Looking into Gen 2 Night Vision for a Texas Trip. Most likely going on an AR platform in 308 but might get mounted on a 700 action.
Anyone here with any likes or suggestions on a price conscious traveling hunters options.
Also looking at addition of an IR illuminator as an upgrade?
Last trip was very successful with just a Leopold Scope and green light but word is Hogs have become wary of the light from above due to pressure on this property.
Thank you for any thoughts on this.
I am in the same pickle, you need about $4K to make it happen, I am pretty sure the cheaper ones are a waste of money.
Unfortunately in the case of this stuff, you get what you pay for.
Interesting proposition.
From what I've read and heard, jimmyp is right. That equipment is very expensive. Thermal gear is even more expensive.
If you're just going from time to time, it may be cheaper to hood up with a guide who already has the right equipment. That may make dollars and sense...
DF
ROst,
Have you used that set up?
DF
Yes.
I have one on my Volquartsen .22WMR
So, the IR light works like a green light, but the hogs can't see it...
Can you mount the light source on the gun?
Bet that would be a cool set up on my .300 Whisper with can...
All that together could get pretty heavy, the Whisper with can isn't light.
DF
Just make sure that the scope you get can hold up to the rifle you put it on.
I purchased an Aurora Tactical 8010 3rd. Gen. and when I did they advertized that it would hold up to a 50BMG.
After I received it they changed the advertizing and said that it would hold up to a 308.
Good luck in your choice.
Just leap on them from the blind at night with a Bowie knife clenched in your teeth. That's how real Texans do it...
So, the IR light works like a green light, but the hogs can't see it...
Can you mount the light source on the gun?
Bet that would be a cool set up on my .300 Whisper with can...
All that together could get pretty heavy, the Whisper with can isn't light.
DF
The weight deal is a big issue, some of these things weight 4 pounds.
With the can, my Whisper is a big heavy as is. With all that extra stuff, it'll easily exceed 10-12#'s. May need a wheelbarrow to tote it around...
DF
Thanks for the information.
Any one here bought from tnvc?
Appreciate the feedback on this.
Not walking around with the rife at night. Daytime a second more appropriate rig will be utilized. Night time will be sit and wait it out.
you can make it a crew served weapon!
While that certainly is not cheap, both items together are less than either one of my Hensoldts plus less than the S&Bs, the Vortex Razor II, a bunch of the Nightforce scopes...etc, that a lot of guys are using.
I'm wondering when these landowners in Texas, who are charging hunters $500.00 and up to kill a feral hog that is destroying the landowner's property, will, in the long run, be forced to pay hunters to come on their land and shoot the hogs before all they have are yaupon stands and completely rutted up fields.
when the wind don't blow, the grass don't grow and the sky ain't blue....
you can make it a crew served weapon!
About what it sounds like...
DF
While that certainly is not cheap, both items together are less than either one of my Hensoldts plus less than the S&Bs, the Vortex Razor II, a bunch of the Nightforce scopes...etc, that a lot of guys are using.
I'm wondering when these landowners in Texas, who are charging hunters $500.00 and up to kill a feral hog that is destroying the landowner's property, will, in the long run, be forced to pay hunters to come on their land and shoot the hogs before all they have are yaupon stands and completely rutted up fields.
These "hog commandos" work for the rancher/farmer for free, selling hunts to tourists who like the excitement. I think they'll have customers for the foreseeable future.
And the chopper hunters seem to have a fan base, as well. I would think those hogs would get wise to that technique over time and the night hunters may have the ultimate edge.
Hogs are pretty smart and very adaptable.
No way to completely wipe them out without poison or other such techniques. And the collateral damage there wouldn't be acceptable, IMO.
DF
Any one here bought from tnvc?
Yes. I've bought a handful of items from them over the years. They're good to go.
DF,
You're right. They've wised up to the helicopters. Survivors will bed up in some thick cover and not budge.
The only way to put a dent in their numbers is too trap.
Hog doggin' with a knife is an adrenaline rush! NV over feeders or AG fields is the next best thing.
I am digging the 845 dot sight from TNVC. The alternatives are huge heavier beasts. The only other option towards a man portable device is an IR laser on the gun rail and a PVS-14 on a head mount. I cannot see how that would be as accurate.
DF,
You're right. They've wised up to the helicopters. Survivors will bed up in some thick cover and not budge.
The only way to put a dent in their numbers is too trap.
Hog doggin' with a knife is an adrenaline rush! NV over feeders or AG fields is the next best thing.
I've been along with the hog dog guys here in Louisiana. Seems to me they catch a few, but a lot get away. If you have large numbers, I don't think the dog method would make that big a dent.
And, knowing how smart those rascals are, I would think they'd wise up to the NV/feeder gig sooner or later.
Trapping may be the time tested solution, although they wise up to that, too. I guess methods have to be constantly upgraded. Snares seem to work if they get smart to other type traps.
DF
That money will pay my gas to NM and back for my Elk hunt and a bit more.
Victor has got me talked into a PVS=14 on a head mount and an IR laser on the gun, I have read reviews that you can make hits on coyotes to 150 yards with this set up. It just costs more and you have to have a good rail on the gun!
Victor has got me talked into a PVS=14 on a head mount and an IR laser on the gun, I have read reviews that you can make hits on coyotes to 150 yards with this set up. It just costs more and you have to have a good rail on the gun!
Need more info on that set up.
Do you have to sight it in with night vision?
DF
sadly you have to sight them in separately it looks like.
The LDI DBAL-I2 is the best-selling Class1 IR laser on the market. It comes complete with an integrated IR laser pointer and visible laser pointer (available in Red or Green). The aircraft grade aluminum anodized housing is sturdy and battle-proven (it is the same housing used in LDI�s military version of the DBAL-I2). The lasers are independently zeroed and feature High/Low setting.
BTDT with a PVS-14 mounted on a helmet and laser onboard the firearm zeroed in. I've also mounted the PVS-14 on a firearm behind a red dot that works with NV (Aimpoint Micro T1).
Best to go the dedicated NV scope route. Less parts to mess with, less $$, and better resolution and POI/POA.
that was my preferred route and for sure less $$, the helmet mounted idea seems to be preferred by Vic at TNVC, but it is more expensive for sure.
Will the IR illumination wash out the red dot in the 845 NV dot sight?
No. The IR just acts as an additional illumination source to make the view through the NV brighter and for better resolution of target.
Think of it more as a "flashlight". The beam on most IR illuminators are adjustable as well. Wide beam to a very narrow beam that really reach's out there.
I haven't been able to finish reading the whole thread, but a friend of mine hunts hogs on demand. He uses NV and suppressors, but will also use regular lights with an infrared filter to increase range/scanning of his NV goggles. This helps with the cost of setup. Still he likely has about 10k in equipment.
yes its very expensive so you don't want to buy the wrong thing.