Pulled the trigger on Night Vision scope

[218bee]

I see this threads a year old, but just FYI, I'm pretty sure the OP's scope isn't Gen2. Maybe the confusion stems from ATN calling the HD scopes "ATN X-sight 2"...According to the ATN website the least expensive real Gen2 ATN scope is around $1400 and goes up from there. (Unless I'm misreading it, in that case, my bad..)
Almost positive all the HD scopes are Gen1+. I have the 3x-12x version and so far so good. It does way more than I need. It actually runs better when you shut off the WiFi, Recording, etc... I have a $10 remote battery pack zip-tied to the frame and it goes forever..
I have it on a PCP airgun and no rat is safe...

Here's the Armasight Orion 5x shown on the airgun, but I've since went to the ATN so I can use it in the daytime as well. (Armasight is NV only.)

 

[FrankenCub]

How do you like the Orion?

Not comparing to the ATN, but in general. Eventually I will pick up something NV and it will be a Gen1, $1200 is way above my pay grade. And yes you read it right, that is the cheapest Gen2 that I've seen. I think if the limits of Gen1 are kept in mind they are just fine for the average night prowler like me. Not like I'll be taking shots over 75yds yote hunting.

 

[JamieZ]

Where the hell do you see that many rats

 

[218bee]

We have permission from a couple of farms. You'd be surprised what comes out when the sun goes down..

The Armasight is a fine scope. Only downside is you cant use it during the day. Thats the only reason I went to the ATN. The ATN is an actual camera so it has both Day & Night modes. The day mode is in color, too. A nice touch.. The ATN , being a camera, has no windage & elevation knobs, like the Armasight. You go into a "settings" mode and adjust the reticle from there, then save it in the settings. I have the ATN App on my IPad and can access the scope on my IPad screen. Can even sight it in on the IPad. Pretty cool.
If you're going for NV only, the Armasight served me well and is a great scope, but if you want to maybe shoot the gun during the day, go with the ATN.

 

[FrankenCub]

If I get into one it will be for my AR so night only is no big deal. Either a dedicated upper or mark it's mounting position on the rail so I can swap it off and on.
I don't see too much of a difference going to Gen2 so the benefit is little, the big difference is in Gen3. But for $3k+!! I'll NEVER have that kind of cash to blow.

 

[218bee]

Get an Armasight 5x Orion, a good illuminator and you should have no problem whacking Coyotes at 100 yds. I would think that to stretch the Gen1's legs, you need good illumination. Torches are all over the place and you might very well make do with the one that comes with the Orion w/fresh batteries.
I confess I never stretched the scopes capabilities that far, as we shoot the rats with the pellet guns around 40 yds and in. But a large-bodied animal like a coyote shouldn't be an issue. Also, the eyes light up like 2 glow sticks. (At least the rats eyes do..never shot a Yote...yet)...

 

[FrankenCub]

That's most likely the direction I would go with it. Most of the complaints I seen were with the illumination. But looking online there are a ton of IR illuminators that will cure that ill.
I pretty much figured Armasight would be the brand to get as there isn't much information or videos on YouTube of the other NV scopes. Nightvisionguys.com seems to have the best selection of everything, and even monthly payments lol.