Night vision optics are becoming more and more common every day. What used to be high-grade military technology can now be used by just about any shooter who can afford a conventional scope.
Night vision technology is now sold in many gun shops and sporting goods stores across the country, but the Internet has opened more access to night vision optics than any other source. A quick trip online can lead you to hundreds of models from dozens of companies manufacturing night vision optics specifically for civilian hunting and shooting.
Night vision optics are certainly accessible for anyone who shoots, they certainly have their idiosyncrasies and there are a few quirks you have to get used to before you can successfully use this equipment.
Here are the best night vision scopes on the market for civilian hunters and shooters, and a quick buyer’s guide filled with tips and tricks for buying night vision optics.If you’re in a hurry and don't have time for the details, here are our best picks for Night Vision Scopes:
- 1Sightmark Photon XT
- 2Sightmark Photon RT
- 3ATN X-Sight II 5-20x/85mm Smart Day & Night Rifle Scope
- 4ATN X-Sight 4K Pro Smart Day/Night Rifle Scope
- 5Night Owl Optics NightShot Digital Night Vision Riflescope
- 6Firefield NVRS Gen 1 Night Vision Riflescope
- 7Bushnell 4.5X40 Equinox Z Digital Night Vision W/ Mount
- 8Pulsar Trail XQ50
- 9Pulsar Phantom Gen 3
- 10Digital Night Vision PARD NV007
- 11ESSLNB Night Vision Binoculars Digital Night Vision Scope
Table of Contents
- Why Night Vision?
- How Does Night Vision Work?
- How to Choose a Night Vision Scope?
- Top 11 Best Night Vision Scope on the Market Review
- 1 Sightmark Photon XT
- 2 Sightmark Photon RT
- 3 ATN X-Sight II 5-20x/85mm Smart Day & Night Rifle Scope
- 4 ATN X-Sight 4K Pro Smart Day/Night Rifle Scope
- 5 Night Owl Optics NightShot Digital Night Vision Riflescope
- 6 Firefield NVRS Gen 1 Night Vision Riflescope
- 7 Bushnell 4.5X40 Equinox Z Digital Night Vision W/ Mount
- 8 Pulsar Trail XQ50
- 9 Pulsar Phantom Gen 3
- 10 Digital Night Vision PARD NV007
- 11 ESSLNB Night Vision Binoculars Digital Night Vision Scope
- Best Night Vision Scope Brands
- Type of Night Vision Scope
- Thermal Vs Night Vision
- Night Vision Scope Comparisons
- How to Zero Night-Vision Scope?
- How to Mount a Night Vision Scope?
- A Note on Legality & Ethics
- Tips for Hunting with Night Vision
- Night Vision Scope FAQ
- How far can you shoot using a night vision scope?
- What kind of light does a night vision scope use?
- What type of video recorder is used with a night vision scope?
- Can night vision scope be used in daylight?
- What does a target look like through a night vision scope?
- What night vision scope does the military use?
- How to use a laser bore sight to sight in a night vision scope?
- How to set up a night vision scope in front of a rifle scope?
- The Verdict
Why Night Vision?
Of course, the most obvious benefit to night vision is that it allows you to see at night. Night vision allows our Military to own the night over their enemies who might not have the same technology. It allows soldiers to operate in the night nearly as efficiently as they could during daylight hours while many of their adversaries are unable to see at all. As consumers, we are now able to employ the same benefits against game and predators in hunting situations. There are also those who are preparing for a situation in which they may have to defend themselves, and night vision capabilities will give them enhanced capabilities during such a hypothetical situation.
More and more civilians are turning to night vision when hunting predators and nocturnal game such as coyotes or wild hogs. Game such as these are most active at night when humans are traditionally at a disadvantage. Hunting with night vision gives the hunter the greatest possibility of taking game as the hunter can use the cover of night to conceal their location and observe the animals while remaining undetected.
In the past, hunters have attempted to take game with the use of lights, but game will often avoid light during the night to avoid detection from their predators. Green lasers and lights have been employed because we have learned that some predators are unable to detect certain shades of green that are visible to the human eye, though they are no match for the advantage of night vision.
Law enforcement is also able to take advantage of night vision. While many departments across the country require officers to purchase their own firearms and accessories, the fact that a fair percentage of crime takes place during the night creates challenges for police that night vision can overcome. Those looking for an advantage over criminals in low light conditions can benefit from both night vision scopes and viewing devices to assist them in making positive ID of criminals in the act.
How Does Night Vision Work?
Night vision devices work by gathering light, including infrared light that is normally invisible to the human eye, and creating a visible image. Hot objects, including animals and humans, emit a small amount of infrared light that can be detected by night vision devices.
Night vision enhances the light collected and projects it as a visible image to the eye, usually in shades of green. Green is a popular choice because the human eye is sensitive to green colors but they are cause little fatigue which allows the user to look through the device for an extended period of time.
How to Choose a Night Vision Scope?
#1. Budget
Night vision optics are much more expensive than conventional optics. That’s not to say that you can’t find conventional optics that cost more than mainstream night vision, but entry-level pricing for night vision generally starts at over $500 for a value minded scope, but often cost at over $1000 for high end products.
Make sure you have a clear and defined budget before you start shopping for night vision. It can get very expensive, very fast and small differences in quality or branding can amount to several hundred dollars.
It helps to know how the technology works and get some hands-on experience with rented or borrowed gear before you go shopping, so you can determine a budget based on your needs.
#2. Clarity
The resolution clarity offered by night vision scopes is nowhere near that offered by conventional optics. However, the latest night vision generations are much better than what you may have used or seen in years past.
Many optics designed for sportsmen and hunters are perfectly good for hunting coyotes out to 200 yards with good shot placement. However, don’t expect to be able to identify a person from 500 yards.
#3. Range
Try and anticipate the ranges you are going to be shooting at. Night vision optics don’t allow for very much magnification if any at all. Most often, you trade magnification for field-of-view when using night vision.
Even modest magnification by conventional standards like 3x magnification will amount to as little as 13° field-of-view. That means you can easily lose your target at as little as 50 yards in the dark.
#4. Reticle
Don’t expect a BDC reticle when it comes to night vision scopes. Most often you’ll get a very simple duplex, or even dot optics. There are several magnifiers and night vision devices that attach to standard scopes on the market that are compatible with red dot optics. This is an ideal solution for lightweight carbines and modern sporting rifles like AR 15’s and AK-47s.
Some of the newer products use computers in conjunction with laser range finders to automatically adjust the reticle to account for bullet drop at range.
#5. Battery Type & Life
Make sure you get information regarding the required battery and expected battery life before you start using night vision. Many military grade optics use batteries that are expensive in the civilian world and are not rechargeable.
If possible, choose a night vision optic with a common battery, like AA, or buy high-grade rechargeable batteries. Make sure you have a fully charged set or two with you each and every time you go into the field. Some night vision scopes will use a propriety lithium ion, rechargeable battery that will have extended life; the downside to these is that they are expensive to replace when they have reached their expiration.
#6. Depth Perception
It may come as a surprise, but you will lose all sense of depth perception when viewing the world through night vision. Because the night vision gathers light and transmits a digital copy of it to your eye, it doesn’t account for things like shadows or differences in perspective.
Everything around you will seem flat and take some getting used to. If you decide to use night vision goggles as well as use night vision on your rifle remember to never drive or operate machinery with it on until you get a lot of experience with it!
#7. Day & Night Use
Some night vision scopes have the capability to be used at night, as well as during the day. Most of these scopes need to be manually switched from day to night mode, although some can determine day from night themselves.
The scopes tend to be heavier and bulkier, decide whether or not you’re going to need the scope before you commit to the expense and bulk they require. One of the main benefits is that you are able to use the same scope during all conditions without worrying about loss of zero when switching between day and night optics.
Top 11 Best Night Vision Scope on the Market Review
1 Sightmark Photon XT
This is without a doubt one of the best night vision scopes for hunting. This is an extremely versatile 4.6x42mm scope that brings all the capability of a Gen 1 night vision scope but adds in a higher magnification and illuminated red reticle.
This scope features 33% longer battery life over previous generations and 30% lighter weight than its competitors. Most other digital night vision rifle scopes on the market will be much bulkier and heavier and the batteries will not last throughout an entire night. This is certainly not a problem with the Sightmark Photon XT.
This scope is loved by nighttime hog hunters because you can use standard rings to mount to any rail and while the scope is quite a bit longer than traditional rifle scope, it sits low to the bore axis.
This doesn’t change much about the balance and feel of a lightweight carbine that you would use for hog hunting in heavy brush. This is very much a “Plain Jane” night vision scope that doesn’t offer any bells and whistles but, for the money, this is an excellent night vision scope for hunting.
It’s simple construction, bare-bones approach to controls and attention to detail when it comes to battery life and overall weight and bulk means that you will be able to use this rifle scope all night for coyote hunting and shooting.
2 Sightmark Photon RT
Sticking with affordable night vision options, Sightmark offers a few very good examples. These are far from what ATN offers but Sightmark has its own high points and are serious scopes for serious shooters. They have borrowed from other brands to improve their optics and they are poised to make a name for themselves.
This is another of those rare night vision scopes that can be mounted with standard rings. It is also very small compared to most. The weight is mostly forward which has its downsides but for lightweight guns it's perfect. At 6x-12x it has the power to really reach out there and this plays well into one of the Photon’s greatest assets.
This is one of the farthest-reaching digital night vision scopes on the market with a built-in IR illuminator that ensures a bright, clear view. It also features Wi-Fi streaming and video recording. The resolution is a little lower but at ranges out to 300 yards, you will have zero issues. You can stream this video feed to a smart device which is a nice touch.
With the addition of a one-shot zero function, this is on that border between standard night vision and high-tech. Its rock solid and ready for hard use. This is one of the most popular hog hunting options and among the best value night vision on the market.
3 ATN X-Sight II 5-20x/85mm Smart Day & Night Rifle Scope
If you’re looking for one of the most technologically advanced rifle scopes on the market, this is it. This scope literally incorporates a miniature computer to give you just about everything you would need to shoot and hunt at long ranges.
For starters, this scope from ATN is named the X-Sight II and is built around an adjustable 5-20x power magnification lens and 85 mm objective lens. That gives you ample magnification and light gathering ability to use day or night out to the very edge of most cartridges’ ballistic potential.
Combine this with the ability to use the ballistic calculator, rangefinder, electronic compass global positioning system, and barometer and you have literally everything but the kitchen sink to allow you to hit targets at very long ranges.
The ballistic calculator shifts the point of impact on the fly allow you to walk your shot into the target and still make a first-round hit.
That is all in addition to the ability to shoot 1080p HD video of your shots and transfer wirelessly to your computer means that there isn’t anything you this sight won’t do.
Many of features on the scope are over the top and while there is a steep learning curve to using this sort of scope, it is a lot of fun to shoot with the scope at extended ranges, especially at night. As a night vision scope, the HD technology gives you crystal-clear vision day or night with millions of visible colors through the onboard computer system.
Make sure before you use the scope that it is legal in the area that you are going to be hunting. This scope has the ability to take almost all human error out of the aiming process and all you have to do is control the trigger. This is by far one of the most fully featured night visions scopes for under $1000.
This is both good and bad but if you are using a scope for varmint control on hogs or coyotes, there is not a better night vision scope for varmint hunting.
4 ATN X-Sight 4K Pro Smart Day/Night Rifle Scope
As I said above, ATN is an outstanding company and they have a huge lineup of optics. For this particular option, it is digital night vision but so much more. There are more features packed into an ATN scope than probably any other brand out there. And when it comes to ATN digital, the X-Sight in 4K is the absolute best.
For starters, this optic is a 5x-20x variable power scope that has a full 4K video recorder and an HD screen all built in. Unlike most digital scopes, this one can fit standard rings which makes it perfect with small calibers that you don’t want much added weight on. Use this for 17 hmr for a good choice on range and power with low weight.
Being digital with all of the added features makes this about the best bang for your buck in night vision. What features? Well, it has a ballistic calculator, the ability to record through the scope, Wi-Fi streaming, and runs everything off a dual-core processor. It even comes with a remote so you can set this up, stream it to your phone, and weight till your targets start appearing before getting on the scope for real.
ATN does simply amazing things with optics. Everyone needs to at least play with one of their smart scopes once to understand how good these things are. They may not be the real deal night vision, but they knock the socks off most everything, especially for the price.
5 Night Owl Optics NightShot Digital Night Vision Riflescope
This is an excellent, easy to use night vision rifle scope made by Night Owl Optics called the Night Shot. Many night vision sights are designed to do many things well. This is one of the few night vision scopes made specifically for hunting at night.
The hallmark of this scope is being portable and having a large clear field of view. The greatest thing about this scope is when you’re using this scope in an open area, you can identify targets out to well over 150 yards. Where other night vision scopes fall short, this scope will allow you to see.
Especially with night vision scopes, an all-in-one deal is a great idea. The mount is built into this optic, allows the unit to sit lower on the bore axis and balance much better while in the field.
Other small features like the flip up lens cover that protects not only the objective lens but also the infrared illuminator makes the scope more weatherproof and affords you peace of mind in the field.
For hunting out to normal ranges of about 200 yards, this is an excellent night vision scope from Night Owl.
6 Firefield NVRS Gen 1 Night Vision Riflescope
Not all night vision scopes are ideal for modern sporting rifles or lightweight carbines. They tend to be bulky and have a lot of features that weigh the optic down. This model from Firefield is certainly not one of them.
You have 3x magnification with a 14° field-of-view. Generous eye relief and built-in infrared illumination means that this scope is designed for rifles like the AR 15 or AK-47.
Built-in to this optic is a rugged and dependable mount that is set up for quick detach and the easy to adjust incremental reticle brightness controls. All told, this is one of the best scopes for a lightweight rifle used for shooting or hunting at night. If you prefer an AR pattern rifle for varmint control, there is no better optic than this one.
This is one of the few optics on the market to feature a titanium body that saves weight over a steel tube but adds substantially more strength than a comparable aluminum body. The ergonomic design of this optic makes it easy to use and the intuitive controls means that there is very little learning curve to getting first-round hits in the dark of night.
Combine the intelligent, integrated design with a lightweight and durable construction and you have a great optic for not a lot of money. This is a favorite online of many hunters and shooters looking for an inexpensive but high-quality night vision scope and it should serve you well no matter what you’re doing.
7 Bushnell 4.5X40 Equinox Z Digital Night Vision W/ Mount
When it comes a sporting optics, there are few companies out there that have the market cornered like Bushnell. Bushnell is one of the largest manufacturers of optics in the world, making some of the highest-quality precision rifle scopes used by elite military and law-enforcement as well as having some of the best budget optics that can be picked up at Walmart for cheap.
Their night vision line-up falls mainly into the budget category of the market, but what they offer far surpasses the competition for the amount of technology and features you get for the money. This is a generation 2 night vision scope for fast shooting at moderate distances.
This scope is built around 4.5 power magnification and a 40mm objective lens. It is one of the cheaper digital night vision optics on the market but still provides enough magnification and light gathering ability for you to be able to hunt with it at decent ranges. This one of the best scopes for an Eotech set up built for hog hunting at night.
This scope features adjustable infrared brightness levels and integrated mount and an extremely long battery life. This scope is primarily designed to give the shooter outstanding optical clarity and an extra wide field-of-view for cheap.
This scope includes digital features like image capturing, video recording, daytime color and can even be detached from a rifle and mounted on a tripod for scouting and for varmint control. This is one of the few scopes on the market that is ready to go out of the box with virtually no learning curve. Excellent for a first night vision scope and getting the most bang for your buck.
8 Pulsar Trail XQ50
We’ll discuss the difference between true night vision and thermal imaging later in this article but a list of night vision optics would be incomplete without at least one scope offering thermal imaging. Pulsar products are amongst the best on the market when it comes to digital scopes, night vision and thermal imaging.
This product works in day and night so it doesn’t tie up a rifle that can then only be used at night. Even with all it’s features it offers eight hours of battery life which should keep you shooting all night long. It features a huge array of technological advancements including the ability to connect to your phone or tablet with an app, it can record video and audio in HD and to protect all this gadgetry is waterproof and shock proof.
The ability to pick up the thermal signature of your quarry allows you to do away with an infrared illuminator and focus on your quarry, these aren’t though magical devices that allow you to shoot through obstacles or see the internal organs of your quarry as video games and films will have you believe.
They are however very useful tools in hunting and wildlife management to make it possible to hunt or control vermin in the dusk and dark. Their ability to see the heat signature of an animal up to 1970 yards away, according to the manufacturer’s specifications, far outranges most ir illuminators ability to illuminate targets.
Additionally this makes thermal scopes excellent for spotting as well as with this product taking accurate, aimed shots. Carefully weigh up the pros and cons of standard night vision against the functionality of a scope that offers thermal imaging and decide what best suits you.
9 Pulsar Phantom Gen 3
The disadvantage of many night vision devices is their relatively limited field of view offered by generally quite small objective lenses. This offering from Pulsar though gives you a generous 60mm objective lens, larger in fact than almost all standard scopes. This larger lens makes this scope far more versatile than some other options with smaller lenses especially at mid to long range where most moderately priced competitors fall down. This scope is going to offer you a lot of functionality as well as intuitive controls another area where some other products fail.
The need for easily adjustable, finger friendly controls is very important, especially at night or while in the aim when it could destroy your chance for an accurate shot if you have to fiddle with an awkward focus knob or look for a button. You shouldn’t have that problem with this scope.
As with many of the products here this offering from Pulsar is fully waterproof, something often taken for granted in standard scopes as short of breaking the glass there isn’t really any way for water to get into a scope but with these modern digital scopes which feature buttons and control and potential weak points for water to ingress through a decent level of waterproofing is an absolute necessity. The ultra-durable duraluminum construction also helps keep this scope in one piece and functioning even under the worst conditions.
10 Digital Night Vision PARD NV007
This clip-on style night vision scope has some benefits that others lack. The product will attach to most traditional scopes, but from the user end rather than the objective lens. The price is competitive, especially when you consider that you can leave the product attached for day or night use and it has both on-board recording as well as the ability to wirelessly connect to your mobile devices.
You will want to zero with the device attached to your scope as it will put pressure on your scope, but it is easily swapped from one rifle to the next.
11 ESSLNB Night Vision Binoculars Digital Night Vision Scope
For those that want a binocular for their night vision needs, this is an excellent option. Not only is the powerful device capable of picking up images from over 400 yards away, but these binoculars also offer the ability to record and play back recordings right inside the view finder.
This product is not so much a traditional binocular as a night vision device with a 4” viewing screen, making it easy to use the device without keeping your eye directly in front of the viewfinder which will help to avoid eye fatigue. The design also allows for 7x optical zoom with an additional 2x of digital zoom, which will give image clarity that is not often possible in a scope.
Best Night Vision Scope Brands
There are dozens of companies that are currently manufacturing night vision products for the consumer market.
ATN
ATN is a company founded in 1995 that has been dedicated to night vision technology. Their products are marketed towards everybody from the enthusiast to the military. They offer some of the most advanced technology in the industry including 4K resolution projections, recording, streaming, and thermal capabilities.
Pulsar
Pulsar is a company made up of hunters who create products for the needs of the civilian. They take pride in being a world leader in producing night vision products for the wide variety of civil activities that benefit from night vision, from hunting to para-rescue.
Armasight
Armasight is a subsidiary name owned by FLIR. FLIR is the company that provides our military with most of their night vision capabilities. A company that is able to provide military grade technology to the troops is certainly in tune with the cutting edge of night vision technology, and they pass those advancements on to the civilian market.
Firefield
Firefield is a company that is well known for their budget-oriented rifle optics. They have also entered the night vision market with the mission to provide the civilian market with night vision capabilities within reach of the average Joe. While these products are not always the most capable scopes available, they are often the most attainable for those on a budget.
Type of Night Vision Scope
Many people wonder just how night vision scopes work. In all honesty, night vision is a technological marvel. The very fact that it works is near magic. As far as hunters are concerned, night vision works by collecting and amplifying ambient light through electronics.
The most important thing you need to remember about night vision is that it is not a flashlight. In the movies, the good guy flips on his night vision and everything is illuminated. In reality, you need ambient moonlight or flashlights to illuminate the area. You won’t see anything if you are in complete darkness.
This is why many night vision optics incorporate infrared flashlights. The infrared is invisible to most mammal’s eyes but will be picked up by your night vision optics.
Gen 1 & Gen 2
Different generations of night vision referred to the resolution and refinement of optical clarity. Gen 1, and Gen 2 night vision optics are normally what you will find on civilian sportsman grade optics.
Produced by many manufacturers, these are the most economical and generally the best option for people who are going to be using their scopes for a hobby or predator control.
Gen 3 & Gen 4
For people with a much larger budget, Gen 3 and select Gen 4 night vision scopes offer much more capability and range over previous generations. The problem with these, other than cost, is availability.
Many of the Gen 3 and Gen 4 night vision optics are built for military use and are either difficult to come by, if you can afford them, and are not ideal for sportsmen.
Oftentimes military grade night vision is built to be bombproof and used for short raids or rescues. Many of the high-performance lightweight and mobile designs are not available on the civilian market unless they’ve been stolen or are illegitimate copies.
The best advice is to buy from an authorized dealer and make sure that you are buying a product from a well-known manufacturer. The vast majority people who are buying night vision optics for hunting and shooting will be perfectly fine with a Gen 2 or inexpensive Gen 3 optic.
Thermal Vs Night Vision
Many people wonder about the differences between night vision and thermal optics. While the science that makes them work is completely different, many people assume they are used in the same way in the field.
This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, they are miles apart in both capabilities and applications. If you can afford it and are serious about hunting at night, you should have both. Most people will agree, including virtually all professional guides or government hunters, thermal is more useful for locating animals at night.
With thermal, you can identify a heat source several hundred yards away. In some cases, with professional grade optics, you can identify heat sources from over a mile in open terrain.
Night vision gives you much more clarity and definition when viewing through the scope and allows you to make an accurate hit on the game animal you’re shooting at. In fact, on all but the smallest of varmints and at close ranges it is unethical to use thermal optics.
Night Vision Scope Comparisons
Night Vision Scope VS Thermal
Night vision scopes collect ambient and IR light in order to create a visible image. Thermal scopes use sensors to detect heat signatures and create a visible image on a screen.
Night Vision Scope VS Goggles
Night vision scopes are attached to a rifle, while goggles or monoculars are held or worn by the user independent of any type of weapon.
Night Vision Scope VS Light
Light will often cause a change in the target’s behavior and render itself ineffective at detecting game in the field.
Night Vision Scope VS Green Light
Green light is often undetectable by certain predators, but a stationary light will not allow the hunter to scan a wide area. A green spotlight also does not give the hunter much advantage when looking through a rifle scope as it is difficult for the scope to gather enough useful light to make the reticle visible.
Night Vision Scope VS Clip-on
Clip on scopes give the hunter the advantage of being able to easily switch between day and night capabilities on their favorite traditional scope. A disadvantage is that they often put some small amounts of pressure on the scope and could change the zero of the optic.
How to Zero Night-Vision Scope?
Zero Night & Thermal Imaging Rifle Scopes
How to Mount a Night Vision Scope?
Many night vision scopes will have a mounting system attached already making it simple to attach them to picatinny or weaver rail systems. On those that us a traditional scope shape, you will use rings as you would with a regular scope.
Keep in mind that the eye relief on your night vision scope will likely be much different than that of a traditional scope, so you will have to adjust accordingly.
When mounting the scope, do so in a dimly lit room. Turn the scope on and loosely mount the scope on the rifle, get behind the scope and determine if you are able to get a full field of view from a comfortable position.
Continue to adjust the placement of the scope in this manner until you are comfortable and tighten the rings in a criss-cross fashion to provide even pressure on all fasteners. It is advisable to use the torque specs provided in your owner’s manual to avoid over-tightening and damaging the delicate electronics inside the scope.
A Note on Legality & Ethics
Before you step into the field with night vision optics, particularly if you’re going to be hunting, make sure you know what you’re doing. Of course, you need to follow all safety rules for firearms, particularly in the dark when you may not be able to see what is on the other side of your target very well.
However, you need to make sure that the equipment that you plan on using is legal in the area that you are going to be hunting. This is of concern for people who will be hunting outside the United States, even carrying military or civilian grade night vision optics outside the country for personal use is considered exportation and will require permission from the State Department.
However, in all 50 states there are regulations regarding when and where night vision and thermal optics can be used for hunting. Particularly out west, were big game species are vulnerable to poachers taking advantage of large game like elk or grizzly bear.
However, ethics dictate you don’t use thermal or night vision optics for other purposes. Namely, for game species that aren’t allowed or in methods that are not allowed. A perfectly legal example of using night vision or thermal optics is trailing wounded game.
However, many times the lines get blurred. For example, using thermal optics to locate turkeys on the roost in total darkness is unethical, and in many states and counties is illegal.
As a sportsman, you must make a judgment call whether what you’re doing is fair. Using thermal optics or night vision in the off-season to scout for deer is one thing. As a rule, do not use hunting technology to change the general methods and tactics that you would use to kill game. Simply use it to make the old tactics and methods more effective while still maintaining a fair hunt.
Tips for Hunting with Night Vision
Night Vision Scope FAQ
How far can you shoot using a night vision scope?
200 yards is reasonable for most night vision scopes.
What kind of light does a night vision scope use?
Night vision scopes use a combination of ambient and IR light sources.
What type of video recorder is used with a night vision scope?
Most night vision scopes capable of recording do so with an on-board SD card or they use Bluetooth to transmit to an external device.
Can night vision scope be used in daylight?
It is not advisable to use most night vision scopes during the daylight as too much light can damage the sensors, but some scopes are capable of both day and night operation.
What does a target look like through a night vision scope?
The best way to describe a target through a night vision scope is that you notice the shadows and reflections more than the target itself.
What night vision scope does the military use?
The most popular night vision used by the military is some form of night vision device that is worn or held, and IR lasers are used to aim the weapon systems. Nearly all night vision products used by the military are made by FLIR and are unavailable to the civilian market.
How to use a laser bore sight to sight in a night vision scope?
This is as simple as using any bore light, but you will want to do so in a dimly lit room. The laser from the bore light will be very easy to pick up through the scope.
How to set up a night vision scope in front of a rifle scope?
It is best to get the clip-on as close to the scope as possible without putting any pressure on the primary optic to avoid altering the zero.
The Verdict
Night vision optics are an incredible piece of technology. Not only because they allow for more effective varmint control in areas of the country experiencing severe damage due to coyotes and hogs, they provide a new level of safety and efficacy for hunting at night.
If you are going to take advantage of this technology, spend some time familiarizing yourself with the science that makes them work, and the quirks that come with using it. Night vision optics are sure to get better and better over the years to come as technology gets cheaper and manufacturing improves.
For now, though, these models are the best of the best night vision scope for sportsmen looking to expand their season or protect crops and property. Hunting and shooting at night can get expensive and dangerous very quick, know what you’re doing before you head into the field and enjoy it!
Great info. I appreciate the detailed report. Thank you. Retired Veteran
Thanks for giving us all the details (even small ones) that we need to decide on a night vision/thermal scope model. I’m looking for therm for my husband to hunt coyotes at night on our private property safely and ethically (clean shot). This is, by far, the best article Ive found…and very much appreciated! Thanks amyo♡
Immensely informative rundown of night optics! Made my decision on what to purchase much easier. Long live the second amendment!
A big thank you for your blog article.Thanks Again. Want more.
We thank you Eric for your service to the country. The article was well written and covered alot of material in a way that most people can understand. I’m looking to try a night vision scope for some hog hunting and your article was very helpful in my decision process. Thanks again.
Hey Jim, You’re welcome! Glad that you liked it!