Post by: rainshadow1 on November 09, 2021, 11:12:11 AM
No, I'm not going to be convinced to go $2-5k for thermal. Just looking for occasional after hours coyote, defending the goat and chickens on 3 acres, and the like. (May even mount it on a 22 for the latter.) I do not need the big money thermals.
That being said, I do appreciate quality and a good product.
Any pointers?
Post by: Cougartail on November 09, 2021, 11:36:27 AM
Low end Pulsar and Sightmark NV is the way I'd go if you decide to go that route.
At fixed distances that stuff works OK like over bait.
Post by: huntingfool7 on November 12, 2021, 12:53:13 PM
I always first choose my thermal gear. My next choice is red lights and lastly my cheap night vision. ($500.00)
Low end Pulsar and Sightmark NV is the way I'd go if you decide to go that route.
At fixed distances that stuff works OK like over bait.
Thermal is awesome for quick scanning but overall it's really weak when you have to sort out possums/raccoons/the wifes cat.
What would be the low end for Pulsar? Otherwise the options seem limited to ATN, Sightmark Wraith and the PARD.
A lot of the guys running ATN seem to have glitchy issues. I've heard locking up and a hard reboot is common. The Wraith reportedly has some lag time when scanning. The PARD has a narrow FOV. It seems the most effective would be a low end FLIR scanner and a rifle/shotgun with a light mounted on it.
Post by: rainshadow1 on November 12, 2021, 02:14:20 PM
(I do like the idea of upgrading the IR illuminator though.)
Post by: KFhunter on November 12, 2021, 04:14:48 PM
Got the odepro predator light off amazon for 100 bux, got a few yotes over bait with the white light lol, go figure. It comes with red, white, green and IR850 led swaps
Then got an ATN $500X-sight II HD
It doesn't do squat without an IR illuminator, the one that comes with it sucks.
Stuck my odepro 850IR light one the side and wow, I can see eyes at 500 yards, identify yotes at 200 ish
It's a save the chickens, hunt over bait solution.
I would not use it for calling stands at night as is, I'd have a scanner and even so it has a lot of limitations. Its slow, clunky, but it'll smoke yotes hitting bait or coons in the chickenhouse.
It will make your right eye blind for about 10 minutes if you look in it too long :chuckle:
The display is a tad too bright on its lowest setting.
Its not a scope, think of it as a small computer with a tiny monitor
Post by: rainshadow1 on November 12, 2021, 07:01:58 PM
I started out with attaching flashlights to my scope, got a few yotes over bait
Got the odepro predator light off amazon for 100 bux, got a few yotes over bait with the white light lol, go figure. It comes with red, white, green and IR850 led swaps
Then got an ATN $500X-sight II HD
It doesn't do squat without an IR illuminator, the one that comes with it sucks.
Stuck my odepro 850IR light one the side and wow, I can see eyes at 500 yards, identify yotes at 200 ish
It's a save the chickens, hunt over bait solution.
I would not use it for calling stands at night as is, I'd have a scanner and even so it has a lot of limitations. Its slow, clunky, but it'll smoke yotes hitting bait or coons in the chickenhouse.
It will make your right eye blind for about 10 minutes if you look in it too long :chuckle:
The display is a tad too bright on its lowest setting.
Its not a scope, think of it as a small computer with a tiny monitor
:tup:
Thanks KF
Post by: GWP on November 13, 2021, 01:24:57 PM
Little weird as you are not really holding it like a rifle any more, AND your ‘night vision’ is gone with a naked eyeball.
Lots of rat hunting vids on YouTube using that set up.
Post by: huntingfool7 on November 18, 2021, 06:31:24 AM
Night vision scopes starting at the 5 minute mark.
As a sidenote, the comments on the Sniper Hog Light is legit. I have five or six of them. I prefer the 66 model and have one in ir but I also have the Coyote Cannon. Great lights. Terrific ir that stands up against ir laser.
Post by: birdshooter1189 on November 18, 2021, 07:02:59 AM
IR camera and 5" LCD screen that mounts to your existing scope: ($93)
https://www.amazon.com/BESTSIGHT-Digital-riflescopes-Portable-Display/dp/B06XJ1M846/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=5%22+night+vision+scope&qid=1637246840&qsid=137-0557494-2136841&sr=8-7&sres=B0768BHHFY%2CB079K1797S%2CB06XJ1M846%2CB07N11XQMQ%2CB07MW21G53%2CB091YKW44C%2CB08549Z4GY%2CB07882YFF6%2CB07PDQX56B%2CB01BYDUZ60%2CB08DFPFBQR%2CB07KXMTFKT%2CB079JY61HG%2CB097SSFP2F%2CB08N16J53B%2CB011NSY9HM%2CB08KVYTHH3%2CB07211HGZ2%2CB074CKJ1Z9%2CB08SKV3RD2&srpt=AIMING_SCOPE_SIGHT
Upgraded IR illuminator: ($50)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/133856845383?epid=27039849443&hash=item1f2a7d5e47:g:AuAAAOSwPXRhIwiA
A pack of rechargable 18650 batteries: (~$1 each)
I also have a sightmark photon xt 4.6x42 (~$400) nightvision scope. The 5" LCD screen setup is several times better than the photon in most situations. Wider FOV, better resolution, zoom(whatever is on the scope it is mounted to), better contrast between light/dark.
With all the money you saved, buy a 4 pack of these driveway alarms. Set them up along game trails, or around your animal pens, or wherever you expect animals to come in. Maybe put one alarm right on a bait pile where you want to shoot the critters in case they sneak past our entry/exit path alarms.
https://www.amazon.com/Driveway-Wireless-Detector-Rechargeable-Weatherproof/dp/B07YFZYGTF/ref=sr_1_19?keywords=driveway+alarm&qid=1637247171&qsid=137-0557494-2136841&sr=8-19&sres=B07L3TFM2G%2CB08NYDFRVL%2CB003765W0W%2CB086X3SCB5%2CB07Q2Y1BTQ%2CB07SH52FTW%2CB07PRGGRGW%2CB086TT8X8C%2CB002ISVJL6%2CB07Y41NVZC%2CB07G356GFC%2CB01JRASCDU%2CB07PFXQR9R%2CB07YFZYGTF%2CB07TPSL1T1%2CB01M3QINCM&srpt=MOTION_DETECTOR_DEVICE
You will now be in charge of what happens on your property after dark. 8)
I have a few videos online of myself using this setup for rat hunting and for coyote control around my house. Here's a link to one: (you can find the rest through the channel)
Post by: huntingfool7 on November 18, 2021, 09:50:05 AM
Post by: birdshooter1189 on November 18, 2021, 11:04:16 AM
Post by: huntingfool7 on November 20, 2021, 08:05:21 AM
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Opening scene shows inefficiency of rat traps for squirrels. Then right into the ATN review portion.
The LTV version is priced at $679. from the manufacturer.
https://www.atncorp.com/x-sight-ltv-day-night-rifle-scope-5-15x
Post by: Hillbilly Zen on November 20, 2021, 08:22:26 AM
Post by: Jburke on December 31, 2021, 07:23:51 PM
The review comments on the ATN X-SIGHT LTV 5-15x caught my attention. Especially the part about overcast days since there are a few of those around here :) Large objective and good magnification range.I just snagged one of these the other day and took it outside a few minutes ago to see what it was like at night. So far I’m impressed at 100 yards looking across the park from my front door(don’t worry, it’s not mounted on a rifle yet). I’m going to take it out to my brothers place tomorrow evening to see what the quality is like at longer ranges. I haven’t got the IR light hooked up yet since it’s not mounted
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Opening scene shows inefficiency of rat traps for squirrels. Then right into the ATN review portion.
The LTV version is priced at $679. from the manufacturer.
https://www.atncorp.com/x-sight-ltv-day-night-rifle-scope-5-15x
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: KFhunter on January 01, 2022, 07:59:39 PM
fog and falling snow is its nemesis
Post by: JohnVH on January 01, 2022, 09:27:43 PM
Post by: rainshadow1 on January 02, 2022, 07:43:31 PM
Post by: huntingfool7 on January 02, 2022, 10:31:17 PM
Post by: JohnVH on January 03, 2022, 08:01:29 AM
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on January 07, 2022, 08:21:35 PM