Add-on Night Vision?

[illinoisburt]

I have a couple of night time hog hunts booked for 2022. They will have feeders with motion activated green lights set up so in theory regular day optics could be usuable, however I would prefer to use night vision so I have opportunities for animals away from the lights. Realistic ranges are going to be 75 to 300 yards. I do have IR monoculars already that I use at home to scan our pasture occasionally so I have a good idea of capabilities of the technology.

My primary concern at this point is cost/hassle. I have good optics on my hunting rifles and ARs (not a fan of red dots or reflex sights due to astigmatism). I don't want to be swapping out optics between day and night hunts just for these trips. Does anyone here have experience using an add-on intensifier or night vision capable camera system with existing daytime scopes? Have they worked and if so what limitations did you experience? I've got at least 2 people going so will need minimum 2 devices and would like to be under $500 price point since I can get stand alone sightmark IR scopes for around that price if the other stuff is junk. I know thermal is better but not in my budget for one off trips.

 

[AK Hunter]

would like to be under $500 price point

For two ? I honestly don't think that is possible at todays prices. LOL

 

[illinoisburt]

For two ? I honestly don't think that is possible at todays prices. LOL

Per item. If cost goes over $500 for an add-on I might as well by a couple of wraiths. I'd prefer to not have to change out optics between day and night, plus I'm not completely sold on the idea of a full time battery dependent gunsight.

 

[Chuck R.]

Since KS now allows NV for coyotes I'm now looking at that option.

For the couple of pig hunts I've gone on (friends lease in OK) I just used a green light mounted to my scope/forearm. We were hunting feeders (same green motion light) and the regular varmint light (green) worked well at those distances.

 

[BigBL87]

I have a Wraith w/ a Sniper Hog Lights 66LRX illuminator and the bolt action extended mount. Recently took it off my Axis, mainly because I realized due to logistics I won't get much opportunity for night hunting in the near future.

I'm not in sell it now mode because it's a cool toy, but if you might be interested shoot me a message. I'd sell it for what I have into it, which isn't bad since I got it at LE pricing. Having another little one on the way, could probably use a little extra cash, haha.

I will add it's not bad during daytime, especially with the scope cap trick. I got a lense cover and drilled a hole in the center. Sharpens it during the daytime by lowering the amount of excess light it let's in.

 

[Txhillbilly]

You can also rent night vision scopes. Just google Night Vision Scope Rentals, and there are several places that do it.
It sure beats buying cheap night vision units that usually aren't very good to begin with. Plus it lets you try out different models in order to see what you might purchase later.

 

[jmorris]

I don't want to be swapping out optics between day and night hunts just for these trips. Does anyone here have experience using an add-on intensifier or night vision capable camera system with existing daytime scopes? Have they worked and if so what limitations did you experience?

I can’t say I have lots of experience but I have played with an Oasis thermal on a flip up mount, in front of a night force 1-4.





In theory it should have worked good, in reality there was a zero shift between up and down. It was repeatable and could be compensated for but I wound up removing the scope and using only the thermal (it has adjustable “crosshair” capability). I don’t know what gun you are using but with good mounts it’s not a big deal to remove and replace an optic on a given AR.

If you already have IR, know the limits and are happy with them, I have one of these that is lightly used, with illuminator, additional usb rechargeable battery, cord, etc. I’d sell for $450. Can be used day and night.

 

[illinoisburt]

Still pondering since didn't really get an answer. I see Sightmark has sales through their Amazon store with a new Wraith HD 2-16x18 for $390 with prime so looks like that's a solution. Only going to get one for now and see what else comes out after the Shot announcements.

 

[BigBL87]

Still pondering since didn't really get an answer. I see Sightmark has sales through their Amazon store with a new Wraith HD 2-16x18 for $390 with prime so looks like that's a solution. Only going to get one for now and see what else comes out after the Shot announcements.

That's not a bad price at all. My 4-32x ran me $375 shipped w/ LE discount. I will say, though, if you want you get out beyond 100-150 yards or so, you'll definitely want an aftermarket illuminator. My SHL light extends that out to probably 500+ yards, haven't tried the much cheaper Lumenshooter A8 but based on what it can do with my monocular I'd guess that would push out to about 300 yards with that one.

One other thing I forgot to add before. In my experience, I'd assume the useful magnification is half of the maximum listed. Once you get above about 16x on the 4-32x, tends to get pretty pixelated.

 

[illinoisburt]

In my experience, I'd assume the useful magnification is half of the maximum listed. Once you get above about 16x on the 4-32x, tends to get pretty pixelated.

Not an issue. I do most of my hunting around 6x or so on variables, 2x or 4x on fixed. I like field of view over counting hairs.

 

[BigBL87]

Not an issue. I do most of my hunting around 6x or so on variables, 2x or 4x on fixed. I like field of view over counting hairs.

For sure. The idea of 32x was cool to me, but it really isn't practical at all.

 

[1942farmall]

I fly down to hunt pigs in Texas about every 6 months or so.
I couldn't justify the money on a thermal so purchased the original 4x32 Wraith and a better IR light that is mounted below the barrel up front.
I also have an auxiliary battery pack which I can easily run on all night.
I can easily see to 400+ yards.
Works great.
The only negative is that the field of view is a bit small. Especially when the hogs are running. Fog or rain plays hell with night vision too. Other than that I love it.
It also takes still photos or video (no sound)
That's what I'd recommend.
I did buy a Wicked light first but it didn't hold a candle to the Wraith.

 

[Chuck R.]

Still pondering since didn't really get an answer. I see Sightmark has sales through their Amazon store with a new Wraith HD 2-16x18 for $390 with prime so looks like that's a solution. Only going to get one for now and see what else comes out after the Shot announcements.

I almost bought the same deal, but Sightmark has come out with a 'mini' for around $700, so it looks like I'm saving my pennies for that. It's 2-16X and weighs 21.6 ounces.

 

[BigBL87]

I almost bought the same deal, but Sightmark has come out with a 'mini' for around $700, so it looks like I'm saving my pennies for that. It's 2-16X and weighs 21.6 ounces.

Those look pretty sweet. The 4K resolution makes a big difference too compared to the HD (1080p).

 

[Chuck R.]

Those look pretty sweet. The 4K resolution makes a big difference too compared to the HD (1080p).

Agreed, but I'm really impressed with the size, really not all that much bigger/heavier than a standard scope. Still it's a lot for what we're (in KS) are allowed to do with them. We're only allowed to use NV or even lights for a couple months starting in JAN and just for coyotes while on private property. Then we need to buy a tag for a couple bucks.

 

[gotboostvr]

Can't hunt anything here with NV or thermal.

Would really be all in if we could.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Per item. If cost goes over $500 for an add-on I might as well by a couple of wraiths. I'd prefer to not have to change out optics between day and night, plus I'm not completely sold on the idea of a full time battery dependent gunsight.

You can certainly hunt with a Wraith in daylight. That is the beauty of digital night vision. Scan with binos, shoot with the Wraith. You can make batteries last a long time like that.

 

[Chuck R.]

You can certainly hunt with a Wraith in daylight. That is the beauty of digital night vision. Scan with binos, shoot with the Wraith. You can make batteries last a long time like that.

I've thought about similar, but using the digital scope for shooting, and a thermal monocular for scanning/locating. It would seem to be cost effective.

 

[Zak Smith]

For hogs, it's thermal, no question. The entry level Burris weaponsight is a very good value.

 

[jmorris]

For hogs, it's thermal, no question.

Once you have tried both, this is easy to understand.

The pulsar core is another entry level one that is leaps and bounds more effective than the digital night vision stuff but being priced along the Burris thermal, it’s well above the OP’s budget.

 

[illinoisburt]

Sightmark ordered. We have seen a lot of development in this space in just the past few years. Given how fast tech is changing and getting substantially both cheaper and better, I feel more comfortable getting a lower tier IR for right now. Digital IR is literally dropped 75%+ in less than a decade. I expect that trend to continue given how good and inexpensive digital cameras have become we will see more companies incorporate them into gun optics. I am hesitant to spend thousands on a thermal when it's so likely the market will be saturated with much lower priced (and probably better resolution) ones in just a couple years.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Excellent on your purchase.

I expect that trend to continue given how good and inexpensive digital cameras have become we will see more companies incorporate them into gun optics. I am hesitant to spend thousands on a thermal when it's so likely the market will be saturated with much lower priced (and probably better resolution) ones in just a couple years.

I used to work for a thermal vendor. This logical always amazed me. With so much technology, prices tend to be less in the future. In a couple of years, you will be able to say the same thing about the prices to justify not making a purchase again. There is always something better just over the horizon...

As for the better resolution, it is out there. The current best standard in use by the masses is 640 resolution. The next step up right now is with an iRay that has a 1280 resolution camera (not a weapon sight) and it is only $30,000.
https://ultimatenightvision.com/iray-1280x1024-55mm-thermal-core-with-hdmi-output/



Even when other core/sensor makers (Ulis, BAE, FLIR, etc.) are able to develop 1280 resolution technology, the 640s will undoubtedly come down in price a bit, but the better resolution will still be many many thousands for years to come unless there happens to be some sort of revolutionary technological advances. In the last 6 years, it has been more about subtle improvements and image tweaks with no actual change in resolution for the sub $10k market. For example, micron size has dropped, hertz rate has increased, thermal sensitivity has increased, but the resolution has been capped at 640.

 

[illinoisburt]

With so much technology, prices tend to be less in the future. In a couple of years, you will be able to say the same thing about the prices to justify not making a purchase again. There is always something better just over the horizon

Maybe but then I could have simply decided a $30 green spotlight was good enough, too. The tech is advancing fast and for something I plan to use only a couple of times in the next year I can wait it out for thermal.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Maybe but then I could have simply decided a $30 green spotlight was good enough, too. The tech is advancing fast and for something I plan to use only a couple of times in the next year I can wait it out for thermal.

Then I would suggest that you rent thermals for your hunts. If you only do this sort of thing a couple of times a year, then renting is really a neat alternative.

 

[jmorris]

I am hesitant to spend thousands on a thermal when it's so likely the market will be saturated with much lower priced (and probably better resolution) ones in just a couple years.

I understand, in 1973 TI’s Datamath was a high tech 8 digit 4 function calculator that cost more than $100. And you could get a new car (Chevy Vega, AMC gremlin or Ford pinto) for under $2800. So they were not for everyone.



Now people send them to me for free that don’t require a half dozen nicad batteries, work off light and they have memory and square root functions.

Things like the seek thermal (plugging into cell phones and costing under $300 today) are a good sign of the technology getting cheaper and if your a young enough guy it will be common by the time you are the age of some of the old guys here.

That said, both the MRI and CT scans I have every year, each cost more than a usable thermal and I don’t know if I’ll be around to enjoy them by the time they get cheap enough my bank gives them out for free. We are all in different points in live with different priorities though.