A night vision monocular is a necessity if you are engaged in nocturnal activities. It might be a hobby, a profession or an adventure, whatever you are doing at night, you need the right night vision monocular to see better and stay safe. While it is most common among security personnel and hunters, preppers, night fishermen and campers may also find night vision monoculars very helpful. These devices are also helpful for surveillance purposes and night-time observations. It is not uncommon to see normal folks that want to keep monoculars at home just to scan their property regularly for night time intruders.
If you want to invest in a good night vision monocular, here’s our selection of the 10 best night vision monoculars you should consider.
Top 10 Best Night Vision Monoculars
1. Vortex Solo 3608-RT
The Solo 3608-RT Tactical Monocular is a great choice for observation and range estimation in a lightweight and compact package. The textured, rugged rubber design is another great thing about the monocular providing added grip and durability. It is water and fog resistant, making it a very durable device. It has an impressive 8x magnification and a 36mm objective lens makes the monocular great for light gathering delivering bright images.
The Solo 3608-RT has easy to operate controls. It features the Vortex R/T Ranging reticle with reticle focus for accurate range estimation and calling shots.
2. ATN OTS-HD 384
There are so many positive things about this monocular. It provides digital night vision which is completely different and better than traditional night vision. It is a first generation monocular. This particular product provides exceptionally bright and sharp images and will work even in extremely dark conditions. In addition to its compact and ergonomic design, the ATN OTS-HD 384 is lightweight, water and fog resistant.
The ATN OTS-HD 384 has a built-in infrared illuminator. It offers complete clarity on both sides of the lens. It also has advanced manual brightness/gain adjustment that can help any user to obtain the best possible image quality with the device. There is also a video output option that will allow you to connect it to an external screen.
The ATN OTS-HD 384 also features Thermal sensor, Smart Rangefinder, E-Zoom, 3D Gyroscope and E-compass and more.
3. Bestguarder WG-50
The best things about this device include the impressive magnification and viewing distance, as well as the ability to take photos, record videos and store on micro SD card. On the downside, the device is a little bulky and the battery may run down easily. It is well constructed in a rugged manner. The rubber coating also make it water-resistant.
In terms of magnification, the Bestguarder WG-50 offers 6x magnification which is impressive. It also has a 1-5x digital zoom and 50mm objective lens; these all contribute to ensure that you get clear images as far as 350 metres away. This makes it a very flexible and versatile monocular that can even be used for hunting. The fact that it offers the ability to take photos and record videos makes it ideal for adventure seekers. It is powered by AA batteries that may run down quickly so you need to be mindful when you are going to use it for long periods.
4. Bushnell Equinox Z
This is one of the products in this list that offer outstanding optical clarity anytime, any day, and anywhere. It has a fairly rugged build. Even though it is not fully water-proof, it boasts of a water-resistant housing that will protect it from rain. Though there are lighter options, it is equally a very portable device. With this device, you can also capture images and record videos, making it a wonderful product for outdoor adventures and wildlife exploration. It is also okay for nocturnal hunting.
The Bushnell Equinox Z has a 30mm objective lens, 1-3x digital zoom and 3x magnification; you can see as far as 200 metres away with this monocular. The multi-coated glass objectives are just very useful. The Equinox Z weighs 2 pounds and can be powered by 4 AA batteries (not included). You can equally charge it through the mini USB port.
5. Gosky Titan 12X50
This is a budget monocular that delivers very clear images with definitive colour reproduction. It is a High Power Prism monocular that is equipped with fully multi-coated green film lens and clear BAK4 prism. There is equally an included smartphone adapter that allows individuals to record images from very far distance and share with the world.
One of the really impressive things about this monocular is the 100% nitrogen filled solid construction. The solid framework is also backed by rubber armour. This construction ensures that the device is water and fog proof. It also prevent dust and debris from getting into the monocular. It is well-suited for outdoor adventures and hunting.
The field angle of the Gosky Titan 12X50 High Power Prism Monocular is 6.5 degrees while field of view is 289ft/100 yards.
6. Nightfox 100V Widescreen Digital NV
This is a new type of digital night vision monocular that has lots of impressive features and advantages over traditional Night Vision monoculars. It is quite easy to use and is not as expensive as most products in its category. The large widescreen viewing monitor is for both eyes and offer convenient viewing even for individuals that wear glasses.
The digital sensor of this device is very sensitive and produce clear vision. There are seven different levels of built-in infrared IR illumination that are suitable for different conditions. The device is powerful enough to let you see clear images as far as 110 yards away at night. Using this device is easier than using most monoculars. The power, zoom and IR illumination buttons are right at your fingertips. The Nightfox 100V Widescreen Digital NV is powered by 4 AA batteries that can serve for 6 straight hours.
7. Night Owl iGEN 20
This has been described as the future of night vision. It is an advanced tech monocular and the new technology definitely helps to improve performance. It also has an enhanced infrared sensitive and variable frame rate. Once you are conversant with how to adjust it to get the best image quality, this amazing device will be very fun to use. Programmable features improve your overall experience.
The Night Owl iGEN 20 Night Vision Monocular has a unique design that makes holding it easy. You can also easily adjust the frame rate from 2 fps to 30 fps depending on the condition of the day/night. This device have limitless range of applications; security, hunting, camping, nature watching and anything you can think of.
8. Night Owl XGen
Night owl is well respected for their monoculars and this is one of the best rated among their numerous options. It features the latest technology in consumer night vision technology and you will definitely love the value you will get from making the purchase. For a start, the overall ergonomic design will definitely appeal to you. It is also lightweight, weighing just 7 ounces.
The Night Owl Xgen 2.1x Digital NV Viewer boast of 2.1x magnification, which is not bad for a product within the price range. It is easy to use, thanks to single button operation, and you will have the option to select from five different settings. There is an in-built infrared illuminator and you can identify targets from 70 yards off. This product also come with a carrying case that add value to the package. It can be powered by 3 AA batteries (not included).
9. Occer 10X42
This is a high power dual focus monocular with 10X magnification and 42mm objective lens. It has lots of other impressive features that will make your experience with it excellent. In terms of construction, the device is beautifully crafted. It is compact and portable, weighing just 0.61 pounds. It has a rubber armour body that is waterproof. This makes it a very durable device. In addition to this, the lens and eyepiece have dust cover to protect their lenses.
The scope of this small monocular is quite impressive. It has large objective lens that can provide clear images of objects from 100 yards away. The adjustable wide cup also means it can fit different people (even those that wear glasses). This monocular is more suitable for casual observation and not for tactical uses.
10. Solomark NV Monocular
Solomark optics is well known for their great outdoor optics and this is one of their best products so far. The digital night vision monocular is well constructed in a compact manner. It is also equipped with high sensitivity sensor that will enable you to see clear images in complete darkness. Additionally, the device has integrated colour LCD-Screen and in-built IR LED illuminator for clear night vision. The monocular is also reasonably priced.
There are some key features that make this device one of the best in the market. The image and video functions as well as the AV and USB function help users capture important moments and share. Other key features include zoom control, illumination flexibility, and low light sensitivity. It can be powered with 4 AA batteries (not included in the package). This Night Vision Monocular has wide use applications.
Buying Guide
How to Choose the Best Night Vision Monoculars
The type of monocular you will need will depend on a number of factors including the intended use. A monocular for soldiers and policemen is not expected to be the type used for observation of wildlife at night. Asides from the purpose or intended use of the device, other factors like your budget and ease of use of the device.
Whatever category of night vision monocular you want to buy, you don’t have to settle for inferior product as there is an abundance of really good ones available in the market. We are going to review the top ten products at the market but we need to guide you appropriately so that you know how to choose the right product for your specific need. Here are some factors you seriously need to consider:
Purpose
We need to stress this point again. The night vision monocular for tactical use or for night-time hunting is not the same you will want for a casual purpose like observation of wildlife at night. While you may need powerful devices that can be attached to your helmet for tactical purpose, a handheld device or one that can be attached to a tripod will be ideal for observation or surveillance purposes. Investing so much in the sort of device you don’t really need will amount to waste.
Generation of Monocular
Night vision monoculars are normally classified according to their generations. There are basically four generation of these devices and they differ in terms of the technologies or the internal intensifier they use and the quality of the vision they produce at night. The first generation devices are the least powerful while the fourth generation are the most powerful. While the first generation monoculars are most suited for casual use like observation and camping, the fourth generation devices are ideal for tactical use and serious surveillance work.
Size and Weight
You also need to pay attention to the size and weight of the night vision monocular you are going to buy. If you need a device you can mount on your helmet, it needs to small and light. A heavy night time monocular will strain your neck. Even if it is light but large, it can still be very uncomfortable to wear. If you want a handheld unit or a monocular you can mount on a tripod for surveillance, the weight and size may not matter so much.
IR Illuminator
The clarity of the vision you can obtain with your monocular will depend on whether the device is compatible with IR illuminators. There are some models that come with in-built IR illuminator and this can be an added advantage. Some internal illuminators even allow for various output levels and this means you can adjust accordingly. Even if it doesn’t come with an internal one, it needs to allow for attachment of external illuminator.
Power Source
The power source is another factor you need to consider when shopping for night vision monoculars. Many models use the AA type of battery. Ensure that whatever power source the device uses, it is adequate to keep it steady for whatever purpose you need it for.
Ease of Use
You also need a night vision monocular that you can actually use. There are several models that are easy to operate and you should consider those that can serve the purpose you want them for and are still easy to use. There is no need for a sophisticated device that will be hard for you to use.
Accessories
There are certain accessories that make the use of night vision monoculars easier and it will be great if you can buy products that have such accessories.