Texas Hunting Forum

Advice on night vision scopes for hog hunting

Posted By: Mad Max

Advice on night vision scopes for hog hunting - 02/04/18 04:56 PM

After having limited success with feeder lights (too dim for long range shots) and flashlight attachments (hogs tend to spook and scatter the second the light hits them), I'm giving serious thought to buying a night vision scope.

I'd like to hear some suggestions that people have for a night vision scope that's well suited for hog hunting but won't break the bank (i.e. something better than Russian military surplus junk that burns a hole in your retina, but at the same time doesn't run at the price of a new car). Ideally, it would be a scope that would also be decent for daytime hunts at a reasonable range.
Posted By: bigjoe8565

Re: Advice on night vision scopes for hog hunting - 02/04/18 05:25 PM

For strictly night hunting the Sightmark Photon is great. For a combo (day/night) scope the ATN Xsight ll. I have both, so I have first hand experience with both products.
Posted By: Double Naught Spy

Re: Advice on night vision scopes for hog hunting - 02/04/18 05:42 PM

bj8565 said it. There is a new Photon RT (and not XT) that is out that is better than the older XT. Alone, it will handle most of your needs. With a decent external illuminator and an open field, 300 yards or so is certainly possible.
Posted By: Mad Max

Re: Advice on night vision scopes for hog hunting - 02/04/18 05:44 PM

Originally Posted By: bigjoe8565
For strictly night hunting the Sightmark Photon is great. For a combo (day/night) scope the ATN Xsight ll. I have both, so I have first hand experience with both products.


Thanks. Along the same lines, does anyone here have any experience with Armasight WWZ nightvision scopes? That seems to be one of the less expensive models - are they junk or halfway decent?
Posted By: Hogz

Re: Advice on night vision scopes for hog hunting - 02/04/18 07:14 PM

I have the Sightmark photon Xt and love it. Used it the two times I went to Texas to hunt pigs. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a scope since I only get to hunt pigs 1-2 times a year. I used it during the day and at night and had great success. I bought an external IR (Evolva t20) And the pigs had no idea I was there.
The new photon is even better than the one I have.
One of my buddies has the ATN X SIGHT. And I looked at them before purchasing my Photon. Too many options that I wouldn't use. I just end wanted one that worked when you turned it on.

For the money.. Great investment in my opinion.
Posted By: TX_LT230FH

Re: Advice on night vision scopes for hog hunting - 02/05/18 12:42 AM

I have the XT 4.6x- shot a hog with it Friday night at 120 yards. Making out the hogs was no problem, but a bunch of coons at that distance were hard to make out. I dragged the hog in the field, then shot a coyote eating it Saturday night at 150 yards. It was hard to make out at that distance, I’m only using the built-in IR.
I’m going to upgrade soon, right now it’s between the RT and the XSight 4K. I need more magnification.
Posted By: drycreek3189

Re: Advice on night vision scopes for hog hunting - 02/05/18 01:01 AM

No experience with the digital stuff, but for a purely night vision I've had good luck with my ATN Night Arrow. The last two Friday nights I've shot multiple hogs with it, that is one shot in the group and then another or two running away. It's just 4x, but I also head shot one at a little over 200 yd. Friday night before last. The moon was pretty full, but it was cloudy, so not a lot of help there. I use a TNV Torch Pro IR flashlight mounted on my handguard. It beats the heck out of the ATN IR light. Pretty expensive, but there are cheaper lights probably just as good available now. I've had mine three or four years. Good luck in your search !
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