Sites that specialize in discontinued optics?

[FrankenCub]

As title says, is there any, or know where to look other than Gun Broker? I've been looking for newer gen1+ NV rifle scopes but they've been very few. Thought about asking on arf but those guys are crazy ass NV snobs. If it isn't $8000 gene stuff it's all garbage in their eyes. For my limited budget and use the gen1+ will work just fine. Not like I'm trying to distinguish between Muzzys and Patriots in the middle of conflict.

 

[Jezman]

Cheap Night Vision Multipurpose Viewers - Gen 1 Multipurpose Viewers | Nightvision4less

 

[Jezman]

https://www.sportoptics.com/night-vision-scopes-binoculars.aspx

 

[FrankenCub]

I should have said non-digital lol. I'm leaning towards the simplicity of the scopes like the Armasight Vampire and the likes.

 

[Saltwater60]

Optics planet can have some good deals.

 

[JamieZ]

Input from someone like me who knows very little about night vision.

Wouldnt non digital be a shit load more money?

How much are you willing to spend?

Are you looking at reviews for what you think you want?

Are you going into combat with your new equipment?

,,,,,,just kidding,,,,,coyotes beware.

 

[FrankenCub]

Optics planet can have some good deals.

They do, just not on what I'm looking for lol

Input from someone like me who knows very little about night vision.

Wouldnt non digital be a shit load more money?

How much are you willing to spend?

Are you looking at reviews for what you think you want?

Are you going into combat with your new equipment?

,,,,,,just kidding,,,,,coyotes beware.

The passive NV gets expensive at gen2, then extremely expensive at gen3.
I dont think anyone is making the gen1 stuff anymore that's why I've been trying to find old stock or used. I've seen the gen1 stuff in the past start at $300.
I've watched s ton of old reviews for different scopes and I'm thinking they'll work just fine for what I want. The trouble is finding which ones I want is proving to be impossible.

I may end up having to go digital. I really don't want all the fidgety shit that comes along with them though lol.

 

[Tisto]

NIGHTVISIONGUYS.COM

I have to tell you, having experience with NV, you should go with Gen2 or above if you can. Gen1+ is slightly better than Gen1. Gen2 is a bunch better than Gen1+. Gen2+ is a bunch better than Gen2. The jumps in resolution and intensifier tubes get bigger and better with each generation. Gen3 is awesome. Then you get to digital...

You can get a Gen2 riflescope for +/- $1200 i think. I have a 4X Gen2+ riflescope. It cost me +/- $ 2200 when I bought it 8 or 9 years ago. I wish I had bought the 6X model, but that's life.

I can tell you what I have learned about nightvision and thermal, but it would be a lot of typing. Specific questions are easier. Also, there was a thread about NV last fall you should read. I will look for it and post the title in a minute.

 

[Tisto]

In General Firearms, the thread Thermal Imaging Riflescopes had a discussion about NV. There was another onethat I was thinking about, bit it may have been on a coyote hunting board.

 

[FrankenCub]

NIGHTVISIONGUYS.COM

I have to tell you, having experience with NV, you should go with Gen2 or above if you can. Gen1+ is slightly better than Gen1. Gen2 is a bunch better than Gen1+. Gen2+ is a bunch better than Gen2. The jumps in resolution and intensifier tubes get bigger and better with each generation. Gen3 is awesome. Then you get to digital...

You can get a Gen2 riflescope for +/- $1200 i think. I have a 4X Gen2+ riflescope. It cost me +/- $ 2200 when I bought it 8 or 9 years ago. I wish I had bought the 6X model, but that's life.

I can tell you what I have learned about nightvision and thermal, but it would be a lot of typing. Specific questions are easier. Also, there was a thread about NV last fall you should read. I will look for it and post the title in a minute.

That's what I've been reading at a bunch of different sites. Also to clarify auto correct has been changing gen1+ to gen1 every time I type it, I just gave up changing it lol. The only reason I've been looking at the gen1+ like the Armasite Orion or Vampire, there's no way I can afford even a gen2. I do understand the limits of them and after watching several videos they look like they'll be sufficient for my needs.
Unless I sell off other guns to fund this there's no way I'm buying good shit. And I'm not about to sell off any more guns lol.

 

[Tisto]

There are frequently used scopes for sale , but you might have to join ( free ) in order to see the listings.

Bark at the moon coyote club

 

[Tisto]

@FrankenCub ,

Go back to the cheap nightvision thread- i posted the answer to your needs there.

 

[prambo]

I don't know doodley squat about NV, but a quick search of night vision gen 1 on eBay gave back a bunch of stuff.

Then again, some people can't stand eBay/PayPal, so YMMV.

night vision gen 1 | eBay

 

[FrankenCub]

@FrankenCub ,

Go back to the cheap nightvision thread- i posted the answer to your needs there.

I seen those before, someone here made something like that too but don't remember who it is. Seems ok for the price. Once I'd buy a scope and rings to use it with I'd still be close to digital scopes anyway lol. I have a Holosun on my AR, only other scope I have is s junk scope on my old Savage .22

I don't know doodley squat about NV, but a quick search of night vision gen 1 on eBay gave back a bunch of stuff.

Then again, some people can't stand eBay/PayPal, so YMMV.

night vision gen 1 | eBay

I have a search saved on ebay. May of those that come up in that are digital or Chinese of unknown quality. There is some that interest me though.

 

[FrankenCub]

@Shoots100 was it an X sight or X sight II you had? I know there were a ton of bugs in the first. At this rate of not finding what I'm looking for I may have to suck it up and go digital. I have seen decent prices on the X sight II. Kinda considering that over the Photon because it's ready to mount. No need to spend extra $$ for rings.
Probably shouldn't get to worried about any of this yet as my Encore still hasn't moved along.

Edit.....never mind. I found the thermal thread discussing ATN. Might be good to pass on the x sight II

 

[FrankenCub]

Ok, so you guys with NV experience. What's your opinion on these videos? Usable NV imaging or garbage? Based on keeping critters under 100yds...

 

[Tisto]

Ok, so you guys with NV experience. What's your opinion on these videos? Usable NV imaging or garbage? Based on keeping critters under 100yds...

As the second video shows, the IR illuminator makes all the difference. The guy was talking about haybales and all I could see was the reticle. As far as the NV scope itself, I wasn't too impressed with the resolution, but that's about as good as it gets with Gen1. Armasight is made by FLIR. FLIR has announced that they are getting out of the civilian weapon sight market. They will still service their product.

What is your budget for a nightvision scope ? I may know someone with a fully functional used scope. He upgraded, and his old one is collecting dust.

Try looking up B and H Photo Video. I bought my thermal unit from them. They had excellent service and the lowest price on the model I bought. They are located in NYC and even have a real storefront with salesmen and everything ! If you're down there you could go look and ask questions.

 

[masterswimmer]

Try looking up B and H Photo Video. I bought my thermal unit from them. They had excellent service and the lowest price on the model I bought. They are located in NYC and even have a real storefront with salesmen and everything ! If you're down there you could go look and ask questions.

Not on a Saturday you can't

 

[FrankenCub]

As the second video shows, the IR illuminator makes all the difference. The guy was talking about haybales and all I could see was the reticle. As far as the NV scope itself, I wasn't too impressed with the resolution, but that's about as good as it gets with Gen1. Armasight is made by FLIR. FLIR has announced that they are getting out of the civilian weapon sight market. They will still service their product.

What is your budget for a nightvision scope ? I may know someone with a fully functional used scope. He upgraded, and his old one is collecting dust.

Try looking up B and H Photo Video. I bought my thermal unit from them. They had excellent service and the lowest price on the model I bought. They are located in NYC and even have a real storefront with salesmen and everything ! If you're down there you could go look and ask questions.

I've been watching every NV video I could find for the past year or so, many of them repeatedly. IR lights definitely needed but I'm ok with that. I have seen some earlier gen1 for cheap but ended up passing on them. Seen a few gen1+ on ebay go for under $400 like the Armasight Orion and Vampire which is within my budget. Unfortunately not going to be able to swing a gen2.
I either have to sell my Encore pistol first or trade it for a NV scope. Still haven't had any bites on it yet though.

 

[Tisto]

Do you have a dollar value in mind as far as a budget ?

Next question, and it may not have occurred to you ; what do you plan on mounting it on ? Most bolt action rifles are not suitable for mounting night vision on because it winds up being WAY above the bore. So much so, that you can not get your cheek on the stock. Also, many times it cannot be mounted far enough back on the action. Flat top AR platforms ( and similar ) work well.

 

[Tisto]

Not on a Saturday you can't

Are they not open on Saturdays ? Really ? They shipped my order out on Thanksgiving Day ! I can't believe they're not open Saturdays.

 

[FrankenCub]

Do you have a dollar value in mind as far as a budget ?

Next question, and it may not have occurred to you ; what do you plan on mounting it on ? Most bolt action rifles are not suitable for mounting night vision on because it winds up being WAY above the bore. So much so, that you can not get your cheek on the stock. Also, many times it cannot be mounted far enough back on the action. Flat top AR platforms ( and similar ) work well.

Trying to stay about $400+ or - a little bit, all hinging on my Encore selling though. That's why I'm looking at gen1+. It'll be going on my AR.
Guys over on ARF keep saying gen1+ is garbage but videos I watched looked usable for distances I'll be shooting. A couple guys there did say they work well. Even if I decided to go digital I'd still be in over $500 by time it's ready to use.

 

[Tisto]

Amazon.com : Night Owl Optics NightShot Digital Night Vision Riflescope with IR illuminator, Black, NIGHTSHOT, Medium : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Night Owl Optics NightShot Digital Night Vision Riflescope with IR illuminator, Black, NIGHTSHOT, Medium : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

Under $ 400. Better than Gen1. Very basic unit, just turn it on and shoot. No rings or other mount needed.

 

[Shoots100]

If you want a scope that's just plug and play for under $400 shipped, I would recommend the sightmark Photon XT 4x scope.
2 AA batteries, with a not bad onboard IR light that's good to around 75 yards at max pwr, but it also will eat batteries when using it at the high setting.
Most use an auxiliary IR light with it and that will enable you to use it out past 200 yards reliably.
You would need to get rings to mount it.
Works well in the day too, when properly adjusted.
I have QD rings on mine and it's been a solid backup scope for the last couple of years.

SJC

 

[FrankenCub]

Amazon.com : Night Owl Optics NightShot Digital Night Vision Riflescope with IR illuminator, Black, NIGHTSHOT, Medium : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Night Owl Optics NightShot Digital Night Vision Riflescope with IR illuminator, Black, NIGHTSHOT, Medium : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

Under $ 400. Better than Gen1. Very basic unit, just turn it on and shoot. No rings or other mount needed.

Not very much on YouTube for that one, what I did find didn't really impress me much. Looks more like a toy lol.

If you want a scope that's just plug and play for under $400 shipped, I would recommend the sightmark Photon XT 4x scope.
2 AA batteries, with a not bad onboard IR light that's good to around 75 yards at max pwr, but it also will eat batteries when using it at the high setting.
Most use an auxiliary IR light with it and that will enable you to use it out past 200 yards reliably.
You would need to get rings to mount it.
Works well in the day too, when properly adjusted.
I have QD rings on mine and it's been a solid backup scope for the last couple of years.

SJC

JamieZ posted a link to refurbished Photon RTs for under $400 , I think on his thread. They use 4 batteries and have an upgraded IR. I suppose if I go digital I'll probably go that way. They're supposed to have a lot of updates over the XT. I'll have to go back to YouTube and watch the reviews some more lol.

 

[FrankenCub]

Although this this comes with extras....

UBB Message - PredatorMasters Forums

www.predatormastersforums.com

Sucks only 2 batteries but I did find on YouTube someone rednecked an external battery pack for his. Might be an option.
Opinions?

 

[masterswimmer]

Are they not open on Saturdays ? Really ? They shipped my order out on Thanksgiving Day ! I can't believe they're not open Saturdays.

They're orthodox.

Hours

B&H Photo Video - Electronics and Camera Store

Sunday	10AM–6PM
Monday	9AM–7PM
Tuesday	9AM–7PM
Wednesday	9AM–7PM
Thursday	9AM–7PM
Friday	9AM–1PM
Saturday	Closed

 

[Tisto]

They're orthodox.

Hours

B&H Photo Video - Electronics and Camera Store

Sunday	10AM–6PM
Monday	9AM–7PM
Tuesday	9AM–7PM
Wednesday	9AM–7PM
Thursday	9AM–7PM
Friday	9AM–1PM
Saturday	Closed

Wow. Ok, I had no idea. Of course, I'm 400 miles from there, and have only dealt with them on the internet and telephone, so how would I know ? Still, they were great to do business with. I wouldn't hesitate to order from them again.

 

[Tisto]

I found a few videos about the NightOwl scope, and honestly, I thought it looked pretty good. In my oppinion, it looked far better than any Gen1 tube type scope. I think it might need a better IR illuminator, but you can buy one and glue a little section of rail to the scope to mount it on. For less than $ 400 ? I thought it wasn't bad at all. Your money though. I have seen other NightOwl products, and they were decent. I had one of their nightvision binoculars for a while. They were ok for the price.

The link to Predator Masters only gets me to the sign-up page, so I dont know what you're looking at.

I have zero experience with the Sightmark unit, so, no useful input.

 

[FrankenCub]

I found a few videos about the NightOwl scope, and honestly, I thought it looked pretty good. In my oppinion, it looked far better than any Gen1 tube type scope. I think it might need a better IR illuminator, but you can buy one and glue a little section of rail to the scope to mount it on. For less than $ 400 ? I thought it wasn't bad at all. Your money though. I have seen other NightOwl products, and they were decent. I had one of their nightvision binoculars for a while. They were ok for the price.

The link to Predator Masters only gets me to the sign-up page, so I dont know what you're looking at.

I have zero experience with the Sightmark unit, so, no useful input.

I forgot you need to be s member to see some parts of the site. It's a Photon XT with extra lights for $400.