A night vision scope lets you see objects at night that are far apart from you. If you are into hunting or shooting at night, you need to mount a night vision scope on your rifles or crossbow. There are different categories of night vision scopes available and they are categorized based on the range of vision. It is generally referred by the term Generation which actually represents the level of technology used in the night vision scope. For example, the higher the generation, the better will be the vision in terms of range, magnification, and clarity. If you have enough budget, you should buy the best Gen 4 night vision scope to serve all purposes in the best possible way.
Different Types Of Night Vision Scopes –
The Generation designations are given by the US military and there are four types of generations available for night vision scopes.
Generation 1 – They are the basic night vision scopes and they are for those with a small budget. The images are not crystal clear but you can add an infrared illuminator with it to get a better vision. Technically speaking, the resolution in the center is 25-30 lines and on the edge, it is 15-20 lines every millimeter. It is good enough for a vision range of 75 yards. Moreover, they have a short battery life which could be annoying if you are planning a whole night hunting session.
Generation 2 – In comparison to Gen 1, Gen2 night visions copes provided far better brighter images. But there is a big price difference. The resolution is quite better and the vision range is around 200 yards. There is no need for buying an additional IR illuminator. The battery is 2-3 times better than the predecessors.
Generation 3 – There is a marked improvement in Gen 3 night vision scopes that Gen 2. A completely new photocathode material is used which provides far better images in terms of brightness and clarity. The price is also high and unless you have a very high budget, you cannot afford it. It has very long vision range and it should be enough to fulfill all your purposes.
Generation 4 – There is no doubt that it is the best in the lot. They are sold in limited number and they can be used in the daytime as well. They are the most versatile night vision scopes and you can see in pitch dark clearly. If you have the budget, you can go for the best Gen 4 night vision scope and it will take care of all your requirements.