsar 940nm IR, this really did the trick on the rats, they did not know I was there.
The Pulsar 940nm also improved the image quality (less grainy) at distance and seemed to improve the focusing.
The focus ring on my Photon is very stiff to operate, sometimes it seems to seize up and requires considerable effort to move it, this can make it a bit harder to use, but hey it's a cheap NV, I have 2 friends who have purchased the same Photon as me and theirs is a smooth focus, so mine is just an isolated case.
What really improved the focusing and gave the best images was when I closed the front scope cover and removed the centre from the front scope cover (About a 0.5" hole, the piece just pushes out), this gives a long focal length (Same as a small f stop setting on camera improves focal length).
Set up like this images on rabbits at 50yds are quite clear depending on the light.
The last piece of the puzzle has been the installation of a Wolf Eyes IR torch, this has given very clear images and extended the range a bit further depending on how the torch is focused.
During all this I've also compared a friend Pulsar DFA75, this is a great piece of kit but much more expensive.
On the same night and with both units initially using ambient light the DFA75 was better, when both units used their built in IR, the DFA 75 was better, when I used the Pulsar 940 nm light both units seemed to be the same as far as image quality goes.
Once I turned on the Wolf Eyes the image swung in favour of the Photon.
Considering that my setup is half the price I'm happy.
I've also used a Night sight Wolf and Eagle, these units have very sharp images and incredible range.
Pro's and Con's.
Photon
PRO's
Cheap to buy
Easy to improve with add on lights at moderate cost if needed.
Offers a better trajectory that DFA 75, DFA 75 sits 3.94" above bore, Photon 1.97", for close shots.
Easy to zero at different power settings and with pellets selections, just record pellet "A" on low power X=+3, Y= +5 for instance with Hobby pellet for ratting close and a different X & Y on high power with Barracuda Match for rabbits at longer range, this takes seconds and is repeatable.
Long battery life, works just as well with re-chargable batteries.
CON's
Stiff to operate focus ring, not a problem with others tested.
Only one magnification, either 4.6 or 6.5, doublers can be fitted but cost extra, reduces field of view gives more precise aiming.
Weaver rail is a bit difficult to use.
I need to wear reading glasses as screen is were a book would be in order to get a sharp image.
Can be used as a day scope, image quality is variable according to ambient light.
DFA 75
PRO's
Can be swapped from rifle to rifle, parts to do this cost extra.
Good light gathering for ambient light, on board illuminator is good, after market IR will likely make it even better.
Can leave day scope in place and zeroed.
If scope has accurate adjustments 2 zero's with different power settings and pellets can easily be used.
CON's
High mounting position affects trajectory at close range (Ratting) No problem if targets are bigger, say rabbits.
Controls are way forward, so if you have short arms it can be awkward to operate at the shoulder or from a vehicle.
High cost.
Uses up more batteries (4 x AA) faster than Photon (2 x AA)
I need to wear reading glasses as screen is were a book would be in order to get a sharp image
Night Sight Wolf and Eagle
PRO's
Priced between Photon and DFA 75
Can use viewing screen as a walking aid, you need a separate device with the others.
Very clear image.
Quick to install
Easily moved to multiple firearms.
Zero is not affected on day scope.
If scope has accurate adjustments 2 zero's with different power settings and pellets can easily be used.
CON's
Viewing screen casts a glow on your face that can easily be seen, this can be minimised by wearing a netting shield on your cap that hangs down with eye holes.
Need to learn to shoot with a head up position, once learned it isn't a problem.
I need to wear reading glasses as screen is were a book would be in order to get a sharp image, less of a problem as screen can be moved forwards a bit.
Hope that helps.
I have a Photon Yukon 4.6 x 42s, mounted on my FX Royale 400 (22 cal).
As it came the scope seemed ok for the price, the standard illuminator was good to about 60yds, you can see further but aiming was iffy.
I hunted rats at the same location over a few evenings and on night 3 the rats were definitely tuned into the IR (Red glow) and would scurry off as soon as it went onto them.
To overcome this I installed a Pulsar 940nm IR, this really did the trick on the rats, they did not know I was there.
The Pulsar 940nm also improved the image quality (less grainy) at distance and seemed to improve the focusing.
The focus ring on my Photon is very stiff to operate, sometimes it seems to seize up and requires considerable effort to move it, this can make it a bit harder to use, but hey it's a cheap NV, I have 2 friends who have purchased the same Photon as me and theirs is a smooth focus, so mine is just an isolated case.
What really improved the focusing and gave the best images was when I closed the front scope cover and removed the centre from the front scope cover (About a 0.5" hole, the piece just pushes out), this gives a long focal length (Same as a small f stop setting on camera improves focal length).
Set up like this images on rabbits at 50yds are quite clear depending on the light.
The last piece of the puzzle has been the installation of a Wolf Eyes IR torch, this has given very clear images and extended the range a bit further depending on how the torch is focused.
During all this I've also compared a friend Pulsar DFA75, this is a great piece of kit but much more expensive.
On the same night and with both units initially using ambient light the DFA75 was better, when both units used their built in IR, the DFA 75 was better, when I used the Pulsar 940 nm light both units seemed to be the same as far as image quality goes.
Once I turned on the Wolf Eyes the image swung in favour of the Photon.
Considering that my setup is half the price I'm happy.
I've also used a Night sight Wolf and Eagle, these units have very sharp images and incredible range.
Pro's and Con's.
Photon
PRO's
Cheap to buy
Easy to improve with add on lights at moderate cost if needed.
Offers a better trajectory that DFA 75, DFA 75 sits 3.94" above bore, Photon 1.97", for close shots.
Easy to zero at different power settings and with pellets selections, just record pellet "A" on low power X=+3, Y= +5 for instance with Hobby pellet for ratting close and a different X & Y on high power with Barracuda Match for rabbits at longer range, this takes seconds and is repeatable.
Long battery life, works just as well with re-chargable batteries.
CON's
Stiff to operate focus ring, not a problem with others tested.
Only one magnification, either 4.6 or 6.5, doublers can be fitted but cost extra, reduces field of view gives more precise aiming.
Weaver rail is a bit difficult to use.
I need to wear reading glasses as screen is were a book would be in order to get a sharp image.
Can be used as a day scope, image quality is variable according to ambient light.
DFA 75
PRO's
Can be swapped from rifle to rifle, parts to do this cost extra.
Good light gathering for ambient light, on board illuminator is good, after market IR will likely make it even better.
Can leave day scope in place and zeroed.
If scope has accurate adjustments 2 zero's with different power settings and pellets can easily be used.
CON's
High mounting position affects trajectory at close range (Ratting) No problem if targets are bigger, say rabbits.
Controls are way forward, so if you have short arms it can be awkward to operate at the shoulder or from a vehicle.
High cost.
Uses up more batteries (4 x AA) faster than Photon (2 x AA)
I need to wear reading glasses as screen is were a book would be in order to get a sharp image
Night Sight Wolf and Eagle
PRO's
Priced between Photon and DFA 75
Can use viewing screen as a walking aid, you need a separate device with the others.
Very clear image.
Quick to install
Easily moved to multiple firearms.
Zero is not affected on day scope.
If scope has accurate adjustments 2 zero's with different power settings and pellets can easily be used.
CON's
Viewing screen casts a glow on your face that can easily be seen, this can be minimised by wearing a netting shield on your cap that hangs down with eye holes.
Need to learn to shoot with a head up position, once learned it isn't a problem.
I need to wear reading glasses as screen is were a book would be in order to get a sharp image, less of a problem as screen can be moved forwards a bit.
Hope that helps.
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