Night vision scope advice

[MQ32Shooter]

I asked this question about 2 years ago and got some limited input, but never bought a scope. Now I'm desperate!! Loosing my battle with the hogs. I'm gong to buy a NV scope, but would like to hear of any input from the folks that actually have one or used one. I'm looking at the ATN Aries MK410. It's a Generation 1, 5 power with a 450MW IR illuminator. Cost is $600. I know a Gen 2 would be much better, however my budget is $600. Would this be money wasted or do things actually work?? I understand there a limitations to everything, but I need something I can see with at 100 yards on dark nights.

[wellingtontx]

Go the cheapo route - solar powered LED lights around your feeders.

[Will Hunt]

IMHO, Gen 1 NV gear is a waste of money, even with a good IR illuminator in the proper IR range. Period.

I think you would be better off with a high quality day scope with really good glass. You can find such an animal used for $600. A Gen 1 scope with IR illuminator and a good day scope will be much the same on a night with good moonlight. Without moonlight, forget about either one without another light source.

I don't mean to discourage you... but I hope you learn from my costly experience on the subject. I went from Gen 1 to Gen 2 to Gen 3 on my own dime, learning that it is better to buy once and cry once.

Best of luck!

Will

[MQ32Shooter]

Wellingtontx, I have the LED lights at the feeder already. I can see the hogs but not the crosshairs on the scope. Using a 4 x 12 with a 50MM tube, but still not what I'm looking for.
Will Hunt, man you're breaking my heart!! I was all pumped up about one these NV scopes!! Just out of curiosity, does the Gen 3 work??

[texag93]

Gen. 2 at minimum. I talked to a rep for Yukon NV and pushed the question of maximum range of a Gen I with and w/o extra IR illumination. He told me Gen. I is limited to under 100yds(more like 50-75). The Gen 2 and 3 are so much better. As stated above, save your money and wait for a Gen 2 or 3 and in the mean time, get a couple of cheap solar lights to light your feeder enough for a standard scpope. I have shot pigs by moonlight at 75yds with my Nikon scope with ease. A little additional artificial light can go a long way.

Wait and get a Gen 2 or 3

[fishdog]

i have used a cheap nv scope on a couple of occasions and it wasnt worth ****. i would say if you are having trouble seeing the reticle with the solar light you might want to look into a lighted reticle.

[MQ32Shooter]

Well, thanks for the input so far guys. Not what I wanted to hear, but sounds like getting some solid advice which is what I'm looking for.

[cosmiccowboy]

You are just throwing your money away if you go Generation I. They are worthless. Even Generation II can be a pain sometimes.

[Cajun Blake]

in optics (especially NV ) , you get what you pay for

you can spend $500 or $5000 real easy

$1800 to $2500 will get you some very good glass

if i were in your shoes, I'd save my money until you can buy a quality NV scope

If price is not an object, there is only one way to go... the ATN PS22 Gen 2+ . Can be used as a monocular or rifle scope

You can use the daytime optics on your rifle and then attach this NV unit to the front of your scope, turning it into a night vision device.

Shots on coyote sized animals and pigs are possible up to a couple hundred yards in good ambient light conditions.


do a google search for this scope

T-Berg has recently hunted with NV as he can add his .02


also check out the i-net and you2be videos of pig hunting with NV

the serious hunters and night time hunting guides use Gen 2+ and Gen 3



link to the ATN PS22
http://www.atncorp.com/DayNight/DayN...ms/ATNPS22-CGT

[MQ32Shooter]

Fishdog, I have the lighted reticle and it's worthless. When I turn it on, even on it's lowest setting, it's all I can see through the scope. It washes everything out. Can't see the pigs.

[helibow]

Why not go old school... if you have lights under your feeder and you can be under 100 yards from said feeder... take your scope off, go back to open sights and get trijicon sights put on. I have trijicon on my pistol and I dont have a problem at all lining up the three glowing dots and letting the lead fly.

[MQ32Shooter]

My problem is, my feeder with the lights is 170 yards from the back deck where we've been shootiing the hogs. My son killed 3 a few weeks ago and I got 1 last weekend, however it's almost impossible to see the crosshairs even with a 4 x 12 power scope and a 50MM objective tube at that distance. We have figured out a way to center body the pigs in the scope, however it's not real precise. Guys, please don't start with the ethics thing here. We have not wounded or lost any pigs. However, we have completely missed a few!!

[Brack]

I have a buddy who sells that stuff. He could answer your questions on night vision scopes, and he might be able to make you a good deal on something. 830-997-0000 ask for Gordon with KNS

[MQ32Shooter]

Thanks Brack, will give him a call.

[TransPecos]

Trijicon Accupoint 3X9

This is a "daytime" scope that has a small illuminated reticle (1 moa dot) at the center of the crosshairs. I have a 1.25 X 4 with the green reticle on a .223 I use for nightime hog hunting. The 3 X 9 is the same price, and you can get them in red or amber colors as well. No batteries, either. Daytime illumination from the fiber optics on top of the scope and night-time tritium illumination. It works perfect for finding the intersection of your crosshairs on a black hog at night. The illumination is subtle, just enough so you don't lose your night vision. It's like looking at tritium night sights on a pistol if you have seen those. Available brand new for about $700 from swfa..poor man's ACOG for me.