Reccomendations for viewing wildlife at distance

Attila the Horn · Joined: 21 Jan 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Cody, Wyoming

I would like to purchase a decent night vision device to view wildlife. My house sits on a hillside and our deck overlooks a field and creek bottom below. I live in Wyoming near Yellowstone so lots of wildlife down there! We hear stuff at night and wonder what it is. We've seen great horned owls a number of times sitting on our deck rail looking down at the field - it's a good hunting site as there is a good view. I envy what those owls can see! People have seen bears and mountain lions down there. We hear coyotes every night. There is a golden eagle nest on the cliffs facing us a half mile from our house. Get the picture?

I want something pretty good to look at wildlife at night. I've heard that Gen 2 is a pretty big step up from Gen 1. Is that true? I'm also wanting something with decent magnification as some stuff is far away. I also hike and camp a lot and want something I can bring with me.

I would think that a binocular would be what I would prefer, but is there much difference between a binocular and a monocular? Would a binocular be better for wildlife viewing at some distance?

The three I'm looking at now are the following:

1. The Yukon Viking RX 5x40mm Night Vision Binoculars 25024. Generation 1 but look pretty good. Cost $399

2. ATN MO4 Night Vision Scopes MO4-2 (Gen.2). It's a monocular but a good price for Gen 2 - the demo version is $899.

3. ATN Night Shadow II Generation Night Vision Binocular (Gen 2 32-39 lp/mm Resolution). Expensive at $1495 but it's a Gen 2 binocular with a big 90mm objective and 5x magnification.

Any reccomendations or advice would be MUCH appreciated.

Attila the Horn · Joined: 21 Jan 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Cody, Wyoming

Oh yeah...and what about the Bushnell Night Vision 5x42 Stealth View Digital Night Vision Monocular 260542? It says "almost as good as Gen 2 or 3 but at a Gen 1 price." Is that really true? Cuz...again...I've heard that Gen 2 is a pretty big step up from Gen 1.

Attila the Horn · Joined: 21 Jan 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Cody, Wyoming

Any answers?

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 3:43 pm Post subject:

Hi

Yes, it is true. Really a very good value.
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Attila the Horn · Joined: 21 Jan 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Cody, Wyoming

What about the three I listed in the first post there?

1. The Yukon binoculars

2. The ATN MO4 2 Gen 2 monocular.

3. The ATN Night Shadow II Gen 2 biocular.

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 6:02 pm Post subject:

Hi

The Bushnell Stealthview will easily outperform any Gen 1 product, binocular or monocular.

There is no difference in performance or range between a monocular or binocular. Both use the same tube assembly. Only advantage of a binocular is the comfort of using two eyes and you must balance this against the added weight and size, not to mention price.

In a gen 2, it's all a matter of resolution. 32 lp is only marginally better than some Gen 1 units. What you mostly get in Gen 2 is improved image quality at the edge of the field - no distortion. Check the specs before you buy. The ATN monocular will work, yes. Go with the binocular if you want the comfort of using two eyes. I would also look at the Night Owl, http://www.opticsplanet.net/night-owl-explorer-g2-monocular-noxg2.html
_________________
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Your personal optics expert
Joanie (Jne) K
http://www.OpticsPlanet.com
Phone: (888) 263-0356
Fax: (847) 574-6820