I'm trying to get setup for hog hunting. Shot would be taken 75-100 yards and I haven't decided on a gun yet. Nonetheless, based on some suggestions I'm leaning towards a Sightmark Photon XT 4.6x42S Digital Night Vision Riflescope and upgrading the IR. I'd like to stay around $500 but I'd go as high as $1k if necessary.

Any suggestions on an IR upgrade for that setup?

Or is there a totally different combo that's recommended?

An inexpensive way to go for the IR upgrade would be an Evolva IR light and a flashlight mount for its 1" tube. You can get the light and mount (many choices through Amazon and be out less than $60.
https://smile.amazon.com/Evolva-Future-T...words=evolva+ir

For $11 more you can get one with a rechargeable 18650 battery and a charger (good way to go).
https://smile.amazon.com/Evolva-Future-T...words=evolva+ir

Mounts...
https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=flashlight+mounts+picatinny

Hey Gasman, I'll be glad to help. I've got a pretty in depth Youtube review on the Photon XT's as well as a detailed review on the UNV 20IR illuminator. In my personal opinion, there isn't a more affordable and reliable NV setup than the Photon XT and the UNV 20IR combo. The only other option in that price range is the ATN X-Sights and I think you will find a lot of guys here aren't fans of them. They have their place but I really just believe the Photon is better optic.

Sightmark will be releasing the new Photon RT models soon and they will start about about $50 more and include built in video recording. I've got a demo unit heading my way and I'll have some more info as soon as I get my hands on it but from everything I've seen so far it's biggest upgrade is going to be the internal video recording. There is no firm release date but it could be as soon as February or as late as April but I'm thinking sooner than later. From what I've seen it looks like it will still need an external IR like the UNV 20IR to get the extra distance.

I don't think you will go wrong with the 4.5x XT or the new 4.5x RT. If you care nothing about video recording, I'd consider getting a 4.6x XT now because it will be slightly easier to operate, it's tried and true and it only uses 2 AA batteries vs 4 AA batteries in the RT. Either way, they will both be good choices.

https://youtu.be/HaR6bhC7dA8?t=22s

https://youtu.be/ruRmSRHwp-c?t=23s

Let me know if you have any questions.

- Jason

I use the older Evola T50 with the 2 rechargeable batteries with our digital night vision (Photon and ATN), but I just checked amazon and it's no longer available.

The Photon XT's were going for $400 at the gun show around here a couple weeks ago. With the light DNS posted you will be pretty well set and I don't think anything will beat it for the price.

I have the Pulsar NV750. I have the additional IR illuminater. It works great. I have it mounted on an AR .556. The only drawback that I can say is the batteries go rather quickly.