Night Vision How about explaining the basics as of now?

[epoletna]

I'm interested in NV equipment for night coyote hunting. I came here from another forum, where someone said this had the best information.

BUT, I'm seeing some posts from 8 to 10 years ago (and I presume the technology has advanced significantly in the intervening years),

AND, some of it is over my head.

SO, how about a thread that will explain to newbies what the options are, which one is suited to which application, and what specific equipment recommendations readers have?

Or is that too much to ask?

 

[Steve_In_29]

Have those old threads been continually added to over the years? With more current info further down the discussion?

 

[WALLYBOB]

I'm a newbie too and I've found more reading and less (unless you really have something you don't understand) posting will answer most of your questions. These guys have a wealth of knowledge they freely dispense.

 

[WhereNow&How]

I'm interested in NV equipment for night coyote hunting. I came here from another forum, where someone said this had the best information.

BUT, I'm seeing some posts from 8 to 10 years ago (and I presume the technology has advanced significantly in the intervening years),

AND, some of it is over my head.

SO, how about a thread that will explain to newbies what the options are, which one is suited to which application, and what specific equipment recommendations readers have?

Or is that too much to ask?

Listen to WALLYBOB. He is catching on fast. Actually you can also learn lots and lots from the old posts as well. Unfortunately becoming proficient and understanding , NV and Thermal, is time consuming and somewhat expensive, but you can stretch dollars pretty good and get some pretty good performance once you learn the ropes.

So, from what you have said about shooting coyotes, 1st thing is what kind of distances you talking about. 2nd, how much budget are you looking to spend. Yeah I know, you just like all of us, (as little as possible) but realistically it really helps to have an idea of how much you are willing to spend also.

 

[TheHorta]

It all comes down to the Benjamins, baybee.

Entry-level is $3K, bare minimum. Look to a mixture of used and new to maximize bang-for-buck.

A $5K budget gets you most of what you need and you'll be sitting pretty.

$7.5K lets you do things like L3 WP PVS-14, full head kit, decent thermal weapon scope or dual-band head rig with IR stuff on your gun.

If you can squeeze $10K, you can get a nice set of L3 WP Binos plus a few trinkets.

If you can muster $15K, you can get the above plus COTI and a modest thermal.

If you're an ELB (Entry-Level Baller) and can pony-up $25K, you can get high-spec FWP Binos, COTI, full helmet kit, rifle/pistol IR stuff, and a Halo-LR or ReapIR 60mm. Then you may move on to conquer your little part of the universe.

 

[epoletna]

Thanks for this. I'll dig back into the files. I am looking at $2K and out to 200 yards.

 

[bullseye13]

Thanks for this. I'll dig back into the files. I am looking at $2K and out to 200 yards.

You might need to move to Russia on that budget.

 

[kirsch]

To start with, the most important piece of equipment if you are calling for coyotes besides the gun and call, is a thermal scanner. A good quality thermal scanner will help you see coyotes coming from virtually any distance. The 2nd question then becomes what do you use to shoot the coyotes. People will vary in their recommendations here, but for the ranges you mentioned, thermal would be my choice. At your budget, you are probably only going to be able to buy one thermal at this time, but having one for scanning and shooting is a better option. I sent a PM with contact information and can cut your learning curve down significantly just by chatting for a few minutes on the phone.

 

[PlinkIt]

Thanks for this. I'll dig back into the files. I am looking at $2K and out to 200 yards.

You won't like the answers you get here with a 2k budget...

I wouldn't even try to go thermal.
I'd say try to shop used and either look at a pvs14 with ir laser or maybe find someone selling a gen3 fixed scope or a Simrad clip-on

 

[WhereNow&How]

Thanks for this. I'll dig back into the files. I am looking at $2K and out to 200 yards.

Well one device is all you will be swinging with $2k. So a lot of folks might not agree, but a used Flir PTS 233 can get it done no problem at all, except you probably (not all not all) won't be able to for sure know if it is Lassie or Wiley Coyote. So if you way out in the country where domestic dogs are not around, you would be pretty much ok.

If you are in high humidity, turn the Gain up on the PTS 233 and it will perform. A lot of people talk down the PTS 233 but I suspect they are not familiar enough with how to adjust it correctly to perform well in high humidity environments.

As for warranty, I have never had any issues with the PTS 233 that would need any warranty work and have found them to be pretty rugged units as a general statement.

 

[SkyScrapin]

You're better off paying for a loaner thermal from the online vendors, or saving another few thousand and skipping right to a weapon mounted thermal.

You can find some good deals on 640 thermals, Trij and Nvision units. Should be attainable in the 4-5k range.

 

[jeffl838]

It also depends on how mobile you want to be.

At 2k if you're gonna be mostly static and hunting at shorter ranges, a PVS4, a luna ELIR3, and a cheap thermal scanner will be very effective.

 

[TheHorta]

You can scratch a small itch for $2K. Better than nothing.

That said, if you’re not in SHTF panic mode right now, better to wait 6 months and double that amount.

My local Armslist has what is probaby a Omni 5/6 PVS-14 up for sale (2x AA model) for $1600. Deals are still out there, but you have to know what you’re looking for and be an opportunist.

AGM seems to be gaining traction in the market, and they have some solid thermal monos for under $1500.

You could have both a decent PVS-14 and a nice 388px thermal for $3K. Add $1K for other head and rifle accessories and you have a very capable full-spectrum kit for $4K.

 

[WhereNow&How]

That said, if you’re not in SHTF panic mode right now, better to wait 6 months and double that amount.

Not sure about the "if" part these days.

 

[Nate O.]

I'm interested in NV equipment for night coyote hunting. I came here from another forum, where someone said this had the best information.

BUT, I'm seeing some posts from 8 to 10 years ago (and I presume the technology has advanced significantly in the intervening years),

AND, some of it is over my head.

SO, how about a thread that will explain to newbies what the options are, which one is suited to which application, and what specific equipment recommendations readers have?

Or is that too much to ask?

You can't buy coyote kills by buying all sorts of top tier shit. If you don't get in unseen and unheard, the game is over. If they get down wind of you during the set, they gone.

A pulsar trail xq 38 or 50 is great for scanning or killing. If you can spend a little more, grab a refurbished 30 or 27 and a radius to Id and put em down. A 300 yd shot at night, is a long way. Then, don't call like every other dude out there...Less is more

Edit to add: top tier stuff is super awesome though

 

[shoots100]

I'm interested in NV equipment for night coyote hunting. I came here from another forum, where someone said this had the best information.

BUT, I'm seeing some posts from 8 to 10 years ago (and I presume the technology has advanced significantly in the intervening years),

AND, some of it is over my head.

SO, how about a thread that will explain to newbies what the options are, which one is suited to which application, and what specific equipment recommendations readers have?

Or is that too much to ask?

While I know where your coming from, just be patient, as your asking a question to a forum filled with serious NV addicts.
Do your research, as there's a wealth of info here.
When I look back on the gear that I used when I started my night hunting adventures 40 years ago, I killed many animals with a cobbled up red light made from junkyard parts and an old iron sight pump .22 gallery gun that was used by my father to hunt rabbits in the outskirts of NY city.
Max range was 50 yards at best and the .22 still has the faded pearl white nail polish on the front sight.
When your 12 years old, you do the best with what you have.
Hunting at night isn't for everyone, so buy what you can afford to now and use it to the best of your abilities.
If you like it and after you get more time in the field, buy the gear that'll be better suited to your needs, not the needs of someone else, unless they want to pay for it.
The gear I use for hunting in the closer range wooded terrain of NY state and the north east, isn't going to be very useful for hunting in the more open terrain of the Midwest, it'll work, just not as good as gear made for longer ranges, so there's more to it than just the yardage you plan on hunting.
As was mentioned, there's gear better suited to hunt in different temperature/environments too, so there's more considerations.
I've outfitted many first time hunters for under $2,000, with a used thermal spotter and a traditional or digital NV scope with a good IR illuminator and they've been very happy.
Some turned into addicts and some sold their gear in pursuit of other things and never looked back.


SJC

 

[jeffl838]

While I know where your coming from, just be patient, as your asking a question to a forum filled with serious NV addicts.
Do your research, as there's a wealth of info here.
When I look back on the gear that I used when I started my night hunting adventures 40 years ago, I killed many animals with a cobbled up red light made from junkyard parts and an old iron sight pump .22 gallery gun that was used by my father to hunt rabbits in the outskirts of NY city.
Max range was 50 yards at best and the .22 still has the faded pearl white nail polish on the front sight.
When your 12 years old, you do the best with what you have.
Hunting at night isn't for everyone, so buy what you can afford to now and use it to the best of your abilities.
If you like it and after you get more time in the field, buy the gear that'll be better suited to your needs, not the needs of someone else, unless they want to pay for it.
The gear I use for hunting in the closer range wooded terrain of NY state and the north east, isn't going to be very useful for hunting in the more open terrain of the Midwest, it'll work, just not as good as gear made for longer ranges, so there's more to it than just the yardage you plan on hunting.
As was mentioned, there's gear better suited to hunt in different temperature/environments too, so there's more considerations.
I've outfitted many first time hunters for under $2,000, with a used thermal spotter and a traditional or digital NV scope with a good IR illuminator and they've been very happy.
Some turned into addicts and some sold their gear in pursuit of other things and never looked back.


SJC

Is night hunting kosher in NY? I relocated to NYC and was interested in either hunting or shooting matches. No luck on either front due to COVID and me relocating back to the south until it blows over

 

[shoots100]

Is night hunting kosher in NY? I relocated to NYC and was interested in either hunting or shooting matches. No luck on either front due to COVID and me relocating back to the south until it blows over

October 1st after sunrise, Oct 2nd to March 28th, day or night.
It's NY, so Kosher and Halal approved.
Covid doesn't hunt, and Charlie doesn't surf, so buy some gear, find some state land and get out there.

 

[XLR308]

Been there done that and would I suggest we do it with a blade and not a gunshot wound since they don't deserve th3 quickness of a well 0lacee shot.

 

[jeffl838]

October 1st after sunrise, Oct 2nd to March 28th, day or night.
It's NY, so Kosher and Halal approved.
Covid doesn't hunt, and Charlie doesn't surf, so buy some gear, find some state land and get out there.

Dude nice. Gonna bring my night rig when I come up again then. I'll figure out the gun stuff later but worst case I'll put a laser on a compound bow.

 

[shoots100]

Dude nice. Gonna bring my night rig when I come up again then. I'll figure out the gun stuff later but worst case I'll put a laser on a compound bow.

If your not LEO, don't bother bringing anything up but a bolt rifle, as the NYC firearm restrictions for magazine capacity is different than the states rules.
I've used a thermal scope mounted on a crossbow, never tried using a compound bow.
That also brings up another question for the OP, what type of firearm is said NV going to be used on ?
Some NV is only rated up to 308 recoil.

 

[Rerun7]

OP - I know you don’t want to hear it but $2k isn’t going to get you where you want to go. I tried cobbling together a low $ setup and was constantly disappointed until I just dropped the money to do it right.

Go read a lot of the threads here and come back with some specific questions. If you want to be as effective as possible just remember you need to navigate, detect, identify and shoot. No one piece of equipment will do it all.