A buddie of mine from work is looking to buy a night-vision optic for precision rifle hunting. He’s looking for a Gen 3 or newer optic, and has found these two options, but is open to suggestions from people that have first hand experience in the matter. It is for civilian use (non-Mil/LE) so please keep that in mind. Money isn’t extremely important, he just wants a good product from a respectable company to stand behind it.
Option 1: Raptor-4X-M644
Option 2: ATN MARS 6x
Option 3: Other suggestions
I would steer away from the ATN based on information read on alot of different NV forums (no personal experience however).
Raptors are nice, I know a gentleman who owns one and he has really liked it. They are a bit on the pricey side. I don’t have a ton of time on it so I can’t really comment too much.
Another option would be the MV-740 or 760. My brother owns one of the 760’s and I have used it alot. It is a quality device and performs really well. We were actually out last night with it and will most likely be going out tonight as well. I will snap some pics or make a video to post up.
Downsides to the 760 that I have noticed are that the factory mount sucks but R&D precision makes an aftermarket one that uses a larue throw lever mount.
Also the adjustment clicks are metric, not a deal breaker however because we never dial the scope once its sighted in.
Yet another option would be a pvs-22 or 27 they are a nv device that goes in front of your day scope. It all kind of depends on if your friend wants to use his day scope or have a dedicated night scope and how much he wants to spend.
Well, my friend’s name is Roy Rogers, out of Richmond (maybe Waco), KY; and I think he decided to buy either the 4x or 6x Raptor, so when his order comes through, you’ll know he made his decision based in part of what he read online, mainly here and on another forum dedicated to NV products…
Wish I had the money to put into something like that…
I’ve got a few scopes from Vic and the gang at TNVC.
The PVS-14, and older Night Quest unit with a near perfect tube.
The D-760GenIII “Hand Select” 6X scope with a spotless tube and great specifications,
And the Latest, a Mil-Spec AN/PVS-22 Universal Night Sight (UNS) “clip-on” which is nothing less than fantastic for performance and clarity.
Please call Vic to discuss your needs, he will take your understanding where you will be able to make the best and most informed decision possible.
How much did you snag the PVS-22 for? TNVC doesn’t list a price, only to call. That may be a good option, if it’s not too late in the ordering process for him. I’ll try to call him now, I just saw the message.
What mounting options are available for that device? As far as olt-rifles are concerned? Is it as good as or better than the Raptor? I like it because it’s not a predetermined magnification, and is rated good at 1-12x, which is great flexibility, IMO.
Thanks for the pics, those are sweet rigs!
What do you do for a living?!? Win the lottery repeatedly?
The UNS comes with an excellent integral LaRue mount that is adjustable. You need some kind of forward rail for mounting it.
I think it’s pretty hard beat a high spec Raptor at 6X, but the UNS when paired with a high quality scope is a lot more versatile with a super clean 10X and is very useable at even higher mags.
I just love the thing mounted in front of a 3.5-4X ACOG, a little overkill for that application but very effective, and great at medium range even in very low ambient light.
With 10X or even more on the USO SN-3 and illumination with IR you have terrific range at night for a sniper weapon or with my Leupold MK4 spotter.
A D-740/760 GenIII is terrific value, but the UNS gives a lot for the additional money (MilSpec $8400!!). It’s also an apparently rugged piece of kit, but I can not express enough my amazement with it’s image quality.
For the most part no banding, sparkles, noise, emission points, spots or anything.
Multiple lotto winnings would be good, but plan ahead and work toward a goal. I gave up any fascination with F/A machine guns long ago, if you find yourself in the financial position to grab some NV gear you’d best do it, few of us have to chance to acquire gear of this category more than one or two well planned chances a lifetime. And what of the investment value, probaly nil unless SHTF. Then priceless!
Give us a call and would be glad to assist! Hope this helps.
