More infrared (ir) than low light - Bushnell 5x42 Stealth View Night Vision Digital Monocular Scope 260542

This unit is essentially a B/W video camera with a large objective lens which needs to be focused, but will focus from 3 ft to infinity. The user views the image on an electronic viewfinder like he might find on a camcorder. Like all such cameras, it is sensitive to IR. It includes a low-power wide-angle IR illuminator which, unfortunately, can't be turned off. It also includes a high power IR spotlight that really does work to 500 ft, though it doesn't fill the field of view.
The field of view isn't very wide, which makes it hard to search an area. Though the viewfinder is clear, when set to high sensitivity, you can see the video "noise" (like "snow" in a weak TV picture).
As a low-light device, it will provide a usable image in bright moonlight, but otherwise it needs the IR illuminator or some other light source.
As a low-light viewer, you'd probably be better with an equally expensive pair of 7x50 binoculars.
The gadget has one major flaw. The viewer is WAY too bright. It ruins the dark adaptation of your eye. If the viewfinder could be darkened, or if you can put a filter on the eyepiece, then it would be much more useful. This is a a night vision device that needs to be used with sunglasses.
Pros: clear display, IR spotlight, uses AA batteries
Cons: display way too bright

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