I'm looking for a decent quality night vision scope. I guess I'm looking for 1st generation one since my price limit is $300. Also piece has to be waterproof. I looked at couple of models and companies and I got couple of models.

Option 1 - Newcon Phantom 2.3x42 Waterproof Nightvision Scope

Option 2 - Bushnell 2.0x42 Waterproof Nightvision Monocular

Option 3 - American Technologies Network Night Storm 3.5x, Waterproof, Nightvision Monocular

In your opinion guys which one of them would be the best. Use will range from hiking, kayaking, street use, camera work, etc etc... Thank you,

Matt

Sorry no experience with Gen1 devices. I would highly recommend that you actually use Gen1, 2, and 3 devices in field conditions.

I was not happy with the performance of anything but the Gen3 ITT Litton scopes. I saved up for three years before making a purchase.

Just my US $0.02...

I know what you mean about 2nd or 3rd generation... I wish I could afford such a scope. They are great and obviously much better from what I'm about to buy. I just need something around the camp, or to see if my kayaks are still there after I hear some funky noise comming from the shore, you know just a general use. As much as I can see how I would benefit from much more expensive device I just can't justify the purchase.

Matt

Matt,

What about binoculars instead? The old standby night eyes were 7x50 and in my experience they are very good, albeit large for backpacking. But even 7x35 binos give an amazing boost to looking around in the dark... and as a bonus, they work great in the daytime as well... I've used gen 1 - 3 NVDs and you couldn't pay me to use gen 1 if I can possibly get my hands on gen 2 or 3.

8x40s don't offer any advantages over 7x35s - except that they are more often a higher quality bino with better optical components.

If bino size is a concern, I believe it would be inexpensive and simple to purchase an import 7x50 bino and tear it apart into one or two (depending on focusing mechanisms) monoculars. The cheap binos are not as "bright" (lower quality lens coatings) and are for sure not waterproof, but for the price... I imagine that they will do the jobs you mentioned quite well.

Regards,

Tom

Yeah binos sound good I'm saving for the Steiner 7x35 binos we used in the Army. I have the Nikon Variable power ones and they are great. I just used my friends camcorder with night shot vison when we were camping and it was lots of fun that's why I was thinking about basic gen 1 device.

many camcorders "see" a little deeper into the red spectrum than humans. This doesn't qualify them as true "night-vision" equipment but they can see more in the dark than a person will. If you shine the IR led from your tv remote at them it will pick up a distinctly bright red light which you and I cannot see.

Just a note.

MiniMe,

Even the ones that use a night shot zero lux technology? I tought it was a real night vision since they have an infrared illuminator...

Matt

my misunderstanding - sorry. That specific "night shot" device is probably truely a gen 1 night vision device. My post was a remark about camcorders in general. I believe that many will pickup the IR laser in a tv remote and thus also much more in that range than the unaided eye will.

This is what I want to do when I get my scope: I want to set my ms2000 strobe and situate myself next to it with my Ruger. I will have night vision scope attached to the tripod and camera sitting out of the line of fire. I want to start firing in the sequence of the strobe without IR filter. Than I will slip the filter on while still firing… I just want to see how effective the filter is. Also if really flash from the stobe looks like gunfire.

Matt

Just from looking at the manufacturer's Web sites I would probably go with the Bushnell unit simply because of their company reputation and familiar name. All units have very similar specs and user the same power source. All of the units have built-in IR illuminators (required for Gen1). These built-in's generally do OK for short range viewing. Consider an additional IR source for longer range. Surefire makes a great one but it's expen$ive.

Here's a couple of models under $200...

http://www.selfdefenseproducts.com/vision/night_vision.php

Can't answer your question, but I will say that B&H Photo (which you linked to) is a top notch outfit, with knowledgable salespeople. Just a satisfied customer. Give 'em a call, they'll know the deal.

I worked for B&H three years ago and I called my friends who sell binos there and they recomended Night Storm due to the manufactures warranty, size and field "servicability". Reason I asked you guys first is because I put practical knowledge over "the counter" knowledge. Those guys use high end stuff so much that they won't even bother with the lower spectra.

Matt