Thoughts on using a Night Vision Monocular...

Discussion in 'Whitetail Deer Hunting' started by garyalarson, Mar 28, 2014.

  1. garyalarson

    garyalarson Newb

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    Wonder what experience or thoughts you guys have on using a night vision monocular to help you getting into or out of your stand without bumping into deer. I was thinking it would be useful at 4am when I'm trying to avoid tripping, using a flashlight, and even bumping deer.

    Any experience or thoughts on this?
     
  2. uncljohn

    uncljohn Weekend Warrior

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    My experience is that a $20 headlamp with a green light is a better way to go than $1000 night vision goggles. I've bumped a few deer but not $980 worth.
     
  3. tfarah22

    tfarah22 Weekend Warrior

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    I've used one, it was really cool. That was about it. You loose all depth perception. So not making any noise would be kind of a joke. I don't think it would be worth the money in my opinion, but to each his own. Just my .02


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  4. garyalarson

    garyalarson Newb

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    Uncljohn, that sounds pretty good. You can get night vision monoculars today for less than $200. But I will have to check that out.
     
  5. Fitz

    Fitz Legendary Woodsman

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    It'd be neat to have, but I'd certainly need more of an excuse. The red LEDs on my headlamp work great for me.
     
  6. garyalarson

    garyalarson Newb

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    That sounds like a stellar idea Fitz. Now to find one....
     
  7. Fitz

    Fitz Legendary Woodsman

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  8. Heckler

    Heckler Grizzled Veteran

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    You guys have never really wanted to see how big those bucks were that were moving around you before day light? I borrowed a friends mono and it was awesome. If I didn't have three kids I would have one for sure!
     
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  9. Afflicted

    Afflicted Grizzled Veteran

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    I'd love one for the walk and viewing while on stand in the dark. Or just walking around the woods at the camp site at night.
    Just been waiting for the prices to come down
     
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  10. garyalarson

    garyalarson Newb

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  11. Afflicted

    Afflicted Grizzled Veteran

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  12. Slugger

    Slugger Grizzled Veteran

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    Your sound alone will bump a deer light or no light. I just use a headlamp and still shoot plenty of deer.
     
  13. Afflicted

    Afflicted Grizzled Veteran

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    I just think it would be cool to see what's out there. So many of my hunts seem to be on a new moon.
     
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  14. garyalarson

    garyalarson Newb

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  15. pepeyton

    pepeyton Newb

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    The price of Xgen 2.1x is less than $ 200, and it seems that you can get one for about $ 120. The disadvantage is that its viewing area is smaller than other NVs. I held it sideways to get a wider field of view, so that I can get a larger viewing area. If you just want a cheap toy, then the $ 30 VIVREAL is something you can try without hesitation.
     
  16. sheddinva

    sheddinva Weekend Warrior

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    I bought a cheap one to see what was always walking by before daylight but you pretty much had to have a wide open field to be able to see anything and even then you could just tell it was deer. Maybe if one was right below or beside you then you could count points but if any branches are between you they light up like lights. Technology may be a lot better now since about 10 years ago when I tried.
     
  17. Skunkworkx

    Skunkworkx Weekend Warrior

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    Although not really useful for walking....it would be great for looking at fields (shining lights on a field is illegal here in MD...and IF you have a weapon, you loose it and go to jail and a nice fine)
     
  18. Shocker99

    Shocker99 Grizzled Veteran

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    This is a tough one. I’ve been on the fence for awhile now. About $1500 for the one I was looking at. You get what you pay for. A friend let me try his pulsar axion, the same one used by a few on bhod. The thing is amazing. I’ve also looked through a $150 dollar one and thought it was broken. Only to be reassured it wasn’t. Night and day difference. Pun intended. A red light will get you in and out but you can’t see what is 100yds in front of you. My whole reasoning behind it was to change my entry route if I saw a bunch of deer. Also though about getting a night setup for coyotes. This would be a secondary to a night vision scope. Hobbies are expensive if you let them be haha
     
  19. solete

    solete Newb

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    Can anyone tell me if it is against the law to use infa red and night vision scopes to hunt with?
     
  20. Mod-it

    Mod-it Die Hard Bowhunter

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    If you are talking about the U.S., it varies from State to State.
    In Idaho where I reside:

    "It is unlawful to hunt with any electronic device attached to, or incorporated in, the firearm or scope; except scopes containing battery powered or tritium lighted reticles are allowed."
     
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