Shooting and hunting in dark environments can be one of the most exciting and challenging. However, doing so with a regular scope is nearly impossible unless you have an intense spotlight.
Unfortunately, spotlights are only suitable for certain prey, and when it comes to hogs and deer, you can easily scare them away.
The solution comes from military use, and now you can find the best night vision scope is now affordable for all your hunting trips.
Night vision scopes are made for this one purpose, yet the way they achieve this can differ. Many come with an IR illuminator and reticle adjustments so you can adjust your aim. Besides this, they are built for rugged use and can survive outdoor environments.
To be sure you pick the right night vision scope, we have some of the best night vision rifle scope options you can find in our night vision scopes review.
Contents
Why You Need a Good Night Vision Scope
To stand the best chance of pulling off a humane kill, you need a scope that clearly defines your target. Once you begin looking, you will find many terms and types of night vision. Here you can see the different types night hunters can choose from.
Night vision devices allow hunters to see in low light environments. Devices can use an image intensifier tube (IIT) or camera sensor, which transmits images to the viewer. (Find the Best Crossbow Scopes)
You find these Night vision scopes using IIT are classified and range from Gen 0 to Gen 3
Gen 0
The original night vision devices such as ones introduced in WWII.
Gen 0 devices need infrared light that enables them to create the image. The scopes include Infrared (or IR) Illuminator lights. Gen 0 devices are bulky, fragile, and images are not very clear. The IR light can also be seen by others.
Gen 1
Gen 1 night vision technology uses improved photocathode to increase image resolution by using passive infrared and ambient light. Images, however, appear blurry from Gen 1 technology.
Gen 2
Neither Gen 0 or gen 1 can produce images as clear as Gen 2, Gen 2-night vision technology features added micro-channel plates to increase light gain and resolution.
Gen 3
Gen 3-night vision uses technology like Gen 2, although it includes gallium arsenide for increased sensitivity. The results are the clearest and brightest, in all night vision technology thus far. The major issue with these is the price.
One thing in common is all Gen 0 through Gen 3 display green images on the phosphor screen, and using scopes with this technology means exposing them to daylight can cause internal tubes to burn out.
Digital Night Vision
Digital night vision technology takes ambient light and displays it on a screen. Image quality of digital night vision scopes is comparable to Gen 2.
Thermal Imaging
Thermal imaging uses heat into light to produce viewable images. Thermal allows for quick targeting yet the images can lack detail, so precision aiming isn’t possible.
Top Night Vision Scopes Reviews
1. ATN X-Sight-4k Pro Edition Smart Hunting Rifle Scope
The X-Sight 4K model is a fantastic night vision scope that gives you a high magnification rating and a clear picture particularly with digital zoom. The 4K comes with Ultra HD sensors and ATN’s Obsidian 4 Dual Core processor that offers the crystal-clear picture and fast optics.
The ATN X-Sight 4K uses a compact optic mounting on the smaller rails of bolt action and longer rails of rifles such as the AR15.
Pros
- Can be used in daylight
- Compatible with iOS and Android
- Long battery life
- Stream and record video simultaneously
Cons
- Internal battery can’t be changed when hunting
- Heavier than other scopes
The ATN X-Sight 4K Pro Smart day night scope has a guide price of just under $670, and is one of the best of its kind. It offers crystal clear images, a built-in ballistics calculator that is easy to use and great 5-20x magnification. With long battery life and superb images, it is the best smart day night rifle scope you can get for the money.
2. BESTSIGHT Night Vision Scope for riflescopes with Night Scope Hunting Camera and 5″ Screen,Without Rifle Optic
This BESTSIGHT Night Vision scope takes a different approach, and because of this, it is among the largest solutions you can find. Unlike scopes with built in components, you get bulky external parts and a digital viewing screen.
With this, you get unrivalled images from any distance. In essence, you basically sit a camera on the end of another night scope, and this captures images at 3-megapixel resolution on the 5-inch display.
For many it can be a cumbersome setup depending on the rifle. However, it can be a great solution when taking shots in awkward positions, and you can use it day or night thanks to it not being a scope itself. With a powerful infrared illuminator, you can observe some targets in almost pitch black.
The camera sist at the back of your night vision scope and stops you using your eye, though for guns with high recoil, it can stop bruising.
Pros
- Comes with 18-month warranty
- Offers large clear images
- Change between full screen or full field of view
- Affordable option for a digital night vision scope
Cons
- Awkward to attach and detach
- Needs three AA batteries to operate
With a guide price just under $130, these night vision optics enhancers are a fantastic way to obtain clear images in any lighting of any night optics. If you are after a new night vision scope, you can use this as a cheap night vision scope and save a great deal of money.
3. Night Owl Optics NightShot Digital Night Vision Riflescope with IR illuminator, Black, NIGHTSHOT
The Night Owl Nightshot is a digital night vision optic to recently hit the market. It comes with an integrated Picatinny mount and designed to be used on rifles up to 30 caliber. if you hunt medium sized game, you know you’re covered.
The Nightshot has an IR illuminator and large hinged lens cap that offers protection when not in use. You also have the option of three different reticles and fixed three-power magnification.
The scope offers digital adjustable windage and elevation dials, which makes it easy to switch from day to night shooting. The effective range at night falls from 100 to 200 yards.
Pros
- Affordable and high quality
- Weatherproof and strong thermoplastic construction
- Built in IR illuminator
- Perfect for new shooters and new night vision users
Cons
- Poor battery life
- Needs 4 batteries to operate
With a guide price under $460, you get a great performer even if battery life isn’t great. It’s a great scope, and even if it lacks video recording, you know you are using one of the best night vision cross bow scopes for the money.
4. ATN Thermal Rifle Scope w/High Res Video, WiFi, GPS, Image Stabilization, Range Finder, Ballistic Calculator and iOS and Android Apps
In the same way as other thermal devices, the ATN ThOR locks onto heat signatures instead of using ambient light. You get a great easy to use ballistic calculator, laser rangefinder, along with HD video and photo recording.
One feature is the recoil activated video (RAV), so you can catch every shot, then use Wi-Fi streaming to share everything with friends. You get a 384 x 288 sensor for a quality image of your heat source. In addition, you have the built-in smart rangefinder to aid in distance from your target and a better strike rate.
You can use a smooth zoom option to magnify without losing your FOV.
Pros
- Built-in smart rangefinder
- Inclusive of ballistic calculator
- Records HD video, recoil activated video and streaming
- Smooth zoom to avoid losing detail from your FOV
Cons
- Hard to focus wearing eye-glasses
- Expensive
With a guide price of just under $2000 the ATN ThOR HD is at the top end of any hunters budget, yet it offers unrivalled images This is the best thermal night vision scope thanks to its rangefinder, ballistic calculator, and smart zoom.
5. Armasight FLIR Vampire 3X Night Vision Riflescope
Vampire is one of the biggest names when you want a night vision optic. Armasight too advantage and its paid off. The Vampire offers a distinct IIT Core, and here it is designed to maximize potential of optics without reaching into the Gen 3 price range.
While older, you get almost Gen 3 resolution, from the 60-70 LP/MM resolution for crystal clear and bright images. You can find the Vampire is 3X power scope, and makes use of a single crosshair reticle. You can quickly target shoot with precision.
Pros
- Long 40 hour run time on one battery
- Low battery indicator
- Durable aluminum weatherproof housing
- Built in IR illuminator
Cons
- Heavy
- Hard to find due to popularity
With a guide price of just under $800, you get a robust aluminum housing
that is dust and water resistant. It is heavy but you get a great hunting scope that could be the best night vision scope for the money.
Best Night Vision Scopes Buying guide
When searching for a night vision scope, there are some things to remember. Aside from the generation, here is a breakdown of things to know.
Budget
Night vision devices are all quite expensive, and advanced in use and function. With this, it takes more cost than a regular night vision monocular. Scopes need to pack in magnification, digital reticle options rifle mounts.
Usage
Where will you use your 5-20 Smart day night scope? Is it for recreational use or hunting? With feral hogs, you can hunt after dark, so you need a good scope with objective lens. Law enforcement is another use, yet that is more specialist than if you are hunting.
Resolution
Resolution increase come with a higher generation. If you want higher detail, you’ll need a higher generation and thus higher cost.
Magnification
With high magnification on night scopes, you lose clarity. In many cases, 6X is often suitable. You can also find the more magnification and the heavier and longer your scope is.
Construction
You have different materials and you will also find waterproofing and the ability to take a knock. Aluminum is robust, yet heavy. Plastics are lighter and offer great weatherproofing, yet they can break if they receive a knock. (Read our Crossbow Reviews)
Final Verdict
Carrying out reviews if night scopes is very different than others as much of what you look at, you can’t see with your naked eye.
While things improve, there does need to be a degree of cost per performance and for most people, scopes in the Gen 3 bracket are often out of reach. It was the ATN X-Sight-4k Pro Edition Smart Hunting Rifle Scope that shone above the others.
There are streaming features, yet it was the clear images that lift this scope above all the other options. It offers all you need while staying in a decent size and weight.
With the elevation, wind, yardage and everything else you get on screen, the night vision rifle scope is also the best scope you can use in the day.
