Budget NV scope with IR? Budget thermal scanner

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lifesupport4u

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What is a good budget night vision scope? And budget thermal monocular?

I make it out 1-2x a year to my in-laws farm. I’d like to get a better night setup than my predator light but funds are tight.

What’s the most budget setup you would recommend?
 
You can get a new sightmark Wraith for @ $500 which can be used day and night. As for thermals, for one or two nights a year doesn't seem worth it. Pulsar Axions are around $1,500 new, but you might want to watch the classified ads for used ones for the amount of use you'll have.
 
I would also suggest the Wraith. I can shoot no problem to a 170 yds with the IR that comes on the Wraith. As far as scanners, maybe take a look at the AGM Taipans, maybe in the 256 res reference budget. Should be plenty good for the distances that you will shoot the Wraith. 1 or 2 times a year, should be a pretty good set up.
 
FOr what its worth I just got a Wraith HD, $349 shipped. For the same kinda hunting... few times a year, I believe its better than fine. Have not shot it yet, but playing around with it (probably way to much.. :) ) it has impressed me so far. I got the 4x32x50. Above 12x its a little grainy, but still clear enough to ID and target stuff.
 
You are right that technology has advanced quite a bit in a short time. There are some good digital scopes available that should work well. The older Wraiths are cheaper, but have less resolution.

I have either tried or looked through a variety of night vision devices, and for digital I like the ATN 4k Pro. I started with the 3-14x model and later got the 5-20x one. Both are good, but also they are priced higher than the old model Wraiths, but they have good resolution and features.

As to a thermal monocular, I got the AGM TM-10 with 256 resolution. It is not as good as higher priced 384 models, but it works for me at closer ranges, and I got it on sale for slightly under $500. It is very usable for my intended use of hog hunting over feeders at 100 yards and less, or close range calling. I have spotted deer much further. Basically you just need to know an animal is out there and then switch to a rifle scope for better ID.

As to the cheapest digital night vision available, there are units available on Ebay and Amazon that attach to the back of a daytime scope. I built a home-made outfit of similar design for about $230 (at the time), but you can get some fairly good looking ones for $200 plus. I have no experience with them but see no reason why they wouldn’t work well enough. A good 850nm illuminator is needed.

If you want to see the home-made and digital units in operation, as well as IR illiminators, then go to my Youtube channel at: 6mm064.

Here are a couple of examples of low cost digital devices to fit behind a daytime scope. I have no experience with either, but if they work for you then the price is well worth it. I think they are returnable. A good illuminator will be as important.

Night Vision M-PRO2 Infrared Rifle Scope 850nm IR HD Camera DVR 2023 TOP VERSION | eBay

Infrared technology: Increase the range and accuracy. Our high-power 850nm infrared illuminator allows you to easily reset to zero on any target, up to 300+ yards! Applicable gun types: rifle, shotgun, crossbow.
www.ebay.com

NVS30 Digital Night Vision Rifle Scope Camera WIFI Connecting 5W IR Power | eBay

Model: NVS30. Dimension: 155*80*46mm. Sleeve Diameter: <48mm (universal Adaptor). Eye Relief: 30mm. LENs Size: 16mm. Magnifying Power: 4x - 14x.
www.ebay.com
 
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You might want to wait and see if something new and cheap comes out at the Shot Show, which should be coming up soon. It seems that every year the technology gets better and cheaper. You can probably find a used thermal monocular for decent price to use as a scanner.
 
I have a Sightmark Wraith Mini which is 2x-16x power. It has held zero perfectly for over a year. I have taken a couple of deer with it during daylight, but have not used it calling coyotes. I did kill one coyote on my bait pile which sounds similar to what you might be doing. Here is a video of the coyote kill. Range is 100 yds. I am not using the IR supplied with the Wraith, although it would have been plenty adequae at that range. I have an IR light 850nm mounted on the back of my shop and it comes on at dark and runs all night. That is the only light being used in this video.



In this video of a red fox on the bait pile, I am using the rifle mounted IR to enhance the picture and running through the zoom modes from 2x to 16x. We can't shoot red fox at night here.


If you are using a bolt action rifle, you might be better off with one of the larger Wraiths which are actually somewhat cheaper. I really like the mini as it is small, lightweight, and excellent on an AR. I actually caught mine on sale at Amazon for under $500 last year. Sorry, I can't help you on a handheld thermal in that price range.
 
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