Pulled the trigger on Night Vision scope

[Uninformed and Compliant]

I should also point out that yes, I was able to hit stuff when aiming via the app. No need to look through the scope. However, do not try with moving targets, as there is a latency.

 

[NY Leatherneck]

Yes, I have the 5-20, it showed up around last week of October.

Here's 100yds at 11pm with no moon, native 5x zoom.



View attachment 4370


That above image is a function of the IR light, obviously, but it works well.

The reticals are ok, however the one pictured above is probably the the only one that's useful if you stream to a spotter.

I tossed it on my .22 pellet gun to try out the shot computer. Set the ballistics and sighted in at 25 yards, then set range for 75 yards and was on paper. That's actually about the accuracy of those pellets, and that distance does require a fair bit of holdover, so the computations seem correct.

The software stack is still immature, and has a bug here and there.
The current build has an issue with power-saving; the buttons stop working if you do not move for awhile. You can still shoot and hit things, but you cannot adjust zoom or pull up the menu. The smartphone app still works when the buttons don't, though.
If you keep moving, the power-save issue does not seem to occur.

The smartphone app is pretty cool. It offers control over pretty much every feature of the device, including ballistic profile setup, and zero. Minor caveat with streaming the view to the app - you can either stream video to the app, or you can record video. You cannot stream AND record at the same time... yet.
The app works well if you use an old smartphone that you retired a few years ago. Stick it to your forearm and call it done.

The scope acts as a wifi hotspot, which you then make your smartphone join. Once on, the app can be run and it'll automatically find all scopes on that network.
You cannot rename the network via the scope, but you can do so via the app.
There is no bluetooth connectivity that I've found, yet.

I've not yet tried the HDMI output.

The extended battery is fine, but any will do. The battery-pouch that attaches to the stock is decent quality, the interior consists of elastic velcro stapping that you'll set up to fit the stock. It works well with traditional wood stocks. It works less-well with a shoulder-thing that goes up.


150yd -

View attachment 4372


Daytime performance is decent and full-color. The unit really shines at dusk, as the high-gain of the color sensor lets you run, in color, until it's practically pitch black outside.

The unit does not have a lot of eye-relief; you are intended to stick your face on that suction-cup thing. That said, the suction-cup thing does protect your face. It also works well with glasses. Due to the eye relief, I find it a LOT more comfortable to run this thing on a riser.

Damn...can't wait for this thing to show up.

 

[Marine Cpl]

So it can be used as a trail cam too if you can see it on your phone, no?

 

[Jem45472]

So it can be used as a trail cam too if you can see it on your phone, no?

You have to be in wireless range to stream to phone, but you could use the record feature for a trail cam then plug it in to TV.

 

[Jem45472]

Alot of features packed into this. Among my favorites are saved profiles for different bullets. Especially useful for my 300blk. Save the 110 hunting loads, 120 plinkers, subsonic, or even 556 for switching uppers.

 

[FrankenCub]

Keep the updates coming. Have seen a lot of complaints about these on another site, but could be 3rd Gen snobs too.
At this point I'd be happy with a Nam era Starlight rifle scope but I can't afford that either lol.

 

[NYGuns]

Wow that looks awesome!

 

[speedkills27]

Looks freaking cool! anxiously awaiting range report

 

[NirvanaFan]

Damn... Now I really need to build my coyote gun. That scope is awesome.

 

[JamieZ]

As far as using it to hunt coyote. What benefit are you getting? You can't see enough area to see them coming, it's not a monocular, you can with a red scan light. So do use it once you see them coming instead of using your red scope/gun light?

 

[NY Leatherneck]

As far as using it to hunt coyote. What benefit are you getting? You can't see enough area to see them coming, it's not monocular, like you can with a red scan light. So do use it once you see them coming instead of using your red scope/gun light?

Yote hunting alone...to call and scan with a red is challenging enough. I am not hunting in long range conditions so not needing a large field of view. Used in conjunction with a decoy.

 

[JamieZ]

These are just questions......How is scanning with a red light challenging? I am having a hard time remembering what it was like scanning with a hand held light, even know it was only 3 or 4 years ago. I use a head mounted red light now. Everywhere I look the light points in that direction.

I use a decoy too.

 

[Bushmaster]

As far as using it to hunt coyote. What benefit are you getting? You can't see enough area to see them coming, it's not a monocular, you can with a red scan light. So do use it once you see them coming instead of using your red scope/gun light?

I know a guy who uses one. He use to set out a road kill deer and watch it. He dropped a few yotes doing it.

 

[NY Leatherneck]

These are just questions......How is scanning with a red light challenging? I am having a hard time remembering what it was like scanning with a hand held light, even know it was only 3 or 4 years ago. I use a head mounted red light now. Everywhere I look the light points in that direction.

I use a decoy too.

I used a pressure pad activated red light which required constant pressure to keep light on. The light was barrel mounted. I dont want to keep the light on continuously. Using the caller remote and my pressure pad made it challenging. So night vision scope solves the problem for me plus gives me alot more. If just a red light floats your boat then go right ahead.

 

[Gunner57]

Plus, it's just plain fucking cool!

 

[JamieZ]

Plus, it's just plain fucking cool!

You ever use that cat decoy I sold you? Think it was a cat.....Does it still work? I remember having to go back and get you another one or something like that because the one I had for sale stopped working or something.

 

[Gunner57]

You ever use that cat decoy I sold you? Think it was a cat.....Does it still work? I remember having to go back and get you another one or something like that because the one I had for sale stopped working or something.

Funny you should ask... I just pulled it out the other day and am going to try and get out with it. Yup, still wags like a bitch! I've only tried it once, but we didn't have any action.

 

[DoD1776]

that's amazing!

 

[Gunner57]

 

[FrankenCub]

That Strey Cat is pretty cool. One of these days I'll have to give decoys a try.

On the topic of lights vs NV, I can introduce you to some yotes that won't come anywhere near red lights. I don't buy the "can't see red light" bit. It may not spook most but I'm sure they can see it. I'm red/green color blind, and yet can easily see red lights. It's just not as the rest of you would see it. With NV using an IR illuminater, the spectrum isn't in the visible wavelengths.

 

[Jaywmustang]

I have spooked a couple of yotes with my red and green light. U hit them with the light and they take off like u were yelling at them.

 

[Bushmaster]

I have spooked a couple of yotes with my red and green light. U hit them with the light and they take off like u were yelling at them.

Done that before years back. ONLY red on Yotes and NEVER shine the eyes head on. I only shine by the front feet just lighting the eyes a bit on Reds and Yotes. I kind of walk them in with light LOL.. New style gun lights are WAY to bright.

 

[Bushmaster]

View attachment 4423

Funny you should ask... I just pulled it out the other day and am going to try and get out with it. Yup, still wags like a bitch! I've only tried it once, but we didn't have any action.

Pretty sharp Gunner. Never used electronic ones. Years ago (during daytime) I used a old fly rod tip with 2lb test line and Turkey feathers on it drifting in breeze. Worked pretty good on daytime Red Fox.

 

[TheTeZ]

That Scope is sweet, i dont need it... but i want it...

 

[Bushmaster]

That Scope is sweet, i dont need it... but i want it...

LOL, I agree, like Gunner said just to cool LOL... I'm old school would STILL use scan lights for preds for many reasons - But that scope I want still LOL !!

 

[Jaywmustang]

Done that before years back. ONLY red on Yotes and NEVER shine the eyes head on. I only shine by the front feet just lighting the eyes a bit on Reds and Yotes. I kind of walk them in with light LOL.. New style gun lights are WAY to bright.

Agreed. I believe mine are to bright. I normally drop the light from above and only keep them in the outer most halo. I would still scam with my handheld light if I had this scope.

 

[Bushmaster]

Agreed. I believe mine are to bright. I normally drop the light from above and only keep them in the outer most halo. I would still scam with my handheld light if I had this scope.

yup, and never hunt with anyone who scans with a gun mounted light lol. that's just crazy dangerous.

 

[Gunright]

Can we use a real cat as a decoy?

Just kidding, me love both cats and dogs.

 

[NY Leatherneck]

Got the NV...mounted it, paired it with the phone. 1st thoughts ....this thing is heavy. almost doubles the weight with included IR and battery pack. Phone pairs really nice with lots of user features remotely. Got to get use to digital scope image. Not a clear as glass but could be just my settings need adjusting. See if I can get some night pics tonight.

 

[NY Leatherneck]

1st picture test.....
These are close shots at 3x power. Only 10 yds.
Green and white NV modes represented. Still trying to figure phone mode. So far just screenshotting and then cropping. Not sure where original uploaded is putting on my phone.