Info on cheap night vision wanted
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The cheaper stuff is better than what you think. It certainly isn't comparable to something selling in the 5 digit range, but for 50-100 yd. range it does work. If you have a LGS selling night vision they will probably let you try a scope or binoculars to see if you like them as long as you don't take them off premises.
What’s your intended application / use?
I have the Sightmark Digital night vision scopes on my hog rifles. They are about 500.00 and make night vision anything a snap. With their supplied IR torch I can easily see 280 yards, the max distance on the
cleared sendero. Easy to operate and have probably shot more than a dozen hogs with them and I have only had a short time. Check out youtube videos.
cleared sendero. Easy to operate and have probably shot more than a dozen hogs with them and I have only had a short time. Check out youtube videos.
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Just to check things out after dark from my tree stand up to 200 yds.
1st post
From my limited research, around the $500 mark you get some offerings that are generally just a digital camera, maybe with a half decent zoom, with IR illuminator to produce what they call night vision and they work ok like that. I would guess that anything cheaper is something to the effect of a digital camera with IR illuminator, at best. Whether that will suit your needs depends on what you plan to do with it. Real night vision ($$$$) will generally work well without an IR source unless in absolute darkness and will be adequate for far more applications. I see it a bit differently than most. If the role it will play is not a regular or crucial role then it may not warrant spending thousands on it. Maybe a $500 or so unit suits you just fine and will at least meet your needs. If your life, safety or livelihood depend on it then some real night vision needs to be on the menu.
From my limited research, around the $500 mark you get some offerings that are generally just a digital camera, maybe with a half decent zoom, with IR illuminator to produce what they call night vision and they work ok like that. I would guess that anything cheaper is something to the effect of a digital camera with IR illuminator, at best. Whether that will suit your needs depends on what you plan to do with it. Real night vision ($$$$) will generally work well without an IR source unless in absolute darkness and will be adequate for far more applications. I see it a bit differently than most. If the role it will play is not a regular or crucial role then it may not warrant spending thousands on it. Maybe a $500 or so unit suits you just fine and will at least meet your needs. If your life, safety or livelihood depend on it then some real night vision needs to be on the menu.
Roger that. I am sure someone here will make some recommendations to suit your needs and price point. My recommendations will far exceed your intended use and price point so it might not be much help to you or discouraging.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
Hows the pentax stuff?
I was given a Subir about 10 years ago, made in Russia with the Bushnell name in very small print some where on the unit. It is good for 40-50yds max and that is with the IR illuminator turned on. And even this POS has its uses. If I wanted to see everything on my property (1.25acres) i could mount IR lights beyond this max distance and use the external IR light source to extend the range. Two hundred yds in the woods is going to require some thing a lot better than a cheap one.
Not a bino but the Sightmark wraith is outstanding. Can see 600 yards with it. $500.
how is the lag and fov on yours? do you have 2x or 4x? thanks
Sightmark is the brand we used to sell and had very good luck with it. On the other hand if you're a shooter that believes that the only thing that will work is something for $12,000 then by all means go for it.
There is lag, maybe a second or so and the FOV sucks. They say 4 power but looks like 6. But.... buddy bought a $2000 gen 2 and he couldn’t see deer 300 yards away and I could. He also some some other digital NV and it didn’t seem worth the money to me . ($800&$1000).
He does have a shop so this is inventory.
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