Any such thing as "inexpensive" night vision scopes .. that work?

[SunnySlopes]

I've got to clear out some coyotes and hogs from some property I own. Night hunting for predators is legal in my state, but I don't have the gear. The closest thing I own are scopes with illuminated reticles which are good for dusk, but not night time.

I've researched the subject somewhat, and any expenditure for night vision scopes under $2K seems to be a waste of money. Is that fairly accurate?

 

[redneck2]

This has been covered in several threads in the Optics sub forum

Edit to add.....if you post over there I think you might get more response

 

[Double Naught Spy]

At the current time in your budget, I would say that the best NV option for you is digital night vision, which means you will being using an illuminator most nights (digital currently is about as capable as a high end Gen 1 or maybe a low end Gen 2 traditional NV scope).

The best option for you given the money, quality, customer service, etc. would be a Sightmark Wraith 4K and chances are the 4K Mini will work best for you (less native magnification, but plenty of zoom, and a larger FOV). The 4K Max will get you more distance, but the scope is a good bit heavier and has a much smaller FOV, but the performance is a bit better.

The prices on these to vary a bit but assume ~$800. If you go through a small vendor, you can likely score a better price by asking (they can't advertise below MAP by contract, but if you ask verbally, there is a decent chance of saving 5-10%.

The Wraiths come with an illuminator. Depending on conditions, I think it is supposed to be good for 150-200 yards, which is farther than most folks shoot. You can buy a 3rd party illuminator such as a Coyote Cannon and get some additional range and it will cost you a few hundred bucks. Armasight has their new illuminator that they claim is better than the typical flashlight sized illuminators and is nicely priced, but I have not seen one in person.
Here is a video introducing their new illuminator and a comparison. It is now for sale for $220.


The problem with NV and illuminators is that they tend to cause a lot of light to be reflected back to the scope if you have obstructions like tall grass, tree limbs, etc. in your FOV for the light to reflect off of and back to you. Also, when shooting, if conditions are calm, the smoke and debris from shooting will hang in the air and reflect light. In a stiff breeze, you may not notice it. If you have a calm, humid laden night, the cloud can literally hang around (and prevent you from seeing very well) for upwards of 5 seconds.

So if you are hunting coyotes in a big open field, maybe one nicely grazed, you won't have any issues except under calm conditions. If you are hunting a forest or a busy environment, the reflected light is going to be a real challenge. Note, I hunted for this way for 3 years.

This video shows the Wraith 4K MAX my partner was using. We started just before sundown and continued getting video until after legal shooting hours (if we were deer hunting) and the Wraith did well enough that we didn't need an illuminator. Eventually, my partner tried taking a coyote at over 500 yards, using the drop information for the distance from the box of ammo...and he managed to come close. Had he held the proper holdover and corrected a bit for the wind, I think he would have had it.


You said your budget was $2k. You could get out for under $1k, no problem or 1-1.3K depending on what sort of additional illuminator you bought, but I would hold off on buying another until you see if the one that comes with it is sufficient for your needs. It will be for most people most of the time.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

This Wraith 4k Mini vid illustrates the issues with foreground over illumination (close stuff looks good, but stuff behind it is like being in shadow, but its not, it is a contrast of the amount of light being reflected back) and light reflecting off the smoke after the shot. Sadly, they don't say the distance.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qRx0u1ywvqo

The first shot on this hog has the image blotted out by reflected light for more than 2 seconds. Later in the video, it is obvious there is more wind and the reflected light isn't nearly as much of an issue.

 

[Roverguy]

@Double Naught Spy , thanks very much for such a thorough and objective review and explanation of the pluses and minuses of digital night vision scopes. I have and use the Sightmark Wraith 4K on hogs and coyotes. I have nothing to add to your excellent explanation of its limitations and strengths.

 

[illinoisburt]

Great advise from @Double Naught Spy ! I would suggest if you have the $2k budget to look at including a decent silencer as part of your kit. it will make a big difference in your ability to get follow-up shots. If it's outside your budget, a good flash hider like the Yankee Hill Phantom can help greatly with blooming.

 

[jmorris]

I've got to clear out some coyotes and hogs from some property I own. Night hunting for predators is legal in my state, but I don't have the gear. The closest thing I own are scopes with illuminated reticles which are good for dusk, but not night time.

I've researched the subject somewhat, and any expenditure for night vision scopes under $2K seems to be a waste of money. Is that fairly accurate?

If you want to hunt, I can get that and that’s OK but if you want to get rid of them you could have better results other ways.

I can kill a hand full on foot with a suppressed, thermal equipped rifle walking property for a few hours a night. Or I can get a text on my phone of pigs in the trap and I call it to drop the gates.



Then they wait patiently throughout the night.



And instead of having to walk around for hours for a few, with all of my fancy equipment, I walk right up to all of them. This way there are no “got aways” that are now smarter than the ones I’ve eliminated.



That said, the loan boars that don’t run with the sounder still give you something to do at night with your toys.



That said, I have used digital NV that cheap ($400-600) that works thermal stuff I use now (pulsar core $1600) works a lot better though. It’s not as good as the $16,000 stuff I used for awhile but that’s a long way away from calling them a waste of money as they do allow me to aim and shoot in the dark better that I can by myself.

 

[Barnfixer]

I like coyote hunting but don’t do it enough to justify spending the money on a night vision or thermo scope. So I spent around $200 on a Wicked Light setup. It works for me out to 250 yards with a good target picture in the scope. I also picked up a couple extra mounts and switch it to other guns.