Night vision monoculars are one of the most versatile night vision devices that you can ever find and use. They can be hand-held, mounted on helmets, or can be mounted on your heads, and you can also choose to mount them on your firearms and other weapons.
The use of night vision monoculars will be greatly beneficial in a lot of activities that are done at night.
Another thing that proves the versatility of this type of night vision device is that it can be used for a wide variety of activities such as surveillance, security purposes, hunting, search and rescue operations, and for military applications too.
But with a lot of options that are sold in the markets, it is somehow confusing to choose the best ones for your use.
Without further ado, here are the best night vision monoculars that you can buy from the markets alongside with the best features that they have.
2. AGM Global Vision PVS-14 Multi-Purpose Night Vision Monocular
3. Firefield Nightfall 4×50 Night Vision Monocular
4. Bering Optics’ HiPo 4.3x 60mm Night Vision Monocular
5. Barska NVX100 3x Night Vision Monocular
6. Carson’s Mini Aura Digital Night-Vision Monocular
7. Bushnell’s 4.5x 40mm Equinox-Z Digital Night-Vision Monocular
8. Night Owl’s iGEN 20/20 Day and Night-Vision Monocular
Table: Top 10 Best Night Vision Monocular
 | Night Owl NOXM50 |
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 | AGM Global Vision |
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 | Firefield Nightfall |
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 | Bering Optics |
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 | Barska NVX100 3x |
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 | Carson Mini Aura |
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 | Bushnell Equinox-Z |
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 | Night Owl iGEN |
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 | Luna Optics Digital |
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 | ATN’s PVS 14-3 |
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10 Best Night Vision Monoculars in 2022 – Reviewed
1. Night Owl NOXM50 Night Vision Monocular
When you are looking for the best night vision monocular that you can use for your everyday tasks, this specific model from the brand of Night Owl should be on the list of the best monoculars that you need to check out.
It has an objective lens that measures 50 millimeters—this Night Owl Night Vision Monocular is a size that is more than enough for the lenses to gather as much light as needed in order for better sight pictures to be provided.
This specific night vision monocular has a magnification power that is fixed at 5x, and it uses the Generation 1 Type of night vision technology.
Specifications
- Magnification: 5x
- Objective Lens: 50mm
- Field of View: 15 degrees
- Focus Length: 5.7 ft
- Battery Type: 3V 123 Lithium
- Battery Life: 45 – 100 hours
- Dimensions: 7.75 x 3.79 x 2.48 inches
- Weight: 16 oz
When using its battery life that ranges from 45 hours to 100 hours, depending on the setting that you are using.
You can also control the focusing of the lenses since its design for its objective optics is the manual focus, which means that it has to be manually controlled when you want to focus on some objects or things that you see in the dark.
This specific Night Vision Monocular is known popularly for its
Aluminum Housing
When talking about the durability of some night vision devices such as scopes, monoculars, and binoculars, having aluminum housing is known to be very high in strength.
To make the housing of this night vision monocular more durable and resistant to impact, the aluminum used in the construction underwent some treatment from a certain machine.
Besides the durability that this type of housing gives, the aluminum material also causes this night vision monocular to be light in weight even when it is made for heavy-duty purposes.
Floating Properties
The built of this night vision monocular is known to be one of the most durable since it is a rubber surface that causes it to float on water if it gets dropped accidentally.
With this design, this night vision monocular is suitable and perfect for nautical applications that are done at night.
Even if you want to go and do casual fishing at night, this night vision monocular will not disappoint you.
In addition to that, the waterproofing level of this night vision monocular is at the superior level. So, you really do not have to worry about it once it gets dropped in the water since it will surely withstand.
Pros
- Higher magnification
- Long-lasting battery life
- Durable construction
Cons
- Supports CR123 battery only
2. AGM Global Vision PVS-14 Multi-Purpose Night Vision Monocular
The AGM Global Vision PVS-14 Night Vision Monocular is one of the most popular monoculars available on the market that has been widely used in the US military for many serious operations.
Nowadays, it can be used by civilians for various outdoor activities during night time. It is preferred by many hunters to improve their hunting activities since it is the best night vision monocular for hunting.
Moreover, it is ideal for several activities such as hiking, camping, and also for professional activities like surveillance.
Specifications
- Magnification: 1x
- Objective Lens: 26mm
- Field of View: 40 degrees
- Focus Range: 0.25 m to Infinity
- Battery Type: AA
- Battery Life: 50 hours
- Length: 4.4 inches
- Weight: 0.7 lb
This specific Night Vision Monocular is known popularly for its
Design & Construction
The construction of this monocular is one of its impressive features since it comes with a rugged and compact construction.
Though it has rugged construction, it is light in weight, so it makes you comfortable on the field, and you can easily carry this wherever you go.
The body of this monocular has a rubber finish that provides you excellent grip, and it prevents accidentally falling down while holding with a wet hand.
Built-in Infrared Illuminator
You can’t view with your blind eyes during dark conditions. This night vision monocular is built with an infrared illuminator that allows you to view in low-light conditions with more brightness.
This infrared illuminator contains various brightness settings that automatically change based on the lighting condition of your surrounding environment.
Moreover, it automatically shuts down when not in use so that you can save battery life.
Other Features
If you’re looking for the best night vision monocular with a head mount, then this AGM Global Vision PVS-14 is a perfect choice.
It comes with a 1x fixed magnification that allows you to view the objects clearly. The objective lens of this monocular is 26mm that provides better visibility with a wider view.
This lens is coated with anti-reflective layers to reduce glare during bright conditions and provides a clear view with more accuracy.
It contains 1 AA battery that provides 50 hours of continuous operation and allows you to perform a long period of time.
This monocular is waterproof, so you don’t worry about using it in rainy weather, and it mounts on all devices easily. It provides you hands-free operation and makes you comfortable.
Pros
- Compact and Rugged construction
- Built-in infrared illuminator
- Crystal clear images
- Easy to operate
Cons
- Not suitable for budget users
3. Firefield Nightfall 4×50 Night Vision Monocular
Are you a person who loves to go out after dark comes? Having effective night vision eyes will provide you accurate visibility without sources of light.
In this sense, the Firefield Nightfall 4×50 Night Vision Monocular is one of the best night vision monoculars available on the market with many desirable features.
Specifications
- Magnification: 4x
- Objective Lens: 50mm
- Field of View: 79.8 ft at 100 yards
- Focus Range: 150 m
- Eye Relief: 12mm
- Battery: AA
- Length: 7.28 inches
- Weight: 21 oz
It comes with a high-quality electro optics system that provides you improved night vision by using the built-in infrared illuminator.
The infrared illuminator amplifies available light and ensures clear images of the target. You can switch off the illuminator during the day and switch it on according to the lighting condition of the surrounding environment.
The infrared illuminator is one of the impressive features present in this night vision monocular as it provides you an accurate view of the objects even in bitch dark conditions.
It comes with a 4x fixed magnification that allows you to focus the targets clearly according to your visibility. The objective lens of this scope is 50mm that is very large and provides you better target images in all conditions without any hassle.
The objective lens is another impressive feature for its high clarity as it improves light transmission. Though it comes with gen 1 technology it provides you sharp images of the targets from short and long distances in dark conditions.
This Firefield Nightfall night vision monocular allows you to see the targets up to 200 feet in low-light conditions.
Moreover, you can see more clearly in full moonlight. If you want to hunt or shoot and observe wildlife at night, then having this night vision monocular will improve your experience.
It comes with solid construction made with durable materials to ensure reliable performance on the field. With this rugged construction, you can use this in all weather conditions without any restriction.
It comes with a rubber coating that provides you strong grip while holding with your hands. The features present in this Firefield Nightfall make it ideal for various night applications.
Pros
- High-quality optical system
- Infrared illuminator
- Solid and strong grip
- Rugged construction
Cons
- Narrow field of view
4. Bering Optics’ HiPo 4.3x 60mm Generation I High-Power Night-Vision Monocular
This is one of the best night vision monoculars under $500 when it comes to long-distance purposes for your night activities.
The view of this night vision device can be used extremely for long ranges that reach for up to 385 yards. The design of this night vision monocular is indeed perfect for beginners since it is very easy to configure and use.
This night vision monocular has two built-in ¼-inch tripod sockets, and it has a magnification power of 4.3x.
Specifications
- Magnification: 4.3x
- Objective Lens: 60mm
- Field of View: 59 ft at 100 yards
- Focus Range: 1 yds to infinity
- Battery Type: AA
- Battery Life: 70 hours
- Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 5 inches
- Weight: 24.7 oz
This specific night vision monocular is among the best night vision devices that are incorporated with the Generation 1 Type of night vision technology.
This night vision monocular has a dimension of 10.5 inches by 3.9 inches by 2.8 inches, and it has a weight of 24.7 ounces only.
This specific Night Vision Monocular is known popularly for its
Efficiency
This night vision monocular is known to be more efficient when compared to other night vision monoculars; thus, this specific model uses energy and does not waste it.
The power from the battery that is used for the operation gets fully utilized and shown in the output or performance of this night vision monocular.
With this model, you can both save and conserve energy. To be more exact with this night vision device’s efficiency, it is designed to be 20% more efficient than the other devices of its kind.
Objective Lens
The objective lens of this night vision monocular acts as a support for its night vision technology. It has a very large size of 60 millimeters; that is why more light is pushed to enter through the lenses.
Once that happens, the quality of sight pictures produced will be more detailed, and it will be sharper too.
Pros
- High magnification
- Long battery life
- Built-in IR illuminator
Cons
- A bit heavy
5. Barska NVX100 3x Night Vision Monocular
If you’re a budget hunter and looking for the best night vision monocular under $200, then this Barska NVX100 3x Digital Night Vision Monocular is the right choice for your needs.
It is one of the affordable night vision monoculars available on the market with the excellent features that you expect.
It will surprise you with its incredible performance using the technologies with its price range. Though it is an affordable night vision monocular, it won’t disappoint you in any situation without compromising its quality.
Specifications
- Magnification: 3x
- Objective Lens: 14.5mm
- Resolution: 640 – 480 pixels
- Field of View: 328 ft at 1000 yards
- Focus Range: 100 m
- Battery Type: AA
- Battery Life: 2-5 hours
- Length: 5.27 inches
- Weight: 8.71 oz
This specific Night Vision Monocular is known popularly for its
Optics Clarity
It comes with the 3x magnification range that allows you to view clearly from a distance up to 100 m during dark conditions. This digital night vision monocular provides you the high resolution images of the target from a distance.
It contains a screen resolution of 640 x 480 that delivers a crystal clear view of the target. This night vision monocular comes with an infrared illuminator that provides better brightness during dark conditions. This feature makes it ideal for operations such as surveillance, wildlife observation, etc. during night time.
Picture & Video
It is built with the camera to capture pictures and allows you to record video. It comes with a 4GB SD card that allows you to save the recorded video using the USB cable. With this digital night vision monocular, you can perform during both day and night time.
The objective lens of this monocular is very small, with 14.5 mm that provides better visibility from any distance range.
The recorded video and images can be transferred to the computer, television, or other devices using a USB cable, and you can enjoy viewing them with your friends and family.
Other Features
The CMOS sensor present in this monocular improves the quality of the images in any lighting conditions. It is easy to operate this night vision monocular since it contains large buttons, so you can easily operate in pitch dark.
This Barska NVX100 3x Digital Night Vision Monocular is light in weight and compact in size that makes it suitable for various outdoor activities.
Due to the lightweight factor, you can easily carry this wherever you go, and it won’t add over weight. This digital night vision monocular runs by the AA batteries that provides long-lasting operation on the field.
Pros
- Better zoom in night
- Excellent field of view
- Water-proof
Cons
- Battery may drained out quickly
6. Carson’s Mini Aura Digital Night-Vision Monocular NV-200
Are you really love to do hunting during nighttime and other dark conditions in the forests? This is the best night vision monocular under $200 for you with portable size.
It has a very compact dimension that surely perfect for every hunting trip that you are going to do. In fact, its dimensions are 2.6 inches by 2.2 inches by 22 inches.
It uses a common type of battery, which will cause you no trouble when you try to look for it since it can be found at almost any store—the battery type is AAA.
Specifications
- Magnification: 1x
- Objective Lens: 10 mm
- Field of View: 19 degrees
- Focus Range: 82 ft
- Battery Type: AAA
- Dimensions: 2.6 x 2.2 x 2.2 inches
- Weight: 3.4 oz
This night vision monocular comes with a free carrying pouch and one wrist strap to ensure that you will not drop it when you are using it. It also comes with a one-year warranty that you can use once defects start taking place.
This specific Night Vision Monocular is known popularly for its
Easy Adjustments
One of the best things about this night vision monocular is that it has an infrared illumination that is adjustable.
With that adjustable infrared illumination, this specific device becomes more adaptable to the environment that is used in.
You also do not have to worry that you might get confused when you are adjusting this feature since it can be very easily done with just a push of one button.
Digital Night Vision
One of the main benefits of having a digital night vision technology is that it is very durable to the point that it lasts longer when you compare it to image intensifier type of night vision technology.
Some night vision monoculars are incorporated with image intensifying properties and they are burned out get if they get overused or languished. But you don’t worry about that when using this night vision monocular as it comes with a digital design.
Pros
- Portable
- Very Handy
- Adjustable Brightness
Cons
- Limited zoom
7. Bushnell’s 4.5x 40mm Equinox-Z Digital Night-Vision Monocular with Mount
Another long-range night vision monocular that you can consider checking out is this Bushnell Equinox-Z Digital Night Vision Monocular.
With its power and features, it is said that you can use this night vision monocular for up to 750 feet of viewing in darkness.
It is also designed to have tripod mounts, so you can mount it once you get tired of carrying it. One of the best things about it is that it has three magnification power that you can choose from, these three options are 1.5x, 3x, and 4.5x.
Specifications
- Magnification: 4.5x
- Objective Lens: 40mm
- Field of View: 28 ft at 1000 yards
- Battery Type: AA
- Length: 164 mm
- Weight: 22 oz
If you’re searching for a best digital night vision monocular, then this Bushnell Equinox-Z is the right choice for you.
This specific night vision monocular is known to have a very long battery and operating life, too, so you can rely on it during your extended trips at night.
This night vision monocular has a weight of 22 ounces, and it has a total length of 164 millimeters. It is also very affordable, that is why it is loved by a lot of people who bought it.
This specific Night Vision Monocular is known popularly for its
Daytime Color
Other night visions monoculars are known to have sight pictures that are in black and white color; some are in green color.
But with this night vision monocular, it strives to provide the natural color of the surrounding that you are viewing through it.
In fact, it is said that the colors that you are going to see through the use of this night vision monocular can be compared to what colors you will see during daytime and in broad daylight.
Adjustable Infrared Brightness
Another good thing about this night vision monocular is that it can be used for both daytime and nighttime. In fact, it has adjustable brightness for its infrared illumination.
Through the use of this feature, you will surely be able to use your desired brightness depending on the current lighting condition that you are in.
Pros
- Best performance
- High-quality lens
- Different brightness settings
Cons
- Not suitable for short distance
8. Night Owl’s iGEN 20/20 Day and Night-Vision Monocular
This Night Owl iGEN Night Vision Monocular is one of the best night vision monocular under $500 with advannced technologies on the market. It is incorporated with iGEN technology in its design.
This type of night vision technology is described to surpass the ability of both Generation 2 and Generation 3 night vision technology.
This night vision monocular is also a lot flexible that you can expect it to be since it can be used for hiking, backpacking, scouting, hunting, exploring, securing properties, and even nature watching.
Specifications
- Magnification: 2.6x
- Objective Lens: 41 mm
- Field of View: 12 degrees
- Focus Range: 24 ft
- Battery Type: AA
- Dimensions: 9 x 4 x 2.5 inches
- Weight: 1.3 lb
What makes it really great is that you can do all those activities during both daytime and nighttime through the use of this day and night vision monocular.
It is also used for recording real-time happenings of the place or object that you are viewing through it. In fact, all its settings and features can be found from the menu on its screen.
This specific Night Vision Monocular is known popularly for its
Enhance Sensitivity to Infrared
As you know, infrared light is a type of light from the light spectrum that has a very short wavelength.
With the very short wavelength that it has, it is impossible for human’s eyes to see it without a night vision device as support or aid.
This specific night vision monocular produces more detailed and defined sight pictures since it is more sensitive to infrared.
With its enhanced sensitivity, it detects more infrared light and eventually converts it to a more detailed image of the surrounding that you are viewing.
Color View
Another amazing thing about this high-tech night vision monocular is that it has a color selector for its view. The first one is you can choose to view your sight pictures in black and white, choose a green view, and you can also choose to view it in red and amber color.
This is a beneficial feature since you can choose the color that will make your eyes comfortable when viewing.
Pros
- Portable & Lightweight
- Easy to control
- Different brightness levels
Cons
- Weak carrying case
9. Luna Optics’ 6-36x 50mm G-3 Digital Day and Night Full HD Monocular
The extra-powerful infrared illuminator of this night vision monocular gives the ability to view in total darkness for a distance of 400 meters.
It has a very premium glass optics that can be used for magnification that ranges from g6 to 36x. When you want to view the surroundings in black and white color, you may choose to do with this night vision monocular.
Specifications
- Magnification: 6-36x
- Objective Lens: 50 mm
- Field of View: 9 degrees
- Eye Relief: 16 mm
- Focus Range: 2.6 ft to infinity
- Battery Type: CR123
- Length: 6.7 inches
- Weight: 1.1 lb
You can also choose to view and use this night vision monocular using the green-colored option from its settings.
But what makes it more amazing is that you can also have sight pictures in full color. This night vision monocular is built with an HDMI connection, which allows it to be connected to a television.
This specific Night Vision Monocular is known popularly for its
Multi-Controller
This is said to be one of the first in the industry of monoculars to have a multi-controller that will allow it to have a very user-friendly design.
This multi-controller also promotes quick adjustments for you to have a convenient experience while you are using this night vision monocular.
When you want to access the menu and make some changes in the setting that you are using, you may do so easily with the use of this night vision device’s multi-controller.
AMOLED-Q Display
The AMOLED-Q display of this night vision monocular features a widescreen. The sight pictures that you are going to see on the screen of this night vision monocular will be one of the most brilliant in resolution, and it provides one of the best contrasts too.
Through the use of this feature, you will have the most comfortable direct viewing without compromising the quality of the view.
While you shop for a night vision monocular, consider where you are going to use the device and how far of a distance you generally want to view the objects. Also, you need to consider the weather condition while you use the device.
Pros
- High-quality images
- Fully multi-coated lens
- Gen 3 Night vision
Cons
- Narrow field of view
10. ATN’s PVS 14-3 Night-Vision Monocular
When you want one of the highest qualities of night vision monoculars, this is the option that you should check out since its optics and functions are specifically made to be used by U.S. Military.
This is a night vision monocular that you can choose, too, if you want to use it for professional applications.
This can be used when you are just holding it, or you can use it too if you want to mount it on your helmets or just your head.
Specifications
- Magnification: 1x
- Objective Lens: 27 mm
- Field of View: 40 degrees
- Eye Relief: 25 mm
- Focus Range: 2.6 ft to infinity
- Battery Life: 40+ hours
- Length: 4.5 inches
- Weight: 316 g
This night vision monocular can also be connected through the use of adapters to view the real-time recording through a camera or a camcorder.
When this specific night vision device gets exposed to very bright surroundings, it automatically shuts off for the battery to be conserved.
It also has a Pro-Shield coating for its lenses to add more durability to the overall strength of this night vision monocular.
This specific Night Vision Monocular is known popularly for its
Alpha Grade Image Intensifier
The tube for this night vision monocular image intensifier is known to be of alpha grade. Meaning to say, it is one of the best quality materials and constructions that you can find.
With its design, this night vision monocular is known to have a very reliable performance when it comes to amplifying the light that it gets from the surroundings to produce the brightest views too.
Generation 3 Night Vision
The generation 3 type of night vision technology is considered to be one of the most advanced up to this day.
Even when there are already new improvements and developments for the night vision technology, generation 3 is still considered as one of the most reliable when it comes to amplifying or intensifying the light available from the surrounding to convert it to a much better view.
Pros
- Compact
- Mounted easily on helmet
- Reliable
Cons
- Limited magnification
How Night Vision Works?
The working of a night vision device may look simple, but it is one of the difficult processes that provides good visibility during dark conditions.
It allows you to view the targets clearly in low-light conditions that you can’t see with your naked human eyes. It collects the available light (that are of photons) from the surrounding area.
The photons are passed through the photocathode tube that transfers the photons into electrons. The electrons are magnified through the photomultiplier that is a photoelectric cell.
The photomultiplier multiplies the single electron into multiple electrons. These electrons enter the phosphor screen that provides high-quality images of the target. Here is the video that describes the working of night vision in more detail.
Night Vision vs Thermal Vision
Night Vision
The main purpose of both the night vision and thermal are the same, but they are different from each other. The night vision works by collecting the available light of the surrounding area and provides better images of the target.
It totally depends on the available light, so it becomes difficult if you’re viewing the target from a long-range distance. Night vision is mostly suitable for the short-range targets.
Thermal Vision
Thermal vision is used to detect the targets in the hidden areas by the heat energy produced from the targets. It detects the objects using heat energies without the need for available lights. Thermal vision is suitable for long-distance since it depends only on the heat signatures.
How To Choose the Monocular
The night vision monocular has various features, and you should know the certain factors that are important to the night vision monocular so that you can choose the right one.
Moreover, you should also know your requirements and choose the best night vision monocular that will satisfy your needs.
For example, if you’re looking for a night vision monocular under $500, there are lots of models available on the market, so you will research and find the one. We’ve provided the buying guide with several factors to help you choose the right night vision monocular for your needs.
What Should you Look for in a Monocular?
If you have decided to shop for a night vision monocular, you need to pay closer attention to a few things. You have to look out for the magnification range and size of the objective lens. If the monocular is specified as 8x42mm by the manufacturer, it means the device has included an 8x magnification range with a 42mm objective lens.
Higher magnification allows you to see with the condition of a narrower angle of view, whereas the wider objective lens size provides a clear and bright image. The wider objective lens may also be useful in low-light conditions.
However, the monoculars with higher magnification capabilities and wider objective lenses may be heavier, larger, and are expensive.
The monoculars are also coming in the modest zooming range and with small objective lenses, though they don’t have the capabilities of viewing distant objects. But these monoculars are cheaper, lightweight, and easy to carry around.
Another important thing to consider while buying a night vision monocular is to check the monocular has an infrared illuminator or if it has the option to have an attached one. Because an infrared illuminator can act as an additional light source for the monocular. Thus it offers images with good resolution and quality.
Benefits of Night Vision Monocular
Night vision monoculars provide many benefits for various fields to improve visibility.
Having a high-quality night vision monocular improves accuracy during nighttime operations and provides a great experience.
It contains an IR illuminator that provides brightness and allows you to view the objects clearly in low-light conditions.
The night vision monocular with a better optics system provides high-resolution images of the object and improves clarity in the dark.
It brings you the hidden details of the target with its illumination levels. The lens of the monocular is one of the important things to provide better visibility. Mostly, the night vision monoculars have the capability to work in multiple operations, so it is versatile.
Thus, it can be used in various activities such as hunting, camping, scouting, hiking, bird watching, nature exploration, etc., and also used in professional activities such as surveillance.
The digital night vision monocular has the capacity to work during both day and night. The objective lens of the monocular plays a vital role in viewing the objects from distances and provides a clear view in any conditions.
Types of Night Vision Monoculars
Generation 1
The Gen 1 night vision monocular was developed in the year of 1960, and that is one of the most famous available on the market at that time.
It comes with a low magnification range and a lens with resolution at an affordable price. It is one of the best night vision monoculars under $200, so it is preferred by many budget hunters.
It is considered the best night vision monocular for hunting and nature exploration during the night since it provides clear visibility in low-light conditions. It has the capacity to view up to 75 yards distance and provide continuous operation up to 1500 hours.
Generation 2
The Generation 2 night vision monoculars have popular MCP plates that provide a better view of the objects through quality lenses. It contains high-quality optics to provide high resolution images with sharp details.
Mostly, the Gen 2 night vision monoculars are a bit pricey compared to the previous generation since it contains enhanced magnification and objective lens that makes it better on the market. It allows you to view up to 200 yards and continuously work up to 5000 hours.
Generation 3
The Generation 3 night vision monocular comes with an improved resolution when compared to the Generation 2, and it contains a photocathode that is made of gallium arsenide.
This night vision monocular with high resolution lens and magnification provides a clear view of the object. This allows you to see the objects up to 300 yards away, and it provides 10,000 hours of battery life.
The battery present in this generation may drain out quicker than the previous generation monoculars. Moreover, it is expensive since it contains many advanced features.
Generation 4
The gen 4 night vision monocular is the most expensive of all other generations. It is the most upgraded type of night vision monocular with various advanced features, so it is used by many military officers.
Mostly, the gen 4 monoculars are not preferred by the hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts since it is very expensive. Thus, the military officers and surveillance experts widely use this for their operations.
Taking Care of Monoculars
Taking care of monoculars is necessary for excellent performance, to guarantee long and accurate use. Usually, they are easier to maintain than any other night vision devices. The following tips may help you to care for your monoculars,
- Read the user manual carefully and make familiar with the basics of lens technology.
- Always carry your device in a carrying case when you go hiking or trekking.
- Make use of a neck strap or wrist strap to avoid accidental falling of your device.
- Always use a lens cleaning cloth, wipes, or solution to clean your objective lens of the device.
- Protect your device from direct exposure to the sun or any other bright light.
- Handle the device with care to avoid unnecessary risks.
What are the Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Night Vision Monocular?
For you to be able to fully assess the night vision monocular that you are going to buy, you have to know some of the most important factors that you must look for and consider. Here are the features and factors that you must check for your night vision monocular:
Rugged Construction and Design
One of the first things that you check from the night vision monocular that you are going to buy is the durability. You have to check the construction or the way that it is built for you to fully see the strength of your night vision monocular.
Some of the best night vision monoculars are built with aluminum housing and rubber armor to have unquestionable durability.
Also, try to check for some weatherproofing properties that might be incorporated in the night vision monocular that you are buying because you can never expect the weather that you might encounter outdoors.
In addition to that, you must look for a night vision monocular that has some waterproofing and fog-proofing properties to experience both durability and reliability when it comes to different tough conditions that you might be exposed to.
Price
Most people think that buying a high-end night vision monocular is the only way to experience a superior quality of night vision devices. But that is one of the common misconceptions about buying night vision monoculars.
If you take and spend some time comparing a lot of night vision monoculars that are available in the markets, you will surely find and realize that some of the best night vision monoculars are offered for a low price only.
So, you have to be very wise in choosing a night vision monocular since you are going to spend some money on it.
This is an important factor to consider since you have to buy on your budget, but you also have to consider the quality of experience that you are going to have. There are a lot of things that depend on this factor, so you have to consider this seriously.
Magnification Type
Most of the usual types of night vision monoculars are known to have only a fixed magnification power, while only a few are known to have a variable magnification power.
You have to be very smart in choosing the type of magnification since both have their advantages. The first type is the fixed magnification power, and the main advantage of having this type is that it is usually more durable since night vision monoculars with this magnification type are built with fewer movable parts.
Thus, there is no reason for it to be broken easily. The second type is variable magnification—there are only a few of this since night vision monoculars are originally designed to have a fixed magnification power.
With a variable magnification power, you will have the option of switching to a different range of distance for your viewing options.
Additional Features To Look For
Gain
It means the level of light you see through the device. Also, it’s referred to as luminance gain or brightness gain. The higher the magnification, the more light you will see through the device.
Image Quality
The quality of the image lets you see more detail. If the device produces a higher quality of the image, then the cost of the device could be high.
Resolution
It refers to the sharpness and clarity of an image. It’s depicted by lp/mm (line pairs per millimeter). The Resolution is essential when the night vision device offers photo and video capability.
IR illuminator
An infrared illuminator is a tool that emits light in the infrared spectrum, and they are invisible to the naked eye but not the night vision devices.
This IR illuminator is similar to the flashlight. Moreover, it allows you to record videos or capture images in the dark without being noticed by anyone.
Environment
While you shop for a night vision monocular, consider where you are going to use the device and how far of a distance you generally want to view the objects. Also, you need to consider the weather condition while you use the device.
Detection Range
For a night vision monocular, the detection range is also important, as it works with ambient light. If you are using a night vision monocular for a long-viewing range, then you need a better detection range because there is no accessibility to ambient light. Thus, the device over 300 yards is good for detecting at long-range.
Video feed
This feature allows you to record your data from the monocular. You can connect the device with a smartphone or laptop, and you don’t need to be around the field to access the monocular. Moreover, it’s a crucial feature, and you can set the device anywhere out in the field.
Recording
This recording feature allows you to record certain views, and you can see them later. Some of the devices allow recording video with audio. Therefore, the recording feature is essential for surveillance and law enforcement agencies.
Auto-Gating unit
Auto-gating is the major technology in modern night vision devices. This technology allows the user to get clear visuals and quick changes in the lighting conditions and also allows you to save your time. Moreover, this unit is better suited for beginners and first-time users. Thus, it’s one of the beneficial features to have in a night vision monocular.
Rubber coating
The rubber-coated construction allows you to hold the device firmly, especially when your hands are wet or wearing a pair of gloves. This feature ensures that your device stays durable and resistant in varying conditions.
Top Brands
Here are our top brands for night vision Monocular, and they have proven their ability in delivering top-notch night vision devices at budget-friendly prices.
Night Owl Optics
Night owl was an American based company founded back in 2009. It has been producing top-quality night vision devices such as binoculars, monoculars, and security cameras.
As it’s one of the fastest-growing industry of security NVR’s, DVRs, and cameras, that offers excellent value on the market. Moreover, the product’s price range is very flexible, but if the consumer tries to find a performance of top-notch devices of night owls, it would be expensive.
ATN
American Technology Network was established in the year1995, and it’s one of the top-leading companies and manufacturer of 4k resolution digital smart devices for both day and night operations and Smart thermal imaging devices for Nighttime operations.
The optics of ATN are ideal for military, law enforcement, hunters, wildlife observers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Their products are also at a flexible range, starting from 150 USD and up to the range of 1000+ USD.
Firefield
Firefield is a company founded back in 2009, and its goal is to create the best value shooting sports accessories possible. Firefield has been producing top-notch night vision devices at budget-friendly prices.
The top-quality night vision devices include a binocular, monoculars, optical accessories, and other night vision devices. Firefield NVRS 3×42 Night vision riflescope is one of the best night vision optics from the Firefield.
The devices provide the user with a higher magnification range, wider objective lens, built-in IR illuminator, and an ergonomic design. However, Firefield is also producing products at cost-effective, and their price ranges from 150 USD to 500 USD for a top-notch device.
Sightmark
Sightmark is a famous company founded back in 2007. They intend to produce top-notch night vision devices such as modern rifles, shotguns, and pistols according to the needs of the consumers. Their best selling products include riflescopes, red dot sights, and chamber laser bore sights.
Sightmark products are budget-friendly, and their price range varies from around 200 USD up to 650 USD, depending on the additional features of a top-quality night vision device.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you use a night vision monocular with a rifle scope?
Yes, you can use the monocular with a rifle scope, and there are two options for attaching a monocular to the rifle. You can attach them in front of or behind the scope. But, it works well when it is attached just behind the scope.
2. Can night vision monoculars be used in daylight?
Since the modern night vision optics comes with a built-in infrared light that cannot work during the daylight. Because more exposure during the daylight can damage the device. But digital night vision devices can be used safely during the daytime.
3. Does a Night Vision Monocular show clear images during the day time?
It depends on the model that you choose, but most of the night vision monocular devices produce clear night images and color day images. The viewing distance is reduced while using an IR illuminator, and viewing capabilities at day and low-light conditions are infinite.
4. Can a Night Vision Monocular see through the fog?
By using advanced technology, the night vision monoculars can see in fog, snow, and rain conditions. Though, the viewing distance can be affected by the viewing conditions. Also, the clarity of the images is low in a heavy fog.
Bottom Line
The use of night vision monoculars is indeed a great help for the world we live in these days since there are a lot of jobs and activities that are done once the sun has set already. Looking for the best night vision monocular can be really hard to do since there is a nearly unlimited option when you look in the stores and markets. Well, all the night vision monoculars that are mentioned above are of the best quality and made to have their own strengths for a wide variety of applications. We really do hope that this article has been of great help for you to have a decision about what you are going to buy for your night vision activities.