Night Vision Field Glasses

[BK]

The last few years I ben goofing around calling a few fox, coyotes, and coon at night when I don't have too much skinning.
Rather than shine to see if you have anything coming in I've thought about night vision glasses.
Does anyone use these? What would be a good brand?

[dj88ryr]

BK, Talk to Bubcat, he is well versed in this, you should see his tree condo, for coyote hunting.

[k9]

We use the military generation 3 stuff, do not know the brand name. The good stuff will be a big investment. Our package is worth around $13k. We also have the thermal which looks for body heat. It is also very expensive.

I have used both extensively and while doing surv in rural areas, I have played around spotting animals in fields with both. Hands down the thermal is better for picking out an animal in a field, as the animal basically glows. I can usually tell what kind of animal it is if it is up and walking. If laying down is usually just a blob.

[BK]

You said 13k? I said what,.........13k? Do they like come with a small truck to haul them around in?

Seriously thanks for the reply,......... I'm getting over this idea real fast.

[psb1011]

I own 2 night vision pieces,one is a G2 US made monocular,and a G3 US made monocular.Use them to check traps in suburbia.G2 cost me $1000,and the G3 cost me about $1600

[bubcat]

Bk; With night vision there is a looooong range between good better and junk. With "junk" starting at around grand.

basically, you got different "generations" of night vision, Gen, 1, Gen, 2, gen3, gen 4. with each amplifying available starlight anywhere from 25,000 to 125,000 times over to create a sight picture. With Gen 1, you can lighten things up from "pitch black" to just "black" LOL

What's your price range?

The only way you'll drive tacks with $700 gen 1 Newcon riflescope, is if you unmount it, and use it as a hammer.
Sad to think you could spend that kind of money on optics and be so dissapointed. And, you would be, but for 49 hours either side of a full moon without cloudcover. and THEN at only within 50 yds or so... Junk!

If you're serious, you can get buys on some Gen 2, and factory reconditioned military stuff for "reasonable" cash.

I just saw AN-PVS-7 mil spec Gen 3 night vision goggles on Gunbrokers for under $2,500.00 That'd be a good deal.

Myself, I'd skip the goggles and just buy the riflescope.

Every once in awhile, you'll see an AN pVS-4 reconditioned Gov't surplus scope for around 1,200-1,500 dollars. This is Heavy duty Gen-2 that is serviceable for what you want. and there are a host of Gen 2 optics, where you can hook up an Infra-red intensifer tube (sorta like an invisible flashlight) that will enhance the ability of Gen 2 optics, and a set up like that can be had for under 2 grand... Once you get into it, you'll trade up, and won't be happy with much outside of Gen 3, and those start around 3 grand

but for the most part, you're looking at around 2 grand for equipment that'll perform good enough to suit you, although anybody could get started at $1,500 or so and still be able to buck up coyotes 75% to 80% of the month.

And don't anybody go jumping me about glassing the horizon with a gun scope... My night gear is cradled in a bench vise, zeroed on a bait pile, with wireless motion detectors that signal when I've got company. When I pull up to look through it, the odds are about 90 billion to 1 it ain't a woodcock hunter passing by my gut pile at 2:00 AM... ;D

BK,If you decide what your budget might be, that'd be the best place to start from.

[BK]

Thanks guys for the replys,..........I gotta confess I had no idea the cost involved here.
I hoped to find something cheaper that would give me a leg up for the little bit of calling I do at night.
As it is I think I'll continue to use the light on nights there is no moon. Thanks again guys.

[k9]

The unit I am talking about was provided to us through the military technology transfer program. It is a binocular and also moncular in the same kit, and has varying lenses and attachments for cameras. Also has the bracket for your head so you can go hands free. This is not off the shelf stuff, which is why the higher price. Best night vision I have ever used, very clear.