[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Night vision help needed (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 8/26/2014 3:51:12 PM EDT
|
Looking for inexpensive night vision I don't have a price range, looking for quality but not top shelf Would prefer weapons mounted or compact head mounted
|
I've been eying this PVS-4 from site sponsor TNVC.  Can't swing anything more expensive, but not going to buy cheap Chi-Com junk either.
|
|
For example I'm pretty sure this one is less than legit But I have no comparison other than the multi thousands of dollars rigs
|
|
Quoted: Here is the deal. Go to TNVC.com and drop $3500 on some PVS-14. Ultimately this plan will save you money, as it will stop you from buying an inferior NOD, and then ending up buying a PVS-14 anyway. I did this. I did see recently that those 3.4k$ models were on sale for 2.8K$. Waiting for the price to start dropping on thermals. |
|
This is the minimum I would consider for quality NV:
http://tnvc.com/shop/gt-14-gen3-pinnacle-night-vision-monocular/ |
| A D300 is the bare minimum for getting something somewhat useful. And it is by no means outstanding. And those are probably $1800 these days. Most technology has come down dramatically in price over the years. Unfortunately, night vision gear doesn't seem to be following the same playbook as VCRs. |
|
Quoted:
Dam....  Quoted:
Quoted:
Here is the deal. Go to TNVC.com and drop $3500 on some PVS-14. Ultimately this plan will save you money, as it will stop you from buying an inferior NOD, and then ending up buying a PVS-14 anyway. You only pay for quality once. |
|
Quoted:
For example I'm pretty sure this one is less than legit http://www.nightvisionetc.com/186-exact-precision-be16044-refurbished.html?gclid=CjwKEAjw4PCfBRCz966N9pvJ4GASJAAEdM_K50Rjl-tFvPh0iERWJrjL8wvLJwnW0dYTcrwlbp9UPxoCMxnw_wcB But I have no comparison other than the multi thousands of dollars rigs That unit will just not get the job done. You could always look on the forum here and find a nice used pvs-14 for under 2k You will be spending somewhere in that area for a decent setup. |
|
Quoted: For example I'm pretty sure this one is less than legit But I have no comparison other than the multi thousands of dollars rigs That is Gen I, which is synonymous with craptastic. It does not have much night vision capability; it relies on an IR illuminator. Here is how buying something like that will go: You will get your package. You will turn it on in the dark house, and think it is awesome, because the house typically has a lot of stray light bouncing around. You will take it into the woods, and it will suck until you turn on the big illuminator. Then you will realise you should have just used a flashlight. Then you will buy a PVS 14 which will ROCK |
|
Cheap nightvision is pointless. I have 2 gen 1 Russian optics and they just are useless. I've tried out some gen 2 US stuff and it's alright. Really you want to get something gen 3. I bought a D-760 from TNVC with a Litton tube and it is great. First real nightvision that impressed me outside of a Raptor and a pvs-14. Really in the end it's a fun toy and I think it needs to be complimented by a pvs-14.
With a pvs-14 and an IR laser mounted to a rifle, I was able to hit IPSC at 200yds. It wasn't easy since the shooting position is kinda like hip shooting. With the d-760 and an IR Illuminator, I've been able to make hits to 600yds on an IPSC with no moonlight and it's really more limited by the reticle since it took around 4 mils of a hold. The reticle moves instead of the optic, so if you dial, you'll just be looking at the bottom of the sight picture. I really don't hunt or anything, so to me the setup is just for fun. For as expensive it was, and how infrequently I use it, it was probably one of my more frivolous purchases. Still it has cool factor and now I have some experience with nightvision. I feel like there tends to be a learning curve to the nightvision since most people have trouble identifying things through the scope. Most people are also surprised at the night blindness the optic causes. Illuminators tend to be tricky since they will bloom of stuff in the foreground and cause the optic to gate down, which reduces the image clarity. Tall Bipods and tripods would be useful. My D-760 has a power cutoff to keep the tube from being damaged during recoil, this dims the image for a fraction of a second, which can be kinda weird. The raptor doesn't seem to do this. I run a suppressor on my rifle so the flash doesn't gate the tube, but eventually after so many rounds, smoke will exit the muzzle and action and can cause visibility issues, especially with the Illuminator. If you buy something, get something gen 3 and order it from TNVC. |
|
I once wrote a cheap but usable NV guide, you can probably googly harlikwin cheap night vision and find it.
My general recommendation is go for something at least gen2 though the triple cascade gen1 stuff does work within its limitations. ETA, holy hell my sig link still works... There you go. |
|
http://tnvc.com/shop/d-300-gen2-milspec-night-vision-monocular/
$1,899.00 — $2,093.00 cheapest you're gonna get and from TNVC that back their shit. |
| If only we had a NV forum! http://www.ar15.com/forums/f_6/18_Night_Vision.html |
|
Night Vision Forum
I think this Gen 2 SHP (super high performance) sight meets your criteria. http://tnvc.com/shop/m845-1-5x-gen2-shp-red-dot-night-vision-rifle-scope/ |
|
I'm going to partially disagree with AR15.com here. There are worlds of difference between legit NVG's and they the gen 1 devices you can pick up relatively inexpensively. Yes if you are serious about it then you are going to have to spend serious money.
But don't knock the gen1's too hard. I picked up on just to get my feet wet because there is no way I'm going to drop 3 grand on something I have no first hand experience with. Don't expect to get $2500 dollar performance out of something that cost $150. If you understand the limitations they have at least some use. Just don't go expecting a pellet gun to do the same things an M-4 would do. |
|
Quoted: Weapon mounted NV as your only NV isn't worth a damn. You need to do sme research and figure out exactly what you want first. |
|
Quoted:
THIS X 87 I did this. I did see recently that those 3.4k$ models were on sale for 2.8K$. Waiting for the price to start dropping on thermals. Quoted:
Quoted:
Here is the deal. Go to TNVC.com and drop $3500 on some PVS-14. Ultimately this plan will save you money, as it will stop you from buying an inferior NOD, and then ending up buying a PVS-14 anyway. I did this. I did see recently that those 3.4k$ models were on sale for 2.8K$. Waiting for the price to start dropping on thermals. This. SO MUCH THIS |
|
the PN21K stacks up nicely with the PVS-14
It's smaller and lighter, autogated Gen 3 http://www.thebangswitch.com/exclusive-new-optics-from-wolf/ 
|
|
Quoted:
Here in Michigan we are limited to rimfire (or shotgun) for night time predator hunting, I would like to buy a dedicated night vision scope for my .22 mag. Based on that, what would be your recommendation? I don't want any helmet mounted NV, at this point I have no use for that, what would be another option over the NV scope? Quoted:
Quoted:
Weapon mounted NV as your only NV isn't worth a damn. You need to do sme research and figure out exactly what you want first. How you do plan on getting to where you're going in the dark without lights? Walking around in the dark? Spotting stuff in the dark without constantly shouldering your rifle, which gets old in a hurry? I'd setup a .22lr the same we setup most other rifles, which is helmet mounted NV and IR laser and NV compatible red-dot. Add on a magnifier if you want some mag. With NV you don't really need as much range as you would during the day because the animals can't see as far either so it's much easier to get close to them. |
|
Quoted:
the PN21K stacks up nicely with the PVS-14 It's smaller and lighter, autogated Gen 3 http://www.thebangswitch.com/exclusive-new-optics-from-wolf/ https://d2444os31gbwts.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/1_PN21K_with_box.jpg David, I can't waste anymore time on google. Where can you get a price? Dealers? Thanks. And no, I'm not getting rid of my ANVS's. 
|
|
Quoted:
the PN21K stacks up nicely with the PVS-14 It's smaller and lighter, autogated Gen 3 http://www.thebangswitch.com/exclusive-new-optics-from-wolf/ https://d2444os31gbwts.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/1_PN21K_with_box.jpg I'd give the Wolf night vision a try, but I'm afraid the lacquer might flake off the optics and get into the chamber of my AR. 
BTW, any idea what these might sell for? I don't imagine they would equal US Gen III, but they would be miles ahead of the cheap Russian Gen I crap. |
|
After poking around, I always thought this would be a fun budget unit for sport, after watching the videos online. However, for really hard use, or where life and limb is concerned, I would still want to save up for a PVS-14.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIxqxRGP-os https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODk_imoFVFM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJHjrLUUU4U n550 model on sale at Midway: http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/377144/pulsar-digisight-n550a-night-vision-rifle-scope-45x-50mm-ir-illuminated-with-wireless-remote-control-ir-flashlight-and-picatinny-mount-matte?cm_vc=ProductFinding Edit: The more expensive unit is the model n750. |
|
Quoted: How you do plan on getting to where you're going in the dark without lights? Walking around in the dark? Spotting stuff in the dark without constantly shouldering your rifle, which gets old in a hurry? I'd setup a .22lr the same we setup most other rifles, which is helmet mounted NV and IR laser and NV compatible red-dot. Add on a magnifier if you want some mag. With NV you don't really need as much range as you would during the day because the animals can't see as far either so it's much easier to get close to them. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Weapon mounted NV as your only NV isn't worth a damn. You need to do sme research and figure out exactly what you want first. How you do plan on getting to where you're going in the dark without lights? Walking around in the dark? Spotting stuff in the dark without constantly shouldering your rifle, which gets old in a hurry? I'd setup a .22lr the same we setup most other rifles, which is helmet mounted NV and IR laser and NV compatible red-dot. Add on a magnifier if you want some mag. With NV you don't really need as much range as you would during the day because the animals can't see as far either so it's much easier to get close to them. |
|
Quoted: the PN21K stacks up nicely with the PVS-14 It's smaller and lighter, autogated Gen 3 http://www.thebangswitch.com/exclusive-new-optics-from-wolf/ https://d2444os31gbwts.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/1_PN21K_with_box.jpg Quoted: the PN21K stacks up nicely with the PVS-14 It's smaller and lighter, autogated Gen 3 http://www.thebangswitch.com/exclusive-new-optics-from-wolf/ https://d2444os31gbwts.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/1_PN21K_with_box.jpg For sale where? |
|
I have a TNVC PVS-14 and love it.
That said ... it depends on what are you going to do with it. $3500 is the entry into good Gen III gear. Gen II gear can be acceptable if you're going to supplement the tube's ability with and outside IR source. Gen I stuff is cheap, doesn't work well in very dark conditions or in urban conditions where there's streets lights and such (bloom/streaks). Mounting a scope on the rifle means you're having to point it at things that you need to look at ... and there's that pesky safety rule about never pointing a weapon and something you're not willing to shoot. I highly recommend getting a 1x monocular that can mount behind a red-dot-of-death or helmet mount. Mounted behind a NV capable red dot you can engage targets with confidence out to the limits of recognition with the NV ... more pesky safety rules. Mounted to a helmet you can wander around at night and use the red dot as needed - it's a bit difficult getting the eye relief wearing a freaking monocular but it can be done. The only place I would see a magnified rifle mounted scope being more useful is for long range almost static hunting. ETA: I want to see what the new ATN Xsight looks like after dark. Not night vision but I think it's going to work for a lot of people - and the price is going to work for a whole lot more. 
|
