This detailed guide gives you all the need-to- knows about the top 4 best night vision
releases of 2018. These are top of the line must haves for night hunting, law enforcement,
search and rescue, security, and more, and it’s sure to keep you performing at your
optimum in the night.
1. IR Defense’s REAP-IR
Recently released at the 2016 Shot Show, the REAP-IR is the ultimate performance for a
thermal scope. It features OLED display, so the image quality is the best out there with a
640×480 resolution 12um micron LWIR thermal core. The REAP-IR weighs 20.8 ounces
(590 g). It’s 6.6 inches long and constructed to Mil-Spec standards, giving you the
absolute best imaging without the added bulk. Its versatility is top notch.
The REAP-IR is ideal for:
Night hunting:
The 60hz fast frame rate
is what you want when your leading a shot and your target is moving fast. Utilizing the
multiple save locations, you can quickly move the REAP-IR from one weapon to another
without re-sighting the scope. REAP-IR also comes in handy for military uses. The
scope features a 12° field of view, 2.5x magnification, and 20x digital magnification to
sight any kind of predators.
Additional features include:
The flip-up lens cap protects adds extra protection. The sight can be placed in front of
daytime optics to give you more features there. The Mini D-Loc Picatinny Rail mount
and battery extender are included with purchase, and an optional video output cable is
also available for recording on a separate device.
Best way to set-up:
Visit the hunting ground just before sunset with weapons, equipment, and the REAP-IR.
Lock the REAP-IR onto each weapon you’ll be using. Practice it with efficiency. The last
thing you want to be doing is fumbling with latches when you’re on the lookout. Use the
digital reader to choose the best options for each weapon. This is the time to explore all
five reticle patterns and polarity options to find what best fits your needs and what’s most
comfortable for you. The read out will display the current reticle positions for ballistic
calculations and sighting in. Save the options for each weapon. It’s okay if it’s not
perfect. REAP-IR has a thumb stick used for operating the controls in dark conditions
quick and easy.
Compatable Mounts Include:
Mini D-Loc Picatinny Rail mount (included in system purchase or rental)
Pricing:
REAP-IR Sale Price: $7,495.00 (Tactical Night Vision Company)
REAP-IR Rental Price: $148.00/day
2. ATN’s ThOR HD Thermal Riflescopes “Get Smart”
ATN’s newest riflescope is the smartest on the line. The all-new Obsidian “T” II core
features the newest technology in a thermal scope, and the ThOR HD comes with ATN’s
new-patented Recoil Activated Video (RAV). When a shot is fired, the recoil
automatically records what was there before the shot, the shot itself, and as much video
afterward as you’d like. ThOR HD’s weight ranges in size according to the added
features and image resolutions. The lightest weight at 27.2 ounces sports a 384×288
resolution and 5x magnification with a 16×12.5 angle of view. The heaviest (and most
expensive) ThOR HD scope weighs 44 ounces and comes with the highest image quality
at 640×480 resolution, 50x magnification, and a 6×4.7 angle of view.
The ThOR HD is ideal for:
Night hunting: ThOR HD’s smart
technology instantaneously makes corrections to the reticle’s point of impact while
calculating wind speed, incline, range, and more. The RAV allows for hunters to focus on
pulling the trigger instead of worrying about pressing record. Law enforcement might
also find the added smart technology beneficial. Added advantages include the E-
barometer, gyroscope, and E-compass.
Additional Features:
ThOR HD scope can record videos and photos onto a Micro SD card. It’s Bluetooth and
Wi-Fi enabled, so recorded images or videos can be viewed in real time on your smart
phone or tablet. The ThOR HD also comes with a profile manager, allowing users to
switch the scope from one weapon to another without having to re-sight every time.
Best way to set-up:
Visit a range with the ThOR thermal scope and choice of weapons. It doesn’t have to be
dark out. You want to practice getting the scope setup and shooting with the RAV
enabled. Work out any specifications, like how long you want the device to record after
the trigger is pulled and if you want the video recorded to the Micro SD card or for it to
stream through your smart phone. Get a feel for the scope’s features, and when you’re
ready, pack up the equipment and take it to the hunting ground before sunset. Now it’s
time to line up the sights with the right logistics and save them for each weapon. Practice
moving the scope from one weapon to another, and when you feel comfortable, head out
and get ready for the real hunt to take place in the proceeding hours.
Compatable Mounts Include:
A.R.M.S.® #17® (single lever)
A.R.M.S.® #35® (double lever)
Pricing:
ThOR HD Introductory Sale Price: $1,999.00
ATN’s newest introductory price for smart technology in your thermal scope
ThOR-HD 640 5-50x Sale Price: $5,999.00
ATN’s top of the line smart thermal scope with the bestimaging
ThOR HD for Rent: $148.00/day for the ThOR HD 640-1.5- 12X (30HZ)
ATN’s online store provides a range of the ThOR HD Thermal Scopes to best fit your needs and budget.
Videos on the ThOR HD:
ATN Corp ThOR HD Advertisement
ATN Corp Introduction at Shot Show 2016
Hog Hunting Equipment ThOR HD Review
3. Sig Sauer’s Echo 1
The Digital Thermal Imaging Reflex Sight from Sig is a different kind of experience
when night hunting. The Echo 1 comes with a digital view thermal sight. Hunters can
keep both eyes open while using the thumb stick to navigate display modes. The reflex
sight greatly improves your situation awareness without having to sacrifice trigger
accuracy, something that can come in handy when out at nighttime. The Echo 1 comes
with four levels of screen brightness, 2x zoom option, 3.7×4.7 angle of view, 30HZ or
8HZ frame rate, and an array of screen color contrasts to best fit the time of day or night.
This entry-level thermal reflex sight offers outstanding quality of imaging for the price,
and it is lightweight at just under a pound, 14.7 ounces. Sitting on top of the rifle, the
sight is about 4x2x2 inches.
The Echo 1 is ideal for:
Night hunting: at night, warm animal bodies appear bright on the Echo 1’s screen as
they come into sight, with crosshairs aligning the shot. Bigger game such as coyotes and
hogs can be seen from farther distances, about 100-150 yards out for the best accuracy.
The digital sight display also offers daytime predator and hog hunting. Other uses for the
Echo 1 include law enforcement, military, and search and rescue situations. The Echo
1 is unique– giving you a thermal camera as a reflex sight. The possibilities are really
endless here and lots of fun.
Additional features:
Sig Sauer offers an outstanding five-year (and separate lifetime) warranty on all their
products. The lightweight sight allows for easy night stalking on foot. The Echo 1 has an
output that can be used for taking photos and recording video onto a separate device.
Best way to set-up:
Hunting with the Echo 1 is different than hunting with your average thermal scope. The
thermal reflex sight needs to be set-up at the right distance for the kind of game you’ll be
hunting. This will give your shot the best accuracy. Always practice with the device on
your rifle at a range before taking it out for the hunt. The Echo 1 is great for daytime
hunting too, so depending on the predator, you can get to the stand at dusk or begin your
foot stalking as soon as night falls. Mount the sight slightly farther forward on your rifle
rail because of the brightness from the viewing screen. The screen displays are easy to
navigate through, so as your environment changes while hunting or your eyes readjust to
the darkness, you will be able to flip through various screen brightness’s and color
displays.
Compatible Mounts:
A low profile Hex mount comes with your Echo 1. The sight can be used on most types
of firearms that utilize the MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny Rail or Weaver style rails.
Pricing:
Echo 1 for Sale: $2,500.88 GunBuyer.com
Field & Steam video review on Sig’s Echo 1
4. NiteSite’s Eagle
NiteSite is different from the typical night vision scope or thermal sight. NiteSite quickly
converts the day scope already mounted to your rifle into an infrared night vision sight.
The longest range NiteSite is the Eagle, giving clear, distinct target visibility up to 550
yards. The Eagle NiteSite sits atop your day scope and displays a digital infrared feed
from your scope’s eyepiece to a 3.5 inch LCD screen. The clip-on weighs just under a
pound-and- a-half at 22.5 ounces. A video out jack enables recording of all night hunting
activities.
NiteSite’s Eagle is ideal for:
Night hunting is the most popular use of NiteSite. According to your needs, NiteSite
offers the Viper for short range hunting, Wolf for medium range targets, and the Eagle
for your long range targets. Because of the efficiency of the infrared NiteSite in all kinds
of ambient light conditions, Eagle may also be popular for military, security, or police
tactical uses for zero light observation.
Additional features:
An additional control knob allows for accurate control of the “illumination” power to
reduce on screen flare for the closer range targets. Kickback from the gun may be more
due to the added top weight. Be cautious of this when pulling the trigger to the LCD
screen doesn’t hit your face.
Best way to set-up:
The NiteSite camera will need to be turned on and focused in the daytime. The most
accurate way would be to visit the hunting grounds before nightfall, but focusing on a
distant object at relatively the same distance as potential predators is fine. After the
camera has been locked into place above your scope, focus the camera module on the tree
or large object in the daylight. Turn on the NiteSite system, then turn the LED intensity
control knob fully anticlockwise to the off position. This will show your camera feed
without the illumination of the infrared lighting. Check that the scope reticule is in focus.
Little by little, turning the lens by ¼ turns anticlockwise until the reticule on the LCD
screen is in focus, the NiteSite will be ready for use once the sun goes down.
Compatible Mounts:
NiteSite camera comes with a 25mm or a 30mm scope clamp to suit most scope sizes.
The scope sleeve is also flexible to stretch over most scope eyepieces.
Pricing:
NiteSite’s Eagle for Sale: $1,411.75 NiteSite
NiteSite’s Eagle for Rent: $75.00/day Night Vision Rentals
NiteSite’s Wolf for Sale: $1,058.81 NiteSite
NiteSite’s Wolf for Rent: $50.00/day Night Vision Rentals
Videos:
5. DJI’s Zenmuse XT
Expertise, reliability, and the best quality imaging, the Zenmuse XT is one of the most
exciting releases of 2016. The themal imaging camera is developed by FLIR, combining
the most precise temperature readers with one of our favorite things, drones. The
Zenmuse XT is compatible with DJI’s Inspire 1, Inspire 1 v2.0, or the Matrice 100 drone aircrafts. The
Zenmuse XT is the top solution for aerial thermal imaging. It comes with high-sensitivity
(50mK) infrared scanning and either 640/30 frames per second or 336/30 frames per
second depending on the camera model. The camera is lightweight, approximately 9.53
ounces (270 g) and measures about 4x2x4 inches.
The Zenmuse XT is ideal for:
Search and Rescue: Both the 640 camera and the 336 have the option of four different
lenses to best meet your needs. The gimbal platform gives the camera a 360 degree
rotational view. The Zenmuse XT is the highest performing camera in its class with the
most accurate temperature measurements, which means the high-sensitivity scanning can
also be used for firefighting, agriculture needs, or heat sensitive equipment
inspections. The Inspire 1 drone is best for fast, precision flying, and the Matrice 100
stays in the air for up to 35 minutes, perfect for large area recording. The quality and
reliability of the FLIR’s thermal imaging may also appeal to owner’s of large land areas,
protecting wildlife against poachers, and for other military uses.
Additional Features:
The Zenmuse XT can stream live HD video through the DJI GO app. The camera is controlled through
the app as well, allowing for real time interactions (besides basic function controls on the
camera’s remote i.e. record or shutter release), such as digital zoom, various shooting
modes, photo and video preview, and spot metering. For the most temperature sensitive
and accurate temperature analyses, the Zenmuse XT Advanced
Radiometry camera comes with twice the temperature measurement accuracy along
with additional analysis and recording options.
Best way to set-up:
The Zenmuse XT is designed for flight with DJI’s drones. Being a competent flyer with
either the Inspire 1 or the Matrice 100 will give you the best results when using the
Zenmuse XT. Be sure to take the drone out for a few test runs, getting a feel for the
controls, the battery’s flight time, and your comfort level operating the aircraft. When
you feel ready, mounting the Zenmuse XT to the drone is very simple (though the
Matrice 100 may require some manual manipulation in exchanging the gimbal mount).
Be sure to read through the user’s manual and download DJI’s GO App, exploring the
features before flight. After the drone is finally in the air and the camera is recording
video for you, have at least one practice round practicing with the Zenmuse XT’s many
features, imaging options, and tech options before the actual flight night.
Compatible Mounts:
The Zenmuse XT gimbal mount is only compatible with DJI’s Inspire 1, Inspire 1
v2.0, or the Matrice 100
drone aircrafts.
Pricing:
Zenmuse XT 640, 30HZ Sale Price: 12,075.00 Ariel Media Pros
Zenmuse XT 336, 30HZ Sale Price: $6,900.00 Ariel Media Pros