If you want to compare cheap, DNV vs a decent 384 thermal in the $2-2.5k range, then it’s fishing bass tournaments in a canoe vs a Ranger boat. I’m not going into the weeds, but the thermal works day or night and your discernment can be refined by utilizing your palettes and learning your optic’s features for varying conditions. The few DNVs I’ve used often only give you eyes at night from the IR reflection at range, while you can’t even see the animal behind them. Decent mounts that retain zero allow having dedicated day and night optics for the same rifle, without losing zero….assuming we’re talking ARs mostly. Plus, most thermals can be zeroed for up to 5 different guns. I doubt I ever go back to any form of NV, other than thermal….and I’ve used and had access to some top tier night devices for over 20 years.
