Night Vision

Don P · February 10, 2015, 11:45 AM

Can any of you folks point me in the right direction for night vision products??
thanks in advance and YES I know GOOGLE is my friend

BarryLee · February 10, 2015, 12:16 PM

Here’s a couple of places to start:

http://www.brownells.com/

http://www.opticsplanet.com/

wogpotter · February 10, 2015, 05:10 PM

What kind of night vision & for what kind of application?
Hand held or gun mounted?
(Not being nosy but these are some of the first things you'll need to decide.)

skoro · February 13, 2015, 11:05 AM

a) Avoid 1st generation. A flashlight is more useful.
b) 2nd gen allows you to see in the dark, but it's expensive.
c) 3rd gen allows you to see clearly in the dark, but it's very expensive.

I own all three.

Don P · February 13, 2015, 11:33 AM

Appreciate all the info. Looking for hand held

wogpotter · February 13, 2015, 12:47 PM

Quote:

a) Avoid 1st generation. A flashlight is more useful.

I disagree with this, gen 1 works under many circumstances, but its not anywhere as good as the later & more expensive units. That was one reason why I asked about specific use, the Gen 1 is fine for looking about & moving about in low light. Its not really suited for the more advanced applications of NV though.

Avoid the el-cheapo Russian stuff, its pretty horrible for the most part.

Look at European Gen 1 because they developed gen 1 beyond US units as they switched to gen 2 instead.

If you're going for outdoor viewing then a good gen 2, or a European Gen 1 is what you want, but bear in mind things like:

Worn, or hand held? (Do you need to manipulate things?)

Single of true double tubes? (do you need depth perception for handling things, or will a single optic do ?)

Is near focus important to you? (distance is easy but you'll frequently need to adjust focus for close up)

Will you use them in low light, or no light? In no light you'll need auxiliary illumination, or thermal capacity (Mega-expensive)

Double Naught Spy · February 13, 2015, 02:05 PM

What is your planned use of the handheld and how much are you willing to spend?

February 10, 2015, 11:45 AM	#1
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	Night Vision Can any of you folks point me in the right direction for night vision products?? thanks in advance and YES I know GOOGLE is my friend __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

February 10, 2015, 12:16 PM	#2
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,947	Here’s a couple of places to start: http://www.brownells.com/ http://www.opticsplanet.com/ __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

February 10, 2015, 05:10 PM	#3
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	What kind of night vision & for what kind of application? Hand held or gun mounted? (Not being nosy but these are some of the first things you'll need to decide.) __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

February 13, 2015, 11:33 AM	#5
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	Appreciate all the info. Looking for hand held __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

February 13, 2015, 02:05 PM	#7
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,718	What is your planned use of the handheld and how much are you willing to spend? __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange

February 13, 2015, 11:05 AM	#4
skoro Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,952	a) Avoid 1st generation. A flashlight is more useful. b) 2nd gen allows you to see in the dark, but it's expensive. c) 3rd gen allows you to see clearly in the dark, but it's very expensive. I own all three.