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View Full Version : Night vision binoculars - looking for buying advice.

rodster
10-14-2005, 03:01 AM
Anybody have a recommendation for a make/model of night vision binoculars? With zoom?

Also curious to know if the differences between GEN 1, 2, 3 and 4 are big enough to warrant the additional expense? I've seen binoculars ranging from GEN 2 at a few hundred dollars to the latest gear running upwards of six grand...
rodster
10-14-2005, 03:01 AM
Anybody have a recommendation for a make/model of night vision binoculars? With zoom?

Also curious to know if the differences between GEN 1, 2, 3 and 4 are big enough to warrant the additional expense? I've seen binoculars ranging from GEN 2 at a few hundred dollars to the latest gear running upwards of six grand...
rodster
10-17-2005, 02:40 PM
Now that the regulars are back...bump. Anyone?
KenP
10-17-2005, 04:04 PM
I have some, but they're in VA and I'm not. I'll be sure to check them out, though. Or maybe CP will read this and give you the info when she gets there.
HummerNewbie
10-17-2005, 04:09 PM
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KenP:
Or maybe CP will read this and give you the info when she gets there. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I guess that means she is flying back and leaving the driving to you again http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif
rodster
10-17-2005, 04:25 PM
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KenP:
I have some, but they're in VA and I'm not. I'll be sure to check them out, though. Or maybe CP will read this and give you the info when she gets there. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That would be super -- thanks, Ken.

You know, you can catch a round trip hop from Moab to Vegas and back for less than $600. I'm two miles from the airport...
KenP
10-17-2005, 04:32 PM
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by HummerNewbie:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KenP:
Or maybe CP will read this and give you the info when she gets there. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I guess that means she is flying back and leaving the driving to you again http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>That would be true. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

Rod, maybe next time. You know when we head out there again we'll look you up. BTW, you must have a nice view of the strip. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
rodster
10-17-2005, 04:48 PM
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KenP:
Rod, maybe next time. You know when we head out there again we'll look you up. BTW, you must have a nice view of the strip. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Look forward to seeing you then.

The view -- The airport is two miles long east to west and we're another two miles east of there so yes, we do see the tops of buidlings but it isn't too dramatic. That's enough for us, though. We make it to the strip about once every five years. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif
rodster
10-24-2005, 10:01 PM
Bump. Anyone?
PARAGON
10-24-2005, 10:14 PM
What are you wanting them for?
rodster
10-24-2005, 10:46 PM
The wow factor mostly but I'd also like a good performing tool if ever needed for a more serious occasion.

So for now, camping, boating and generally snooping in the night. Two young daughters (and their dad) would get a kick out of looking into the dark desert and seeing all the critters looking back.
PARAGON
10-25-2005, 01:14 AM
I really don't know much about anything but ATN. Personally, best bang for the buck is the GENII with image intensifiers or so-called GENII+.

GENIII are not that much better than GENII and just had some little tweak that increased contrast. It's just not worth the difference in price, in my opinion. GENIV are hugely different and are the way to go but if you are not going to be using it with a camera or for some serious stuff, it's really costly.

As far as I know, ATN is the best way to go.
h2co-pilot
10-25-2005, 01:32 AM
Well, I found them- along with Kenny's porn collection.http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gifhttp://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gifhttp://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

It says "Scout" Black Lion Optics by ATN.

They are sweet and serve their purpose- I can't tell you much else though.
DennisAJC
10-25-2005, 01:51 AM
We never cared to close the curtains when we made love because the lights were off(Lights on is fun too).


Thanks to this thread, that's about to change. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
rodster
10-25-2005, 01:55 AM
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PARAGON:
I really don't know much about anything but ATN. Personally, best bang for the buck is the GENII with image intensifiers or so-called GENII+.

GENIII are not that much better than GENII and just had some little tweak that increased contrast. It's just not worth the difference in price, in my opinion. GENIV are hugely different and are the way to go but if you are not going to be using it with a camera or for some serious stuff, it's really costly.

As far as I know, ATN is the best way to go. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks, Paragon. Prior to checking for your response I was looking at these ATN binoculars. (http://cgi.ebay.com/New-ATN-Night-Vision-Binoculars-4-5x-Mag-Gen-2_W0QQitemZ7191302925QQcategoryZ40970QQssPageNameZ WDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Also found this chart. Very interesting stuff.

http://demo.atn-night-vision.com/ebay/range.gif
rodster
10-25-2005, 01:59 AM
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by h2co-pilot:
Well, I found them- along with Kenny's porn collection.http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gifhttp://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gifhttp://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

It says "Scout" Black Lion Optics by ATN.

They are sweet and serve their purpose- I can't tell you much else though. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ken looks at porn with night vision binoculars?

Small world once again ... I saw your binoculars on Amazon. Thanks for digging, CP. And sorry, Ken. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

This them?

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00013Q370.01-A2QUBZRFQD7A2Q._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
rodster
10-25-2005, 02:09 AM
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PARAGON:
I really don't know much about anything but ATN. Personally, best bang for the buck is the GENII with image intensifiers or so-called GENII+. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The link I posted above is that exactly -- GENII+.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">GENIII are not that much better than GENII and just had some little tweak that increased contrast. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


The chart above shows the minor improvement to GENIII. Good info, Paragon. Thanks again.

I'm all for cool toys but no way can I justify thousands of more dollars for the GENIV gear.

Also looked at <gack> thermal imagers. They're well over 10 grand!
KenP
10-25-2005, 03:22 AM
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rodster:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by h2co-pilot:
Well, I found them- along with Kenny's porn collection.http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gifhttp://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gifhttp://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

It says "Scout" Black Lion Optics by ATN.

They are sweet and serve their purpose- I can't tell you much else though. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ken looks at porn with night vision binoculars?

Small world once again ... I saw your binoculars on Amazon. Thanks for digging, CP. And sorry, Ken. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

This them?

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00013Q370.01-A2QUBZRFQD7A2Q._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Damn.... But no, that's not them. I've had them for a few years. More like these:
rodster
10-25-2005, 03:37 AM
Yep, saw those, too. They're now known as the Scout model. Apparently the Black Lion is now with the Jaguar (the silver ones).

Can't decide which ones are best. Yours are a good size and weight. These ones below have more horsepower but dang, they're 14 inches long and 3.9 pounds. Decisions, decisions...

Thanks, Ken.

http://www.frontiernet.net/~roes/ATNVoyagerside.jpg
rodster
10-25-2005, 04:38 AM
A couple good links:

How night vision works and the differences between the generations: http://www.atncorp.com/HowNightVisionWorks.

There's a forum for everything these days. Here's one for night vision. http://www.nightvisionforums.com/