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Author Topic: Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?  (Read 10317 times)

Deer Hunter

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Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?
« on: November 19, 2008, 08:29:37 pm »
I'm thinking about getting into night vision.   I think my AR-15 would do very well as a night-time hog remover on my deer lease (they only come out at night here).  I want some experiences with cheap night vision optics or perhaps bubbed works of art.

The russian Gen-1 night vision gear at Kalinka is priced to move and those scopes have worked for me in the past.  Wondering what they could do for me now.
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    PvtPyle

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    Re: Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?
    « Reply #1 on: November 20, 2008, 02:15:52 pm »
    With cash. Lots and lots of cash. Gen one crap is just that. In a house or under 25m and it is "ok". Gen 2 is a base line to start with. Gen 3 is worth saving for even if you get the basic gen 1 stuff. Figure about $2000+
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    You only have power over people so long as you don't take everything away from them. But when you've robbed a man of everything, he's no longer in your power - he's free again. -Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

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    Deer Hunter

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    Re: Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?
    « Reply #2 on: November 20, 2008, 03:36:43 pm »
    Here's the deal.

    Having never used any NVDs, a gen-1 with IR would be better than the naked eye when it comes to hunting hogs close range in the woods at night.

    Or just having an all-around dusk/night set up on my AR.

    I'm looking at this.

    http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0012845711517a.shtml



    I've been reading reports that this set-up, with the IR, works pretty well.  I'm not about to go out and spend 10k on a scope.  I guess I'm just not "operator" enough.
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    Penguin

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    Re: Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?
    « Reply #3 on: November 21, 2008, 11:08:04 pm »
    What about those new digital night vision scopes? Are those all they are cracked up to be?
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    Outbreak

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    Re: Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?
    « Reply #4 on: November 23, 2008, 06:55:50 pm »
    I have some experience with helmet mounted binocular system that we fly with, but they're about $6k a pop, rather uncomfortable to wear for long periods, and I have no clue who manufactures them, or what model they are. But they work great!
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    TexasOutbreak

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    PvtPyle

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    Re: Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?
    « Reply #5 on: November 23, 2008, 09:48:15 pm »
    It has nothing to do with being "operator enough" so dont get your panties all bunched up. It has to do with quality and being able to tell a bush from a hog at 50yds. The 1st gen russian stuff cant cut it.

    Go try them and see if they work for you. If they do great. But the 1st gen quality is about 1/20th of what 2nd gen stuff is as far as quality goes. Call me crazy, but if it was my life on the other side of the glasses from a hog that could seriously jack me up or kill me I think I would look at the 2nd gen stuff for $2000-2500 or re-consider my recreational activities.
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    You only have power over people so long as you don't take everything away from them. But when you've robbed a man of everything, he's no longer in your power - he's free again. -Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

    There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. - Ayn Rand

    "I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do." -Robert Heinlein.

    One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws, but conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. –– Martin Luther King, Jr.

    Deer Hunter

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    Re: Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?
    « Reply #6 on: November 24, 2008, 01:11:20 am »
    I actually got to play with a night-time hunting rig recently.  Carried the exact scope I linked to.  It was owned by my IPSC club's president. 

    Unlike what I have been told on the internet, it worked extremely well out to about 100 yards.  To 150 I could sort-of make out things, but I doubt I'd ever use it past 100.

    I'm not looking for something I can use past 100.  I rarely make a shot in the day-time past 100 yards.  It's just not feasible where I hunt.  I'm not at the point where I can lay down a few grand for a scope, that is not feasible either.

    Looks like I know what to save up for now. Thanks guys!  Now if I could only get a suppressor like he had.
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    Irwin

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    Re: Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?
    « Reply #7 on: November 24, 2008, 02:39:00 am »
    Lol I like how california is the only state banned from having night vision, you can have guns but how dare you see at night. Irwin
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    Dirk Pitt

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    Re: Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?
    « Reply #8 on: November 24, 2008, 05:13:24 am »
    Technically they banned night vision scopes, you can still have night vision goggles, monoculars, and binoculars.
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    "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." (George Orwell)

    Irwin

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    Re: Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?
    « Reply #9 on: November 24, 2008, 05:19:02 am »
    Thats even wierder then, why would they do this scared of the local chavs shooting folk at night? Irwin
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    Tom The Impaler

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    Re: Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?
    « Reply #10 on: January 07, 2009, 07:12:16 pm »
    Quote from: Dirk Pitt on November 24, 2008, 05:13:24 am
    Technically they banned night vision scopes, you can still have night vision goggles, monoculars, and binoculars.

    When did they do this? and where? I can still get them all day all night in stereo her on the web.
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    Some people call the midwest the heartland, I prefer to think of it as the liver. Not too interesting, and easy to ignore until it quits working.

    Tom The Impaler

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    Re: Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?
    « Reply #11 on: January 07, 2009, 07:21:57 pm »
    I also looked into getting into some night vision gear. It gets confusing fast. Gen 1, gen 1+, gen 2, gen2+, gen 3, gen 3+ and at the top the Elcan thermal imaging optical gunsight, which sees in the dark, through fog and thin barriers. Makes the rifleman into a demigod for the piddling price of $15,000 MSRP.

    If I were gonna REALLY purchase on I'd save for one of the $1,500 Gen 2 models But here's a good source for real info.

    http://www.atncorp.com/HowNightVisionWorks

    And perusing their website it's clear that things have become even MORE complicated since I last shopped.
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    Some people call the midwest the heartland, I prefer to think of it as the liver. Not too interesting, and easy to ignore until it quits working.

    Coronach

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    Re: Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?
    « Reply #12 on: February 06, 2009, 01:36:25 pm »
    I'm actually interested in NV as well. We have lots of coyotes and feral dogs around here, and the potential for looting in the event of an ice-storm like Kentucky just had is always a possibility. I'm looking to get:

    1. A good NV monocular for general use, both with a weapon and without. The real bonus is that, as an LEO, I can and will use it at work, so it's a tax write-off.  >:D

    2. Some manner of IR illuminator and IR laser designator for weapon use. I'm aware of the FDA restrictions on non-vis lasers, but I also know that there are some ways around that.

    I just don't realy know where to start. I'd love an AN/PVS-14 or civvie version, but I don't know much about the diffeences between the various Gen3 devices available. Gen4 is probably out of my price range.

    Mike
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    Deer Hunter

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    Re: Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?
    « Reply #13 on: February 08, 2009, 11:05:11 am »
    I recently orderd an ATN 390 Paladin, so when it comes in I'll give you guys a good write-up.

    I also have an IR filter for my Mini Maglite.
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    Tom The Impaler

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    Re: Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?
    « Reply #14 on: February 08, 2009, 09:03:27 pm »
    Can't wait!
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    Some people call the midwest the heartland, I prefer to think of it as the liver. Not too interesting, and easy to ignore until it quits working.

    Outbreak

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    Re: Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?
    « Reply #15 on: February 09, 2009, 04:04:51 am »
    Quote from: Deer Hunter on February 08, 2009, 11:05:11 am
    I also have an IR filter for my Mini Maglite.

    Yeah, let us know how the IR filter works for ya. I commented about them in the other night-vision thread (or was it a flashlight thread?). I hope its not as bright as my TV remote. That thing is a blinding strobe on the NVG's.
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    TexasOutbreak

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    Deer Hunter

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    Re: Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?
    « Reply #16 on: February 09, 2009, 06:52:50 pm »
    I talked to Cabela's today.  My NVD will arrive on thursday.
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    Deer Hunter

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    Re: Interested in Night Vision. Where to start?
    « Reply #17 on: February 12, 2009, 04:51:33 pm »
     :clap :clap :clap :clap

    IT'S HERE!!!!

    Will post up pictures and junk after work. 
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