Night Vision First NV scope. Suggestions?

[Holeshot]

I am in the market for a starter NV scope. My use for this scope will just be on an AR hunting Coyotes in Indiana and maybe some hog hunts someday.

Sorry if this is a common question.

Any suggestions? Not looking to spend more than say $1200-$1300 until I see how much use I get out of it.

Is ATN's 1st gen scopes a good money saving option for a first scope?

I've never even looked through a NV scope. fyi

 

[yellowcarbon]

Do not waste your money on commercial gen 1 units. They are toys and a waste of money. For $1200-1300 you can find a used gen 3 unit, which will give you the most bang for your buck. Read and read some more to get yourself educated on night vision so you have an idea of what to look for. There are pitfalls to buying used, so be aware of that. Try to buy with a return period so you can make sure the item works. Ebay can have bargains, but also has as many problem units that people are trying to dump.

Look for an Envis unit if possible. They are a great value for the money and you can later upgrade the housing to a NV Depot Mirco housing, which is compatible with PVS-14 helmet mounts. You can even put the image tube into a PVS-14 housing if that is what you want, but the adjustable gain feature will not work. There is an adapter that allows you to use the stock Envis housing with PVS-14 helmet mounts for $125 or so. I have purchase several Envis units in the $1000-1400 ranges. Most I have passed on to friends as their first units.

Again, read and read some more before you move forward. It will help you have an idea of what to look for.

 

[shurt]

Yellowcarbon +1

I'm buying my first NV this month and for almost a year I've been reading and researching to make the most informed decision I can make. Hell .. its my money and rather buy once and make it the right decision. Go through these threads and read the old stuff. Don't be afraid to send some of these guys on this forum PM's and ask questions.

A few weeks ago I bought my first thermal ... LS64. Wasn't an easy decision but with the help of these guys it's easier.

Scott

 

[Delta4-3]

Feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email. Even if I don't have something that fits the bill, I'd be happy to give you some advice or help you find one.

 

[Victor-TNVC]

I am in the market for a starter NV scope. My use for this scope will just be on an AR hunting Coyotes in Indiana and maybe some hog hunts someday.

Sorry if this is a common question.

Any suggestions? Not looking to spend more than say $1200-$1300 until I see how much use I get out of it.

Is ATN's 1st gen scopes a good money saving option for a first scope?

I've never even looked through a NV scope. fyi

If you can squeeze a bit more out of your budget, one of the best bang for your resolution dollar is the M845 Gen 2 SHP NV scopes. It's an amazing durable scope with resolution as close as you can get to a Gen 3 system in its class. We have sold a good amount of these unit. It's also American made and all machined aluminum housing with a commercial grade L3 tube. M845 Mk.4 2.8X Gen2 SHP Red Dot Sight ? Tactical Night Vision Company

We also have very special pricing for Hide members, so please inquire in a PM.

Vic

 

[Dogtown]

A good rule of thumb with NV is that skimping will be a huge waste of money.

 

[Holeshot]

Thanks for all the replies! Looks like I need to do some more research. Thanks a lot for the leads as well. I will start there!

 

[Delta4-3]

Thanks for all the replies! Looks like I need to do some more research. Thanks a lot for the leads as well. I will start there!

When I was in Tulsa this weekend, I saw several PVS-4's in great shape for $1200ish. It is a great scope that is robust, bright, and has a great FOV. You can find them on Ebay for $1k-$1400. They are huge and heavy though.
I have several customers that are very happy with the Vampire for $740. With a good illuminator it is very usable well past 200 yards. Most end up getting a Streamlight SuperTac IR for $79 from amazon to go with it, or something like the eagletac IR light. The Vampire comes with a solid QD mount, finger adjustable turrets and so on. As long as you know what you are getting ahead of time, you will be happy with it.

I have seen some great deals on mil-spec items as of late as well, just make sure you research them to be sure you are not buying stolen .gov property.

 

[Holeshot]

Good info. Thanks delta!

 

[FortyFive2Life]

If you can squeeze a bit more out of your budget, one of the best bang for your resolution dollar is the M845 Gen 2 SHP NV scopes. It's an amazing durable scope with resolution as close as you can get to a Gen 3 system in its class. We have sold a good amount of these unit. It's also American made and all machined aluminum housing with a commercial grade L3 tube. M845 Mk.4 2.8X Gen2 SHP Red Dot Sight ? Tactical Night Vision Company

We also have very special pricing for Hide members, so please inquire in a PM.

Vic

This is the direction I went last year or the year before, before the newer Gen3 version came out. I've been extremely happy with the M845; the clarity is just really good, it focuses well, and it works in lower light conditions even without an IR illuminator, although I paired TNVC's Torch Pro with it and it's outstanding as well. I would buy it again.

 

[SABuzzard]

Years ago I did the whole work your way up from gen I to gen II to gen III. I learned the hard way and wasted time/money in the process. Save and at least get the M845 gen II or a gen III if you can swing it. Factor an illuminator like the Torch Pro into your budget. They greatly improve performance. NV is an expensive and addictive hobby!! I ended up buying a thermal handheld about 2 years ago and now want to upgrade to a thermal scope. Should have taken up golf.

 

[Victor-TNVC]

Glad you guys like the M845s. I still own and use regularly my GEN 2 SHP version. It's still the fastest scope out there while shooting on the move with targets 100 yards and in with its 2MOA red dot.

At 25 to 50 yards it's just awesome walking sideways pretty quick per say and banging steel. I still enjoy the he'll outta the sparks!

Vic

 

[Palehorse68]

Tagging this for later..appreciating the good info on here.

 

[Sgtforecon96]

Night optics

Just two cents on night vision I use. I have two Night Optics 520's. They are GEN II plus hand selected tubes and have functioned flawlessly for over two years hunting predators here in VA. I also have a Night Optics 760 GEN III that has been in service for 7months now. All are great equipment and have advantages. The 520's are a liitle above your price range at around 1800. The FOV is exceptional due to is three power magnification. Great for hunting by yourself and using the scope to scan. IR illuminator will stretch the range o the scope easily to two hundred yards. I use these on an AR platform and coyotes at that range are easy pickings. It is an addictive hobby that will take your predator hunting to the next level.