Night Vision - where do you stand?

[sam vimes]

I was very dubious until someone took the time out to demo a few different bits of NV kit to me (thanks mate, you know who you are). It became obvious very quickly that despite limited funds NV use was plausible. I now have one of Soviet Bazaars gen 1 XVD and have found it perfectly useable at airgun ranges. The first caveat is that you need the right scope to maximise the effectiveness of the XVD. The second is that taking off the supplied IR illuminator and using an IR filtered gunlamp elevates the performance to a different level. I have seen it demonstrated how much better Gen 2 is but at a price. That price, for me, did not represent enough of an improvement to warrant the extra expense.

[conor]

Hi Sammo

I too have XVD in Gen1. It is more than adequate at close ranges. As others have said the built in IR does not provide sufficient illumination so an additional one is required. The choice of scope too is very important. 30 mm tubes and a 50 mm objective lens are required to get the optimum performance. I went for the AGS SWAT 6-6x56 which was supplied by Soviet Bazaar for an all -in price of £460 approx.

Lamping is more than effective but after a while they seem to wise up to the lamps and another approach is needed. I like to shoot within 20 yards of my quarry and NV allows me to get that wee bit closer! Perhaps this is just a function of my fieldcraft at night!. The ground that I shoot over has an abundance of rabbits but it is also quite heavily shot by those with lamps and I am now of the opinion that NV has given me the edge.

I think it is a case of horses for courses. Those happy to lamp should continue to do so whilst those intrigued by NV should give it a go, especialy before making the investment! I think all methods are sporting but it is the individual shooter who makes the method sporting or un sporting. As in fishing, whether you fly fish, worm or spin, no method is more sporting than the other. All require the relevant skill. Respect for ones quarry and ones enjoyment for whatever method should dictate ones approach to lamping, in fact this should apply to all matters where the taking of a life is involved. Didn't mean to off on a tangent! Apologies to all

Best regards and good shooting

Conor

[GiZZeRR]

I'm just waiting on darkness falling and I'll be out to try the XVD for the first time. I'll let you know how I get on. Wish me luck

[ÐØGMÁTÌX]

Wouldn't mind NV... but thing is... I want one of them scopes that clip on the back of a decent scope that way I can use one gun and one scope(sort of)

[MacOne]

Originally Posted by sniper296

Wouldn't mind NV... but thing is... I want one of them scopes that clip on the back of a decent scope that way I can use one gun and one scope(sort of)

That is an XVD Marty me old mate


and you might want to talk to me about that at sometime soon if you've got the gun tart itches. I'll PM you my telephone number

[GiZZeRR]

Well I'm back...not good news though I told farmer I would take a look at the field behind his house(plenty rabbits but can't get near them, no cover) so thought the NV would be just the job. Yes it worked fine and I lit their eyes up but just too far away.

Anyway I trys to get a bit closer but the horses in the field were not enjoying me creeping about and a few of them spooked They were all over the field....running into electric fences etc. The rabbits bolted and I made a hastey retreat back down the field. So can't get near them during the day due to no cover and using NV on them is a no-no too

That is only one field though so I'm not too worried as there are plenty othere areas to keep me busy. I just hope none of those horses got hurt.

[GreenMachine]

Blimey!

Is lurking outside the field and shooting into it an option?
Night shooting from the outer perimiter shouldn't then spook the horses (may be?)

[Shin sung]

Hi everyone,

Does anybody know if there are more shops on the internet like Soviet bazar and what the quality of teir products is?

Best regards,

Shin sung

[Clive Ward]

Shin,

Yes indeed. Have a look at www.nvscopes.com and indeed the trade sales section of this site ;-)

Special offer on Gen2+ running at the moment.


Cheers





Clive

[kenritz]

Do they make one spesifically for air-gun ranges 0-100yds? thanks guys ken