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sightmark photon XT ?
#6403341
08/11/16 12:57 PM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 759
Aggieman775
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 759 |
I love hog hunting at night. I have been looking at the sightmark photon XT. But I have been asking myself if I really need it because I have a great green and red scope light. For 500$ it's pretty reasonable price. Y'all have any experience with them? For that price are they worth it? Do you think my success rate would increase if I had one instead of my scope lights? I have seen hundreds of 4-5 star reviews on them.
TSmith
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Re: sightmark photon XT ?
[Re: Aggieman775]
#6403375
08/11/16 01:31 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,991
ImTheReasonDovesMourn
Snarky Mark
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Snarky Mark
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,991 |
To me they are worth $500, but you can find them cheaper. I think I paid $429 for mine. In my opinion they are superior to any type of scope/light combination. They're very simple and lightweight, can be mounted using your choice of 30mm rings, very effective to 50ish yards with the built-in IR illuminator and much farther with a good external illuminator. They're the best value in night vision in my opinion.
Haha yea I polished that thing for hours.
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Re: sightmark photon XT ?
[Re: Aggieman775]
#6403434
08/11/16 02:18 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 433
Bmnloader
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 433 |
I shot a hog at about 110 yards with mine a few weeks back. I too think they are the best thing out there without spending few grand. Pretty simple to use. I've got mine on a .243.
It's true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take the chance. Ronald Reagan
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Re: sightmark photon XT ?
[Re: Aggieman775]
#6403442
08/11/16 02:24 PM
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 4,056
Pig_Popper
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 4,056 |
Part of the story with the PhotonXT is this:
You are sacrificing a gun when you go with this scope - you increase your capability at night hunting but decrease (substantially) you capability in daytime.
If you have a gun to sacrifice then without a doubt the PhotonXT IS the best value in nightvision.
If you don't have a gun to sacrifice then maybe the setup your running now is optimal.
This space is For Sale - inquire within ...
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Re: sightmark photon XT ?
[Re: Pig_Popper]
#6403542
08/11/16 03:47 PM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 759
Aggieman775
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 759 |
Part of the story with the PhotonXT is this:
You are sacrificing a gun when you go with this scope - you increase your capability at night hunting but decrease (substantially) you capability in daytime.
If you have a gun to sacrifice then without a doubt the PhotonXT IS the best value in nightvision.
If you don't have a gun to sacrifice then maybe the setup your running now is optimal. https://www.leupold.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mountpage_qrmounts.gif I have leupold qr scope rings in my muzzleloader and are great. I can take the scope off and back on with no adjustments. Will these fit on that scope?
Last edited by Aggieman775; 08/11/16 03:48 PM.
TSmith
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Re: sightmark photon XT ?
[Re: Aggieman775]
#6403556
08/11/16 03:55 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,991
ImTheReasonDovesMourn
Snarky Mark
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Snarky Mark
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,991 |
Part of the story with the PhotonXT is this:
You are sacrificing a gun when you go with this scope - you increase your capability at night hunting but decrease (substantially) you capability in daytime.
If you have a gun to sacrifice then without a doubt the PhotonXT IS the best value in nightvision.
If you don't have a gun to sacrifice then maybe the setup your running now is optimal. https://www.leupold.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mountpage_qrmounts.gif I have leupold qr scope rings in my muzzleloader and are great. I can take the scope off and back on with no adjustments. Will these fit on that scope? Any 30mm medium rings will work. I have the Burris QD rings on mine. I take it off and on as much as I need to with no accuracy problems. Its been working great for 3 years.
Haha yea I polished that thing for hours.
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Re: sightmark photon XT ?
[Re: Aggieman775]
#6405233
08/12/16 04:45 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,493
der Teufel
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,493 |
I have an early Photon, the 3.5X. I don't have a video recorder, but if I did, the crosshairs don't show in the video output on this model. I think later models do show crosshairs in video. It's a pretty good value for the money. If there's a quarter moon or better (half of the month) and the moon is above the trees, you can see pretty far across open pasture. Often I'll go out an hour before sunrise, when the sky is just beginning to lighten but you can't see anything at ground level, and search for hogs in open areas. Even though it's still dark, with the light in the sky I can see up to a half mile. This allows me to stalk from downwind without being detected. Anything in shadows is invisible without illumination. I find the built-in illuminator is good for up to around 80 yards for shooting, and a little past 100 for identification. Most of my shots are in the range of 40-70 yards. I dream about getting a thermal sight, but my beer budget doesn't allow for that kind of champagne. --
I have two unwritten rules: 1. 2.
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Re: sightmark photon XT ?
[Re: ImTheReasonDovesMourn]
#6405412
08/12/16 06:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 369
Night Hunting TV
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 369 |
Any 30mm medium rings will work. I have the Burris QD rings on mine. I take it off and on as much as I need to with no accuracy problems. Its been working great for 3 years. I have the exact same mount. and haven't had an issue with it either. But I do agree with pig popper that you would then have to buy another scope for day use unless its a dedicated gun.
Last edited by bornforit; 08/12/16 06:36 PM.
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Re: sightmark photon XT ?
[Re: ImTheReasonDovesMourn]
#6406715
08/13/16 07:15 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,841
DocHorton
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,841 |
In my opinion they are superior to any type of scope/light combination. They're very simple and lightweight, can be mounted using your choice of 30mm rings, very effective to 50ish yards with the built-in IR illuminator and much farther with a good external illuminator. They're the best value in night vision in my opinion. I agree completely, however I was able to see up to 250 yards easily with my UNV IR. I made the progression from scope/kill light to Photon XT, and then to IR Hunter Thermal scope. You will be surprised with how well the Photon works for the price...I was really amazed. I had the mag doubler and the external IR on mine. However, the Photon is just a gateway drug to thermal.
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Re: sightmark photon XT ?
[Re: DocHorton]
#6406833
08/13/16 10:16 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 61
DoubleUp
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 61 |
However, the Photon is just a gateway drug to thermal. So very true.
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Re: sightmark photon XT ?
[Re: Pig_Popper]
#6415905
08/19/16 06:47 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7,918
bigjoe8565
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7,918 |
Part of the story with the PhotonXT is this:
You are sacrificing a gun when you go with this scope - you increase your capability at night hunting but decrease (substantially) you capability in daytime.
If you have a gun to sacrifice then without a doubt the PhotonXT IS the best value in nightvision.
If you don't have a gun to sacrifice then maybe the setup your running now is optimal. I disagree to a point. You can still use the Photon during the day, but this isn't the scopes primary purpose. After deer season, I pig hunt during the day with my Photon. Again, it's not the best daytime scope, but it's more than serviceable.
Last edited by bigjoe8565; 08/19/16 06:49 PM.
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