Night Vision vs. Thermal

[Jsm11]

I've been watching a lot of videos and researching picking up a scope or goggles for for night hunting. I'd like to hunt some boar down south...

Anyone have recommendations, best available tech for about $3k? Figure nothing longer than 100 yards for shooting...

Any retailers sell this stuff locally and allow a demo?

I really like the Gen 3 units with phosphor. Also really like the thermal and think it's better for brush hunting.

Thanks...

JSM

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[Joe13]

I'd go thermal for brush hunting personally but I don't have $3k in guns much less a scope for that

 

[Jsm11]

I'd go thermal for brush hunting personally but I don't have $3k in guns much less a scope for that

Lol...

It'll be from tax refund this spring. Been doing research over the last month in anticipation...

 

[TapRackNGo]

Gen 3 is great. But you will need helmet, IR laser like a DBAL i2 or something similar if you want to get more use out of the system. That's $3500, $500, $800. So save a bit more. Mounting NV unit on gun you won't be able to walk around all that well. Thermal good for identification, but unless you just want a weapon mounted unit, it's going to be of limited use. Perhaps buy a small hand held Thermal unit to scan, then use NV and IR to bag and tag.

 

[rangerstx4]

A vote for Night Vision. Particularly a Pvs14. Light weight, easy to walk around with, quickly attaches to your rifle behind your nvg friendly scope.

Thermal is fun, especially the high end stuff. But as taprackngo said, limited use.

 

[The Heretic]

Both? Hybrid

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark: A Comprehensive Intro to Night Vision Devices

 

[11Charlie]

If I had the extra cash to buy one I would go night vision and make sure I bought a good set up. Since I don't I'm stuck with my tac light mounted to my AR or pistol.

 

[C275RLTW]

An alternative for a non weapon mounted thermal solution that will not destroy the bank is Leupold's Thermal Trackers. I know that they HD versions coming soon.

Here is a right up Review: Leupold comes out of the gate swinging with and affordable solution to thermal Imaging devices - LTO Tracker and Quest

As for night Vision I have a dual tube gen 3 setup, but as a lot of guys noted before, there are additional costs that come into play when you go this route. It can def get expensive. For rifles, I prefer the PEQ-15's for usability but have run the DBAL's as well. For Pistols, Surefire has their X400 Ir C which is awesome, full IR laser, IR Illuminator and White light.

Here is a right up SureFire-IR weapons light, Combat application or practical defense?

Just wanted to add another point of view. Hope it helps

 

[Caveman Jim]

Just saw this while surfing... No affiliation at all.

Pulsar N550 Digisight Night Vision Scope, Slight Blemish - 185814, Night Vision Scopes at Sportsman's Guide

ATN ThOR-336 1.5X-6X (60Hz) High-Definition Thermal Weapon Sight - 584716, Thermal Imaging at Sportsman's Guide

 

[dwaineshort]

Bought a Sig echo 1 yesterday for $1200 on optics planet.

 

[KTM530XCW]

Bought a Sig echo 1 yesterday for $1200 on optics planet.

Have you used this yet? I'd be interested in hearing your review on it. I'm interested in something to hypothetically reduce the coyote population in the night hours...

 

[dwaineshort]

Have you used this yet? I'd be interested in hearing your review on it. I'm interested in something to hypothetically reduce the coyote population in the night hours...

I've only have had a chance to play around with it in my house in the dark. Once I focus it I could clearly tell who I was looking at in pitch dark. it wasn't on my rifle yet. Unfortunately mine didn't come with the cables so I can't upload the pictures I took with it yet. Hoping soon to take it to my buddies house and see how it works out to 600rds.

 

[KTM530XCW]

Cool. Please keep us posted. Im eager to hear more

 

[j8tnub]

The Echo1 will work for shooting up to 300-400 yards. This is where you can still discern what you are looking at. It will see a heat signature up to 1000 yards.

Cool. Please keep us posted. Im eager to hear more

 

[DirectDrive]

A vote for Night Vision. Particularly a Pvs14. Light weight, easy to walk around with, quickly attaches to your rifle behind your nvg friendly scope.

Thermal is fun, especially the high end stuff. But as taprackngo said, limited use.

The hog men love that one.