South Paw Shooter
Member
I am looking to buy a night vision scope for night hunting but cant get my self to spend $$$$ does anyone know firsthand on Yukon or ATN optics in the 5-600 range. And how well they work.
Night Vision Optics
- Thread starter South Paw Shooter
- Start date
SuperSeal110
New member
You get what you pay for in NV...
HTRN57
New member
You might want to follow the night hunting forum as their are lots of posts on NV there. Your 600 and under will get you a Gen 1 unit but I do not recommend those for calling/hunting purposes. You might get by with hunting over a bait pile as long as you have good moonlight, a good IR device and keep the range under 50 to 75 yards. Kevin
bcranch
New member
With most optics you get what you pay for, this is even more true with Night Vision. I bought an ATN Gen II+ and have been pretty happy with it. Not military grade stuff but it was the most that I was willing to spend at the time. I agree with the comments above, Gen I is just not good enough for calling or much in the way of hunting at all.
It is of course true you get what you pay for. However I have used ten 1+ scopes for hunting for several years with great results within 60-100 yards. Recently I bought a Pulsar Digisight from goblinnightvision.com and it´s fantastic. It´s a digital device with a black/white image.
twhitey
New member
I have had Atn in a gen 2 monocular it was a waste of money.I stepped up to there so called gen 4 monocular it's nice.Call Vic at tnvc save your money and buy it once.my problem was I didn't know about Vic and spent my money on Atn.dont get me wrong you can do well with Atn but I think you will get better quality and service from guys that know and use what they sell.Good luck
HTRN57
New member
Originally Posted By: paul1968It is of course true you get what you pay for. However I have used ten 1+ scopes for hunting for several years with great results within 60-100 yards. Recently I bought a Pulsar Digisight from goblinnightvision.com and it´s fantastic. It´s a digital device with a black/white image.
Paul,
Do you use your Gen 1 for calling and do you use it over bait ? I did get a chance to evaluate the Pulsar Digisight and would conclude it to be pretty good out to around 100 or possibly 150 yards. It retails for around 1,400 though. Kevin
Paul,
Do you use your Gen 1 for calling and do you use it over bait ? I did get a chance to evaluate the Pulsar Digisight and would conclude it to be pretty good out to around 100 or possibly 150 yards. It retails for around 1,400 though. Kevin
Kevin,
I´ve used my gen 1 (sentinel gs 2.5x60) for hog hunting (not over bait) and it was ok on distances up to 50-70yds. One of my friends had a digisight n550 and I was impressed by it. I bought the n750 which is about the same as the n550 but the n750 has a variable zoom which I like. Yeah, the digisight is more expensive compared to gen 1 but I definitely think it is worth it. I have compared the digisight with an atn gen 2 scope and I found the digisight to be better. I like the black/white image better than the greenish image. I have the same experience as you that it can be used around 100-150 yards. If its a beautiful clear night I can use it safely at about 200yds.
Paul
I´ve used my gen 1 (sentinel gs 2.5x60) for hog hunting (not over bait) and it was ok on distances up to 50-70yds. One of my friends had a digisight n550 and I was impressed by it. I bought the n750 which is about the same as the n550 but the n750 has a variable zoom which I like. Yeah, the digisight is more expensive compared to gen 1 but I definitely think it is worth it. I have compared the digisight with an atn gen 2 scope and I found the digisight to be better. I like the black/white image better than the greenish image. I have the same experience as you that it can be used around 100-150 yards. If its a beautiful clear night I can use it safely at about 200yds.
Paul
6mm06
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: HTRN57You might want to follow the night hunting forum as their are lots of posts on NV there. Your 600 and under will get you a Gen 1 unit but I do not recommend those for calling/hunting purposes. You might get by with hunting over a bait pile as long as you have good moonlight, a good IR device and keep the range under 50 to 75 yards. Kevin
Good advice. I've used a Gen 1 ATN extensively and have had great success with it, "BUT" - over bait and with DC powered IR lights.
Calling or shooting away from the bait site, I have taken a skunk and a bobcat, both somewhere between 50-60 yards. The Gen 1
isn't much for a calling scope, in my opinion. Over bait and with added light, it will be more than just getting by, it will be all you will
need. The Gen 1 scope is a good bait-hunting scope. It's has it's place, and bait hunting is it.
I have a friend who has a Pulsar N550 and loves it, though it is priced much higher than what you are looking at with $600. He has
owned a Gen 3 scope previously as well. He says the Pulsar is all he needs, but not necessarily all he wants.
Originally Posted By: paul1968Kevin,
I´ve used my gen 1 (sentinel gs 2.5x60) for hog hunting (not over bait) and it was ok on distances up to 50-70yds. One of my friends had a digisight n550 and I was impressed by it. I bought the n750 which is about the same as the n550 but the n750 has a variable zoom which I like. Yeah, the digisight is more expensive compared to gen 1 but I definitely think it is worth it. I have compared the digisight with an atn gen 2 scope and I found the digisight to be better. I like the black/white image better than the greenish image. I have the same experience as you that it can be used around 100-150 yards. If its a beautiful clear night I can use it safely at about 200yds.
Paul
My favorite thing about the digisights is since they are digital night vision you can use them in the day or night. Works great for evening hunts when you don't have to change setups and can see great in low light before it gets completely dark.
I´ve used my gen 1 (sentinel gs 2.5x60) for hog hunting (not over bait) and it was ok on distances up to 50-70yds. One of my friends had a digisight n550 and I was impressed by it. I bought the n750 which is about the same as the n550 but the n750 has a variable zoom which I like. Yeah, the digisight is more expensive compared to gen 1 but I definitely think it is worth it. I have compared the digisight with an atn gen 2 scope and I found the digisight to be better. I like the black/white image better than the greenish image. I have the same experience as you that it can be used around 100-150 yards. If its a beautiful clear night I can use it safely at about 200yds.
Paul
My favorite thing about the digisights is since they are digital night vision you can use them in the day or night. Works great for evening hunts when you don't have to change setups and can see great in low light before it gets completely dark.
Gman757
Well-known member
I owned the Pulsar N550 and it was a very usable scope out to 100 to 150 with the standard lens. I always used mine with an emitter. They can be found online for $1260 new.
There is a new N750 model hitting the market now at around $1750 with a better screen, digital zoom and color reticle.
The nice thing about these scopes is that they are Day/Night capable.
Originally Posted By: Gman757
I owned the Pulsar N550 and it was a very usable scope out to 100 to 150 with the standard lens. I always used mine with an emitter. They can be found online for $1260 new.
There is a new N750 model hitting the market now at around $1750 with a better screen, digital zoom and color reticle.
The nice thing about these scopes is that they are Day/Night capable.
It looks like there is a completely different screen layout and a red reticle on the N750s.
here is the N550 screen
Here is the N750 screen
http://www.pulsardigisight.com/n750.html
Ive never figured it out but there is a way to edit the reticle on the N550 and make your own.
There is supposed to be a new IR for the N750 in addition to the one they put on it. The 940 is the additional one you can get now doesn't do much and all the stronger IRs don't work with digital night vision only with starlight.
I owned the Pulsar N550 and it was a very usable scope out to 100 to 150 with the standard lens. I always used mine with an emitter. They can be found online for $1260 new.
There is a new N750 model hitting the market now at around $1750 with a better screen, digital zoom and color reticle.
The nice thing about these scopes is that they are Day/Night capable.
It looks like there is a completely different screen layout and a red reticle on the N750s.
here is the N550 screen
Here is the N750 screen
http://www.pulsardigisight.com/n750.html
Ive never figured it out but there is a way to edit the reticle on the N550 and make your own.
There is supposed to be a new IR for the N750 in addition to the one they put on it. The 940 is the additional one you can get now doesn't do much and all the stronger IRs don't work with digital night vision only with starlight.
Gman757
Well-known member
txyotewhacker......
Yes....like I said....new screen, new color reticle, new menu display, etc. I have not seen any feedback on the new IR emitter. If you are talking about the Pulsar 940nm emitter it is worthless.
Long range emitters work fine with the N550. I have used Luna Optics @ 810nm, The TNVC TorchPro @ 805nm and the EagleTac IR @ 850nm. All of these worked great with the N550.
This link will help you to make your own reticles and download them into the N550:
http://www.pulsar-nv.com/data/products/N...eticles_eng.htm
Yes....like I said....new screen, new color reticle, new menu display, etc. I have not seen any feedback on the new IR emitter. If you are talking about the Pulsar 940nm emitter it is worthless.
Long range emitters work fine with the N550. I have used Luna Optics @ 810nm, The TNVC TorchPro @ 805nm and the EagleTac IR @ 850nm. All of these worked great with the N550.
This link will help you to make your own reticles and download them into the N550:
http://www.pulsar-nv.com/data/products/N...eticles_eng.htm
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Gman757
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: txyotewhackerThanks for the info. In your opinion which illuminator worked the best with the N550 or was there any difference?
The EagleTac is "smoother" visually....maybe because it is 850nm. The only problem is that you cannot focus the beam.....if you are hunting with vegetation close in front you will get some IR feedback. It has a high and low mode and is a very powerful emitter and reasonably priced. Cheap enough to give it a try first. You want this one for longest throw with the 3.4w IR led.
http://illuminationgear.com/14322/26971.html
The others had a focusable lens which helps a little with the IR feedback and gives you a little more range.
http://tnvc.com/shop/tnvc-torch-pro-infrared-illuminator/
The Luna has focus as well as x/y axis adjustment.
http://www.lunaoptics.com/elir12.html
The EagleTac is "smoother" visually....maybe because it is 850nm. The only problem is that you cannot focus the beam.....if you are hunting with vegetation close in front you will get some IR feedback. It has a high and low mode and is a very powerful emitter and reasonably priced. Cheap enough to give it a try first. You want this one for longest throw with the 3.4w IR led.
http://illuminationgear.com/14322/26971.html
The others had a focusable lens which helps a little with the IR feedback and gives you a little more range.
http://tnvc.com/shop/tnvc-torch-pro-infrared-illuminator/
The Luna has focus as well as x/y axis adjustment.
http://www.lunaoptics.com/elir12.html
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Toraneko Stalker
New member
I have been talking with "Night Vision 4 less" and they are very knowledgeable on optics for night vision. You will get what you pay for! Gen "1"s are basically useless. Depending on the grade of Gen "2"s you will get better performance. Gen "3"s are far superior, but again depends on the grade of the tube.
I was going to put a post up on this subject due to the recent problems I had. I was coyote hunting about 10 days ago with a IR camera to see what was in the area and a Primo’s predator light red flip lenses/white light on my RRA. A Bob cat came down the road about 125 yards and put the white light on it. Couldn't see it through the scope. I then went and bought a Laser Genetics ND3-40 Sub Zero. I got the new laser light and when I opened the box it was used and not the Sub Zero model. I am in the process of sending it back. I then ordered a ND3 50 Sub Zero and had it overnighter to have for a hunt last night. Called another cat in, clicked the light on and it only flicked. It was 40 degrees out and the laser didn't work. Stay away from Laser Genetics ND3- products. I am going to go with a true night vision scope next. Just depends on how bad I want to hunt and how much I am willing to pay.
I was going to put a post up on this subject due to the recent problems I had. I was coyote hunting about 10 days ago with a IR camera to see what was in the area and a Primo’s predator light red flip lenses/white light on my RRA. A Bob cat came down the road about 125 yards and put the white light on it. Couldn't see it through the scope. I then went and bought a Laser Genetics ND3-40 Sub Zero. I got the new laser light and when I opened the box it was used and not the Sub Zero model. I am in the process of sending it back. I then ordered a ND3 50 Sub Zero and had it overnighter to have for a hunt last night. Called another cat in, clicked the light on and it only flicked. It was 40 degrees out and the laser didn't work. Stay away from Laser Genetics ND3- products. I am going to go with a true night vision scope next. Just depends on how bad I want to hunt and how much I am willing to pay.