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NV vs. Thermal for night hunting
8/16/2011 1:04:31 AM
I need to pick the brains of all you out there using some type of night vision. I will be getting either a pvs-14 or some type of thermal binoculars.
The way I see it, the pros for the pvs-14 are:
-Can use it for basic navigation
-Can mount up behind my aimpoint for NV sighting
Cons for pvs-14
-Limited distance in spotting game
Pros for thermal (FLIR) binocs:
-Can use for basic navigation
-Anything alive really pops, great for long distance spotting
Cons for thermal binocs:
-Cannot use in conjunction with aimpoint or other sights
-They are battery hogs
-More expensive than pvs-14
What am I missing? What are using you guys using and what would you do different if starting over?
Let me add that I recently ended up with some type of gen2 scope by ANT. I know almost nothing about it, no instructions. The infrared light seems to always be on if the unit is on. There is a green light, an amber, and a red that light up while toggling through with a push button, but I see nothing happening. The "reticle" looks like this ' ' ^ ' ' then there is the numbers 1-5 and a series of sloping bars starting on the right side and angling down and to the left. It's not the clearest or very good at distance, but it's something to play with right now. Does anyone know what the 3 lights signify or have any other insights on this unit?
Thank you for your help.
lukus
The way I see it, the pros for the pvs-14 are:
-Can use it for basic navigation
-Can mount up behind my aimpoint for NV sighting
Cons for pvs-14
-Limited distance in spotting game
Pros for thermal (FLIR) binocs:
-Can use for basic navigation
-Anything alive really pops, great for long distance spotting
Cons for thermal binocs:
-Cannot use in conjunction with aimpoint or other sights
-They are battery hogs
-More expensive than pvs-14
What am I missing? What are using you guys using and what would you do different if starting over?
Let me add that I recently ended up with some type of gen2 scope by ANT. I know almost nothing about it, no instructions. The infrared light seems to always be on if the unit is on. There is a green light, an amber, and a red that light up while toggling through with a push button, but I see nothing happening. The "reticle" looks like this ' ' ^ ' ' then there is the numbers 1-5 and a series of sloping bars starting on the right side and angling down and to the left. It's not the clearest or very good at distance, but it's something to play with right now. Does anyone know what the 3 lights signify or have any other insights on this unit?
Thank you for your help.
lukus
8/16/2011 6:40:21 AM
pas-13?
8/16/2011 4:57:52 PM
Tag
8/16/2011 11:57:58 PM
On the FLIR / thermal side, these are the bi-oculars I was considering. The way hot bodies just pop is pretty sweet.
http://www.tnvc.com/shop/flir-scout-bts-x-pro-qd65-thermal-bi-ocular/
http://www.tnvc.com/shop/flir-scout-bts-x-pro-qd65-thermal-bi-ocular/
8/18/2011 12:37:35 PM
The thermal would be nice but unless it's a thermal sight how are you planning on being able to see to shoot the hogs with your rifle?
I like being able to quickly scan an area with thermal to see if there's anything there or if you're just wasting your time but if given the choice between NV I can mount on my rifle or thermal binocs, I'd pick the NV.
I guess you could spot with the thermal then light them up with a spotlight to shoot but that wouldn't be my choice.
Why not go with something like a TAM-14 that you can mount to your rifle and use as a sight?
I like being able to quickly scan an area with thermal to see if there's anything there or if you're just wasting your time but if given the choice between NV I can mount on my rifle or thermal binocs, I'd pick the NV.
I guess you could spot with the thermal then light them up with a spotlight to shoot but that wouldn't be my choice.
Why not go with something like a TAM-14 that you can mount to your rifle and use as a sight?
8/21/2011 2:53:37 PM
Don't count on being able to nav using thermal.
Most folks seem to start with I^2, and add thermal when funds allow.
Most folks seem to start with I^2, and add thermal when funds allow.
8/22/2011 12:50:49 AM
Thanks for all the replies. It looks like the PVS it is. I'll probably pull the trigger on one in the next couple of weeks. I'll keep everyone posted on how it works out.
lukus
lukus
8/24/2011 7:30:59 PM
My buddy did the cadillac thermal conversion and we use it to scan fields and use a PVS to drive around then mount it on the gun when we find some piggies. The PVS is fantastic but it is no match for the thermal for spotting critters. That being said the thermal does next to nothing for navigation and is worthless for when you are ready to shoot.
Just my experience
Just my experience
8/24/2011 10:17:06 PM
Originally Posted By cicokc:
My buddy did the cadillac thermal conversion and we use it to scan fields and use a PVS to drive around then mount it on the gun when we find some piggies. The PVS is fantastic but it is no match for the thermal for spotting critters. That being said the thermal does next to nothing for navigation and is worthless for when you are ready to shoot.
Just my experience
My buddy did the cadillac thermal conversion and we use it to scan fields and use a PVS to drive around then mount it on the gun when we find some piggies. The PVS is fantastic but it is no match for the thermal for spotting critters. That being said the thermal does next to nothing for navigation and is worthless for when you are ready to shoot.
Just my experience
CICOKC knows of what he speaks. One night we were trying to use the thermal for navigation and I drove his Jeep into a tree
.
Cheers
8/26/2011 9:02:39 AM
Originally Posted By lukef:
pas-13?
pas-13?
<Removed. No more peddling your stuff outside of the EE. ––tbk1>
8/28/2011 12:43:37 PM
Go with a good Gen 3 Pinnacle PVS 14, its top of the line and much more versitile than thermal, I mountain bike, hike and do all kinds of shit with my MUM -14's including hog hunt. Thermal is just so bulky and still in its infancy for firearms use, unless you can get something portable in the 3-8 micron range I wouldnt even bother with thermal. Just my 02 cents. I am fairly experienced using nvg's weather in Iraq/Afghanistan Texas or GA its all the same.
8/30/2011 1:43:08 PM
Originally Posted By lukus:
I need to pick the brains of all you out there using some type of night vision. I will be getting either a pvs-14 or some type of thermal binoculars.
The way I see it, the pros for the pvs-14 are:
-Can use it for basic navigation
-Can mount up behind my aimpoint for NV sighting
Cons for pvs-14
-Limited distance in spotting game
Pros for thermal (FLIR) binocs:
-Can use for basic navigation
-Anything alive really pops, great for long distance spotting
Cons for thermal binocs:
-Cannot use in conjunction with aimpoint or other sights
-They are battery hogs
-More expensive than pvs-14
What am I missing? What are using you guys using and what would you do different if starting over?
Let me add that I recently ended up with some type of gen2 scope by ANT. I know almost nothing about it, no instructions. The infrared light seems to always be on if the unit is on. There is a green light, an amber, and a red that light up while toggling through with a push button, but I see nothing happening. The "reticle" looks like this ' ' ^ ' ' then there is the numbers 1-5 and a series of sloping bars starting on the right side and angling down and to the left. It's not the clearest or very good at distance, but it's something to play with right now. Does anyone know what the 3 lights signify or have any other insights on this unit?
Thank you for your help.
lukus
I need to pick the brains of all you out there using some type of night vision. I will be getting either a pvs-14 or some type of thermal binoculars.
The way I see it, the pros for the pvs-14 are:
-Can use it for basic navigation
-Can mount up behind my aimpoint for NV sighting
Cons for pvs-14
-Limited distance in spotting game
Pros for thermal (FLIR) binocs:
-Can use for basic navigation
-Anything alive really pops, great for long distance spotting
Cons for thermal binocs:
-Cannot use in conjunction with aimpoint or other sights
-They are battery hogs
-More expensive than pvs-14
What am I missing? What are using you guys using and what would you do different if starting over?
Let me add that I recently ended up with some type of gen2 scope by ANT. I know almost nothing about it, no instructions. The infrared light seems to always be on if the unit is on. There is a green light, an amber, and a red that light up while toggling through with a push button, but I see nothing happening. The "reticle" looks like this ' ' ^ ' ' then there is the numbers 1-5 and a series of sloping bars starting on the right side and angling down and to the left. It's not the clearest or very good at distance, but it's something to play with right now. Does anyone know what the 3 lights signify or have any other insights on this unit?
Thank you for your help.
lukus
I think the biggest advantage for I2 NODS is the resolution and clarity vs. thermal. At 200 yards or so with thermal looking at a hog, you may be hard pressed to positively ID a hog or a small calf. Hate to be the one to pay the rancher for shootin' his calf.
If folks can afford both, great. Thermal is great for detection, but when the shooting starts, there is no substitute for a quality Gen 3 NV device for good resolution and ID.
Obviously the Mil has different ROE, and thermal works well for them when their in a positive shoot zone.
8/30/2011 5:38:09 PM
Originally Posted By TNVC:
Obviously the Mil has different ROE, and thermal works well for them when their in a positive shoot zone.
Obviously the Mil has different ROE, and thermal works well for them when their in a positive shoot zone.
I have zero experience hunting humans with thermal or otherwise, but I bet most of the times a bi-petal animal in a positive shoot zone is a human.
8/31/2011 11:53:14 AM
LOL...
9/11/2011 2:28:14 PM
have been thinking about getting an ATN 1st generation for hog hunting, first time went out did it primative way, 357 pistal, turned light off, sat bye were the hogs been rooten up a waited, if heard em close bye but headen in other direction, eased up till close enough ta see em, turn light on then try get the shot off... will admit tis not the safest way ta do it.... it twas done on a 1100 acre lease that twas on, hog's were tearing up feeders, twas after deer season twas done, an twas careful that no one else twas down their, again not the safest... what tis the pvs-14? an what kind of mounts are u using?
