Originally Posted By: DoubleUpInitially the Photon was somewhat amazing and then disappointing. I actually received it from 6mm06 on a full moon, and I was amazed at how good it could see with just ambient light. I don't think he had tested it in full moon light, and I knew his homemade NV didn't see well with ambient light. Then, when I tried it with IR lighting it began to disappoint as the picture was grainy, pretty blurry, and it was very hard to focus. Focus ring was very stiff and there wasn't much leeway in the adjustment. I was using a strong LLTL-001 that 6mm06 had sent me previously. It was focusable but only had one power. I'm pretty sure that was part of the reason he was having a hard time with the grainy and blurry picture focus, as 6mm06 was using the same light.
I then ordered the T-20 which was equally as powerful but had three power settings of 15%, 50%, and 100%. The lower power settings made the grainy picture much better but it was still not as sharp an image as I thought I needed. I did manage to kill two reds at about 90 yds with it like that, but missed a coyote at 150. Next I purchased the Doubler which made a world of difference in clarity and of course the extra magnification was nice at distance. The Doubler also cuts down on the amount of IR light entering the scope which in itself helps limit the grainy picture, and with three powers and focus to use on the IR light it was pretty easy to adjust to get a good picture.
However, the Doubler doesn't work well for calling as the field of view is too narrow. Also taking the Doubler off to go calling and putting it back on to shoot over the bait pile was problematic. Removing and reinstalling the doubler has to be done to the exact tightness each time or the POI won't remain the same when the doubler is reinstalled. The POI will not be the same with the doubler as it is without the doubler, but that is easy to fix by writing down the numbers with or without. I have marked it by scribing a line across the doubler and coupler so that it goes back to the exact same place each time, but I am still not comfortable without checking the POI after reinstalling.
You already know about the 22mm hole so I won't repeat that. Currently I am awaiting the arrival of the IR module and variable switch for a Sniper Hog 66LR that I already had. I also ordered a 50LR head as well. When I get that in, I will report on how it compares to the T-20 with each of the heads and the variable power. If it works as I expect, the Sniper Hog will go on the bait pile rig and I will get another Photon 4.6 XT to use for calling with the T-20.
Any update on the Sniper Hog light IR module? I am on the fence between it and the T-20. Thanks.
I then ordered the T-20 which was equally as powerful but had three power settings of 15%, 50%, and 100%. The lower power settings made the grainy picture much better but it was still not as sharp an image as I thought I needed. I did manage to kill two reds at about 90 yds with it like that, but missed a coyote at 150. Next I purchased the Doubler which made a world of difference in clarity and of course the extra magnification was nice at distance. The Doubler also cuts down on the amount of IR light entering the scope which in itself helps limit the grainy picture, and with three powers and focus to use on the IR light it was pretty easy to adjust to get a good picture.
However, the Doubler doesn't work well for calling as the field of view is too narrow. Also taking the Doubler off to go calling and putting it back on to shoot over the bait pile was problematic. Removing and reinstalling the doubler has to be done to the exact tightness each time or the POI won't remain the same when the doubler is reinstalled. The POI will not be the same with the doubler as it is without the doubler, but that is easy to fix by writing down the numbers with or without. I have marked it by scribing a line across the doubler and coupler so that it goes back to the exact same place each time, but I am still not comfortable without checking the POI after reinstalling.
You already know about the 22mm hole so I won't repeat that. Currently I am awaiting the arrival of the IR module and variable switch for a Sniper Hog 66LR that I already had. I also ordered a 50LR head as well. When I get that in, I will report on how it compares to the T-20 with each of the heads and the variable power. If it works as I expect, the Sniper Hog will go on the bait pile rig and I will get another Photon 4.6 XT to use for calling with the T-20.
Any update on the Sniper Hog light IR module? I am on the fence between it and the T-20. Thanks.