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Night spotting scope help
#6051431
11/26/15 08:15 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 130
Mountain Lion
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 130 |
6 months ago I purchased a Sightmark Photon xt 4.6x42s rifle scope and it has been great. Only problem is that I have to swing my heavy AR around in order to spot animals in the dark and it hurts my back. And I'm probably calling in animals that I'm not seeing. Anyone have any recommendations for night spotting optics? Most shots are within 200 yards and budget is ~ $400. I was thinking of actually buying a 3-12 atn xsight rifle scope and using it as a handheld digital spotting scope with the option of one day putting it on another gun or something. Don't know if this is realistic / practical though.
I know y'all have lots of experience, I appreciate your advice.
ML
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Re: Night spotting scope help
[Re: Mountain Lion]
#6051573
11/26/15 10:35 PM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,124
Pootie
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,124 |
Bushnell Equinox Z digital night vision monocular with zoom, still pics and video. A little over $200 on Amazon. http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I9...ailpage_o02_s00 Works well for me with the included IR. If you look for one, be careful as there are some with nearly the same name that do not include the ability to record or electronic zoom for around $100 also. I got the 4.5X Model to match my Photon. Jack
Last edited by Pootie; 11/26/15 10:42 PM. Reason: add caution about different model
If you find yourself feeling useless, remember it took 20 years, trillions of dollars, and four presidents to replace the Taliban with the Taliban.
Sometimes the Universe puts you in the same situation again to see if you’re still a dumbass.
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Re: Night spotting scope help
[Re: Mountain Lion]
#6051836
11/27/15 12:31 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 406
fr3db3ar
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 406 |
Another vote for the Equinox for NV scanning options.
Don't go thermal.......you'll never go back
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Re: Night spotting scope help
[Re: Pootie]
#6061910
12/02/15 04:47 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 9
Powerstroke99
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 9 |
Bushnell Equinox Z digital night vision monocular with zoom, still pics and video. A little over $200 on Amazon. http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I9...ailpage_o02_s00 Works well for me with the included IR. If you look for one, be careful as there are some with nearly the same name that do not include the ability to record or electronic zoom for around $100 also. I got the 4.5X Model to match my Photon. Jack Are you experiencing short battery life with your Equinox Z? I ordered one of these units based on your recommendation and received it today. I noticed after only a few minutes of use the battery indicator showed the batteries to be almost completely discharged. I replaced the duracells with the same high quality lithiums that work well in my Photon and noticed almost the same indicator drop. Does the unit eat batteries or is the indicator incorrect? I did read one review where someone complained of short battery life, but it had mostly high reviews.
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Re: Night spotting scope help
[Re: Powerstroke99]
#6062625
12/02/15 05:28 PM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,124
Pootie
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,124 |
I guess my answer would depend on what you define as eating batteries and how your use pattern. I don't consider mine to be eating batteries. I am using re-chargeables and getting several hunts. For my usage I turn the unit off when not scanning. The battery indicator does drop off full pretty quickly, but the unit keeps working. I couldn't guess an hourly number per battery set. Recording time as well as settings would also have an effect on battery life. I'm happy with mine. Jack
If you find yourself feeling useless, remember it took 20 years, trillions of dollars, and four presidents to replace the Taliban with the Taliban.
Sometimes the Universe puts you in the same situation again to see if you’re still a dumbass.
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Re: Night spotting scope help
[Re: Mountain Lion]
#6063127
12/02/15 09:50 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 130
Mountain Lion
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 130 |
Going to buy mine this weekend. Thanks for the advice, I think I will be happy with it.
ML
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Re: Night spotting scope help
[Re: Pootie]
#6063490
12/03/15 12:58 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 9
Powerstroke99
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 9 |
I guess my answer would depend on what you define as eating batteries and how your use pattern. I don't consider mine to be eating batteries. I am using re-chargeables and getting several hunts. For my usage I turn the unit off when not scanning. The battery indicator does drop off full pretty quickly, but the unit keeps working. I couldn't guess an hourly number per battery set. Recording time as well as settings would also have an effect on battery life. I'm happy with mine. Jack I hope to use it primarily for coyote hunting and I scan continuously for 20-30 minutes. I'm curious how many stands I can get with the IR at it's brightest level using lithiums. I will have to experiment a bit. I am very pleased with it's night vision ability. Seems comparable to my Photon. Thanks for the recommendation!
Last edited by Powerstroke99; 12/03/15 01:06 AM. Reason: Added Thanks!
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