Night vision monoculars

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Well guys I got the envie for a night vision monocular. Not into big time plunge down into the rabbit hole of night hunting hogs and so on but got a chance to use one the other night and was like "cool-I want one" basicly for looking around my back yard and up into the trees for critters, looking over the ponds in the pre dawn darkness to see what is out there and such. I'm not looking for a cheap 1st generation Russian thermal but I also don't need to spend 3-4 grand on one either. The one I used was a Taipan TM15-384 which was pretty sweett and I could live with the price but wonder if there are other better options out there that might be available. I see lots in the 80-125 dollar range but don't want to go cheap and get a piece o' **** that I will just throw in a drawer. The "independent review" sites are all sponsored and I don't trust any of them. What do you guys say?

 

[BE Mike]

Well guys I got the envie for a night vision monocular. Not into big time plunge down into the rabbit hole of night hunting hogs and so on but got a chance to use one the other night and was like "cool-I want one" basicly for looking around my back yard and up into the trees for critters, looking over the ponds in the pre dawn darkness to see what is out there and such. I'm not looking for a cheap 1st generation Russian thermal but I also don't need to spend 3-4 grand on one either. The one I used was a Taipan TM15-384 which was pretty sweett and I could live with the price but wonder if there are other better options out there that might be available. I see lots in the 80-125 dollar range but don't want to go cheap and get a piece o' **** that I will just throw in a drawer. The "independent review" sites are all sponsored and I don't trust any of them. What do you guys say?

I think that night vision is pretty much, "You get what you pay for!" Having used the best grade NVG's at the time, I'd go big or go home.

 

[22hipower]

I started with IR rifle scopes in the $400-$700 range. They work fine out to 100 yards or so, maybe a little further now. The handheld versions are probably ok too. And if all you're going to do is surveil the back yard and neighborhood you probably don't want to spend more. Add on IR "flashlights" extend the range.

If you want to get serious about it though thermal is the way to go. Pulsar makes some really good handheld products with 12 micron 640 resolution sensor. You can detect at 1000 yards plus and identify (pigs vs deer) at several hundreds. About $3k though although they have some lesser quality ones down to about $1500.

The thermals are expensive but for serious use they can't be beat. As BE Mike says, you get what you pay for with NV optics. Those $100-$200 devices are basically junk. I've got a couple I'll sell you for half what they cost me. . . .but would still be a waste of your money.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[wundudnee]

My son has some of the good stuff. He lives on the side of an Alabama mountain. He has many night critters. He was out one night recently and kept seeing streaks through the scope. It turned out to be flying squirrels. I saw some thermal outfits at the Tulsa show, the cheap stuff $3,000, the better just $6,000. I think I'll probably have to pass.

 

[Faulkner]

My experience with NVG is that if you're not spending at least $4K for gen 3+ you won't be happy with it.

All the sub $1K stuff I've used is junk.

I have a gen 3 set that is pretty impressive but it was costly.

 

[crows]

You also have to make sure whether it is passive or thermal equipment you want. They both have their benefits, but the ways they work is different. If there is no heat signature to be viewed then you aren't getting the benefit of thermal. However, if you want to see animals or other objects that give off a heat signature "jump out" at you through the scope, then thermal you want.
Not trying to sound like an expert, I certainly am not, but people without much time messing with this stuff might not know.
And yes, going cheap is a mistake. Having used some of the passive night vision while in the military in the '80's and now current technology, I will say that the difference is phenomenal and the reason to pay attention to the gen 1, gen 2, gen 3,etc classifications.

 

[Greyman50]

Years ago when living in Salem Va. went to Roanoke flea market every Sat. and Sun. One Sun. found a original night vision set like Faulkners for $400!!! Since they were mfg’ed there I was afraid they were “ hot”. Turns out the gentleman selling them was the BF of a widow of a former engineer that was gifted them on his retirement. Met him at night to test them and got a written receipt and have been happy since. Costs have come down quite a bit since but buy some good ones, not el cheapo’s.

 

[Sailfish 40]

I have a pvs-14 would sell for $2500.

 

[Greyman50]

Few years after picking up the night vision found the complete accessories kit in the issue OG bag at the big Hillsville flea market. Helmet mount and soft cap head band.

 

[bobsguns]

Much like computers, prices will rapidly come down while technology goes up. I bet in just a couple of years, those $5k units will be the $1k units.