A night vision scope can come in handy if you’re planning on spending your night hunting or practicing your shooting, but the real purpose of a night vision scope is to give you the edge in a tactical situation. This kind of scopes is very efficient and they will increase your accuracy during the night. But did you know that some night vision scopes can record all your shots and distribute them to your friends and family in real-time? In the following article, we review the top-6 night vision scopes in 2021 and reveal their pros and cons, so you can choose the best night vision scope for yourself. Our unbiased buying guide will show you what to look for in a night vision scope, and propose different kinds of scopes for different scenarios.
Don’t know what your friends at the range or the hunting club are talking about when they say a scope belongs to a certain generation? No problem, we have that covered for you. A section in our article will explain what the differences between night vision scope generation are, what are the characteristics of different generations of scopes, and the main benefits of using one generation or another. Every generation has different capabilities, and we explain all of them so you can make an informed decision when you buy a model.
Never owned a night vision scope before? There’s no problem with that. At the end of our article, we answer 10 of the most frequently asked questions about night vision scopes, so make sure you check out that section if anything seems unclear. Night vision scopes have been around for decades and the technology advancements made them more accessible for shooters all over the country. Are they really that good, or is the hype around them overrated? Find out the answer to that question and more in the article below.
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
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Armasight Nemesis 6x-Gen 2 Night Vision Rifle Scope |
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ATN Smart Night Vision Scope |
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Firefield NVRS Gen 1 Night Vision Riflescope |
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Sightmark Photon Digital Night Vision Riflescope |
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Yukon Nvrs 2.5X50 Internal Focusing Night Vision Riflescope |
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Yukon NVRS Titanium 1.5×42 Night Vision Rifle Scope |
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Best Night Vision Scope Reviews
1. Armasight Nemesis 6x-Gen 2 Night Vision Rifle Scope
This generation 2 standard definition night scope offers a powerful magnification of up to 6x with a field of view of 6.5 degrees. The scope’s lenses are shock-proof, and the body is waterproof. All the controls and adjustments are easy to operate. The scope is designed to mount on a standard weaver rail. The reticle’s brightness can be changed depending on your environment and liking. The brightness features automatic control and the specially coated lenses will protect your eyes when you encounter a bright source. This scope’s thin but well-defined crosshairs will allow you to place your shot with high precision, even when the target is small and situated far away from you.
Pros
- Easy To Zero – This scope’s hole in the lens cap will allow you to zero it even in broad daylight without any kind of difficulty. Once zeroed, the scope will be accurate for a very long time.
- 6x Magnification – With this scope, you will be able to shoot very accurately during the night. The scope illuminates your whole field of view without blinding you, and the thin crosshairs allow you to pinpoint your shot
Cons
- Relatively Heavy – This is a large scope, and carrying it around can be tiresome.
Pros Cons Pros Cons Pros Cons Pros Cons Pros Cons Every time you’re looking for a night vision scope, you’ll find terms like “first generation”, “second generation”, both in the product description and in the reviews. But what do they even mean? In the following section, we will explain what the differences are between the four generations of night vision scopes, so you will know what to expect every time you read a review. The first generation night vision scopes developed were part of the first generation. Of course, this category of scopes no longer contains the scopes used 70 years ago. They evolved along with the technological advancements In conclusion, this type of night vision scopes is the best choice for anybody who wishes to buy a scope that will stay within a strict budget. Even though they’re not the best models on today’s market, keep in mind that even some night vision is far better than none. This generation is better than the previous one. How much better? The short answer is “a lot”. The second-generation equipment performs more like the 3rd generation rather than the first. Third generation night vision scopes are the best night vision rifle scopes available on the market. These are the models currently used by military personnel and special forces around the world. There are several levels of third-generation night vision scopes, but all of them are good. You might encounter the term “fourth generation night vision scope” in your searches. The truth is, there isn’t a fourth generation of scopes and this is just a marketing term. It’s true that there was a time when the US Army considered that modern scopes using the most recent technology might fit into this category, but they dropped the term and all the recent models fit in the third category as well. Deciding which is the best night vision rifle scope is very difficult, and even after spending a lifetime in the Army or Special Forces you might not be able to do it. However, you don’t have to find the best scope on the market, you just have to find the right model for your particular needs. In the following section, we will mention all the features you should take into consideration when you decide on buying a night vision scope. This is probably the most important technical specification you should look for in a night vision scope. The scope’s generation should be an important factor in your decision making, as it dictates the performance of the scope. Now that you know the main types of night vision scopes, you have to think about the reason you’re buying the scope in the first place. There is no certain answer to this question because there are a lot of factors at play. There are several differences between night vision and thermal vision scopes, but the most important one is the way they create the image. Night vision scopes will amplify the ambient light. Even if there is no ambient light, an image will be formed because the infrared illuminator will act as a flashlight. Thermal images are created by a body’s heat signature or the amount of heat an object produces. This heat is recorded by the scope and a series of pictures or a video is then formed for the shooter. An automated scope has a special feature that allows it to automatically adjust the image quality. This feature will turn the scope on and off at a very fast rate, creating an image that is less distorted by the light. The main advantage of black and white images over the classic green ones is that they are less tiring for the eye. The black and white combination is more natural for the human eye, and the shooter will be able to regain his/her normal sight after a shorter period of time after looking through this type of scope. The green image will tire a shooter’s eyes quicker and the night blindness will be longer. For most shooters, an automatic gain adjustment will work just fine. However, there are some people who feel that the image brightness overexposes or underexposes their target, so they can control the adjustment manually. There are several precautions you should take if you want to use the scope for a longer time. Night vision scopes are designed to amplify the ambient light. If there is no light available, a scope wouldn’t be able to create an image. An Infrared illuminator produces a beam of infrared light straight in front of the scope, so it will always have a light source. The illuminator acts like a flashlight, and the light beam it produces has a limited length No, training is not necessary, but practice will help. You might not be the most accurate shot when you use a night vision scope for the first time, but you will improve with time and experience. This largely depends on the situation. Thermal vision is better suited for some scenarios and environments, while others need a night vision scope. However, even poor-performing thermal scopes will cost more than good night vision ones. Yes, the performance differences are worth the price. The performance of a second-generation scope is closer to that of a third than to that of a first-generation one. Night vision scopes are not only for the Military or Special Forces, but it also has many applications in everyday life as well. You can use a night vision scope with great results for hunting, especially if you’re hunting species that come out mostly at night, such as hogs or raccoons. the night vision scope is different from other scopes in the sense that it will allow you to shoot from afar even without ambient light, increasing your efficiency and accuracy. You don’t have to worry about using a night vision scope if you don’t have any previous experience; they are relatively easy to mount and zero, they are accurate once they’re zeroed, and they’re really fun to use. Keep in mind that you should prevent the scope from bumps and drops, even if you own a shockproof model. This kind of accident can make the scope lose its zero, or it can even lead to permanent damage. When you’re not using the scope, you should protect it by keeping it in a case. You shouldn’t use a night vision scope in daylight, and you shouldn’t aim one directly at bright artificial lights, either. There are three generations of night vision scopes, each with their own advantages and disadvantages, so make sure you choose the best night vision scope for your purposes. If you’re involved in a tactical situation, having the best gear available can mean the difference between losing and winning, so make sure you check out our other articles about rifle red dot sights, iron sights, slings, reflex sights, and bipods. Using a scope with one of these accessories will further increase your accuracy and steady your rifle.2. ATN Smart Night Vision Scope
This is one of the most technologically advanced night vision scopes available on the market. The scope has some unique features which will allow you to record your shots in real-time and transfer them to your smartphone, tablet, or computer with the help of a built-in Wi-Fi transmitter. The scope’s camera is able to record at resolutions of 720 p at 60 frames per second, or at 1080 full HD resolution at 30 frames per second. Once you record your shot, you can even place it on a map and tag the location, so you can see the shot on an interactive map with all your shooting locations.
3. Firefield NVRS Gen 1 Night Vision Riflescope
This first-generation night vision scope has a durable shockproof titanium body and a very powerful infrared illuminator which will enhance your vision and the image details, increasing your viewing range in complete darkness. The scope comes with flip-up covers to protect the lenses from the elements and potential accidental scratches. The scope’s reticle is red and its brightness can be easily adjusted to fit your environment every time you shoot. This scope features a 42mm lens which will collect the light better and offer a clear view of medium and long-range targets.
4. Sightmark Photon Digital Night Vision Riflescope
This night vision scope is one of the best models you can use for medium-range shooting. The scope was specially engineered to provide accurate and precise placement at medium range distances and uses six digital reticle patterns for increased accuracy. The scope provides a 4.6x magnification, and the large 42mm lens will allow you to have a clear and crisp image of your target. The scope has a video output feature you can use to capture high-resolution images or videos if you attach some additional accessories. The scope can be used both in the daytime and at night with great results. The LED infrared illuminator can be turned on/off and you can choose one of the three brightness intensities to spot your target.
5. Yukon Nvrs 2.5X50 Internal Focusing Night Vision Riflescope
This night vision scope has a high-quality shock-resistant titanium body and provides a clear and thin red reticle on a green background. The scope has a 2.5x zoom and its high resolution will allow you to acquire your target at distances of up to 220 yards. The scope comes with flip-up covers to protect the coated lenses from the elements. The scope has a unique pulsating infrared illuminator which will allow you to view further than other scopes. This pulsating feature will also minimize the battery drainage, but it’s not visible to your eyes. The scope can be connected to a digital camera, and there are many optional accessories available to provide high-quality videos or photos.
6. Yukon NVRS Titanium 1.5×42 Night Vision Rifle Scope
This first-generation night vision scope has a tough titanium body and a sleek ergonomic design, providing a comfortable shooting experience. The scope uses a high-quality 42mm lens and a powerfully illuminated reticle to provide a higher resolution than that of other first-generation scopes. The scope uses a pulsating infrared illuminator to enhance the image brightness and to allow you to see farther in pitch-black darkness. The pulsing of the illuminator is invisible to humans, but it makes the illuminator to penetrate greater distances. This scope comes with a remote on/off switch, a carrying case, and a flip-up lens cover.
Night Vision Scopes Generations
Night Vision Rifle Scope Buying Guide
The 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Night Vision Scope
scope uses a lens to gather as much light as it can from the surrounding environment. When there is no light to use, the shooting range will be shorter than in low-light conditions.
Best Night Vision Scope Comparison Chart
PRODUCT PRICE MAGNIFICATION FOV DIMENSIONS WEIGHT POWER SUPPLY BATTERY LIFE Armasight Nemesis 6x-Gen 2 Night Vision Rifle Scope $$$$$ 6x 6.5 degree 15.3 x 4 x 2.8 inches 4.2 pounds 1 x 3 V CR123A type battery 60 hours ATN Smart Night Vision Scope $$$$ 5 - 18 X 5 degree 10.3 x 3.5 x 3.2 inches 2.7 pounds 4 AA (Lithium Recommended) 8 - 12 hours Yukon Nvrs 2.5X50 Internal Focusing Night Vision Riflescope $$$ 2.5X 15 degree 13.8 x 4.7 x 4.6 inches 2.1 pounds two AA batteries up to 50 hours Yukon NVRS Titanium 1.5x42 Night Vision Rifle Scope $$ 1.5X 20 degree 3.1 x 3.3 x 8.6 inches 1.9 pounds two AA batteries up to 50 hours Firefield NVRS Gen 1 Night Vision Riflescope $ 3x 8 degree 9 x 3.2 x 3.4 inches 1.8 pounds two AA batteries up to 5 hours Sightmark Photon Digital Night Vision Riflescope $$ 4.6x 4.3 degree 17.6 x 4 x 3.8 inches 23.6 oz two AA batteries 5 hours Wrap Up