Night Vision hunting Thread

[Coach W]

Well this thread has really sparked my interest, quick google search and I found this thread over at THF. Its a good read and a great comparison of the 3.5 to the 5, as well as some illuminators.

http://www.texashuntingforum.com/for...pics/5095760/1

[ATI]

Originally Posted by BuckTag

Newly married? Well... I won't be the guy you say "But Bucktag said..."... Hahaha... My NV setup is a 3rd Gen monocular from NVision Optics and they can run from 2500 on up, depending if where you buy it. I mount the monocular behind a NV compatible Eotech and I use a 3x magnifier lens that I snap onto my monocular that allows me to take shots out past 100 easy. You can shop different brands for NV, but you need to make sure it has a ITT tube. My NV has held up nicely and I've had them since 2006. Of course I'm @nal with my gear so I take care of it... For NV you'll need to get a IR light for moonless nights and for better ID'ing your target, and you can get one off amazon.com that is the best one for the price.. (K2 ELR IR Light), just under $200...

If 3k is out of your reach right now for 3rd Gen, you can get away with 2nd Gen as long as it's a quality tube. You can get a monocular 2nd Gen for just over 2k. I've looked through some 2nd Gen tubes and they're decent, but once you've hunted with 3rd Gen, it'll ruin it if you have 2nd Gen...

Not sure what kind of setup you're looking for... Dedicated scope or monocular or a clip on infront of a daytime scope... I've tried all three and I just prefer the monocular route. I don't want to limit a rifle to only night hunting, it would just be a waste to me. Check through the main sites online and see if they have any deals going.

If you want to try them out first, buy them off of Sportsman Guide or Cabelas... They take back the gear no questions asked. Cabelas has a 30 day limit on returns and unlimited through Sportsman Guide. I've ordered through both just to try out different models and see for myself if they'd work for me. If I didn't like them, they went back... No money lost, and I made sure I liked what I was keeping... Win/Win for me!

I'm saving this reply. Thank you sir!

[BuckTag]

.

[ATI]

Originally Posted by BuckTag

ATI, here's a thread over at AR15 that you can look at the comparison on the different Generation of NV so you can get a better idea... I could go into more detail, but I gotta letcha do some of your own research .... If you have any questions just let me know.

AR15 NV Comparison

It's blocked from work, but I'll take a look from home.

[BuckTag]

ATI, here's a thread over at AR15 that you can look at the comparison on the different Generation of NV so you can get a better idea... I could go into more detail, but I gotta letcha do some of your own research .... If you have any questions just let me know.

AR15 NV Comparison

[dcanady]

great work!

[Chuy]

Originally Posted by Coach W

Jumping in here with a quick question.

How does the Sightmark Photon 3.5x digital scope compare to the 2nd or 3rd Gen NV?

Coudnt tell you off hand, but I will say that when you look through the Photon, its like looking at a low resolution black and white tv, instead of green. It does look that the NV is clearer from the photos. I do like how the photon self adjusts to the distances the reticile is focused on, so the illuminator doesnt bleed out any detail when moving from short range to say. 100 yards. At 100 yards on a moonless night, I can count the spots on the hog, see their ears twitch, etc. then, they die

[Drycreek3189]

Good advice to order from Cabelas. I bought an ATN Night Arrow Gen 2 last year........but it did not go back. Comes with the IR illuminator too, so nothing else to add ! On moonless nights , it's adequate to 125 yd. or so, but on three quarter to full moons, it's way beyond that . If you are hunting feeders or pipes, get a couple IR illuminators ( 12 volt ) that cost under $10 ea., point them where the pigs will be ,( run them with feeder batteries ), they light the area up like a parking lot when viewed through nite vision.

[Coach W]

Originally Posted by Chuy

Coudnt tell you off hand, but I will say that when you look through the Photon, its like looking at a low resolution black and white tv, instead of green. It does look that the NV is clearer from the photos. I do like how the photon self adjusts to the distances the reticile is focused on, so the illuminator doesnt bleed out any detail when moving from short range to say. 100 yards. At 100 yards on a moonless night, I can count the spots on the hog, see their ears twitch, etc. then, they die

What is your set up in the pics? Doubler? Magnifier? Extra IR?

I've got a gen 1 NV scope I traded into years ago... It just sets in the gun room, never was that impressed with it... Hoping this photon will be an improvement on it... I don't want to move laterally.

[altez]

Originally Posted by ATI

I'm saving this reply. Thank you sir!

I was actually able to get a blemished pvs-14 for 2k from ident marking last September. I like the monocular route as well since you can use it to scan while bow hunting too. ITT tubes are nice but if you plan to use it on a rifle larger than 5.56 go with L3 tubes (up to .308).

Once you go Gen 3 you don't want any less but then you start wanting thermal.

[Chuy]

Originally Posted by Coach W

What is your set up in the pics? Doubler? Magnifier? Extra IR?

I've got a gen 1 NV scope I traded into years ago... It just sets in the gun room, never was that impressed with it... Hoping this photon will be an improvement on it... I don't want to move laterally.

I'm running a photon 3.5x with a UNV 20IR on a custom 6.8 ARPerformace/Mega AR. No magnifier.

I have a gen 1 NV binoculars and the photon is a big step up IMO. Especially as a combo.

[kumathebear]

HAD to look again at this thread. All I can say is "glad I don't have one, would NEVER get any sleep!"

[Outdoor Legacy]

Originally Posted by Coach W

Jumping in here with a quick question.

How does the Sightmark Photon 3.5x digital scope compare to the 2nd or 3rd Gen NV?

I think it's hard to compare digital NV with traditional NV but from my research, it appears as if the Photon is often compared to Gen 2 and the Pulsar N750 is almost comparable to Gen 3. Those aren't my words, just what I've read and heard out of the mouths of guys who have used both.

I've got some Sightmark Gen 1 optics and they are pretty nice. Very clear and much better than what I expected after hearing people talk bad about Gen 1 for so long. But....I've shown these Photons and the Gen 1 stuff to a lot of guys, Marines, DPS Troopers, gun nuts and a lot of average Joe's who have never held a NV optic. Without fail every single time the Photon and/or the N750 is the big talk. Everyone would think the Gen 1 was awesome if you didn't show them the digital NV.

I'm really don't want to directly compare the Photon with traditional tube NV because it's apples and oranges but it's safe to say that the Photon is probably going to win the race over Gen 1 in most people's minds. The Pulsar N750 is even better than that. The Photon shines because of the quality for the price.

[Outdoor Legacy]

Also, I sold my last Photon yesterday to a TBH'er yesterday from this thread.

I'm now accepting backorders. I should have more in within the next two weeks according to my Sightmark rep.

[RogueSamurai]

Going NV hunting in a couple weeks...will report.

[Coach W]

Aight... Now im gonna need to know more about the pulsar n750... Pics of it in use?

[Chad C]

Originally Posted by Coach W

Aight... Now im gonna need to know more about the pulsar n750... Pics of it in use?

Pulsar Digisight n750 Riflescope - First Look Review - YouTube

[Coach W]

This bug Yall put in my ear just keeps getting more expensive. Lol.

[Ecoboost]

I just ordered a a Surefire Vampire scout light! I don't even have night vision yet ....

[Phillip Fields]

I'm waiting on my Photon I ordered from Jason. For the time being I'm going to run it on my 5.56. I'm thinking about another upper. I'm trying to decide on caliber, I don't have any experience with anything other than the 5.56 on an AR platform. I'm thinking maybe 6.8, but the .458 SOCOM really intrigues me.

[Chuy]

CoachW. MAUAHA!!!

Ecoboost - you have a sickness, im diggin it.

Phillip - You are going to love that scope for sure. I'd go with the 6.8. easier to find ammo and still gets the job done with ease.

[Phillip Fields]

Originally Posted by Chuy

I'm running a photon 3.5x with a UNV 20IR on a custom 6.8 ARPerformace/Mega AR. No magnifier.

I have a gen 1 NV binoculars and the photon is a big step up IMO. Especially as a combo.

Chuy,

Do you think the UNV 201R is any real benefit? Have you tried a doubler?

[ATI]

Originally Posted by Ecoboost

I just ordered a a Surefire Vampire scout light! I don't even have night vision yet ....

LOL...

[Phillip Fields]

Hey Jason, I received the Photon today and mounted it on my AR. Can't wait to try it out.

[Outdoor Legacy]

Originally Posted by Phillip Fields

Hey Jason, I received the Photon today and mounted it on my AR. Can't wait to try it out.

Awesome, glad to hear you got it and mounted it up. Sooooo, I assume you are out in the backyard testing it out right now? Let me know if you have any questions or need anything at all.

[Ecoboost]

Originally Posted by Phillip Fields

Hey Jason, I received the Photon today and mounted it on my AR. Can't wait to try it out.

Make sure to give us a review!

[rednecktbrizz7]

Following

[Phillip Fields]

Couldn't tell too much in the backyard last night. Several of the neighbors have outside lights and I had some bright spots. I was able to read the name of my boat at about 25 yards when I could only see a dim outline of the boat with the naked eye.

I also tried it in my darkened hallway. There is a bear figurine on top of a bookcase at the end, I could clearly identify the bear with the Photon when I couldn't see it. I need to play around with the controls to see what works for me. Hopefully I can get down to the farm in NC in the next couple of weeks. I think I'm going to have fun with this new toy.

[Outdoor Legacy]

Glad to hear it Phillip. I think you are going to be impressed when you get it out in some more open spaces were you can see further.

[Outdoor Legacy]

Also, just to let everyone know I should have the 3.5x42 Photons in stock tomorrow. They are supposed to be shipped today from Sightmark. They received no 5x units and they said to consider them discontinued and done with.

I guess if someone really wants the extra magnification they can go with a UNV 1.7x doubler. I'm a dealer for them now, as well as the UNV 20ir illuminators.

If anyone has any questions or is interested in a 3.5x Photon drop me a PM.

- Jason

[Chuy]

Originally Posted by Phillip Fields

Chuy,

Do you think the UNV 201R is any real benefit? Have you tried a doubler?

Its a HUGE benefit. Well worth the money. The on-board IR illuminator is kind of disappointing on the photon, with the UNV its like night and day, pun intended. You can adjust the beam too, which is very handy when going from short to long shots.

I have not tried the doubler, yet, but may make that transition later. Reviews look good

I DID just order the recorder attachment for the Photon and plan on putting it to use, whenever that may be, so thats exciting.

[BuckTag]

Hit up the range this morning to sight in one of my new FLIR setups. Headed to the lease mañana to break em in on some hogs and yotes!

[Chuy]

^^^dannnnggg!!

[BuckTag]

My other one is setup on a AR10 and handled the recoil with ease.

[Texas_Shooter]

this is a good thread, keep it coming, getting the fever!

[Samson]

In addition to the 5x being discontinued, they are switching away from the knobs on the photons and moving to buttons instead, as well as going all digital. Sounds like their next product will be more like pulsar's DNV offerings. No eta from Sightmark yet on when they will make the switch but I would buy the current configuration while you can. They are well worth it!

[jawdog]

I like that Flir setup. Anyone ever used a fusion night vision + thermal sight?

[jawdog]

My Armasight thermal. Great varmint hunter.

[hrdwrkncwby76]

I think I'm gonna go with this option...........

http://www.nitesiteusa.com/products-...ionscopemount/

[BuckTag]

[Blue Tick]

Originally Posted by hrdwrkncwby76

I think I'm gonna go with this option...........

http://www.nitesiteusa.com/products-...ionscopemount/

Let us know if you do go with this and what your thoughts of it are!

[hrdwrkncwby76]

Originally Posted by Blue Tick

Let us know if you do go with this and what your thoughts of it are!

Will do indeed

[Phillip Fields]

Chuy, Your thread is costing me, I just ordered a UNV 20ir illuminator.

[Blue Tick]

Any of you photon guys used them in the daylight? How does it work?

[altez]

Originally Posted by BuckTag

Attachment 619625

so much sexyness right there

[Chuy]

Phillip. LOL!! Wait until I post a video from the video recorder I just got today. Awesome!

Blue tick. They work ok, better in the shadows. you do get some washout but to make a shot on an animal shouldn't be difficult. I'll try and post a video of day and night

[Phillip Fields]

Originally Posted by Chuy

Phillip. LOL!! Wait until I post a video from the video recorder I just got today. Awesome!

Blue tick. They work ok, better in the shadows. you do get some washout but to make a shot on an animal shouldn't be difficult. I'll try and post a video of day and night

Chuy, I'm not going to look at it.

[Chuy]

Hey Bucktag, I see you had a good weekend. I'm Jealous.

Anyone running suppressors on their NV? Just trying to imagine how incredibly awesome it is. lol.

[BuckTag]

Had fun! Headed to the ranch this weekend to slay some animals.

[Phillip Fields]

Just received my UNV 20-IR.