I have a Benjamin Fortitude PCP air gun
I want to handle a rat infestation,
Any advice on a night vision optic that won't break the bank?

I have used a few might vision optics on various firearms - OTHER THAM air rifles - and my suggestion would simply be a decent scope and a low wattage light - probably a red light. Works pretty good, and MUCH less expensive!

Mike Holmes

Do rats pick up on red or other color light in case one wanted to try using a regular scope?

Red was common for "varmint"s, certainly did mot bother them as much as a bright white light. I did know am ardent varmint caller who first used a dim white light to "spot" eyes, them hit them with a extremely bright white beam for shooting.

Mike Holmes

When I light them up with red light they run. My buddy started using a Sightmark Photon RT 4.5 that he paid $350.00 on ebay. Seems to work well and the rats don't know what hit them. Shoot rats 1 nite every other week in the barn. Fuggers smarten up quick otherwise.

I don't have any experience with night vision but the airgun ratting guys in the UK seem to like the PARD a lot.

US distributor is in Tukwila, WA.
https://www.pard-nv.com/product-category/all-products/

A Fortitude paired with a PARD would be a formidable rat gun.

Have seen it before ,not sure how to get a cheek weld when shooting freehand. Even bench rest seems like It'd be awkward.

I used "Might Vision" scopes for hogs for awhile. The stuff I tried was awkward, heavy - and expensive.

Mike Holmes