Let’s be fair. There’s really only two types of hunting where night vision scopes are legal and/or ethical – predators and hogs. These two types of game have seen an ever-increasing popularity among hunters, with predator hunting (mostly coyotes) coming into its own as a hobby, and hog hunting is on the rise as wild pigs can breed faster than bunnies, survive just about anywhere and wild populations are spreading and increasing at dramatic rates. Night-vision optics provide a new way to engage these types of game animals in their environments during times when they are active. A good scope can make your hunt after sunset very fun, rewarding and interesting, as it presents a whole new form of hunting, and one that is far more challenging than you can imagine. To be successful, you need the best night vision scope you can get, and while yes, you can spend a lot of money on night vision, you can have success on a smaller scale investment, too. Let’s take a closer look at our picks for the best night vision scopes for your hunting plans after dark.

• Please note that none of us here at Outside Pursuits condone any illegal hunting activities using a night vision scope, or any other piece of hunting equipment.

For more of my hunting gear recommendations, have a look through these popular Outside Pursuits guide links: Reloading Presses, Hunting Knives, Spotting Scopes.

Quick Answer: The Best Rated Night Vision Scopes

1. ATN ThOR HD 384 Smart Thermal Riflescope
2. Sightmark Wraith HD 2-16x28 Digital Riflescope
3. ATN X-Sight LTV Ultra Light Night Vision Rifle Scope
4. Sightmark Wraith HD 4-32x50 Digital Riflescope
5. Pulsar Thermion XM50 Thermal Riflescope

Night Vision Scope Reviews

#1 ATN Thor HD Smart Thermal Night Vision Scope – Editor’s Pick

The ATN Thor HD is a thermal night vision rifle scope with smart capabilities. It uses an Obsidian Core computer that is highly specialized to process data from the scope’s sensors and crunch numbers fast. Thanks to an ease-to-use interface, you have features like a ballistic calculator, smart range finder and e-compass available at all times.

As far as optics go, the scope uses a 50mm lens with 5-30x magnification. The smooth works silky smooth. The thermal sensor has a high resolution of 384x288 pixels. You are able to detect thermal patterns from up to 1,600 yards away, depending on the size of your prey. You can see in complete darkness with the ATN Thor.

The scope really excels with many extras. The integrated barometer provides accurate data to dial in your settings, while the gyroscope makes spotting smooth thanks to image stabilization. The e-compass always lets you know your exact direction. The ballistic calculator allows you to range in with ease, as all the math is done for you. Your point of impact will shift automatically to give you the perfect shot. You can make use of profiles for different rifles and use environmental settings. With the profile manager, keeping track of different rifles is no problem. Two clicks and a shift of the scope are all it takes to range your target with the smart rangefinder. Pair that with many options for a reticle and you’ll take precise shots. The ATN Thor can record video and stills in HD to share your hunting experiences. You don’t even need to remember to start recording, because the device has a buffer. With recoil activation, everything your scope sees before and after you took the shot is saved. The built-in GPS makes geo-tagging your recordings as well as your hunting a breeze.

The scope is weather-resistant and has a battery life of up to eight hours. For storage, you can use microSD cards from 4GB up to 64GB. You can connect Micro USB and Micro HDMI cables and use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to stream or output your recordings. The ATN Obsidian app allows you to pair an Android or iOS smartphone or tablet. With the ATN Thor HD, you get the best thermal scope. Its many smart features and high performance well warrant the higher price tag.

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#2 Sightmark Wraith HD 2-16x28 Digital Night Vision Riflescope

The Sightmark Wraith 2-16x28 is a high-performance digital riflescope. It has been engineered for precision placement specifically at medium range. A unique feature are the digital reticles with six preloaded choice that allow for a operation at different ranges. Choose from the colors red, white and green. Two duplex reticles are meant for rifle shooting and hunting game such as hog, varmint or raccoon. You also have crossbow reticles for 320, 350, 370 and 400 fps models. A Mil-Dot option aids in range finding, and there is even a German style reticle. With the integrated video out, you can capture anything you spot through the night vision rifle scope. The scope mounts on a weaver rail, and another rail allows you to attach additional equipment. With digital windage and elevation adjustment, precision and ease-of-use are guaranteed.

The scope has a composite body of glass-nylon and metal and is IPX4 waterproof. It resists extreme weather and shocks very well. Unlike many other night vision scopes, you can use this model during daytime. Battery life without IR illuminator is around 5 hours, and one hour less with the additional drain. The Sightmark Wraith 2-16x28 is the best budget night vision scope and well worth the money and a straightforward deal that will be enough for most hunters to accurately shoot at night.

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#3 ATN X-Sight LTV Ultra Light Night Vision Rifle Scope – Best Under $1,000

The ATN X-Sight is a digital night vision rifle scope suitable for both night and daytime use. At a lower cost, you get high effective magnification and a range of smart features. Same as the ATN Thor, this scope uses Obsidian technology to deliver digital functions with easy access. The 85mm lens is paired with a magnification of 3x to 9x, a 9° FOV and a system resolution of 160lp/mm. The high-resolution sensor has distinct night vision capabilities going up to near-infrared. With gyroscope, barometer and e-compass, weather data, direction and smooth spotting are no problem. Use the ballistic calculator to do all the math of ranging in for you. Set up profiles for various rifles and manage them with the integrated tool. The smart rangefinder is as easy to use as making two clicks and shifting the scope. You can choose from many reticles to find one that suits your preferences.

Record video in HD and share it easily, and thanks to recoil activation, you will always have footage of these critical moments before and after taking the shot. No victory goes unrecorded. The GPS lets you geotag all pictures and recordings.

The scope is weather-resistant and delivers 8 to 12 hours of battery life. It is compatible with MicroSD cards up to 64GB for storage. Connect the scope via Micro USB and Micro HDMI or use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to pair an Android or iOS device using the ATN Obsidian app. In my opinion the ATN X-Sight is the best night vision scope under $1000. It’s a high definition rifle scope with smart features both beginners as well as professionals will love.

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#4 Sightmark Wraith HD 4-32x50 Digital Rifle Scope – Best Under $500

The Sightmark Wraith is our pick for the best night vision scope under $500. It’s a pretty amazing bargain for the technology get with it. It’s an editor’s pick because it offers amazing features at an affordable price and is a durable, highly reliable model. It’s perfect for long distance shots thanks to 32x total image magnification (4x optical, 8x digital).

This scope allows you to hit your target accurately at long range in difficult lighting. This is an active night vision rifle scope with a detachable 850nm IR Illuminator for the best flexibility. The Wraith features a built-in camera allowing hunters to record 7 hours of video with 64Gb SD card in HD quality. A unique feature is the 10 different reticle options and 9 different colors for easier aiming and accuracy. Not only that, you can create 5 different weapon profiles to save zeroes for different rifles and calibers. 

The scope comes with bright source protection and Auto Bright Control. The controls are digital and user-friendly with straightforward windage and elevation adjustments. Multi-coating on the lens reduces reflections and adds further protection. Aircraft-grade aluminum provides rugged durability in harsh conditions. You can expect up to 4.5 hours of battery life  with 4 1.5AA batteries with this night vision rifle scope. If you are looking for good value for your money, this one is for you!

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#5 Pulsar Thermion XM50 Thermal Riflescope – Best Thermal

The Pulsar Thermion XM50 is a thermal imaging device has a superb thermal imaging features that make it the excellent hunting scope. It boasts a sensor with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels and 17 µm for detailed images with a refresh rate of 50Hz for dynamic and rapid motion. The objective lens is interchangeable and this model features a F50/1.2 lens with a large FOV, paired by up to 16x digital magnification.

The Thermion XM50 can detect adult size heat signatures from up to 2,000 yards away and big-game-size signatures from up to 1,900 yards away. With a stadiametric rangefinder reticle, you can determine precise distances fast and easy with reliable accuracy. You have a choice of seven 7 color palettes for highlighting the hottest and coldest areas of your target with different colors. You can capture video and still images and store them in the internal 8GB memory or transfer them to any device via Wifi. Thanks to an ease-of-operation interface, handling the device won’t make you lose sight of your objective.

With the free Stream Vision companion app, you can link your Android or iOS device and receive footage in real time and remote control the device or stream footage. Harsh conditions pose no problem for the Thermion XM50 as it is fully waterproof and can be submerged in 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. Rain and snowfall won’t impede operation as the integrated AMOLED display is designed for flawless operation at a temperature range of -13° to 122° F. You can expect up to 8 hours of battery life with the device. The box includes a battery pack charging unit, USB cable, USB plug, and lens cleaning cloth.

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Considerations for Choosing a Night Vision Rifle Scope

You should consider several factors to pick a good night vision rifle scope for your needs. We’ll explain important aspects and what to look for in a model. Range and optics are important, but you also need to pay attention to size and weight as well as mounting options.

• Deciding on the Right Model
• Types Of Night Vision
• Infrared Illuminators
• Night Vision Generations
• Night Vision Scope Considerations
• FAQs: For Night Vision Rifle Scopes
• Conclusion

Deciding on the Right Model

Night vision optics has become an affordable and reliable technology, and our selection features top models in various price ranges. For your night vision rifle scope, you’ll want a clear and focused picture with a reliable, illuminated reticle.

In order for it to be compatible with your equipment, you need to look at the mounting options. The range is also important, depending on what kind of prey you’re hunting, as you won’t be able to get close to all animals. For inferior light conditions, consider as scope with an infrared illuminator for better sighting. Extras should not be your first choice for selecting a model, but a remote control or a device pairing are nice-to-have features.

Types Of Night Vision

Night vision devices convert traces of visible light as well as near-infrared to visible light. A thermal imaging device goes further into the infrared spectrum and detects thermal infrared.

You’ll see night vision rifle scopes and night vision devices classified as passive or active, which simply specified whether or not they add to the light available. Active devices illuminate the scene by shining an infrared beam.

Infrared Illuminators

As we’ve explained, an infrared illuminator shines infrared light and makes your night vision image a bit brighter. It’s a great help during dark nights and poor light conditions. Their range is limited, and they increase in size the more powerful they are. This will add extra weight to your rifle scope. A detachable infrared illuminator is recommended and allows you to stay flexible, only mounting it as needed.

Night Vision Generations

Night vision devices on the market belong to one of three available generations, often shortened to Gen1, Gen2, and Gen3.

• Generation 1: This technology has been around since the early sixties and operates slower with less capabilities. A Gen1 scope has a useful sight range of about 75 yards, a shorter battery life and a life expectancy of roughly 1,500 hours of use. Image resolution is low.
• Generation 2: These devices have practically replaced the previous generation and brought much better clarity as well as increased range. Average useful sight range is about 200 yards. Device life expectancy is about 4,500 operational hours, and you get much better image resolution. Further enhancement led to Gen2+ devices which are superior to Generation 2 technology, but not yet as good as Gen3.
• Generation 3: This is military grade technology, which comes at a higher price tag. Average useful sight range is about 300 yards (or more). You can expect 10,000+ hours of operation and the best low light performance as well as high resolution.
• Digital: These night vision devices use high performance digital imaging systems to capture light with a sensor and enhance it with processing power. You are effectively looking through a digital camera. These devices an offer cheaper night vision.

Night Vision Scope Considerations

Optics

The optics of a night vision rifle scope include the objective and ocular lenses, which influence the maximum magnification factor. Also important are the resolution and the Field of View (FOV for short).

The FOV is specified as an angle, referring to the field of view (of your “natural view”) to which the scope will restrict you. A larger field of view allows you to see more at the same time without moving the sight. Magnification is the “zoom level” and refers to how much the image will be enlarged.

The objective lens diameter refers to the size of the frontal lens and determines how much light can be gathered to form an image. A larger lens lets in more light, but limits your FOV.

The exit pupil specifies the diameter of the light beam coming out of the scope into your eye. A larger pupil makes it easier to receive the beam of light and keep track of moving animals. It will also reduce eye fatigue. Resolution is critical for acquiring a clear image with a night vision rifle scope. If the resolution is too low, you cannot identify a target and cannot take a shot.

Resolution is expressed in lines per millimeter (lp/mm) – a higher value means more clarity.

Focus Range

A night vision rifle scope has a lower range than a regular rifle scope. What is important is the recognition range, which specifies the range in which you can expect to be able to identify a target and therefore use your rifle. However, it is a subjective value as it depends on the amount of available light as well as on the optics used. Some manufacturers specify range for different light conditions, such as full moon, starlight, or an overcast sky.

Ergonomics

The more powerful they are, the more unwieldy night vision rifle scopes become. You should try and match the level of technology to what you’ll actually need in order not to overload your rifle with too much bulk and weight. Lighter optics are an advantage for brush hunting and off-hand shooting. If you’ll remain stationary or assume position on an outlook, you might have less issue with slower weapon moving speeds.

Durability

Night vision rifle scopes are delicate, incorporating sensitive optics, electronics as well as chemical elements. They tend to be little forgiving with shocks and mishandling. For rough conditions and adverse weather, pick a waterproof and more rugged model. For storing them, a gun safe is a good idea, simply because they are more secure and protected.

Extras

These are secondary functions such as video output or recording, GPS, weather sensors, a remote control or the ability to pair the device with a smartphone.

FAQs About Night Vision Rifle Scopes

Q: How does night vision work?

A: Night vision device (NVD) gathers what little light sources such as the moon or the stars might emit and enhances it.

Ambient light passes through an objective lens and then passes a photocathode tube, where the photons of the light are converted to electrons. Phosphors are green, which is where the typical green image of NVDs comes from.

An image intensifier amplifies the electrons through an electrical and chemical process, and a multiplier creates more photons from these electrons.

After passing through a phosphor screen the image is again converted to visible light, and you can observe it through the ocular lens. Digital devices use light sensitive digital sensors and digital signal processors to deliver an enhanced image.

Q: What are the different night vision generations?

A: Night vision was first developed for military used and was used as early as WWII.

Each new generation of devices brought advancements in clarity, performance and light amplification, as well as reduction in price of older models.

Generation 1 – technology was used in Vietnam. These were the first scopes to use passive infrared. Today, they are not suitable for tactical applications and are hardly used in hunting anymore.

Generation 2 – brought smaller, more portable and lightweight devices with an increase in performance and clarity. Further enhancements led to was is commonly called Gen2+ – devices suiting nearly all hunting needs.

Generation 3 – saw further refinement and is what most combat troops use. Despite what you might hear, Gen3 devices are legal to own and use within the US.

Generation 4 – could be called experimental: these devices have no protective coating on the microchannel plate. They’re more efficient yet have a significantly decreased use life. You’ll hardly find these devices in civilian use.

Q: What is an infrared illuminator?

A: Night vision devices work by amplifying and enhancing what little light there is, so technically they don’t work in complete darkness. An infrared illuminator sends out a beam of infrared light, which is not visible to the human eye. However, the device can pick it up; think of it like a flashlight for your scope. The range of infrared illuminators varies but can reach out to a 100 yards. Their power is greater at shorter distance and they work for up to 40% to 60% of the scope’s viewing area.

Q: What precautions should I take with a night vision rifle scope?

A: Any night vision device is a sensitive piece of technology that needs to be handled with care. Avoid dropping or shaking the scope and don’t subject it to any shocks.Don’t turn on the scope in daylight and avoid aiming it at a bright light source. Don’t touch the objective lens with your fingers and only clean it with a soft, non-abrasive cloth or brush. Keep the scope in a case when not in use, and only mount it when you know you’ll be using it.

Q: What is the difference between a thermal device and a night vision device?

A: Night vision works by enhancing light, allowing you to see in inferior light conditions. Thermal imaging shows heat: hot or warm areas show up as red or orange in your sight, with color intensity signifying hotter areas. A thermal device aids you in spotting targets by enabling you to see the body heat of your prey. The great disadvantage is that thermal imaging commonly has a lower resolution, resulting in heat blobs rather than an identifiable target.

The range of thermal devices is limited as well when compared to night vision optics. Generally you get much better resolution with an NVD (at least in the same price range). In hunting, thermal devices are largely used for scouting, but you would still rely on a night vision scope to zoom in, identify the target and taking a shot.

Final thoughts

The right night vision rifle scope for your needs should feature a high resolution and clear image and work well within the range you need. It needs to ergonomic and fit your style of hunting, and it should be designed for the conditions you’ll encounter, be that wet weather, extreme heat or cold and snow.

Start there and then consider extras you’ll want or need, such as an infrared illuminator or thermal imaging. When matched well with your rifle and situation, a night vision rifle scope will greatly enhance your experience and allow you to take precise shots even in the worst light conditions.