So what's a good night vision scope that isn't super high. I was looking at the ATN Aries 390 MK Padalin. Anyone have any good or bad reviews on it?

Sightmark Photon 500.00-700.00

Forget the Aries 390 and get the Photon.

I have the x sight and the photon. For 500 the photon gets the job done and is very easy to operate just get a good ir to go along with it.

So would you prefer the Photon over the X Sight?

Photon. For the price point u cannot beat it.

I like the X sight but it still is having issues. Could be a good scope if they can ever get all the bugs fixed. At this point I would trade my xsight for another photon. Any one interested in comparing the two I would be happy to let you compare them.

I've got an ATN MK 410 Spartan for sale now in the classifieds

I have no experience with the X sight, so I can't help there. However, I have hunted a few years with the Photon 4.6x version. I chose the Photon for price point, functions, ease of use and based on reviews. The photon has yet to let me down on any of my hunts. As others have stated, the onboard IR is a bit weak, but you can add an external at nominal cost and you're still in under $700.00.

I've had a Pulsar N750A DigiSight on my main 6.8 for 3 years and a Photon 5X on my backup 6.8 for 2.5 years.
Obviously, the N750A is much better but at 3X the price of the Photon, it should be.

That being said, the Photon with a small external IR illuminator has killed approximately 100 hogs in the hands of my friends and family and I have used it quite a few times myself.
I have 2 friends who both bought XSights - They both sent them back after a night in the stand with me using my Photon and bought the new Photon XT and are taking pigs regularly.

You can pick up a nice Evolva Future Technologies T20 38MM IR illuminator off ebay for under 50 bucks that has 3 power settings and adjustable focus and works as good as a famous brand one that is 3-4 times the cost.
I use a QD offset scope ring to mount it on the rifle rail.
With that illuminator, you can see much further than you will feel safe shooting at night.

Dont have the Pulsar n750. but i can attest to the photon XT.

My Photon had a problem with turning off after every shot. contacted the company and they sent me a replacement. Turnaround from my door to theirs and back was less than a week. and that included a weekend. Havent gotten to shoot the replacement yet. But I did see they made some changes from the original one I had. All to the good.

+1 this will save you good money. Also look at the T-38 it looks identical to the more expensive one and the performance from both is the same.

Using a Photon and Evolva how far can yall see a hog to identify? Also how far can you safely, confidently shoot?

Only hog I shot was about 125 yards. With no moon you will see and be able to identify up to 200yards. With decent moonlight you will get much more distance. Probably longer than most are comfortable shooting at night. I have used both IR lights and side by side you will get the same distance from either.

I have a tall blind set up specifically for night hunting.
It is a 4x8 that's sitting on 18' scaffold with big openings so you can use your illuminator from inside without too much bloom.
There is one side that has a hay field that opens out 296 yards from blind to fence line.

With the Photon and T20 in pitch dark with no moon and you can't see your hand in front of your face.
When the hay is cut, you can clearly identity pigs all the way across that field without a problem.
Black pigs and raccoons really stand out in night vision but deer and coyotes are not as easy to identify.
The IR reflection of deer/coyote eyes will help identify them by watching their head movements.

The real limit to this is not the scope or my limited abilities but neighbors houses behind the field.
Use Google Earth and look at your hunting area.
It's a good tool to help you out, get the lay of the land and the ruler feature allows you to "measure" from your blind to various landmarks you can use at night to judge distance.

Bottom line, if I needed another 500ish night scope, I would not hesitate to buy another Photon.
As someone also already said, their customer service is excellent.
I haven't had to send the Photon back but did send my Pulsar N750 back and had 5 day turn-around.
They are located in Mansfield, Texas and service both Photons and Pulsars.

I have the N850, Photon 4.6 and Xsight 3-9.

The 850 is the best + it has a laser range finder. It should be the best at 4X the cost of the other 2
The photon is simple to use and very functional out past 200 yards
The Xsight is a great daytime scope and a mediocre night time scope depending on your environment and your illuminator.

For your money I'd choose the Photon over another Xsight.

I have a PhotonXT and recorder I'm going to be listing in the classified on Tuesday

Both are like new

Have you thought about thermals? I use to use night vision and have been currently running armasight thermals. It's awsome to be able to see threw cover and thick vegetation.

I think about it all the time. Then I think about how I don't have $5-15k to spend on a thermal scope.

x2