what night vision to buy ?

NDAR15MAN

NDAR15MAN

Member
folks. i know this question has been asked 100 differnt ways in the last year but hopefully it will not get on any ones nerves if i ask it here. i can only afford to do this one time and cannot make a mistake. i want to buy some night vision and need some help.. Here is the plan.

1. I will be hunting in the midwest..... IL , Iowa , WI , etc.
2... hunting fall and dead of winter.
3... plan on using night vision hunting coyotes and fox with my AR15 223 Rifle ( Not the John Deere model. ha ha ) and 3 1/2 12 ga pump sometimes.
4... most of the time hunting by myself but can see at age 53 might not be a good idea so i plan on hunting with a partner.
5... I already own a lightforce 170 but also could and would buy the xlr250 or other lights without the cord if that is a better.
6... I have never looked through a good quality night vision rig.

from the research i have done it sounds like i have 2 good options.

1... Buy the THERMAL FLIR-PS32 use it to find the coyote in the field ( how far away can i really idenify a coyote with one of these ) and then hit the lightforce or XLR250 LIGHT on the gun and take the shot.

OR

2... Buy the PVS-14 GEN 3 UNIT ( one that can be worn on your head to locate coyote 1st then hit the lightforce or XLR250 light and take the shot. ( i really cannot belive that you can unsnap the pvs-14 unit from head gear and then snap it on your gun and shoot with day scope before coyote would run off ).

OR

Other night vision / thermal options that make more sense.

I am looking for the best solution. I have sold a bunch of guns that I have not shot in years to fund this project. I wanted to have more fun with my money and want to make the right choice. thanks. marty
 
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Go with #2 BUT-Get a helmet rig for the PVS14, add an EoTech XPS3 with the NV mode, and an IR Illuminator. Use the mono on your right eye (to scan) and with the EoTech far forward on your rifle and the IR Illuminator on a rail, you'll be able to ID and shoot out to 100 yds (most shots in the Midwest). You can also use the PVS14 behind a day scope but will lose a lot of light due to the layers of glass. PVS14-the most versatile and most bang for your buck.
 
First of all, I would not recommend using a conventional light with your NV or Thermal setup. The best thing about using NV/thermal is stealth....the target doesn't know you are there when you take the shot. Coyotes are normally very shy of lights so even though you identified him say 200 yards out, will he come the rest of the way for a shot with a conventional light in his face? Thank you family guy for the referral - If you are new to night vision or hunting at night I would suggest you start out by spending about $25.00 (19.99 + S&H) for our combo pack DVDs.

http://www.hightechredneckincorporated.com/Night_Vision_Predator_Hunting_DVDs_s/4.htm

There are 47 successful NV hunts on these and it will give you some good pointers on how to set up for night hunting.

You can also check out our Signature Series NV scopes here:

http://www.hightechredneckincorporated.com/Night_Vision_Scopes_s/2.htm

These are basically NV monoculars that attach to your regular daytime riflescope in a nono-second which allows you to use the monocular to scan and find your target. Once you find the target, pop the monocular on your scope and take the shot. You have several options to choose from on the Signature Series Scopes including our own MX-160 (3 models to chose from), our own branded PVS-14, or the ITT Night Enforcer PVS-14. We also sell pre-owned devices for those of you who can't pay the top dog prices. We stand behind all of our products with the best warranty in the business and a 30 day satisfaction guaranteed return policy with no ($0.00) restocking charges. Let me know if you have any more questions. Kevin
 
Originally Posted By: NDAR15MANfolks. i know this question has been asked 100 differnt ways in the last year but hopefully it will not get on any ones nerves if i ask it here. i can only afford to do this one time and cannot make a mistake. i want to buy some night vision and need some help.. Here is the plan.

1. I will be hunting in the midwest..... IL , Iowa , WI , etc.
2... hunting fall and dead of winter.
3... plan on using night vision hunting coyotes and fox with my AR15 223 Rifle ( Not the John Deere model. ha ha ) and 3 1/2 12 ga pump sometimes.
4... most of the time hunting by myself but can see at age 53 might not be a good idea so i plan on hunting with a partner.
5... I already own a lightforce 170 but also could and would buy the xlr250 or other lights without the cord if that is a better.
6... I have never looked through a good quality night vision rig.

from the research i have done it sounds like i have 2 good options.

1... Buy the THERMAL FLIR-PS32 use it to find the coyote in the field ( how far away can i really idenify a coyote with one of these ) and then hit the lightforce or XLR250 LIGHT on the gun and take the shot.

OR

2... Buy the PVS-14 GEN 3 UNIT ( one that can be worn on your head to locate coyote 1st then hit the lightforce or XLR250 light and take the shot. ( i really cannot belive that you can unsnap the pvs-14 unit from head gear and then snap it on your gun and shoot with day scope before coyote would run off ).

OR

Other night vision / thermal options that make more sense.

I am looking for the best solution. I have sold a bunch of guns that I have not shot in years to fund this project. I wanted to have more fun with my money and want to make the right choice. thanks. marty

I don't know how much you are willing to spend but if you want to increase the odds to the utmost (excluding a thermal weapon site) you won't be completely satisfied unless you have both a PS32 and NV scope of some type. I have a PS32 and a PVS-14 with a 3x magnifier. Had I bought the PS32 first, I would have purchased a D740 or D760 and I would be better off I think for more magnification. but the PVS-14 is really nice. I just got home from blowing up milk jugs filled with water at 200 yards and I am gaining more confidence in hitting what I am shooting at now with it since I have had more practice with this rifle. the only complaint for me is it is only 3x so 200 to 225 yards is my limit for a confident kill shot.

the ability to use a scope like HTRN offers is nice because you can use a higher power scope on an existing daytime rifle. I think 6 to 8x is about the highest magnification before it blurs up from what I can tell but otherwise you will have to go with a black rifle to have room to get everything mounted. the only issue you could have is eye relief placing the PVS-14 behind a day scope. I bought the monoblock and I don't like it because the scope sits way to far back but those signature series scopes seem to be shorter from what I can see in the pics than the monoblock which is good.

no matter what NV type you get, you are still gonna want that PS32...
smile.gif
at least that's the way things have panned out for me. your mileage may vary.
smile.gif
the money I have spent to learn these things has been a bunch after owning a couple of other gen2 scopes before I got the gen3. hope this at least gives you something to consider.
 
GUYS THANKS FOR THE GOOD ADVICE. It sounds like my light force 170 is out dated for night hunting with NV. So a few of you guys think PS32 WITH NV IS THE WAY TO GO ? I would use thermal to first pick up coyote out to 200 yards then use NV on gun to make the shot ? i am going to buy the 2 videos today that the IL man recommended. keep your ideas and user insructions coming. like to get your thoughts on how to use THE NV and THERMIAL ( on gun only ? , scannining only ? with helmet or hand held ? , etc ). thanks. Marty
 
I have the PVS-14 and hunted with it for a couple years before picking up the Flir handheld. Thermal is truly a gamechanger, as you will be able to see how coyotes, bobcats and hogs (here) will skirt along just inside the brush or tall grass along the edge of the woods and I never would have seen them with just the NV.

I can use the NV head mounted, along with NV enabled Aimpoint and a 3X lens on the 14 or I can weapon mount the same setup. I also have an adaptor to affix it on the rear of a dayscope when I am sitting in a stand. You need a good IR illuminator for use with daytime optic, but I've had very good results going that route. I also have 4 different IR illuminators, depending on how I'm going to use my NV.

I like the Torch Pro best for use with daytime optics and I like the Streamlight Super Tac best for use with weapon mounted NV behind my Aimpoint and 3X lens.

DO get both NV and thermal, along with good IR and you will be amazed at what you've been missing. I hardly even want to hunt in the daytime anymore.

P.S. If you choose to use daytime optics, make sure scope has very good light gathering ability. The bells on scopes I use are 56mm. It's go big or stay home (literally)with the scope.
 
folks.. i would like to get some more feedback on my questions... what do you think about going with pvs-14 hand held NV and xlr250 kill light ( I HAVE A LIGHTFORCE 170 ALSO and just use the kill light to shoot coyote. Or pvs-14 to scan and then quick conect to gun and scope to make shot ? or buy a thermal flr32. thanks. marty
 
I would say if you are going to use a XLR250 for shooting then get a scan light also. If you get a PS32 then you'll want a night vision scope. I have a D740 and picked it over the 760 for the field of view. A PS14 to use for scanning and then going to the gun may be difficult in the dark and also noisy. If you go night vision go all the way or don't waste your money.
 
PS32 and D740-760 and never look back or have regrets. I hunted last night with a friend with a pusar Digi sight 550 with the 3x adapter last night and it did not compair to my M845 Ggen 2+ by any means
 
My two cents...To start get flir and kill light with quick detach. Then get pvs14 with monoloc and an ir illuminator. Start with an eagletac ir then buy either a luna or torch. Luna is the easiest one to control. And has focus and intensity. If you get nv u must get an ir illuminator. They go hand in hand. Good luck
 
New to night hunting and would like to buy a good initspensive n/v for my savage model 12 223 bolt action ? I don't won't to be in the poor house to buy it
 
Originally Posted By: aberry223New to night hunting and would like to buy a good initspensive n/v for my savage model 12 223 bolt action ? I don't won't to be in the poor house to buy it

We and many others thing the M845 is truly the best bang for your hard earned dollar and they can even be mounted on a .308.

The Gen 2SHP is the closest thing to a Gen 3 without the Gen 3 price. The M845 lacks a bit of brightness, but can be surely improved in that Dept. with the use of our new TNVC Torch Pro with an effective range out to 800m!. Hope this helps.

http://tnvc.com/shop/m845-mk-4-2-5x-gen2-shp-red-dot-sight/
http://tnvc.com/shop/tnvc-torch-pro-infrared-illuminator/

Vic
 
I wish they would make the regulations clear regarding night vision and IR use here in WI. Seems to be open to interpretation depending on which warden or who you talk to within the DNR. I always thought IR use was illegal as well, now I don't know what to think.
 
I talked to the DNR on the phone. The woman said she was getting conflicting answers so she would send it to the regulation specialists.
This is what I got back.




From : Adrienne L - DNR
Subject : RE: Hunting Questions



Good afternoon,

I have received clarification from our administrative law enforcement staff on your question you had submitted to us this weekend.

1. Infra-red is not legal for hunting any species. Though you cannot see the light projected from infra-red, it does still omit light (invisible to the eye) forward to enhance your vision.

2. You are able to use night vision for night hunting a species as long as the night vision design does not omit light (ex: infra-red). Most night vision uses an ambient light, which is legal as long as you are not using the flash light attachment that comes with most night vision. So if your night vision is ambient, you are legal to use them.

3. Thermal imaging is legal for hunting any species because it does not cast any rays of visible or invisible forms of light.

4. As always these forms of hunting are only legal during legal hunting hours. If you have a firearm deer season going on, you are restricted to standard hunting hours during that time.

I hope this helps clear up your questions you may have had. If you have additional question please feel free to contact us again.



Thank you

Adrienne




Adrienne L. Casper

Customer Service Representative - Lead

Bureau of Customer & Outreach Services

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

To: Casper, Adrienne L - DNR
Subject: Re: RE: Hunting Questions

============================

Thanks for the reply..

My night vision handheld has a IR light built into it and cannot be removed.

So are you saying as long as th IR is not turned on and used. I am legal to use the night vision.

I would just leave the IR at home but cannot because it is built right into the unit.

===========================

Good afternoon,

That is correct, as long as it is not on and you are not using it you are fine.




Adrienne L. Casper

Customer Service Representative - Lead

Bureau of Customer & Outreach Services

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

PO Box 7924

Madison, WI 53707

(() phone: (608) 261-6440

(() fax: (608) 261-4380

(+) e-mail: Adrienne.Casper@wisconsin.gov

website: dnr.wi.gov

Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/WIDNR
 
that's crazy! if it's ok to use night vision why wouldn't they want you to see better by using IR? it is safer if you can more easily identify your target than purposely limiting what you can see. I don't understand that one. that's bureaucrats for ya...
 
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