Night Vision Binoculars

[Kubota L5030]

Does anyone have night vision binoculars or monoculars? I'm looking for a brand and model recommendation for generation 1 units. Anything past Gen1 gets extremely pricey.

 

[thatguy]

I have some gen 1 ATN "night storm" monoculars that work OK.. Its fun to play with, but compared to Gen 2 or above it isnt much..

There is a night vision forum that I cant find a link to that had some great information when i got mine..

Here is a link to what I have

ATN Night Storm1 - Night Vision Monocular - ATN Night Vision Monoculars and Night Vision Spotting Scopes - Night Vision by ATN - Night Vision Scopes, Goggles, Night Vision Binoculars, Monoculars and RifleScopes, Thermal Night Vision

Brian

 

[Scott in IN]

I had some Russian Gen 1 NV and found it to CRAP. In fact I ended up taking it back as I could see better with my regular old binoculars.

NV is an EXPENSIVE game to get into. Some Gen II+ (D300 comes to mind) is ok ($1400 or so) but for my money I'd save some extra $$$ and go with a Gen III PVS 14 (around $3k).

Like anything else, you get what you pay for...

 

[Kubota L5030]

Thanks guys. My concern about Gen1 not meeting my expectations appears to be valid. While the prices make them worth considering, I still don't want to throw $400 away. The price jump to Gen2 kills my interest in NV as a new toy.

 

[Scott in IN]

Quality NV is very cool, but it is very expensive. Do not waste your time with low dollar, low quality stuff, you will be disappointed.

Here is a pict of my rig, PVS 14 with a Rino Mount on a Bell Helmet. It's a very functional system.

 

[thatguy]

Thanks guys. My concern about Gen1 not meeting my expectations appears to be valid. While the prices make them worth considering, I still don't want to throw $400 away. The price jump to Gen2 kills my interest in NV as a new toy.

It depends on exactly what your expectionas are... IF you want to see on a starless night you need much better then gen 1... Do you want to be able to ID deer or other animals on a night too dark for normal vision? then gen 1 will work OK..

What part of VA are you in?

how much are you wanting to spend?

Brian

 

[ddivinia]

Does anyone have night vision binoculars or monoculars? I'm looking for a brand and model recommendation for generation 1 units. Anything past Gen1 gets extremely pricey.

What do you plan on doing with them?

I prefer a monocular or scope. You loose your night vision in both eyes and it can take a while to recover it. When I am hunting I keep my left eye out of the scope - only use my right eye with the night scopes, etc. That way you can find the ladders to stands, not walk into trees as much, etc.

Gen 1 is pretty dirty. Gen 3+ rocks.

D.

 

[thatguy]

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Gen 1 is pretty dirty. Gen 3+ rocks.

D.

I forgot that I tried out a friends Gen3 binoculars years ago- WOW!! ... total darknes, no stars at all, made it seem just like daylight (with a green tint) LOL

Brian

 

[davitk]

Just an amusing anecdote - my wife gave me some a few years ago for my birthday, while breaking them in I tried spying on the neighbors but not realizing til later that the infrared was on I was lucky they didn't shoot back

 

[Kubota L5030]

It depends on exactly what your expectionas are... IF you want to see on a starless night you need much better then gen 1... Do you want to be able to ID deer or other animals on a night too dark for normal vision? then gen 1 will work OK..

What part of VA are you in?

how much are you wanting to spend?

Brian

I'm in the north eastern part of VA (Clarke County) about 1.5 hours west of DC. My grandparents lived down past you a bit, in Grayson county.

I am willing to go up to $1,000 if I can get very good performance. My purpose is mostly general amusement...seeing what animals are making the noises at night and what's roaming the woods at night. I would like / expect to ID animals on a starless night.