Where and what do I buy thermal/night-vision binoculars/scopes?
Friday, September 30th, 2011 at
2:04 pm
Question by Dan J: Where and what do I buy thermal/night-vision binoculars/scopes?
I'm looking to buy a night vision or thermal binoculars or scope. I'm not going to use it for hunting or anything, but more of just something to have... For fun? I guess... Money isn't too big of a problem, but please, nothing over $ 300... That said, I have a feeling thermal's out hahaha.
Best answer:
Answer by dieselrabbit1980
Check out opticsplanet.com. They have tons of scopes of every kind.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
 |
 COMPACT HUNTING 8X21 1000 YARDS BINOCULARS W DUCKS UNLIMITED CASE NO RESERVE  US $2.50
|
 BUSHNELL SPORTSMAN 10X42 HUNTING BINOCULARS US $5.50
|
 Jason All Weather Camouflage Hunting Binoculars USED US $.99
|
Tagged with: binoculars/scopes • thermal/nightvision
Check out night owl from this source.
“Money isn’t too big of a problem……. but please, nothing over $ 300…”
A really nice thermal imaging camera that can tell the difference between a moose and a man at 800yds in a snowstorm – about $ 630,000.00 You can see them at http://www.flir.com
Fire departments and people who insulate homes use thermal monoculars to see where the hot spots are in a house fire, or, tell where heat is leaking out. They typically start around $ 9800 for the cheap ones and $ 20,000 for a decent one that can take some abuse.
Nightvision scopes are much much cheaper. They are rated at Generation 1, 2, 3, 4 , and 5. Generation 1 is similar to 1970’s Vietnam vintage technology and run between $ 200-$ 300 – and most models are cheapo Russian or China stuff that sucks out loud. These things require an Infra Red flood lamp to work decent.
Generation 2-3 are not so bad if you can find an American or model made by a reputable company. Very Important – you need to buy it from a company that is still going to be in business a few years from now incase you need repairs! Ebay, ar15.com, gunbroker.com are the last place you want to buy from – and avoid used ones like the plague. These things are very, very easy to damge the main imager sensor or tube if accidentally exposed to any light!
That said. You say it is just something to have. Try this – go borrow a digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR) – a digital camera where you can adjust the ISO speed and how long the camera iris stays open. When you set such a camera to ISO 400 or faster, with the iris speed set at 2 seconds or more – when pointed at a big, dark area – the image comes out like nightvision. Except it is in color rather than green. (( I do allot of low light photography (aurora) and I design CCTV security systems. )) This works – and when you crank the DSLR up to ISO 1800 or 3200 you can drop the speed down to 1 or .5 seconds and you can easily make out a fox that is 400 yards away in near total darkness.
This camera trick – and even expensive night vision scopes – all requrie some sort of light to work. Starlight is ok – moonlight is awesome. A dark rainy night you won’t get squat unless you have an IR Illuminator.
Upside to that camera trick – you can use it like nightvision and nobody will think you can see anything.
In NV equipment – you get what you pay for…….. and $ 300 is not enough to get anything that is going to make your happy or impress you.
Good luck
Try your luck at Ebay. You may find some cheap night vision items.