Excellent gen i scope - ATN Aries MK390 Paladin Night Vision Rifle Scope - 4x w/ IR Illuminator

This is my 4th NV scope, but 1st NV rifle scope.

The IR emitter that comes with the scope is good out to ~75 yards for lighter colored objects, ~50 for darker objects. It is better than the built in emitters I have seen in Gen I-III scopes. I have a laser IR illuminator from another manufacturer and with it, I can see the squirrel cage beneath my feeder out to 250 yard. The image is better quality than my Gen II ATN Night Spirit, though the Night Spirit has better light gathering ability and is considerably smaller & lighter.

The scope is large & heavy compared to later generation scopes but works well and so for the money, the scope is a good value. Schlepping it around while stalking varmints might not be great, but the weight really isn't a problem if you are hunting from a position or stand where the rifle can be rested.

Both the IR illuminator and the scope have external green LED lights (showing power is on) that are too bright at night. I covered both with a small piece of duct tape through which I had poked a hole with a pin and the problem was resolved.

The scope zero'd easy enough and has maintained its zero just fine after several range sessions and several hundred rounds of shooting.

Scope does not make high pitched whine common to many Gen I scopes. The cross hairs can be turned off or adjusted through several levels of brightness. I run mine with the hairs on the lowest brightness level.

Based on my experience so far, I would have no problem receommend it.
Pros: Image Clarity, Price
Cons: Size, weight, no quick release on the mount

This review was written in the old system and had content requirements that are different than reviews written today.