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Help me spend $1000 on a night vision scope

1,254 Views | 11 Replies | Last: 3 mo ago by cashag95
DTP02
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3:08p, 10/9/25
AG
Looking to buy a night vision scope to set up a hog gun. I don't want to spend more than $1000, as this will be a third gun for use when someone doesn't bring one.

Will be used on an AR15 5.56 or AR10 .308 win mag. Will be some stalk hunting, not just from a stand. Use will be 250 yards or less, most frequently 50-100 yards.

Video capabilities don't add a lot of value to me, as I'm more interested in battery life, lower weight, and holding zero/reliability.

Looking forward to a bunch of $5,000 thermal recommendations…
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GSS
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3:21p, 10/9/25
Not 5k, but even sub $1k thermals (several now available), IMO, are better the digital NV.
NRA Life
TSRA Life
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AgEng06
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In reply to DTP02 • 3:23p, 10/9/25
AG
DTP02 said:
Looking to buy a night vision scope to set up a hog gun. I don't want to spend more than $1000, as this will be a third gun for use when someone doesn't bring one.

Will be used on an AR15 5.56 or AR10 .308 win mag. Will be some stalk hunting, not just from a stand. Use will be 250 yards or less, most frequently 50-100 yards.

Video capabilities don't add a lot of value to me, as I'm more interested in battery life, lower weight, and holding zero/reliability.

Looking forward to a bunch of $5,000 thermal recommendations…

Give me some more details on this cartridge, please...
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kyledr04
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3:24p, 10/9/25
AG
An agm rattler v2 256 sounds good for that purpose.
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DTP02
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In reply to AgEng06 • 3:36p, 10/9/25
AG
AgEng06 said:
DTP02 said:
Looking to buy a night vision scope to set up a hog gun. I don't want to spend more than $1000, as this will be a third gun for use when someone doesn't bring one.

Will be used on an AR15 5.56 or AR10 .308 win mag. Will be some stalk hunting, not just from a stand. Use will be 250 yards or less, most frequently 50-100 yards.

Video capabilities don't add a lot of value to me, as I'm more interested in battery life, lower weight, and holding zero/reliability.

Looking forward to a bunch of $5,000 thermal recommendations…

Give me some more details on this cartridge, please...


It's like a .308 win with three extra letters added to elicit funny responses.
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JHShipley
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5:58p, 10/9/25
AG
Have a Bering hogster that's been sitting in the safe for a bit. Punches way above its price point. Also have the same in a clip on.
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Uzi4u
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7:23p, 10/9/25
The DNT hydra thermal is getting good reviews and they have a model in your price range.
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rab79
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9:43p, 10/9/25
AG
Your budget plus $100 and tax.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/102610750?pid=705793
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Nealthedestroyer
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6:01a, 10/10/25
AG
You get what you pay for in night optics. Avoid anything digital NV. It's just a security camera cmos and will need a lot of IR to make a useable image.

Save your money and get a 384x288 thermal. IRay and Nocpix are my go-to "affordable" thermal recommendations. If you can't then the DNT Optics 256 thermal is priced around your budget and comes with a 3 year warranty. Should be okay for engagements inside 100yd.
Vae Victis
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DTP02
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7:48a, 10/10/25
AG
Only one guy recommended something more expensive than $2500. Surprised, and a little disappointed tbh.

I gave my son the final call on NV vs thermal since it's probably him or his buddies who will be using it, and pulled the trigger on a AGM Rattler v2 last night.
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tandy miller
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In reply to DTP02 • 7:58a, 10/10/25
AG
DTP02 said:
Only one guy recommended something more expensive than $2500. Surprised, and a little disappointed tbh.

I gave my son the final call on NV vs thermal since it's probably him or his buddies who will be using it, and pulled the trigger on a AGM Rattler v2 last night.


Good call. I have the v2 35-384 and have been very happy with it

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cashag95
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9:48p, 10/12/25
AG
Probably the best bang for the buck would be Sightmark Wraith IMOP:
Wraith 4K 4-32x40 Digital Night Vision Riflescope https://share.google/CmmvzGTqrotIByJPw
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