Very nice job Draymun... Keep them coming!

Welcome!

Nice observational review, Draymun!

Day and night video ranging from 50 yards to 300 yards

http://youtu.be/VAXZV0-JHoU

That scope is a nice little bang for the buck... The add on IR makes a huge difference...

Just ordered mine today, my supplier states that they will get theirs on Thursday via UPS. At least this one isnt vaporware. For a low end nv scope this looks like a good deal with all the reviews and vids Ive seen. Hopefully it will be at the house by Mon or Tues.

Thanks, Draymun, for a good review! Welcome to THF!

-ww

Quick update.

Went outside late last night and checked out scope again. This time on my handi-rifle with EMPTY CHAMBER AND ACTION OPEN (just trying to not get flamed or called out for unsafe firearm handling).

1. Overcast night with significantly lowered moonlight.
2. Looking at same playground area (~210yds away) I had a hard time making out the playground equipment, (which is under some trees and in the partial moon shadow) without IR.
3. I then turned on the built-in illuminator and noticed that the image improved SIGNIFICANTLY... even at that range. I was literally very surprised that little light has that much throw (~210yds)! I could now make out the playground equipment very clearly and the shadowed area were noticeably illuminated.
4. Testing out this scope with both my Torch - ELR-IR VF (805nm) and my T20 IR light (850nm) both yielded greatly improved images over the built-in light(especially perceived contrast). The posts in which people say the built-in IR is good to +100yds is not a joke. I am seeing it's effectiveness out past 200yds.
5. At the 50-80yd ranges to my feeders, I would not hesitate to use JUST the built-in IR.

If it holds up to field use, they are going to sell a bunch of these things.

Sellmark is very good about backing their products with a 3 year warranty. I think they beat everyone on customer service.

The only things I might add is that the onboard IR offers a more grainy sight picture at any distance and 100 yards is stretching it as is demonstrated in Bearclaws demo a few posts up from here. I've had mine for a bit and would definitely suggest an aftermarkret IR in 850 nm wavelength...something like the UNV 20 IR... It cleans up the picture and insures a better image the further you go out...

I like it with a doubler also. To each his own...

Thanks again for the info Draymun!

HI DFwroadkill,

I agree with you. The image is grainy but usable. I just did not expect the little attached IR would add any appreciable value, if at all, to the image at that distance. It surprised me when it did. The image was MUCH improved with both the Torch VF and my T-20 with regards to image clarity, illumination and contrast.

I put together this rifle to loan to my friends and work customers (out of state and out of country) that I take out to my lease to introduce them to the hog hunting that they've heard so much about.

The simpler the setup, the less chances for them to screw something up. They usually only have minimal handling and familiarization time with the firearm prior to sitting in a tree stand by themselves in the dark (1-2hours at a gun-range over lunch just before heading out). If I can omit having them worry about operating a separate torch, it would mean one less thing for them to remember. I can tell you some stories... .

Let's just say I started off with a 6.8SPC AR and ended up with a single shot Handi-rifle as my guest gun! It's ALMOST idiot proof.

Oh, I absolutely understand keeping it simple for someone new to the stuff. It is very easy to take operational things for granted. Keeping it simple with newbies or someone that will only use it once or occasionally is paramount. Yes, I understand the thing about stories...

Enjoy your posts. Glad you are here...

Thanks! That means a lot to me!

Funny thing is was that prior to coming to town, I was showing them all my kill photos of myself kneeling next to a dead hog holding my "black guns" and Clip-On. Then when they show up on hunt day...I hand them the single shotter with a red LED flashlight , all the while I'm toting around my rig!

After multiple comments like "bait and switch"; "WTF" or the worst one for me "Lets swap", I had to give them something.... This scope if it works as good as I think, will give them that NVD night-time hog hunting experience that they are wanting without breaking my wallet.

Another benefit of the additional IR is battery life. With the onboard IR on level 2, you will be lucky to get 2hrs out of those AA batteries. With the 20IR and good batteries you will get 4 hrs.

Good Point! Will have to factor that in. Changing batteries vs. working a torch.

Great point!

I looked at the video again, Bearclaw. Nice demo. As a new Photon XT owner, it had some definite new relevance.

I pre-ordered one from Tyler yesterday. Hopefully I get one out of the next shipment. I can't wait to try it out!

Just a quick note for those looking to purchase this scope...

The operators manual has some errors and I thought it might help to offer a heads up.

1) It talks about an external power port in a couple of places. Quit looking, the external power port was dropped on this model.

2) The instructions for zeroing explain a process about two reticles and such. There are not two reticles. You get a different reticle than the one you have chosen when in the zeroing firmware. When you move the X position to a more positive number, the POI moves right. When you move the Y position to a more positive number, the POI moves down. When you make your change, hold the button on the side of the scope in for a couple of seconds to store your new setting.

Otherwise, the scope has a very nice night time sight picture for the money. The flashing some of you notice during the day is the sensor being overdriven.

Would definitely reccomend an aftermarket IR such as the UNV 20 IR. The UNV MDVR id a nice addition also.

Hope this helps...

Also the manual says to turn button 6 until it clicks to turn on, well that aint so, just push the button on the back of the ir illuminator. Its on when the green led is lit.
Got mine today and thought I had bad batteries but that wasnt the case cant wait till tonight...

Question for those of you that have the photon already. I canx my order for the x sight due to ATN's incompetency and have the photon on order so that being said will the burris pepr mount work with this scope or will it interfere with the electronic parts? Here is a link that shows the measurements of the mount www.burrisoptics.com/arpepr.html. My idea is to use the upper picatinny rails to mout my IR torch.

Yes to mounting, with some caveats. You need the 30 mm version. The area where you would mount the scope is a shade over 4 5/8" as best I can tell. So, it would mount and give you a little eye relief adjustment there. More adjustment would have to come from how far forward or rearward you placed your mount on the rails. I'm not 100%, but my hunch is that you can get it to work.

However.....mounting your IR on top. I wouldn't use the rear rails, only the front. The issue on the front is that the battery box lid will prolly interfere with the front of your IR. You could mount it high to clear it, but it would be way out of alignment with your scope and it would still be difficult to change batteries. This scope doesn't have an external power port, so you will be changing batteries.

The front right side of the scope does have a weaver rail that could be used to mount an IR. It is a strange fit, but can be made to work. Otherwise, I use forward rails on my foregrip.

Hope this helps!

Here is a pic of a Photon XT with a PEPR mount I found on Texasbowhunter.com from Ecoboost

Looks like a perfect fit.

There ya go!

Looking just over the top of the IR you can barely see the top of the battery box cover. That is where I think you will have issues with the IR mounted on top....

Well now that answers my question thanks and good point on clearance with the ir may have to reconsider a different option.

Welcome to the forum!

thanks