Night hunting is always interesting and exciting. Humankind survived with the help of it. And now, all fears of darkness have been dispelled. Now a human has become a predator, not prey. Thanks to modern night vision technologies, you can find targets in the dark forest, watch them, and hit them.
Night vision sights occupy an essential place among such devices primarily due to their compactness and high technology.
The night vision device market was estimated at more than $ 5 billion seven years ago. As of 2020, that amount has reached about $ 8 billion. In 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the market was affected by some: the pace of production and demand changed, a longer supply chain emerged, and the market shifted. However, a global adaptation of the economy led to its gradual growth by an average of 3-4%.
The production of night vision devices in the United States is estimated at $ 3 billion as of 2021. Several plants - 23, employment in the industry - 6337 people. The four largest companies account for 42% of the night vision device market.
Night vision sights are divided by type:
- Single tube infrared night vision scope Double tube
- Type 3
- Type 4
By application:
- Security
- Search and rescue
- Outdoor activities
Most military use night scopes on rifles and other weapons to fight in the dark. They use a wide range of night vision technologies: infrared vision in glasses, airplanes, ships, tanks, heavy equipment.
Some night vision scopes have special interchangeable lenses, which allow you to change the sight from day mode to night mode with a change of lens. And thermal scopes use infrared technology to isolate heated objects. These sights are available in different sizes and should only be used in the dark. It is not possible to use the night vision scopes for rifles during the day because the sight is too bright to see. These scopes must be converted to a standard sight before being used in daylight.
Day and night sights enable owners to use a single scope for day and night shooting. Some night vision scopes for rifles include special interchangeable lenses. This allows you to change the sight from day to night with a slight lens change.
Most night vision rifle scopes use infrared lenses to help shooters see in the dark. Thanks to this particular lens, the images radiate with a glow effect. The thermal energy of humans and animals makes them glow when viewed through this type of sight.
Thermal sights use infrared technology to isolate heated objects.
Laser devices can also be attached to night vision sights. This laser pointer is usually available in the green or red light spectrum. It places a red mark on the target, which will glow if you look through the sight.
As for the direct mounting of the night vision sight to the weapon, these are straight mounting brackets (usually made of metal or polymer strips) on the receiver, barrel, or butt of the weapon to allow sliding/removable mounting of optical sights and accessories such as tactical lights, laser sights, vertical/angular front handles, and bipods. The advantages of rail systems are reliability and durability. There will be no backlash in the mounts, even with a powerful recoil. It is also known as a rail interface system or rail integration system [RIS or RAS]. This is a standardized rail system for attaching accessories to pistols, rifles, and light machine guns.
The most well-known rail interface system is the Picatinny Rail (MIL-STD-1913 or STANAG 2324 rail), which is a standard military interface rail system that provides a mounting platform for firearms accessories (laser sighting modules, night vision devices, reflector sights, holographic sights, front handles, bipods, slings, and bayonets).
Best night vision scopes under $ 1000
There is a direct interdependence between the product's price and its characteristics. Because the manufacturer spends more resources on a better model and naturally asks for more money for their work. But in the market of offers of night vision scopes, there are pretty successful models worth up to $ 1,000. Let's briefly look at what you can buy with this money.
Firefield NVRS 3 × 42
Laser devices can also be attached to night vision sights. This laser pointer is usually available in the green or red light spectrum. It places a red mark on the target, which will glow if you look through the sight.
As for the direct mounting of the night vision sight to the weapon, these are straight mounting brackets (usually made of metal or polymer strips) on the receiver, barrel, or butt of the weapon to allow sliding/removable mounting of optical sights and accessories such as tactical lights, laser sights, vertical/angular front handles, and bipods. The advantages of rail systems are reliability and durability. There will be no backlash in the mounts, even with a powerful recoil. It is also known as a rail interface system or rail integration system [RIS or RAS]. This is a standardized rail system for attaching accessories to pistols, rifles, and light machine guns.
The most well-known rail interface system is the Picatinny Rail (MIL-STD-1913 or STANAG 2324 rail), which is a standard military interface rail system that provides a mounting platform for firearms accessories (laser sighting modules, night vision devices, reflector sights, holographic sights, front handles, bipods, slings, and bayonets).
Firefield NVRS 3 × 42
Technical characteristics: material - plastic, magnification 3x, viewing angle 5.6 degrees, sensor size 640x480, waterproof, power supply type - 4 AA batteries (active use for 3 hours).
Weight - 0.635 kg.
Pros: low price, effective over short distances, six sighting parameters, lightweight design, good image resolution, good battery life.
Cons: not very suitable for long-range shots, problematic use with rifles above 30 calibers, works at a distance of up to 70 meters in complete darkness, average build quality.
ATN X-Sight-4k Night Sight
Technical characteristics: material - plastic, magnification 3x, viewing angle 5.6 degrees, sensor size 640x480, waterproof, power supply type - 4 AA batteries (active use for 3 hours).
Weight - 0.635 kg.
Pros: low price, effective over short distances, six sighting parameters, lightweight design, good image resolution, good battery life.
Cons: not very suitable for long-range shots, problematic use with rifles above 30 calibers, works at a distance of up to 70 meters in complete darkness, average build quality.
Best night vision scopes under $ 2000
AGM WOLVERINE-4 NL3
Cons: high-quality Gen2 + device, long battery life, reasonably wide viewing angle, easy to operate and adjust.
Pros: MOA/MIL system.
Bering Optics D-790W Gen 3+
Pros: quite an excellent price for a high-end product, 3rd generation technology, autonomous application, protection against powerful recoil.
Cons: MOA/MIL system.
Knights Armament UNS A3 Night Vision Scope (Clip-On)
Pros: military-grade equipment, range, collimator, replaceable battery.
Cons: pricing policy.
AGM Comanche-22 3NW1
Magnification 1x, viewing angle of the device 12 degrees, battery life up to 60 hours.
Dimensions - 168x84x79mm. Weight - 0.75 kg.
Pros: 3rd generation model, WPT, very compact, with manual amplification.
Cons: Unfortunately, there is no specification of the tube.
Wolf Performance Optics WPA PN23
Technical characteristics: 3x magnification, the viewing angle of 12 degrees, a green phosphor, battery operation for about 15 hours.
Dimensions: 208.3x83.8x78.7 mm. Weight - 0.65 kg.
Pros: 3rd generation device, compactness, protection against recoil, relatively reasonable price.
Cons: low battery life.
Best night vision scopes under $ 5000
AGM WOLVERINE PRO-4 3AL1
This sight has a simple, intuitive control interface and fine-tuning brightness, focus, sail, and height.
Technical characteristics: 4x and 6x magnification, waterproof, adjustable sighting, powered by two AA batteries (up to 40 hours), viewing angle 8.3 degrees, focusing range from 25 meters.
Dimensions: 215x95x82mm. Weight - 1.07 kg.
Pros: easy to use, waterproof, and a three-year warranty from the manufacturer.
Cons: price.
Bering Optics D-750U 4x66 Elite
This sight has a simple, intuitive control interface and fine-tuning brightness, focus, sail, and height.
Technical characteristics: 4x and 6x magnification, waterproof, adjustable sighting, powered by two AA batteries (up to 40 hours), viewing angle 8.3 degrees, focusing range from 25 meters.
Dimensions: 215x95x82mm. Weight - 1.07 kg.
Pros: easy to use, waterproof, and a three-year warranty from the manufacturer.
Cons: price.
Bering Optics D-750U 4x66 Elite
Technical characteristics: 4x magnification, viewing angle 9 degrees, power supply type - 2 AA batteries, working up to 120 hours.
Dimensions - 236.2x96.5x78.74 mm. Weight - 0.91 kg.
Pros: lightweight polymer body, film-free microchannel plate, quality optics, wide rubber eyecup.
Cons: price.
Armasight Vulcan 6x80 QSi Weaver-Auto
Technical characteristics: 6x magnification, 6.5-degree viewing angle, target detection distance - 800m, power supply type - one AA battery or one CR123, battery life - 60 hours.
Dimensions - 246x104x91mm. Weight - 1.09 kg.
Pros: remote control, different types of power, easy to operate.
Cons: price.
How to choose a night vision scope?
Being in complete darkness was horrible for primitive man. The unknown not only frightened but also posed a real threat. This is how the idea of spirits and demons appeared. But modern humanity has grown up and is armed with technology. Lanterns light our cities and our homes with lamps. Everyone is free to buy a night device and go out alone with the night wildlife. Modern multi-layer optics and high-tech electronics with one finger movement on the control panel allow you to see the target at a distance of 200 meters in complete darkness. In rainy weather and fog. We are in an ambush or on the run.
So let's talk about choosing the most convenient night vision sight.
Let's start with the general typology of devices. There are five types:
- Monoculars;
- Glasses;
- Binoculars;
- Cameras;
- Scopes.
The best night vision device insight. The compact design combines all the positive features of this type of device. In turn, night vision sights are also divided into two types:
- Sight with magnification and constant night vision;
- Sight without magnification and mounted on top of a conventional optical sight.
It is not difficult to guess that the most productive are the models of the first type.
Night vision devices are also divided into generations (Gen 1,2,3). A "+" means that some improvements have been made to the device of a particular generation.
However, it should be remembered that sights, unlike other night vision devices, have their use peculiarities. That is, the observation itself will not be enough. The user of the sight must shoot and hit.
First of all, you should pay attention to the device's magnification power and product range. And here we can say about the mistakes of all beginners. Every beginner wants to buy a night vision sight with a robust approach. But an inexperienced user of optical devices does not know that the greater the magnification of the sight, the more sensitive it is to the vibrations of the hands or weapons in the hands. In addition, the distance affects the sharpness of the image. The farther the target, the less effective night vision technology becomes. And the increase directly affects the size of the field of view. The naked eye sees much more surrounding objects than working with an optical device. Even if you use night vision, the environment will look better at lower magnification.
Next, consider the resolution of the effective range. That is, image clarity is also essential. To have an accurate idea of the object's insight and not shoot someone who should not be discharged.
This property of the night vision device is usually indicated by lines per millimeter (LP/MM). And the higher this figure, the more precise the image will be. First of all, the clarity of the vision is ensured by the quality of the lens, by the way. They are mostly made of plastic, polymeric materials, and glass. Yes, glass is considered the highest quality, although more expensive and fragile.
Also, learn about the durability of the device you choose. In special forums and the comments under the goods in online stores, experienced users talk about how much the production resource of a night vision sight is enough.
Another critical factor in choosing a night vision device is the type of battery and the life of the power supply. Of course, the larger the battery, the heavier the equipped product. And this weight affects the weight of the rifle and the ease of movement with it for a long time. You need to consider the proportion between the desire to use the device for as long as possible and the weight of the battery you have to carry with you. Conventional AA batteries are usually lighter in weight, easier to use, and easier to get.
Anyone who wants to use a night vision sight can roughly imagine how much it costs. And everyone realizes whether it is a necessity or just a whim. The question of price and quality arises before the final choice of the night vision device. I always want to find a favorable ratio of these two factors. But buying too expensive a sight for non-professionals is unprofitable. After all, the use of expensive electronics and optics in the wild has serious risks.
So, analyzing the choice of night vision sights as of 2022, we can confidently say that the supply market is so large that everyone can easily choose a convenient device for themselves in terms of price and technical characteristics. Having determined the conditions and purposes of using the sight, the user forms a market offer, which affects the offer. Manufacturers of night vision devices can meet the needs of both amateurs who have only 300 bucks for a reliable but straightforward device and professionals who know precisely what they need from modern technology.