I can’t justify anymore firearms so it’s time to move on. I much prefer LR /prone shooting and really have no interest in helmet mounted NV. I wanted a device that could AT LEAST stand up to 338 Lapua, but 50BMG is preferred. I really liked the E3 Harris CNVD LR, but it’s only rated to 308. I found that the Eotech ClipNV LR is not only good to 20x mag, but also 50 cal rated. Anyone know of a better (maybe even better priced unit) or a reason I should not go with this unit? Price is not a huge concern. This is a buy once cry once purchase. Also I would like to be able to shoot as far as possible. Would adding a MAWL extend its range? This will see use primarily on my MRAD, Barrett M82, and 18” 6.5 Grendel. It will be a couple months (at least I’m trying to wait at least that long) before I purchase this to gather as much info as possible. I appreciate any insight!
About to purchase weapon mounted NV. Opinions please
- Thread starter thedude824
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I will be replacing the ATACR 5-25 on the MRAD with an ATACR 7-35 and moving the ATACR 5-25 to the M82. The Grendel wears an NX8 2.5-20x
I would strongly suggest going thermal vs NV. The pros have all moved to thermal. Target detection is so much better.
I haven't been able to look through the latest thermal, mine is only 384 core so maybe things have changed. But my take is thermal excels at detection, but falls short on identification and precision, has that changed?
OP, how far and for what? Target, Hunting?
Yeah. You have those assumptions because you have only looked through a 384 core thermal. It will perform like shit at distance.
The new good stuff is very capable out to 1K. If you have USG money then that goes out to as far as you want it to.
The new good stuff is very capable out to 1K. If you have USG money then that goes out to as far as you want it to.
There is alot to making this decision. If you have access to a powerful IR illuminator, NV works well for static (IE steel plate) target shooting to long distances. The ClipNV units are good quality and I think they have Elbit tubes of reasonably high spec. That being said you can get retubed PVS units that are higher FOM but I don't know if they are rated to 50 BMG.
Good thermal (640 core units blows these out of the water for detection and hunting. Unless you pay BIG bucks though, target ID is more difficult. Also it will suffer in conditions where the temperature differential is minimized... IE certain times of day/night, shooting unheated steel plates on the backdrop of a hillside can be almost impossible. This is negated if you are engaging living targets of course.
While not even the latest generation unit, I have been able to successfully ID smaller animals like turkeys out to ~600 yards with a ClipIR XELR. In comparison, my friend has a L3 high FOM retubed PVS 30 and also does well... But it lacks the immediate detection and engagement capability.
Another question is even if a unit is rated to 50 BMG... Do you actually want to abuse your extremely expensive unit with heavy recoil? Or have it lose collimation? Also if you think spotting hits with a heavy recoiling weapon is hard during the day, it will be impossible at night...
Good thermal (640 core units blows these out of the water for detection and hunting. Unless you pay BIG bucks though, target ID is more difficult. Also it will suffer in conditions where the temperature differential is minimized... IE certain times of day/night, shooting unheated steel plates on the backdrop of a hillside can be almost impossible. This is negated if you are engaging living targets of course.
While not even the latest generation unit, I have been able to successfully ID smaller animals like turkeys out to ~600 yards with a ClipIR XELR. In comparison, my friend has a L3 high FOM retubed PVS 30 and also does well... But it lacks the immediate detection and engagement capability.
Another question is even if a unit is rated to 50 BMG... Do you actually want to abuse your extremely expensive unit with heavy recoil? Or have it lose collimation? Also if you think spotting hits with a heavy recoiling weapon is hard during the day, it will be impossible at night...
I would like 1000 yards. Most would likely be within 800 yards. It probably wouldn’t get much use on the 50, but a lot of use with 338 Lapua and likely 41XC. As with everyone else.. I would like to be able to shoot steel at night to practice, but detection would be a more critical role. I see what you guys are saying… there is definitely a divergence. I would absolutely need to be able to differentiate say a bear and a person at 1k yards.
In further reading it seems that the PVS30 is going to be the better NV unit, but what would be an equivalent thermal unit? These will be shot prone or from a tripod 100% of he time.
In further reading it seems that the PVS30 is going to be the better NV unit, but what would be an equivalent thermal unit? These will be shot prone or from a tripod 100% of he time.
Thermal is best all around and far better at detection but that can be overcome a good bit with a thermal handheld scanning. I use a CNVD-LR if I am going to be shooting longer distances. Thermal lets me down after a certain range is surpassed in clarity at higher magnification. Its is also very difficult to get it sigted in as tight as I like for longer ranges. I am sure there are better things out in terms of thermals but not likely at a price I am willing to do. I use 640 12um stuff so it is good but again you will need the very best thermals for distance. 80% of the time thermal is what we use because it's yotes and inside about 300 yards. If you want to be shooting with decent magnification and clarity at 800-1000 I would say something like the CNVD-LR is much better.
If you realistically want to shoot critters at 600+ yards and actually know what they are, you will need a REALLY good thermal. ClipIR XELR and Voodoo M come to mind. They are big bucks.
What would you all suggest if I were to use a handheld monocular (NV or Thermal) WITH a weapon mounted counterpart? Perhaps a handheld thermal and a PVS30 since those will allegedly handle a 50BMG and up to 20x mag. Looks like the KAC PVS30 is about 13k. The Iray thermals are pretty reasonable. I don’t know how great a thermal would be as my MAIN optic enhancement since I’m in Tampa Bay Area Florida. It’s pretty warm ALL the time.
Say a NOX35 which could be mounted directly to a rifle AND a PVS30? That would keep me in the newer equipment range for a few years I would hope.
Say a NOX35 which could be mounted directly to a rifle AND a PVS30? That would keep me in the newer equipment range for a few years I would hope.
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I have shot out to 800 and 1100yds with a stellar pvs30 with a factory built L3 unfilled tube. I can tell you that even with full power IR, identify steel is hard. Doable at 800 in the right conditions. Really hard at 1100yds. Seeing misses and splashes is almost impossible unless you are shooting into a sand bank.
500-700yds is a hard night shot with clip ons.
Thermal is awesome. I put the steel targets next to my wood stove during the day and being them out at night. In the summer I will try the same with my chest freezer. But I'm cheating the environment here by doing that. I can sometimes see misses in the snow or dirt.
Each has its trade offs. But if you can hear the target then thermal gets my vote.
500-700yds is a hard night shot with clip ons.
Thermal is awesome. I put the steel targets next to my wood stove during the day and being them out at night. In the summer I will try the same with my chest freezer. But I'm cheating the environment here by doing that. I can sometimes see misses in the snow or dirt.
Each has its trade offs. But if you can hear the target then thermal gets my vote.
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I wouldn't pay $13K for a new Pvs30. They can regularly be found here for much less. Also, while white units are awesome, at that distance you will definitely need IR and it will make a green vs white tune much more even. I went through a few PVS30 units and found my way back to a PVS27. Its built like a tank and 50bmg rated. The tradeoff is some rail space you have to plan around.
I had 4 PVS30 units. And the only reason is because 3 of them shit the bed (two were the replacement units directly from KAC). I had more issues than most but your mileage may vary. KAC took care of me but it was a lot of work to stay on them and it took a year. My buddy has a 30 that has been great.
The retubed 30s are actually the double battery PVS26 and seem to have less issues.
Others are more experienced here than me with thermals. I have been playing with a Guide TA651 from SOK and been enjoying it so far. At some point I will step it up to a milspec unit. Maybe the up and coming NVision when it's out.
We shoot mostly 500yds at night and the last few times out I have used the thermal exclusively. But heated the steel.
Would you suggest holding off and waiting for a unit to appear for sale in here? I worry about support if I buy second hand. The only PVS27 I found for sale was only rated for 762. I need 338 Lapua at bare minimum.
How much difference is there in an Eotech ClipNV LR and a PVS30?
A used green tubed PVS 27 or PVS30 will range from $4000-$5000. I paid $3800 for my first PVS27 in 2021. 99% of green tubes are factory and recoil rated higher. A white tubed factory unit going to go for closer to $6500-$8000.
I think I got $6500 for my factory L3 CNVD-LR with an L3 unfilled white tune and about $87.5-8K for the factory L3 PVS30 with a similar tune once I sold some of the stuff I took in on trade.
The stuff that has been retubed by Sureshot is phenomenal. And if you have issues, he is probably the better option instead of dealing with KAC or FLIR unless there is a warranty. Most warranties are only for a year.
The EoTech warranties are tough because you have to send them overseas to Greece and deal with a team over there. Good luck. At least that is where the thermals go. I would definitely consider getting an EoTech from a dealer so they could help push the warranty along or take care of you in the meantime.
Short story is yes, I would look for a used clip on. If you are willing to pay that price, You could almost get both a thermal and night vision unit. If you buy used, buy it from someone with a lot of feedback. Ask about POI/POA shift, pics through the tube, etc.
If you want new thermal or clip on, where a warranty may matter more, I would reach out to the Strictly Offensive Kit team and get their thoughts.
Don’t forget about a used Kn203. Can be found used for $2-2500. Way better image to me than PVS30 and you can actually reach the focus knob. Paired with a Luna will be good to 1k and farther depending on ambient conditions. Just not certain of recoil rating on it.
That's a good point, my only take on that system from afar as someone who hasn't used it is that it ends up being dedicated to a single rifle. So you can't swap it between others without having to basically re-zero. It's also pretty chunky.
