Night Vision First Look: Bering Optics Super Yoter LRF

[kirsch]

I have tested various Bering Optics Super Yoter 50 and Super Hogster LRF prototypes over the past 3-4 months. As the release of these new thermals draws near, I wanted to provide a video of this new thermal. This is not simply a Super Yoter or Super Hogster with an added LRF. These are entirely new thermals with a new body, new UI, new features, and more:



Some new/changed features:

1. LRF (can be modified by Bering to mount on left or right)
2. Metal alloy housing (which is stronger, heavier, longer)
3. 4 button operation vs 3
4. Really powerful magnetic USB connection
5. 4 AA internal power
6. Improved video recording quality. 5-minute length (video and audio)
7. Zoom. Stepped Zoom from 1x-8x and incremental .5x Zoom (forward and back)
8. 4 Gun profiles + 3 distance profiles per gun
9. 8 reticles + a custom reticle you can design
10. Additional Target Hot background

These are some of the main differences. To me the image is both better and worse than the Super Yoter 50. The overall image seems a little better. However, to me the image needs to be adjusted more frequently than my Super Yoter 50. I set my SY50 when I received it last year, and I haven't touched the settings yet. I seemed to be needing to adjust the settings to maintain the best image.

 

[stefan73]

Nice, what's the price?

 

[kirsch]

$5,199 with the LaRue mount. There will be an ADM mount option and a beefed up Bering QD mount as well. We will most likely order LaRue as the default and can order the others by request. I typically really like ADM mounts typically, but the Bering version just has very limited rail in my opinion. The SY50 LRF with the ADM will be $5,099, and with the Bering QD mount $4,999. Bering announced during SHOT they were planning to start shipping around 2/15 but testing is still ongoing, so we are anticipating a little bit of time yet. Keep in mind Night Goggles also offers a Hide discount and Free Shipping. People must contact me to get final pricing.

 

[DIBBS]

Thanks for the post Korey, very informative.

Are these available for purchase now or still on pre order? (site says pre order) If so, any idea when will they hit the shelves.

Thanks

 

[kirsch]

Thanks for the post Korey, very informative.

Are these available for purchase now or still on pre order? (site says pre order) If so, any idea when will they hit the shelves.

Thanks

Any dealer you order from is still pre-order as they aren't shipping yet. It is kind of amusing watching dealer pages and comments. Some are saying scopes are in route or any-day, and they hadn't been able to even order the scopes yet. There have been dealers taking deposits on these units since August. At that point, there wasn't even a prototype to test.

Bering said Feb 15 at SHOT, but I found a slight hardware issue on my last test. They are fixing and sending me another to try. I know everyone is excited but no one wants to order a new unit and then not have it work correctly.

 

[Evolution 9]

That custom reticle is pretty cool

 

[kirsch]

I received a Super Hogster LRF sample recently to test. I wanted to update many of you on some great news. I was shocked at how long the included rechargeable batteries were lasting. I was hunting in temps around 15°F and after hours of use, with the LRF on continuously and recording the entire hunt, the Super Hogster LRF was still showed full power. After getting home, I turned on the LRF continuously and tested the runtime. I got right at 6 hours of runtime with the LRF on continuously. That is pretty amazing using the rechargeable AA batteries and charger Bering includes with the product. I contacted Bering and asked if what I saw was a "fluke". They said no, in the past few months as they were tweaking a few last-minute items, they were able to find additional ways to optimize battery life.

I have been asked how well does the LRF work. In the last sample, I received I can say AWESOME. I was getting range readings of coyotes and deer on a bed of snow at 1000 yards. Different conditions will yield different results, but this last sample has me "jazzed".

 

[kirsch]

That custom reticle is pretty cool

Agree Evolution, and on this last sample, it was a true FFP reticle. As I digitally zoomed in .5 increments or via steps 2x, 3x, etc the reticle changed with the zoom level. Pretty cool.

 

[kirsch]

Night Goggles does have a pre-order list. At this time, there is no charge to be on it. Send me a PM or email to [email protected] with the following information:

Name:
Email:
Phone #:
Which unit: Super Hogster LRF or Super Yoter 50 LRF
Mount Type: Bering QD or LaRue

It looks like dealers will be able to place orders in April and the current estimation is Bering to begin shipping in May.

 

[Bevo]

@kirsch Do you have a weight on the last prototype you received?

 

[kirsch]

Do you have a weight on the last prototype you received?

@Bevo Yes the SY LRF is 28oz and the SH LRF is 26oz.