Best Night Vision Scope – Top 5 Best Rated Night Vision Scopes Reviews

While night vision optics were once considered high-grade military technology, these scopes are becoming increasingly available to civilian shooters. Night vision technology is now sold in many gun shops and sporting goods stores across the country. The internet has also made access to these high-tech devices even easier. A quick internet search results in hundreds of models from dozens of companies.

Here are what we consider the best night vision scopes available to civilian shooters. We’ve also included a handy buyer’s guide filled with tips and tricks for using this cutting-edge technology to enhance your shooting.

If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time for the details, here are our best picks for night vision scope:

1. Pulsar Digex N455
2. Armasight Vulcan 6x QSi MG
3. Armasight by FLIR CO-LR LRF
4. ATN X-Sight 4K Pro
5. Night Owl Optics NightShot

Why Night Vision?

Night vision technology was a game-changer on the battlefield. It provided clear advantages for forces that had access to it. 

However, in the early days of night vision, the technology was fragile and hard to use. Night vision devices (NVDs) were so expensive it was almost impossible for civilians to acquire them. As the technology has progressed, NVDs have become sturdier, more reliable, affordable, and easier to use.  

Night vision is still a game-changer. Night vision scopes are useful tools for hunting hogs, coyotes, and other nocturnal predators. They allow hunters to see their targets without shining visible light into the woods. With a quality optic and a good infrared light, hunters can more identify and effectively shoot targets out to several hundred yards, without alerting the animals to their location. 

Night vision can also be an asset for home defense. Since most criminal activity takes place after the sun goes down, a homeowner with a night vision scope has a clear advantage. A night vision optic can help a homeowner quickly identify a deadly threat to his or her family. 

How Night Vision Works

Night vision devices (NVDs) collect and intensify ambient light from the stars, moon, and other light sources. Some NVDs also use infrared light. Infrared light is invisible to the human eye but can be used by NVDs to create a viewable image, even in pitch-black conditions. 

Depending on the device, night vision either uses an image intensifier tube (IIT) or a camera sensor to create a viewable image. 

Traditional Versus Digital Night Vision

Traditional night vision is the technology used by most military forces. It is characterized by the stereotypical green glow made famous in Hollywood war movies. 

Traditional night vision can only be used in the dark and is categorized by generation – Gen 1 through Gen 3. 

Gen 1 is the most basic technology and is also the most affordable. The technology gets better with each step up in generation. Image clarity, detection range, and battery life improve with each step up. The price also increases as the technology improves. 

Digital night vision is a relatively new technological development. Instead of intensifier tubes, digital night vision uses an objective lens, a charger coupler device, and an LCD screen to transmit a digital image to the user. Unlike the famous green hue of traditional night vision, digital NV is usually displayed in black and white. 

One major perk to digital NVDs is that they can be used during the daytime as well as at night. Digital NVDs also tend to be much cheaper. 

How to Choose a Night Vision Scope?

There are hundreds of night vision scopes on the market today, which can make choosing an optic feel like an impossible task. Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding which model to purchase. 

Cost

Night vision optics are considerably more expensive than conventional optics. Even entry-level night vision generally starts around $1000, with higher-end devices approaching $10,000. 

There are cheaper options available. However, quality rarely comes cheap, especially in the world of optics. Be prepared to drop some serious cash for a quality night vision scope. 

Clarity

The image clarity of even the best night vision optics is significantly lower than that of conventional riflescopes. However, modern night vision produces better image clarity than NVDs of the past. 

Many optics designed for hunters provide enough clarity for good shot placement out to 200 yards. However, don’t expect to be able to identify a person from 500 yards.

Range

Most night vision scopes have an identification range between 100 and 200 yards. This is a much shorter range than a traditional riflescope. The range of your night vision scope will rarely match the range of your rifle.  

The range of a good Gen 3 device can be several times farther than that of a Gen 1 device. The amount of available light can also affect your identification range.  

The range of digital NVDs varies by make and model, so be sure to check the specs before you buy. 

Reticle

Most night vision scopes feature simple, uncomplicated reticles, usually a basic duplex or dot design. There are night vision devices that attach to standard scopes, allowing you to use the BDC reticles you use during daytime shooting if you want something more complex. 

Digital night vision scopes often provide a selection of reticles, allowing shooters to match a design to their application or personal preferences. Some also feature laser rangefinders and ballistic calculators for more precise shooting. 

Battery Type & Life

Many military-grade night vision optics use batteries that are expensive in the civilian world. Some can be difficult to find and most are not rechargeable.

If possible, choose a night vision optic that uses a common battery. Because night vision is known to drain battery power quickly, make sure to always carry an extra set into the field, just in case. 

Some night vision scopes will use a proprietary lithium-ion rechargeable battery that will have an extended life. The downside is they are expensive to replace when they have reached their expiration.

Best Night Vision Scope on the Market Reviews

 1   Pulsar Digex N455

Pulsar manufactures some of the best digital night vision scopes on the market today. Their optics are also refreshingly affordable, especially considering their high-tech design. The Pulsar Digex N455 is actually priced well under $2000, making it one of the best value scopes on our list. 

Built to withstand harsh shooting conditions, the Diges N455 has an IPX7 waterproof rating. It is also tested to endure repetitive harsh recoil, making it a smart choice for shotgun use. It also pairs well with hard-hitting rifle cartridges like .30-06 Springfield and .300 Win Mag. 

The optic is also rated for reliable performance in temperatures ranging from  -13 degrees to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for use anywhere on the face of the planet. 

The Digex comes with a long-range infrared illuminator for those pitch dark nights or other shooting conditions where there is no ambient light.

The beauty of a digital night vision optic is that these devices are often packed with high-tech digital features. This one includes an onboard video recorder. It captures both still photos and HD video and can Livestream directly to the internet. 

Other notable features include a picture-in-picture mode, 4-16x variable magnification, and ten different reticle options. The Digex also saves up to five separate shooting profiles and up to fifty different zero distances. 

Is It Worth It?

Digital night vision scopes like the Pulsar Digex are perfect for recording your after-dark coyote hunting adventures. The optic is also fairly affordable, making it a great entry-level option for shooters new to night vision. 

The Pulsar Digex N455 has a lot to offer for the money, including:

• An IPX7 waterproof rated.
• High caliber recoil resistance.
• Performs in sub-zero temperatures.
• Includes infrared illuminator.
• Built-in video recording.
• Livestream capabilities.
• Picture-in-picture mode.
• Saves up to five different shooting profiles. 
• 1280×720 HD Sensor

Mounting and Accessories

The Pulsar Digex N455 riflescope mounts on almost any weapon with a set of 30mm mounting rings.

 2   Armasight Vulcan 6x QSi MG

Using Gen 2 + night vision technology, the Armasight Vulcan provides a crisp, clear sight picture with minimal image distortion. The optic is ultra reliable and features shock-protected multi-coated glass. It also has an illuminated reticle with several brightness settings for optimal visibility in all lighting conditions. 

The Armasight Vulcan uses Gen 2+ night vision technology. The technology is ultra-reliable, provides an ample field of view, and plenty of radiance for a clear sight picture, even in the darkest conditions. 

It features shock-protected, all-glass IR transmission multicoated optics and an illuminated reticle with adjustable brightness.

The Vulcan is compact and lightweight, so it won’t unbalance your weapon. The design is perfect for modern sporting rifles like the AR-15. It even features tactical rails for attaching a laser or IR illuminator. 

This night vision scope has a host of other top-notch features, including a wireless remote control, a detachable long-range infrared illuminator and a bright light cut-off. 

Is It Worth It?

The Armasight Vulcan is perfect for hog hunting, fox shooting, and military or civilian tactical marksmen.  

Here is a list of the optic’s best features. 

• Compact, lightweight design. 
• Gen 2 + technology.
• Illuminated reticle with multiple brightness settings. 
• Wireless remote control.
• Automatic bright light cut-off.
• Detachable long-range infrared illuminator.
• Built-in tactical rails.
• 6x magnification. 

Mounting and Accessories

The Vulcan comes with a quick-release mount that attaches easily to any Weaver or Picatinny rail.

 3   Armasight by FLIR CO-LR LRF

The CO-LR, which stands for Clip-On Long Range, is designed to work in conjunction with your favorite daylight optic. It pairs best with optics up to 10x magnification and converts your day scope to night vision with a range of up to 1000 yards.

It conveniently clips onto either a centerfire or rimfire rifle allowing you to use a traditional riflescope after the sun goes down. You don’t even need to worry about re-zeroing. The optic relies on your regular riflescope’s zero. 

Relying on Gen 3 night vision technology, the CO-LR is surprisingly compact and lightweight. 

It is also packed with a ton of other awesome features, including automatic shut-off, wireless remote control, and manual gain, which adjusts brightness levels to ambient light in the environment. 

Is It Worth It?

If you love your current riflescope but need to shoot with night vision, this is the optic for you. 

This is what the Armasight by FLIR CO-LR has to offer nighttime shooters. 

• Uses Gen 3 technology.
• 1000-yard range. 
• Convenient clip-on design.
• Quickly attaches and detaches. 
• No need to re-zero. 
• Auto shut-off.
• Wireless remote.
• Manual gain. 

Mounting and Accessories

The CO-LR mounts directly in front of your favorite scope and works without changing your accustomed eye relief, sight picture, shot release, or follow through.

The package includes a soft carrying case, a light suppressor for your day scope, and IR850-XLR long-range infrared illuminator, and a battery adapter.

 4   ATN X-Sight 4K Pro

ATN is known for making some of the best day/night optics for modern shooters. We love the company’s X-Sight 4K Pro because it is sturdy, packed with cool digital features, and refreshingly affordable for a night vision scope. 

The X-Sight 4K Pro comes with adjustable magnification, recoil-activated video recording, and a one-shot zero feature. Powered by an Obsidian 4 core, the X-Sight Pro 4K streams HD video while simultaneously recording to an internal SD card. 

This thing is virtually a compact computer you can mount right to your rifle. The on-board ballistic calculator factors in range, wind, temperature, humidity, and angle to target and makes automatic adjustments to your aiming point. The device even stores multiple weapon profiles, so you can easily use the same optic on multiple rifles. 

Is It Worth It?

If you’re worried about your optic’s budget, you probably won’t find a better day/night scope for under $1000. The ATN X-Sight 4K Pro is relatively easy on the wallet and still offers plenty of nighttime performance.

If you need to bust rabbits, rats, or other varmints after the sun goes down, this is a good tool for the job.

• Sturdy, recoil-resistant construction.
• Dual-stream video. 
• Recoil-activated video recording.
• One-shot zero.
• Built-in rangefinder.
• Ballistic calculator. 
• Stores multiple weapon profiles.

Mounting and Accessories

The ATN X-Sight Pro 4K has a classic riflescope design, so it can be mounted to your favorite rifle with regular 30mm scope rings. Every X-Sight Pro 4K comes with standard rings, a scope cover, USB-C cable, eyecup, and sunshade.

 5   Night Owl Optics NightShot

If you’re a nighttime shooter on a shoestring budget, the Night Owl NightShot could be the answer to your prayers. In the not-so-distant past, finding a night vision optic for under $2000 was a joke. Night Owl managed to provide a solid digital night vision scope for under $500. 

Despite the economical price tag, the Night Shot is sturdy and reliable. It is crafted from lightweight, durable thermoplastic that stands up well to rough use and inclement weather. It has a range of 100 yards in most conditions.

Is It Worth It?

There’s always a budget optic out there, and this one definitely falls into that category. As long as you don’t expect the NightShot to perform like a high-end night vision scope, you won’t be too disappointed. This one gets the job done, but you will be able to tell you didn’t drop a ton of cash on it. 

As you would expect, an optic in this price range has its limitations. The NightShot works best on paintball, airsoft, pellet guns, and rifles under .30 caliber. 

If you just need to bust rabbits, rats, or other varmints with a rimfire after the sun goes down, this is a good tool for the job.

Here are the NightShot’s best features:

• Affordable price tag.
• Sturdy, weatherproof construction.
• 3x magnification.
• Built-in infrared illuminator. 
• 100-yard viewing range.

Mounting and Accessories

The NightShot mounts easily on most rifles with the included rail mounts. You’ll definitely want to invest in some spare AA batteries since the four it comes with will only provide two to three hours of power.

Final Thoughts

Night vision scopes are particularly useful for hunting destructive or nuisance species like coyotes and feral hogs. However, they also have tactical applications and can be fun to use for airsoft and paintball.  

If you decide to take advantage of this technology, spend some time familiarizing yourself with your new NVD. Shooting with the best night vision scope can be quite different than shooting with a traditional riflescope. Extensive practice with your new set-up before you venture into the field is an absolute must.