Looking for some input regarding switching to night vision to night hunt instead of thermal. I have the Agm rattler ts25-256 thermal that I’ve been running and it seems to me that, as far as target acquisition goes, you can get into a “good” night vision setup for cheaper than you can get into a “good” thermal. From what I understand it’s cheaper to get a better IR Illuminator than a thermal with I higher resolution thermal censor. Plus I like the fact that you can differentiate your surroundings better with night vision where as if I miss coyote with a thermal it’s common that I shine a light and there’s a lot thicker brush there than I could see through my scope. Am I on the right track with my thinking? If so what are some good options for night vision optics and IR lights for sub $1500? Thank you
Intro into night vision hunting
- Thread starter OkieGunner21
- Start date
Thermal can see into brush way better than NV. If you shine a light, IR or otherwise, a lot of it will bounce back at you off the brush and washout the image.
$1500 NV ? You must mean digital NV. Digital NV is on the way, but in terms of ability to see well at night, it isn't there yet. Analog (tube based) NV clipons like PVS-27s and such, run about $5k ... a little less if you can find a bargin. But they can't see into brush better than thermal. Thermal is king seeing into brush.
$1500 NV ? You must mean digital NV. Digital NV is on the way, but in terms of ability to see well at night, it isn't there yet. Analog (tube based) NV clipons like PVS-27s and such, run about $5k ... a little less if you can find a bargin. But they can't see into brush better than thermal. Thermal is king seeing into brush.
Yes there’s no doubt a thermal can see better through brush you are correct. But from my experience it can see though it a little to well hence the fact it can see through stuff a bullet would never make it through without being deflected. What I’m thinking is I can get a more accurate view of what’s between me and my target.
Having both thermal and NV are definitely the way to go but I also know money doesn’t grow on trees. I have a set of dtnvs’ with very high spec tubes and run only full power LAM’s(peq15, NGAL, and DBAL A3)and a lot of nights i still can’t see animals until my illuminator hits their eyes or they get close enough I hear them and can know exactly where to look with the illuminator. Thermal is king in most situations for detection but NV has it’s place as well.
That’s true for sure. I actually didn’t know until recently that IR would make eye shine and that is super cool but is definitely no match for a full body heat signature. If all I hunted was 10,000 acre wheat fields there’s a definite answer on which is better but there’s definitely some middle ground between the two that is king in bottomland type country I just have to find it. You’ve been very helpful
Cheapest setup I’ve found for shots out to 300m with PID is a SIMRAD KN203 with Luna ELIR. If 40% or greater illum you won’t need the illuminator, but nice to have just in case. But. You’ll also need a tripod as it’s a heavy SOB. Great value in those units if you’re willing to accept the weight penalty.
I’ve got a tripod and arca rails on pretty much everything so I will definitely give those models a look. Is the coyote canon IR light going to be overkill? I’ve seen it everywhere online and most everyone says good things about them. Most people that don’t like them say they don’t like that it’s bulky. Thoughts?
If buying a ( IR Flashlight ) .. Ya the sniperhogs 'coyote canon' with the turbo diode head they offer is just INSANE on the IR illum. it pumps out . But it is heavy and large. I had one checking it it out in the field and hunted with it few times .
They offer a smaller/lighterweight IR flashlight Better choice for rifle mounting is Mdl. ( 38L RX w/turbo diode ) it is perfect for rifle mounting . it smaller and more manageable for sure, and the '38L' still Blows away my PEQ15's for the IR it pumps out and the quick adjustment for beam strength needed for surrounding conditions and taking shot.
. If buying a IR flashlight from them make sure you get the rheostat tail-cap on/off control .
Best bang for your buck-$ for IR ( laser diode illum. ) is the ( Luna model )
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Real quick do those lights run on 18650’s? And do the have external battery capability
For night hunting I have learned that you really need to have both. Each one has their own advantages. For navigation, driving, and shooting inside of 100 yards with a LAM NV is where it’s at. For scanning/detecting/ PID thermal is the key. But you need a nicer thermal. Something with a 640 core at least. It would be hard to get PID on something couple hundred yards out without a nice thermal.
PVS 14 on the left eye and a thermal on the gun has worked well enough. At least I keep telling my poor ass that. NV lets me navigate and like you said see what's actually in front of me and thermal lets me shoot em. Most my engagements are sub 100y so the super hogster has been fine but a 640 or something actually nice would be sweet someday. I dont do it enough to justify it, and im poor.
the 38-L uses 18650's . but the Canon uses those big larger batteries 21700's
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As far as 4k digital NV being $1200 on average with an LRF and some with a BC. How much money does a cheap thermal with 384 or 640 resolution cost? And how many of those those thermals have LRF’s and BC’s?
If you get a real thermal scope and spotter you'll see that thermal tops NV unless as mentioned for navigation and sometimes closer engagements if you happen to be navigating and run into a target or know a target is there because you spotted it with thermal.
You can buy a BNIB with 5 year warranty thermal 384 res scope and spotter for the same price as a decent FOM PVS14 now a days.
It'll be made in China, but the combo will do the job.
SJC
You can buy a BNIB with 5 year warranty thermal 384 res scope and spotter for the same price as a decent FOM PVS14 now a days.
It'll be made in China, but the combo will do the job.
SJC
I have never seen a digital NV device that is anywhere on par with an analog device. Especially for navigation (walking/driving)
Iray makes good Chinese thermals
This….
OP - When you say “good” NV then I would assuming you are talking about a pvs14 + helmet + mount + IR + Laser. It’s not going to be cheaper than a “good” thermal.
If you’re talking about digital that’s a different thing and I wouldn’t put it in the category of what most would call “good”.
Maybe expand a little more on what you want to do with it and your expectations? Lots of great knowledge on this forum if you can narrow it in a bit.
Personally, I’ve used a bit of all of it and this is one area that buy once cry once reigns supreme.
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