What's the best bang for your buck nightvision scope these days?

Originally Posted By: case-nhHas anyone used the Eagle nightsightUSA system?

I have and I think they are the best thing I have seen dollar for dollar..JMHO though.
 
I've never heard of the Eagle nightsightUSA system. Are you guys pulling our legs? I googled it and didn't find anything. Do you guys have a link to check it out?
 
Originally Posted By: 6mm06
Kevin, when is the new Photon 4.6x42 expected to become available? Do I understand correctly that the price will be the same as the 3.5x?



I was notified this weekend that I was not included on the first shipment that went out about a week ago to other large retailers. I am expecting to get some in by mid to late October. As far as I know the price was listed as the same as the 3.5xX42mm Photon. The reticles are now part of the CCD device and you will have 6 choices on that. Once I get them in I will do a field review and post it on youtube and let you guys know on PM as well. Kevin
 
Originally Posted By: HTRN57My definition of "best for the money" is the least expensive unit that will get the job done. Unfortunately there are lots of cheaper units out there that can't do the job and that is what most people end up wasting their money on. Many of the less expensive digital NV devices will do the job on predators and hogs at close range and out to 200 or 300 yards (where 90% of your shots are going to be). For example, the Sightmark Photon in 3.5x X 42mm out fitted with our LLTL-007 will get you close to 300 yards on coyotes for less than $1K. You can see our field review of it here for yourself:

Sightmark is currently replacing this model with the improved Photon XT S which will have Higher Magnification - 4.6x42, Higher 640x480 resolution, Longer Detection Ranges, 33% Longer Battery Life, 6 Reticle options, and 30% Lighter Weight. Best of all....the price of these new units will remain unchanged. So, if your definition of "best for the money" is the least expensive that will get the job done then check out our line of Pulsar and Sightmark digital NV riflescopes.

Kevin




Forgot to mention there is also a Photon XTL which will be 6.5x X 50mm that will have the same improvements on it as well....higher resolution, longer detection range, lighter weight, longer battery life, and 6 adjustable reticles. Kevin
 
Originally Posted By: BoondockOutdoorsOriginally Posted By: case-nhHas anyone used the Eagle nightsightUSA system?

I have and I think they are the best thing I have seen dollar for dollar..JMHO though.

JHMO is now slang for "I sell that product".......that's just my humble opinion.
 
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Originally Posted By: pmackOriginally Posted By: BoondockOutdoorsOriginally Posted By: case-nhHas anyone used the Eagle nightsightUSA system?

I have and I think they are the best thing I have seen dollar for dollar..JMHO though.

JHMO is now slang for "I sell that product".......that's just my humble opinion.

That is funny crap! I don't care who you are! A lot of truth in the statement also. The problem with all of these forums (I sell houses and am a member of numerous real estate forums) is that the consumer wants and needs unbiased advice. Money is hard to come by and some, or most, of these guys have a family and have to make educated decisions because do overs are expensive. I am fortunate that I can afford to play with this stuff as I see fit but I don't have a family. I have not tried these digital scopes, I admit that. I also don't know a single person in real life that takes them seriously. For twice the money, a lot I know, you can buy brand new gen 3 from Vic and others. I am not supporting Vic by saying this and have only made one order with him. The customer service was not to my liking but there are many, many people who do support him and think his customer service is outstanding. Point is, if you want to play and are serious, get Gen 3. If you want to try the digital, go ahead but beware the resale is crap when you decide to bump up to gen 3.
 
If I was going to get one do it all scope, I would get a FLIR RS64-35mm and forget about it and hunt like mad for the next ten years at night and enjoy every minute of it.
 
Originally Posted By: SkyPupIf I was going to get one do it all scope, I would get a FLIR RS64-35mm and forget about it and hunt like mad for the next ten years at night and enjoy every minute of it. im on the wagon with u Skypup. Me and the boy's rigs suit us very well, but I keep laying a lil back in the "fun jar" cause I'm gonna have that devise here real soon.
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You can't explain how thermal technology ups the kill ratio until you've used it. My hand held is a great devise. We've called many coyotes in tall grasses and my gen3 won't pick up the critters, but the thermal....WOW, they are sittin right there. Whenever Skypup speaks we all should listen and read his details. Enjoy
 
Originally Posted By: R15 PredatorOriginally Posted By: pmackOriginally Posted By: BoondockOutdoorsOriginally Posted By: case-nhHas anyone used the Eagle nightsightUSA system?

I have and I think they are the best thing I have seen dollar for dollar..JMHO though.

JHMO is now slang for "I sell that product".......that's just my humble opinion.

That is funny crap! I don't care who you are! A lot of truth in the statement also. The problem with all of these forums (I sell houses and am a member of numerous real estate forums) is that the consumer wants and needs unbiased advice. Money is hard to come by and some, or most, of these guys have a family and have to make educated decisions because do overs are expensive. I am fortunate that I can afford to play with this stuff as I see fit but I don't have a family. I have not tried these digital scopes, I admit that. I also don't know a single person in real life that takes them seriously. For twice the money, a lot I know, you can buy brand new gen 3 from Vic and others. I am not supporting Vic by saying this and have only made one order with him. The customer service was not to my liking but there are many, many people who do support him and think his customer service is outstanding. Point is, if you want to play and are serious, get Gen 3. If you want to try the digital, go ahead but beware the resale is crap when you decide to bump up to gen 3.


"I have not tried these digital scopes, I admit that." Then why are you offering such negative opinions about them?

"If you want to try the digital, go ahead but beware the resale is crap when you decide to bump up to gen 3" So you have not tried one but somehow have experienced reselling it?

"I also don't know a single person in real life that takes them seriously." I do....... and you can also check out reviews from other fellow hunters who do and do not sell them here:


Pulsar Digisights
http://www.opticsplanet.com/pulsar-digis...lluminator.html

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Pulsar-Digisight-N750-Nightvision-Riflescope/1580056.uts? - Click on customer reviews tab

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Pulsar-Digisight-N550-Nightvision-Riflescope/1136656.uts? - Click on customer reviews tab


Sightmark Photons
http://www.amazon.com/Sightmark-Digital-...howViewpoints=1

https://www.facebook.com/chrismdover/posts/3777376289041

Kevin
 

R15 Predator,

I respect your thoughts and agree quite a bit with what you say but also differ a bit too. This is just discussion and not meant to throw insults or get into a tizzy over anything. I'm sure you will respect my thoughts on this subject as well and maybe we both can come out agreeing.

First, I agree that members looking to purchase this or that need unbiased information. As you say, most have families and times are tough at best with many or perhaps most hunters, of which I am one. I generally have to make the proper decision the first time specifically on higher priced items since I can't "test drive" all the models to know what will work well "FOR ME" and what won't, though I admit to a small bit of testing. I'm not so poor that I can't purchase a cheaper scope, but parting with thousands of dollars for a Gen 3 is something that I would have to really think hard about doing.

Where I disagree a bit is pertaining to the subject of a person in real life not taking the digitals seriously, and also "if I want to play and am serious" that I shouldn't consider a digital. This area is where I disagree, but within proper context.

By that I mean, my needs and basic hunting may be much different than yours. For instance, if I were out calling wide open places and shooting distances, I would love to have a good Gen 3 scope. Heck, I would love one anyway even if I don't hunt those places. But, that money-thing gets in the way and then some prudence too when I consider that I don't really need a Gen 3 for the hunting I do. I can't justify a Gen 3 even though I would love to have one. I imagine (though I have never looked through one) that a Gen 3 is the cat's meow. Fact is, however, I shoot up close and personal for most of my hunting (calling) here in the mountains, AND I hunt coyotes over bait as well.

My bait site is 60 yards from my tiny hobo-shack of a cabin where I have put down 9 coyotes already with a combination of a Gen 1 scope and a home-made NV outfit that works. Actually, the little bullet camera deal that I use is a spin off idea similar to the way the Nite Site works. It works so well that I sold my Gen 1 scope and now only use the digital which is nothing more than a bullet camera that sits behind a daytime scope.

I can see very well with this cheap, put-together outfit to take coyotes over 100 yards but I have only used it at 60 yards so far. I don't need a Gen 3 scope, but I sure would like one.

The new digitals, specifically the Photons and the yet-to-be-released ATN X-Sight have my serious attention as possibly offering all I will ever need in a night vision scope. So, now you know at least one guy in real life who seriously is looking at this scope and waiting to hear reviews of the newer models. I have a feeling one of these scopes will serve me well. I have seen many YouTube videos of the digitals and have read review after review of them for months now, while waiting to hear about the X-Sight. If these scopes will work well to 100 yards or maybe 150, then I will be a happy camper with only having to part with maybe $700 at most (for the X-Sight), and less if I go with one of the Photons.

Just for discussion and information about the Gen 1 scope - It "can be made to work", but is VERY LIMITED as most everyone with knowledge knows. I tried it and found out, but also I made it work with proper lighting and put down 6 coyotes at the bait site, a bobcat not over bait, several fox, possums, skunks and a raccoon with it. It worked OK up close and personal but is nothing compared to the little home-made outfit I now use, which is so much better.

A good illuminator turns the home-made deal into a very usable scope for the average joe who hunts relatively close quarters, and specifically at a stationary site like a bait site for coyotes, hogs etc. I can only imagine the new digitals will be at least as good but I suspect they will be somewhat better.

The new digitals will fill a void in my opinion and be popular with a lot of hunters. Other hunters will never be satisfied with anything less than a Gen 3. That's just the way it is. What works for one may not for another. I am very serious about my hunting and am ready to purchase one of the new digitals provided the reviews pan out to my liking.

Regards.


 
Originally Posted By: pmackOriginally Posted By: BoondockOutdoorsOriginally Posted By: case-nhHas anyone used the Eagle nightsightUSA system?

I have and I think they are the best thing I have seen dollar for dollar..JMHO though.

JHMO is now slang for "I sell that product".......that's just my humble opinion.

I never tried to hide the fact that I sell them.

The header of this topic was "What's the best bang for your buck nightvision scope these days?"

My definition of best bang for the buck is the best performance per dollar spent and in "My HONEST Opinion" that is the digital add-on's like the NiteSite. And you can still use the scope during the day too, so you dont have to dedicate a gun to one purpose. Not everyone is made of money.

 
These devises will get you in the NIGHT TIME GAME. If I only hunted once or twice a month, or once or twice a year, these devises would get me in the game. I wouldn't want to dish out thousands upon thousands of $'s for a few hours of fun. When I got in the game I had one of HTRN pvs14 scope adaptors. IT GOT ME IN THE GAME. I shot many coyotes with the adaptor. I've watched all HTRN reviews of his products on YouTube . The pulsar devises look very promising for some1 wanting to get in the NIGHT GAME (and stay married too) Watch his product review, granted your view is not with the naked eye, you looking through a recorder, they look pretty darn good! Enjoy
 
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Originally Posted By: SkyPupIf I was going to get one do it all scope, I would get a FLIR RS64-35mm and forget about it and hunt like mad for the next ten years at night and enjoy every minute of it.

Now that I've had some experience with my friend's NV scopes, thermals, and night lights, I'd have to agree with SkyPup but my budget would likely have me using the RS32 35mm and even that is a bit tough to afford...

I'm still saving my pennies and hoping for a good used one to appear or a reasonable sale but it seems that they're selling so well that price drops aren't gonna happen anytime soon. Demand is keeping prices firm and I'm not complaining. That's capitalism and the American way.

$bob$
 

Loggers Inn, when that door bell rings you can bet I'll answer it. It has woke me from a nice sleep more than once, but it was all worth it.

LDHunter, I'm not really that great an innovator. I'm just good at following what others have already done, and maybe adding my own modifications to it. No need to reinvent the wheel.

With regards to the home-made night vision, here are some short compiled video clips to show how it sees from 60-75 yards on a possum, gray fox, red fox, crows and a coyote.

This home-made outfit cost me around $200 to put together. I used two illuminators that I already had, an Eagle Tac T100C2 and the new LLTL-001. Both are 850nm.

Surely the new digitals will perform at least as good as this $102 bullet camera does behind my daytime scope.




On the coyote shot, I did not have the lens focused properly. I have learned that if used during the daytime, the camera has to be refocused for nighttime use and vice versa.

When the coyote showed up, it was just before dark. There was enough ambient light to allow me to take a shot, but I was testing the home-made outfit and wanted to get a video of how it performed with the LLTL-001 illuminator, so I patiently waited for it to get dark before taking the shot. I'm still kicking myself in the butt for not focusing the lens before hand.

NO, this is not Gen 3 quality, but it's pretty darn good, good enough for me at least, and it cost me less than $300 for the total outfit including illuminator (Eagle Tac).
The LLTL-001 costs a bit more but is much brighter and worth the extra cost.

Now tell me this is not good enough for a lot of hunters. Only a die-hard Gen 3 guy or someone who has never tried it would argue differently.

The new digitals should be at least as good but I'm betting they will be better. One thing for sure is, there will be no dangling cords on those scopes like there is on my home-made deal.

For roughly $500, the Photon should be a great little scope that will find its way into the hands of hunters who are on a budget, and will allow them to do night vision without having to hock the family estate.

Here is the latest coyote I took with the home-made outfit, which works on the same principle as the Nite Site.










Another yote taken with the home-made NV.






So as to not discriminate, here are some Gen 1 photos. I know a lot of you guys have seen these before, but probably some haven't.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating a Gen 1. Just showing what can be done. The new digitals should be much, much better.
I know my little bullet camera is.

These two coyotes were taken the same night with the Gen 1 at 60 yards.















 
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