Night Vision Scope

ar15dave · Dec 15, 2014

Can anyone recommend a decent Night Vision scope under $1K and geared towards the M16?

Thanks,

Dave

IMBLITZVT · Dec 15, 2014

ar15dave said:
Can anyone recommend a decent Night Vision scope under $1K and geared towards the M16?

Thanks,

Dave

Dave,

I am in the mind to go cheap or go all out. So I went cheap. I got a Z51 German Surplus. That is top end Gen I. Its pretty nice. I put it on my AR15. It works pretty well for 100 yard shooting. It cost me a bit more than $550 plus a $50-75 mount.

http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=136591&page=5

Now at $1K you are touching used Gen II but not much more. If you want to spend a bit more and take more of a chance, check out Apex has some PS14s at $800. They were well used but look ok. Figure extra money for a mount, maybe as high as $200. There is a good thread on AR15.com about them. Lots of reading.

Combloc · Dec 15, 2014

Sound advice. The only thing I would add is that you should stick with military units. For as much as we are likely use them, surplus will have plenty of life left in the tube.

IMBLITZVT · Dec 15, 2014

Combloc said:
Sound advice. The only thing I would add is that you should stick with military units. For as much as we are likely use them, surplus will have plenty of life left in the tube.

It looks like we will be holding AGC NV shoots after daylight savings ends last year. So we hope to give people a place to put good wear on their units soon! We have already started down this road.

I have nothing to do with Apex. I also decided against taking the chance on one of their units. However its a very real option I would want to know about if I was you.

Gen II for $800:
https://apexgunparts.com/product_info.php/products_id/4507

Gen II for $730:
https://apexgunparts.com/product_info.php/products_id/4504

Gen II For $450
https://apexgunparts.com/product_info.php/products_id/4503

Thread on AR15.com. Like most threads there, its gets to be a lot of fighting in the middle. However then end has a lot of info.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/427794_Bringback_ATN_Gen_2__scopes_and_goggles.html

Combloc · Dec 15, 2014

I just paid over 2K for a Gen 2 1PN51 so these are a steal! I recommend Apex to any and everyone. I've always had good dealings with them.

Dogabutila · Dec 16, 2014

If you're paying 2k for NVG's you should atleast get Gen3. I know full PVS14 setups (minus helmet) going for that much.

Combloc · Dec 16, 2014

This is old collectible Soviet equipment. The value is in the relative rarity in this country, not the usefulness of it.

Minuteman · Dec 16, 2014

This conversation is heating up.

http://www.x20.org/shop/flir-thermal-scopes/t14x-low-cost-thermal-rifle-scope/

http://flir.com/thermoSightR-Series/mobile/phone/index.html

ar15dave · Dec 16, 2014

Thanks for the links and info. Will look into the APEX. Looks about right. I am assuming I can use these during daylight as well?

Dave

5.56blaster · Dec 16, 2014

With night vision you get what you pay for. Cheaper is bigger and not as clear at a distance but how much night shooting are you going to do to justify spending thousands of dollars?

MikeTF · Dec 16, 2014

5.56blaster said:
With night vision you get what you pay for. Cheaper is bigger and not as clear at a distance but how much night shooting are you going to do to justify spending thousands of dollars?

Hog hunts at night can yield a lot of meat to feed the family and others. There 'might' be a justification (if I can keep a straight face while saying this to the spousal unit).

IMBLITZVT · Dec 16, 2014

ar15dave said:
Thanks for the links and info. Will look into the APEX. Looks about right. I am assuming I can use these during daylight as well?

Dave

Daylight as well? I would think that would be like looking into the sun! My NV has three very small holes in the lens cover that let you see out during daylight with the lens cover on. Its not ideal but about good enough to sight in. Thats about it. I have no idea if the Apex ones are the same or not. However since they are not rifle sights (No reticle), why would you need to use during the day?

I suggest reading that whole thread on ar15.com about the apex ones. Also figure out your mounting solution before ordering! If you are going with a rifle mount, I did not see an easy mounting solution yet with a preliminary look. I would guess you are looking at $300 more for a helmet mount and probably $200 more for a rifle mount if you can find one.

IMBLITZVT · Dec 16, 2014

5.56blaster said:
With night vision you get what you pay for. Cheaper is bigger and not as clear at a distance but how much night shooting are you going to do to justify spending thousands of dollars?

I agree for the most part. However its not clear to me that is the case with distance. After reading some of what was posted on the AR15 threads... some people were having issues seeing out to 100 yards with their Gen II. I can see pretty well with my Gen I at 100 yards. However I can't see crap under 20 yards. So I think some of has to do with the exact optic.

As I have stated, I hope to be able to provide a place at the AGC to do some night shooting. So one might very well be able to justify it.

Dogabutila · Dec 16, 2014

IMBLITZVT said:
I agree for the most part. However its not clear to me that is the case with distance. After reading some of what was posted on the AR15 threads... some people were having issues seeing out to 100 yards with their Gen II. I can see pretty well with my Gen I at 100 yards. However I can't see crap under 20 yards. So I think some of has to do with the exact optic.

As I have stated, I hope to be able to provide a place at the AGC to do some night shooting. So one might very well be able to justify it.

Has a lot to do with the optic and ambient light.

ar15dave · Dec 16, 2014

I will look into the APEX. I have seen some of the night scopes listed as Night/Day scopes. That is why I asked.

Not looking for anything fancy just something to plink with at night and possibly do a night shoot sometime. What the spousal unit does not know wont hurt me.

Dave

OrbitalEllipses · Dec 16, 2014

ar15dave said:
What the spousal unit does not know wont hurt me.

This is what repair tags on new guns are for. :lol2:

LAW683 · Dec 17, 2014

i have the Sightmark Photon fixed 3.5 NV glass with the doubler kit and the 20IR on my 300 blk gun for hogs and coyots and for under $800 i cant be happier. i have used much more $$$ and wasnt impressed nor would i change my setup

ar15dave · Dec 18, 2014

LAW683 said:
i have the Sightmark Photon fixed 3.5 NV glass with the doubler kit and the 20IR on my 300 blk gun for hogs and coyots and for under $800 i cant be happier. i have used much more $$$ and wasnt impressed nor would i change my setup

Thanks I will take a look at this one as well. Appreciate the insight.

Dave

Jaybeez · Dec 19, 2014

scopes are scopes. you can see what your gun is pointed at.

monos and head mounted devices are the ability to shoot, walk, drive ect in the dark. you get a lot more use for your money.

hunt the ar15.com classifieds for a good deal. you're nearly at the going rate for a used pvs-7 gen 3 with a $1000 budget.

5.56blaster · Dec 19, 2014

IMBLITZVT said:
I agree for the most part. However its not clear to me that is the case with distance. After reading some of what was posted on the AR15 threads... some people were having issues seeing out to 100 yards with their Gen II. I can see pretty well with my Gen I at 100 yards. However I can't see crap under 20 yards. So I think some of has to do with the exact optic.

As I have stated, I hope to be able to provide a place at the AGC to do some night shooting. So one might very well be able to justify it.

I use a gen 3 and its a whole different world over older equipment.

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