Originally Posted By: 6mm06
I have been reading everyone's comments about night vision scopes, and thought I would add my experiences. Personally, I think everyone is probably correct, or I have that view. The difference, in my mind, is the intended purpose required of the scope. Basically, I see it as bait hunting vs mobile hunting, close range vs extended ranges.
Currently I am using a Gen 1 ATN Spartan 410 with 5X magnification for shooting coyotes over bait. For that purpose, and with some IR lights at the bait site, that scope is all I need, very bright. I've only squeezed the trigger twice, but two coyotes hit the dirt at the 60 yard site.
I had read all the reports before pertaining to night vision when I purchasd the Gen 1. My mouth was watering for desire for a night vision scope for hunting, but when I looked at the prices of good Gen 3 stuff, it about knocked my hat off. Even Gen 2 was pretty expensive. I really wanted a good night vision scope, but I just couldn't afford that much money. Saving for it would require quite a bit of time, and like a lot of people, I wanted it "now."
So, I thought I would give the Gen 1 a try to see if it would work for my intended purpose. If I didn't like the scope, it could be returned for a refund, this told to me on two separate occasions by the company reps I ordered it from. So, I took a gamble.
Right off the bat I noticed the Gen 1 was lacking. I had not looked through (still haven't) either a good Gen 2 or Gen 3 scope, so I realy had no comparison to go by. After looking through the Gen 1, I knew it was limited. I could see well enough to maybe 40 yards with the IR illuminator that came with the scope. The scope just needed more light.
I then decided to see if there was some way to enhance the distance that the Gen 1 could operate at "well enough," so I purchased a Luna laser illuminator ($350 worth). It helped. The good thing about the Luna is that it can be focused down to a pin point, putting all the light into a small area. That extended my range somewhat. I can now see to shoot about 100 yards, maybe a bit further, but I would not say the light is really bright, just enough to be able to identify and make a decent shot. I prefer more.
Later I found some IR lights on Ebay that cost around $11.00 each. They have 48 LEDs, operate at 850 nm, their own photo cell and operate on DC power. In a nut shell, those IR lights have provided me with all the illumination I need (actually more than I need) to take coyotes at a bait site with the Gen 1 scope.
Away from the bait site, the problem with light is real for my Gen 1 scope. I believe, without having looked through them, that Gen 2 or 3 will be much better, this on the word of many memebers and sponsors I have talked to, plus the various photos posted here and there illustrating what a Gen 3 sees.
During all this experimentation, I also purchased the EagleTac T100C2 that a member recommended. It's a great illuminator, very bright, but still it does not extend the range of my Gen 1 scope much beyond 40 or 50 yards. I have probably spent somewhere near $1200 total - over a period of a couple of seasons, on the scope, two illuminators and various other IR lights, in trying to make the Gen 1 work. I could have almost purchased a Gen 2 scope. The Pulsar N550 is close to that price.
After all my experimenting, I have come to a conclusion, and it is this: If you are jumping-at-the bit for a night vision scope on a limited budget, and for BAIT HUNTING, maybe coyotes or wild hogs, then a good Gen 1 scope with proper IR lighting at the bait site will be all you will need and you will be very pleased. However, if you plan to use the scope for calling and being mobile, you will most likely find a Gen 1 to be disappointing.
I still want a better scope, and my desire is to get one at some future time. For now, however, I am enjoying the heck out of my cheap Gen 1 at the bait site. For the price of $539 for the scope, and a couple of those IR lights at about $25, and a battery to power them, I have all I need for shooting at a bait site. My last coyote was taken while using only one of those little IR lights, and I could see very well. Taking the shot was easy. The only reason I wanted to use more lights initially was for video purposes, to help the camera to see well in order to have a good video of the kill.
What I have found lacking, is magnificatin of night vision scopes. My scope has 5x, but I really would like more. The limited magnification, for me at least, translates into the problem of getting a crosshair on a target at greater distances. Seems that everything looks much further away at night than in the daytime. I also understand that the higher a scope's magnification, the more loss it has in resolution.
Victor, I like the idea that the new Gen 2 scope you mentioned will be available in 4X. To me personally, that would be a minimum magnification I would want in a scope.
Kevin, the scope you have that mounts to a day-time scope is a neat idea. I like that.
The illuminators I purchased, while they added a little range to my scope, should work much better I think, with a Gen 2 or Gen 3 scope, so I will keep them and hopefully put them to good use later down the road. Maybe money was wasted up front, but will pay off in the long run. Actually, I shouldn't say wasted, because I did take a very nice bobcat while using the Luna illuminator away from the bait site.
Here are a few video clips of some of my experimenting with IR lights. It will give you an idea of what I have done with the Gen 1. Keep in mind the scope sees much brighter than what is indicated by the movie. I hope this information helps in some way. If nothing more, perhaps it will show the enjoyment I have had with night vision on a limited budget. I admit half the fun has been the experimenting part, though it did run into a bit more money than I initially wanted to spend.
Night Vision Coyote at Bait Site
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsbURr0lUAc&feature=youtu.be
Example of trail Camera IR and added light from small LED lights
My initial experimenting with the Gen 1 scope, IR lights, Luna illuminator, and hunting shack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzfRFiTeLQY&feature=youtu.be
Nice post, thanks for your input...this should help others understand what to expect from a Gen 1 device. Also, you indicated you use it at a bait site. Do you think it would be good for calling when you are not sure where the predator will be coming from or for positively identifying the animal you have coming in (coyote, fox, raccoon, dog, etc)? I would assume the IR flood lights you have at the bait pile put out quite a bit of light so not having that available at a calling site might limit the range you could detect an approaching predator. How far would you estimate you could positively identify an approaching coyote and make the shot using only the IR device in complete darkness (no moon and cloudy night)? Thanks again for the post. Kevin