For years I have been wanting to try night vision, but the high cost has kept me away. Talking serious coin for the high end stuff. Anyway, stayed intrigued with the idea and recently stumbled across a good deal on a Photon XT. Watched a few youtube videos and decided to buy it.
I am impressed. It isn't Gen 3 military grade, but that wasn't my expectation. Turned out much better than I thought. 100 - 150 yd shots should not be a problem at all. Haven't hunted with it yet, but have played with it extensively behind my house.
There are a lot of things to like. Obviously, the cost. Also, it is like a conventional scope, so easy to mount. It is very lightweight compared to other night vision alternatives. Day/night functionality, multiple reticles and brightness settings. Video output for recording. Operates on AA batteries. 4.6X magnification gives it decent range.
A few drawbacks. Being digital, it is totally reliant on IR illumination. The built in illuminator is weak and limits range to 70 yds or so. It needs a good IR to achieve full range. It has a digital display, so you are not looking through the lenses to get an optical image. Still decent though. High battery drain, I use rechargeables. Narrow field of view up close.
All in all, well worth the money. Sightmark has discontinued the XT for the updated RT, so some deals are floating around. I also bought a Firefield Nightfall 2 Gen 1 monocular for glassing/scanning. It also works surprisingly well for the cost. In total, I have around $500 invested in the Photon, the IR and the monocular.
Over the next couple of weeks, planning to site it in and then hit the woods. We have a lot of coyotes on our deer lease, anxious to get out there. Will report back.
I am impressed. It isn't Gen 3 military grade, but that wasn't my expectation. Turned out much better than I thought. 100 - 150 yd shots should not be a problem at all. Haven't hunted with it yet, but have played with it extensively behind my house.
There are a lot of things to like. Obviously, the cost. Also, it is like a conventional scope, so easy to mount. It is very lightweight compared to other night vision alternatives. Day/night functionality, multiple reticles and brightness settings. Video output for recording. Operates on AA batteries. 4.6X magnification gives it decent range.
A few drawbacks. Being digital, it is totally reliant on IR illumination. The built in illuminator is weak and limits range to 70 yds or so. It needs a good IR to achieve full range. It has a digital display, so you are not looking through the lenses to get an optical image. Still decent though. High battery drain, I use rechargeables. Narrow field of view up close.
All in all, well worth the money. Sightmark has discontinued the XT for the updated RT, so some deals are floating around. I also bought a Firefield Nightfall 2 Gen 1 monocular for glassing/scanning. It also works surprisingly well for the cost. In total, I have around $500 invested in the Photon, the IR and the monocular.
Over the next couple of weeks, planning to site it in and then hit the woods. We have a lot of coyotes on our deer lease, anxious to get out there. Will report back.