I really want a Gen3 tube but dont have the $3600 now, so what would you suggest in the $1,000 range? Can a good Gen 2 be had? I'll eventually get a Gen3, but I'd rather not get a Gen 1 for now. The only experience I have is with the goggles we used in the Army 15 years ago.  I think they were Russian and all I recall is they had a loud hum They were old and often had to be sent in for repair.  Were those Gen2 or 3 you think? I'm thinking the best value would be a monocular as I'd use it for watching the night life in the woods and maybe a little coyote plinking. Can a good Gen 2 be gotten on a $1,000?

For a thousand you could get a used d300 probably. Or, maybe a set of pvs5 goggles. I don't know of any new quality (read not a waste of money) units at that price.  

Having just made the jump from gen2 to gen3, I say save your pennies. Gen2 is decent, but usually needs supplimental light to perfom really well.  Of course there is always DIY, buy a tube and buy/build a housing..

I waited and waited for the right deal to come along, and will have a complete pvs14 type gen3 mono unit for around 1400 but that's because of the sweet deal I got on the tube.

Brent

b, roger, thanks.  I'd rather not have a used unit as you never really know the history.  If the budget limit were raised to $1500 is a good new Gen2 scope possible or is a monocular a better bang for the buck? Who to buy from and what model?

TNVC has a standard NIB D-300 at that price point:



http://www.tnvc.com/shop/d-300-gen2-standard-night-vision-monocular/