Night Vision question

J

jspring011

New member
I'm looking into purchasing a night vision scope but here in Iowa we aren't allowed to use anything that produces an artificial light, which includes infrared. All of the night vision scopes I've looked at require the use of an IR illuminator also. Do all night vision scopes require use of some form of IR or are there any that don't? Is thermal my only option? Appreciate any advice you guys can provide.
 
One of the dealers can give you better info than I can, but it is my understanding that gen3 only requires IR on the very darkest nights. Of course with Gen3 you're getting into the same price as thermal.
 
Originally Posted By: jspring011I'm looking into purchasing a night vision scope but here in Iowa we aren't allowed to use anything that produces an artificial light, which includes infrared. All of the night vision scopes I've looked at require the use of an IR illuminator also. Do all night vision scopes require use of some form of IR or are there any that don't? Is thermal my only option? Appreciate any advice you guys can provide.

The good news NV does NOT produce anything, it's only a light amplification device. Most Generation 2 and 3 devices (especially) Gen 3 do not need any IR illumination from a IR light unless it's extremely dark outside. Bottom line in your case, having a NVD will be fine if you do not introduce any IR light source.

In Kalifornia they have basically the same silly law that you cannot use a "NV Sniper Scope" which defined must not have these 3 characteristics to be defined as such.
NV Tube
Reticle
IR Illumnation

In regards to thermal, they are great for detection and much closer range ID vs. NV where these are tbe king of ID and clarity.

Here is an active thread that also dives into the NV technology.
http://www.predatormastersforums.com/for...;gonew=1#UNREAD
 
Thank you for the insight. Do you have any recommendations on a gen2 scope that would work out to the 150-200 yard range without the IR?

Thanks
 

Originally Posted By: jspring011Do you have any recommendations on a gen2 scope that would work out to the 150-200 yard range without the IR?

For a Gen 2 scope you might want to take a look at the Armasight Nemesis QS. I don't have personal experience with this scope but it is my choice considering money and Gen 2. Kevin at High Tech Redneck has Youtube video tests of both the 4x and 6x models. The Nemesis looks to be a very good scope.

If you are really needing all the light you can get out of a scope without an illuminator, you will have to consider a Gen 3 or thermal.

 
Hey jspring,
Not second guessing you at all but you might want to talk to your local CO about this. The reason I say this is I had a very similar conversation with a CO in Iowa last week and he said if it doesn't cast a visible beam you should be okay. I then asked about an 850 nm that has a red glow but does not illuminate at any distance to the naked eye & he seemed okay with that.
Just my 2 cents, trying to help. There's a gentleman from Iowa on here called case nh that would know more on this as well.
Merry Christmas.
 
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Originally Posted By: jspring011I'm looking into purchasing a night vision scope but here in Iowa we aren't allowed to use anything that produces an artificial light, which includes infrared. All of the night vision scopes I've looked at require the use of an IR illuminator also. Do all night vision scopes require use of some form of IR or are there any that don't? Is thermal my only option? Appreciate any advice you guys can provide.

You can check out our field reviews on the Armasight Nemesis Quick Silvers as well as the D-740 and D-760 in all types of lighting conditions (with and without IR assistance). Although the images are slightly worse that what you will experience by looking directly through the devices, these field reviews were all produced on the same nights and with the same camera. This should allow you to see the differences in performance between them all. Below is our YouTube page where you can see all of our field reviews:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBJfHimNagQiMXiH1HMKHyw

Thanks, Kevin
 
Thank you for all the replies. After doing some research I think the best option is to go with a thermal rifle scope. Right now I am looking at the Pulsar Apex XD38A and XD50A. Any other recommendations in the $2500-3500 price range?

Also, do you have to worry about muzzle flash with a thermal scope like you would with a night vision scope? The barrel on my AR is not threaded for a flash hider or suppressor.

Thanks
 
Originally Posted By: jspring011Also, do you have to worry about muzzle flash with a thermal scope like you would with a night vision scope? The barrel on my AR is not threaded for a flash hider or suppressor.

Thanks
.
In the quiet of the night . My Ears Ring Twice as Loud than in the daylight shooting ...LOL

No flash worries with Therm. like you do with NV . but muzzle flash is pretty bad at night depending on Cal. and what powder your burning in your load . So a nice flash hide as pretty desirable to be working with at nighttime .
.
edit add:
The 1st time I went out thinking I would save weight and really shorten-down my 16" barrel rifle . I shot a coyote then went home and to this day, never went out again at night without the suppressor on the muzzle .
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Originally Posted By: jspring011Thank you for all the replies. After doing some research I think the best option is to go with a thermal rifle scope. Right now I am looking at the Pulsar Apex XD38A and XD50A. Any other recommendations in the $2500-3500 price range?

Also, do you have to worry about muzzle flash with a thermal scope like you would with a night vision scope? The barrel on my AR is not threaded for a flash hider or suppressor.

Thanks

Hi,

Both thermal options you mentioned will get the job done quite well. NightGoggles our sister company gives great PM disounts.

For your flash hider questions talked about, take a look here but it's only a concern with NV I^2 devices. http://www.predatormastersforums.com/for...842#Post3018842
 
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The first thing I'd do is thread the barrel and get a linear comp like the BRT Tactical model. It knocks a couble dB off and does a good job of reducing flash and blowback. The next thing I'd do is get a suppressor, especially if they're legal to hunt with in your State. The only thing I don't shoot suppressed is a shotgun and once you go suppressed, you won't go back.

No issues with muzzle flash and thermal. If you go NV make sure the model you buy has an auto-gated power supply to deal with it and any of the NV sponsors here will get you in the right direction.
 
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