Night Vision & IR Illuminators

[Svetlana]

Hi! I hope it's okay to ask this here, it's more about personal safety than firearms.

Is it legal to posses/use a night vision scope with an IR illuminator for safety purposes or surveillance? not mounted or anywhere near any weapon.

I'm in the hiking trails and outdoors a lot after dark and like to have something with me that can spot someone or animal hiding in the bushes ahead of time. Something preferably with a long range, like 300m-600m.

Is there a good scope or goggles for that?

[JMP]

I'm in the hiking trails and outdoors a lot after dark and like to have something with me that can spot someone or animal hiding in the bushes ahead of time. Something preferably with a long range, like 300m-600m

This is very simple. You would not need an illuminator as they will not work for beans scanning at that range. Illuminators are really meant for close up applications where there is an absence of photons, such as in a completely dark building.

A basic NV setup that is of Generation 3 or higher will be what you want to purchase for that range and it should work if there is enough natural light. With moonlight, they work the best. As prices on NV have come down significantly with improvements in technology, you can accomplish this for about $4,000 if you want an entry level setup. Obviously, you'll already want a high transmission riflescope to use in conjunction, so figure another $2,000 for a good hunting scope if you don't have one. It's that poor glass really compromises your ability to see as the device is gathering and translating photon of wavelengths that are not necessarily in the visible spectrum. Cheap Chinese scopes will block these photons the same way they block visible light.

Ultimately, you need to check with your local department that manages fish and game to check the legality. They will probably not allow it.

[brando]

And honestly, image intensification (night vision) is good at helping you to see, but it's still difficult to acquire targets at that range. That's where thermal has an advantage as heat sources will jump out in high contrast. Thermal is very expensive however, but if you're trying to pick out animals hiding in the bushes, it's light years beyond what night vision will do.

ETA: for your needs, there are less expensive hand held thermal options. Give TNVC (Tactical Night Vision Company) a call and they can walk you through what's available and what's good to suite you.

[JMP]

What I'd suggest doing as the most practical thing is to get a handheld thermal monocular for scanning, then a NV weapon sight to focus on the area and zero in on your target. Just keep in mind that if you are on public hunting lands, I highly doubt the local warden will approve.

[Svetlana]

Thanks, so I guess an illuminator won't work.

Oh, and I wanted to clarify something, sorry, I didn't mean that I wanted to hunt animals, just to see what is behind the bushes so I don't get attacked.

[JMP]

I didn't mean that I wanted to hunt animals, just to see what is behind the bushes so I don't get attacked.

Then, your best bet is a lower dollar thermal monocular to just scan the area periodically. That should tell you if a mammal threat is near.

[Warrior30]

What brands would you suggest for a good quality/low dollar thermal monocular?

[dvs762]

as long as its not weapons mountable its ok. Like having a PVS-7 with an IR flood on it. The law pertains to what they call sniper scopes..which is what IR Scopes used to be called many moons ago...

[IronSights]

What brands would you suggest for a good quality/low dollar thermal monocular?

Have a look at the Flir line of handhelds or the IRHunter Patrol. Both produce excellent images. Thermal is very difficult to navigate by unless you are very familiar with the terrain. I've had a Flir Scout for 4 years and am very happy with it. The InstAlert function is great for locating animals burried in the bushes.

[FMJBT]

http://www.amazon.com/Seek-UW-AAA-Thermal-Imaging-Connector/dp/B00NYWAHHM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1435185309&sr=8-5&keywords=flir+one

[Ripon83]

Don't they have an app / device for the smart phone for this now?

[Svetlana]

Are there any stand-alone thermal cameras? ones that do not require a phone or computer to display?

[IronSights]

Are there any stand-alone thermal cameras? ones that do not require a phone or computer to display?

FLIR Scout and LS series are standalone handhelds.

[IEatZ28]

Check out Armasights line of NV, theres a bunch of different types.