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Posted: 9/3/2016 6:26:21 PM EDT
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With a holiday coupon with Sportsman Guide this weekend, I was thinking of taking the plunge into digital night vision. I know the experts will chime in and say save your money for real night vision. Night vision for me will be a toy with real world practicality if needs be.
That being said, I`m looking at the sightmark Photon 4.6 and the ATN X sight II 3x. Which of the two would be the better option? Thanks in advance for yor opinions. 
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Quoted: With a holiday coupon with Sportsman Guide this weekend, I was thinking of taking the plunge into digital night vision. I know the experts will chime in and say save your money for real night vision. Night vision for me will be a toy with real world practicality if needs be. That being said, I`m looking at the sightmark Photon 4.6 and the ATN X sight II 3x. Which of the two would be the better option? Thanks in advance for yor opinions. Night Vision is just a toy to most of us here - still, there's no point wasting money on a toy. You need to ask yourself what application you have for this toy. I assume you're shooting from the post - What are the ranges? Do you have anything in the overshoot area? What kinds of targets are you shooting at? Out to 100m, Gen1 and Digital are just fine. They even have some application beyond that - buy they aren't really serious night vision. Also, you're going to hate batteries and constantly having the charge and replace them - digital is power thirsty. Tell us a bit about what you're doing with your NV and I'm sure that others will chime in with their experiences - Keep in mind that for the cost of a digital, you're not that far from finding a bargain Gen2 or even a Gen3 secondhand. David. |
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Night Vision is just a toy to most of us here - still, there's no point wasting money on a toy. You need to ask yourself what application you have for this toy. I assume you're shooting from the post - What are the ranges? Do you have anything in the overshoot area? What kinds of targets are you shooting at? Out to 100m, Gen1 and Digital are just fine. They even have some application beyond that - buy they aren't really serious night vision. Also, you're going to hate batteries and constantly having the charge and replace them - digital is power thirsty. Tell us a bit about what you're doing with your NV and I'm sure that others will chime in with their experiences - Keep in mind that for the cost of a digital, you're not that far from finding a bargain Gen2 or even a Gen3 secondhand. David. Quoted:
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With a holiday coupon with Sportsman Guide this weekend, I was thinking of taking the plunge into digital night vision. I know the experts will chime in and say save your money for real night vision. Night vision for me will be a toy with real world practicality if needs be. That being said, I`m looking at the sightmark Photon 4.6 and the ATN X sight II 3x. Which of the two would be the better option? Thanks in advance for yor opinions. Night Vision is just a toy to most of us here - still, there's no point wasting money on a toy. You need to ask yourself what application you have for this toy. I assume you're shooting from the post - What are the ranges? Do you have anything in the overshoot area? What kinds of targets are you shooting at? Out to 100m, Gen1 and Digital are just fine. They even have some application beyond that - buy they aren't really serious night vision. Also, you're going to hate batteries and constantly having the charge and replace them - digital is power thirsty. Tell us a bit about what you're doing with your NV and I'm sure that others will chime in with their experiences - Keep in mind that for the cost of a digital, you're not that far from finding a bargain Gen2 or even a Gen3 secondhand. David. I`m thinking 100m or less. It`s mostly a"bucket list" project. From reading the hog hunting threads here on ARF, I`d like to try it in the not too distant future. The price has decreased and the capability seems to be adequate at least. With a discount code at Sportsman Guide , I could get a Photon and an illuminator for around $400 US. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/sightmark-photon-xt-46x42s-digital-night-vision-rifle-scope-ir-illuminator-kit?a=1950843 |
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Video demo of photon 4.6 from UNV
The IR1=low IR2=med IR3=hi is the built in infrared illuminator in the photon good to about 75-80yds from my experience. External ir light will increase the range, which will depend on the power of ir source you can buy, with enough ir light it can look like it does during the day. All you need is one as bright as the sun :) https://youtu.be/VAXZV0-JHoU |
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Quoted: I`m thinking 100m or less. It`s mostly a"bucket list" project. From reading the hog hunting threads here on ARF, I`d like to try it in the not too distant future. The price has decreased and the capability seems to be adequate at least. With a discount code at Sportsman Guide , I could get a Photon and an illuminator for around $400 US. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/sightmark-photon-xt-46x42s-digital-night-vision-rifle-scope-ir-illuminator-kit?a=1950843 Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: With a holiday coupon with Sportsman Guide this weekend, I was thinking of taking the plunge into digital night vision. I know the experts will chime in and say save your money for real night vision. Night vision for me will be a toy with real world practicality if needs be. That being said, I`m looking at the sightmark Photon 4.6 and the ATN X sight II 3x. Which of the two would be the better option? Thanks in advance for yor opinions. Night Vision is just a toy to most of us here - still, there's no point wasting money on a toy. You need to ask yourself what application you have for this toy. I assume you're shooting from the post - What are the ranges? Do you have anything in the overshoot area? What kinds of targets are you shooting at? Out to 100m, Gen1 and Digital are just fine. They even have some application beyond that - buy they aren't really serious night vision. Also, you're going to hate batteries and constantly having the charge and replace them - digital is power thirsty. Tell us a bit about what you're doing with your NV and I'm sure that others will chime in with their experiences - Keep in mind that for the cost of a digital, you're not that far from finding a bargain Gen2 or even a Gen3 secondhand. David. I`m thinking 100m or less. It`s mostly a"bucket list" project. From reading the hog hunting threads here on ARF, I`d like to try it in the not too distant future. The price has decreased and the capability seems to be adequate at least. With a discount code at Sportsman Guide , I could get a Photon and an illuminator for around $400 US. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/sightmark-photon-xt-46x42s-digital-night-vision-rifle-scope-ir-illuminator-kit?a=1950843 Oh, if it's a bucket list thing, then don't go digital - you'll never know what you're missing out on... For a bucket list, I'd recommend a PVS-14 and then try to mount it, or use a laser. I can't stress that highly enough - even if you just find someone with good NV and go for a walk at night with it far from the city, when there's no moon out. Digital is like using a flashlight - sure, you can see, but only about a hundred yards or so - It's not really any different to a flashlight except the animals can't see it. But good Gen3? It's like the entire universe opens up and welcomes you in - it's transcendence that runs on an AA battery. Going digital is like wanting to drink really expensive wine at least once, and settling for something on the top shelf of the local bar. Sure, it's still going to be enjoyable, but the experience is going to be rather hollow if you ever try the real stuff. Regards David. |
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Quoted: I`m thinking 100m or less. It`s mostly a"bucket list" project. From reading the hog hunting threads here on ARF, I`d like to try it in the not too distant future. The price has decreased and the capability seems to be adequate at least. With a discount code at Sportsman Guide , I could get a Photon and an illuminator for around $400 US. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/sightmark-photon-xt-46x42s-digital-night-vision-rifle-scope-ir-illuminator-kit?a=1950843 Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: With a holiday coupon with Sportsman Guide this weekend, I was thinking of taking the plunge into digital night vision. I know the experts will chime in and say save your money for real night vision. Night vision for me will be a toy with real world practicality if needs be. That being said, I`m looking at the sightmark Photon 4.6 and the ATN X sight II 3x. Which of the two would be the better option? Thanks in advance for yor opinions. Night Vision is just a toy to most of us here - still, there's no point wasting money on a toy. You need to ask yourself what application you have for this toy. I assume you're shooting from the post - What are the ranges? Do you have anything in the overshoot area? What kinds of targets are you shooting at? Out to 100m, Gen1 and Digital are just fine. They even have some application beyond that - buy they aren't really serious night vision. Also, you're going to hate batteries and constantly having the charge and replace them - digital is power thirsty. Tell us a bit about what you're doing with your NV and I'm sure that others will chime in with their experiences - Keep in mind that for the cost of a digital, you're not that far from finding a bargain Gen2 or even a Gen3 secondhand. David. I`m thinking 100m or less. It`s mostly a"bucket list" project. From reading the hog hunting threads here on ARF, I`d like to try it in the not too distant future. The price has decreased and the capability seems to be adequate at least. With a discount code at Sportsman Guide , I could get a Photon and an illuminator for around $400 US. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/sightmark-photon-xt-46x42s-digital-night-vision-rifle-scope-ir-illuminator-kit?a=1950843 If you are on Facebook, go to the "ATN Smart HD Owners" group and ask to join. Owning a scope is not a requirement. The piss and moan club may show up to say nasty things about the FB group censoring "dissent" - funny thing - if you "dissent" very strongly (i.e. being rude) to one of the site sponsors on AR15.com, you stand an excellent chance of being "censored". IAC, there are more pig hunting videos posted over there on any given day they you will see at any other night vision forum on the internet. All by people using scopes that get zero tolerance in this night vision forum because there are "so many better options" ... as long as you are willing to spend thousands of dollars. FYI, I just dropped thousands of dollars for a thermal sight, it's REALLY nice but I haven't forgotten what it's like to not be willing and/or able to drop that kind of real money for something which will only be an occasional thing. The bulk of the people telling you digital doesn't work are the people on here who have thousands - or in some instances, tens of thousands invested in their Gen 3 and thermal gear. Is digital anywhere NEAR the capabilities of their gear? NOPE! But the videos over on the ATN FB group will prove their stuff can MORE than meet your need. |
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If you are on Facebook, go to the "ATN Smart HD Owners" group and ask to join. Owning a scope is not a requirement. The piss and moan club may show up to say nasty things about the FB group censoring "dissent" - funny thing - if you "dissent" very strongly (i.e. being rude) to one of the site sponsors on AR15.com, you stand an excellent chance of being "censored". IAC, there are more pig hunting videos posted over there on any given day they you will see at any other night vision forum on the internet. All by people using scopes that get zero tolerance in this night vision forum because there are "so many better options" ... as long as you are willing to spend thousands of dollars. FYI, I just dropped thousands of dollars for a thermal sight, it's REALLY nice but I haven't forgotten what it's like to not be willing and/or able to drop that kind of real money for something which will only be an occasional thing. The bulk of the people telling you digital doesn't work are the people on here who have thousands - or in some instances, tens of thousands invested in their Gen 3 and thermal gear. Is digital anywhere NEAR the capabilities of their gear? NOPE! But the videos over on the ATN FB group will prove their stuff can MORE than meet your need. I`m a member of the Facebook group. Honestly, I haven`t spent much time there. But you are right about some of the members of this forum. If it it isn`t image intensification, or thermal it ain`t sh*t. Look at the comments about the Scout TK. It isn`t as capable as the other scout models, but isn`t meant to be. People forget the meaning of "entry level". I also just bought a condo, so I`m not going to cough up a lung for a Gen II or III, or high end thermal. At least not until I hit the Powerball.  A $400-500 set up won`t kill me. I have other priorities that presently prevent me from spending thousands of $ on optics I`ll be shooting on an occaisonal basis. I also like that digital is less likely to be damaged by an accidental exposure to bright light. So if I inadvertinently slip up, I don`t have a very expensive paper weight.
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What's funny is digital is looked at like a redhead step child, but look at the digital images thermal produces.
Kinda like crappy model digitals as far as clarity goes, and yes a few $7k thermal scopes are getting very good images. The clarity of the photon or ATN is much better, it sees a different spectrum of light, but image quality is better. Switching from my thermal to the photon is like wow, hard to believe the quality difference. Now the critters are not white hot or black hot but grass is defined and eye shine is visible you can tell a yote from a someone's pet dog. And for a fraction of the price of thermal. As tools for night hunting or eradication each has its good and bad points no one device has it all covered. I have hundreds of hours behind each technology and know the draw back to each. Some of the areas I have hunted have more 2 legged illegal critters then 4 legged, and having thermal and NV is a must in those areas. You don't want to be suprised by drug runners. |
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Yeah, we have exclusive access to large areas of State lands that are restricted access only and wildlife refuges with no humans on them at all, however they still have reefer grow operations and poachers that we have stumbled onto at night and sicced Law Enforcement and the Fish/Game Wardens on resulting in quite a few felony busts.
It is always frightening to come up on a two legged creature at night miles from anywhere where they are trespassing and worse. Definitely need to be prepared. |
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I went ahead and ordered the Photon. From the research I did on line, it seemed to have few if any issues compared to the X Sight. Now I have to hurry up and wait. Yes it's a no frills unit with not much to go wrong. The 1 gen photon had mechanical cross hairs, the 4.6 has electronic cross hairs which have no parallax because they are on the display screen. Now a good illuminator will help the 940nm unit has less glow but less effective power. |
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I think you will be happy with it for the money spent.
Like hardware said, get the biggest 940nm light you can find. For hunting I have found anything less spooks the critters around here. And if you are trying to stay hidden the red glow of a 800-850nm light can be see with the human eye from a pretty good distance. |
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Oh, if it's a bucket list thing, then don't go digital - you'll never know what you're missing out on... For a bucket list, I'd recommend a PVS-14 and then try to mount it, or use a laser. I can't stress that highly enough - even if you just find someone with good NV and go for a walk at night with it far from the city, when there's no moon out. Digital is like using a flashlight - sure, you can see, but only about a hundred yards or so - It's not really any different to a flashlight except the animals can't see it. But good Gen3? It's like the entire universe opens up and welcomes you in - it's transcendence that runs on an AA battery. Going digital is like wanting to drink really expensive wine at least once, and settling for something on the top shelf of the local bar. Sure, it's still going to be enjoyable, but the experience is going to be rather hollow if you ever try the real stuff. Regards David. Quoted:
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With a holiday coupon with Sportsman Guide this weekend, I was thinking of taking the plunge into digital night vision. I know the experts will chime in and say save your money for real night vision. Night vision for me will be a toy with real world practicality if needs be. That being said, I`m looking at the sightmark Photon 4.6 and the ATN X sight II 3x. Which of the two would be the better option? Thanks in advance for yor opinions. Night Vision is just a toy to most of us here - still, there's no point wasting money on a toy. You need to ask yourself what application you have for this toy. I assume you're shooting from the post - What are the ranges? Do you have anything in the overshoot area? What kinds of targets are you shooting at? Out to 100m, Gen1 and Digital are just fine. They even have some application beyond that - buy they aren't really serious night vision. Also, you're going to hate batteries and constantly having the charge and replace them - digital is power thirsty. Tell us a bit about what you're doing with your NV and I'm sure that others will chime in with their experiences - Keep in mind that for the cost of a digital, you're not that far from finding a bargain Gen2 or even a Gen3 secondhand. David. I`m thinking 100m or less. It`s mostly a"bucket list" project. From reading the hog hunting threads here on ARF, I`d like to try it in the not too distant future. The price has decreased and the capability seems to be adequate at least. With a discount code at Sportsman Guide , I could get a Photon and an illuminator for around $400 US. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/sightmark-photon-xt-46x42s-digital-night-vision-rifle-scope-ir-illuminator-kit?a=1950843 Oh, if it's a bucket list thing, then don't go digital - you'll never know what you're missing out on... For a bucket list, I'd recommend a PVS-14 and then try to mount it, or use a laser. I can't stress that highly enough - even if you just find someone with good NV and go for a walk at night with it far from the city, when there's no moon out. Digital is like using a flashlight - sure, you can see, but only about a hundred yards or so - It's not really any different to a flashlight except the animals can't see it. But good Gen3? It's like the entire universe opens up and welcomes you in - it's transcendence that runs on an AA battery. Going digital is like wanting to drink really expensive wine at least once, and settling for something on the top shelf of the local bar. Sure, it's still going to be enjoyable, but the experience is going to be rather hollow if you ever try the real stuff. Regards David. You're not lying here... the first time I used a PVS 14 outside of basic was up in Alaska, the Aurora borealis was out and you see stars and shit in the sky you didn't know existed. Pretty damn cool the first time you see it. The Aurora under NVG's was pretty intense as well. |
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You're not lying here... the first time I used a PVS 14 outside of basic was up in Alaska, the Aurora borealis was out and you see stars and shit in the sky you didn't know existed. Pretty damn cool the first time you see it. The Aurora under NVG's was pretty intense as well. Quoted:
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With a holiday coupon with Sportsman Guide this weekend, I was thinking of taking the plunge into digital night vision. I know the experts will chime in and say save your money for real night vision. Night vision for me will be a toy with real world practicality if needs be. That being said, I`m looking at the sightmark Photon 4.6 and the ATN X sight II 3x. Which of the two would be the better option? Thanks in advance for yor opinions. Night Vision is just a toy to most of us here - still, there's no point wasting money on a toy. You need to ask yourself what application you have for this toy. I assume you're shooting from the post - What are the ranges? Do you have anything in the overshoot area? What kinds of targets are you shooting at? Out to 100m, Gen1 and Digital are just fine. They even have some application beyond that - buy they aren't really serious night vision. Also, you're going to hate batteries and constantly having the charge and replace them - digital is power thirsty. Tell us a bit about what you're doing with your NV and I'm sure that others will chime in with their experiences - Keep in mind that for the cost of a digital, you're not that far from finding a bargain Gen2 or even a Gen3 secondhand. David. I`m thinking 100m or less. It`s mostly a"bucket list" project. From reading the hog hunting threads here on ARF, I`d like to try it in the not too distant future. The price has decreased and the capability seems to be adequate at least. With a discount code at Sportsman Guide , I could get a Photon and an illuminator for around $400 US. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/sightmark-photon-xt-46x42s-digital-night-vision-rifle-scope-ir-illuminator-kit?a=1950843 Oh, if it's a bucket list thing, then don't go digital - you'll never know what you're missing out on... For a bucket list, I'd recommend a PVS-14 and then try to mount it, or use a laser. I can't stress that highly enough - even if you just find someone with good NV and go for a walk at night with it far from the city, when there's no moon out. Digital is like using a flashlight - sure, you can see, but only about a hundred yards or so - It's not really any different to a flashlight except the animals can't see it. But good Gen3? It's like the entire universe opens up and welcomes you in - it's transcendence that runs on an AA battery. Going digital is like wanting to drink really expensive wine at least once, and settling for something on the top shelf of the local bar. Sure, it's still going to be enjoyable, but the experience is going to be rather hollow if you ever try the real stuff. Regards David. You're not lying here... the first time I used a PVS 14 outside of basic was up in Alaska, the Aurora borealis was out and you see stars and shit in the sky you didn't know existed. Pretty damn cool the first time you see it. The Aurora under NVG's was pretty intense as well. I always wanted to experience that! I need to get up there during this time. |
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Going digital is like wanting to drink really expensive wine at least once, and settling for something on the top shelf of the local bar. Sure, it's still going to be enjoyable, but the experience is going to be rather hollow if you ever try the real stuff. Regards David. This is a quote I will be stealing.... |
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