Night Vision Scope for Crossbow
If you enjoy hunting in low light and prefer a crossbow to a rifle. Then you should invest in a good night vision scope, which will provide you with the highest quality image and help you succeed in your hunting.
The market is flooded with night vision scopes, but not all of them are effective. This can easily leave you undecided when deciding which one to choose.
Fortunately, this article will walk you through the selection process. It will also recommend the best night vision scope for your crossbow.
Let us get started right away…
Best Night Vision Scope for Crossbow- Top Picks
- ATN ThOR 4 4.5-18x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope
- SightMark Wraith 4K Mini 2-16x32mm Digital Scope
- ATN X-Sight 4K Pro Edition 5-20x70mm Scope
- Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ38 2.5-10x Thermal Scope
- Night Owl Optics NightShot 3x Night Vision Scope
1. ATN ThOR 4 4.5-18x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope
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The ATN thOR 4 combines technology from the past and present to give you a clear image and a long target range.
One of the strengths of this scope is the ultra-sensitive heat sensor. With the ability to detect heat signatures over a greater distance, Unlike most other rifles at this price point.
The scope comes with a ballistic calculator that gives the user the ability to choose up to 6 profiles. To enable that perfect shot depending on the state of the target.
Additionally, the scope is user-friendly, with simple and intuitive controls. It has a large eye relief and field of view, as well as an ergonomic design.
One disadvantage of this scope is its weight. The manufacturer used solid materials, which make it bulky. However, this makes it rugged that it would outlast most others in a bumpy, harsh environment.
Pros
- Long-distance range and magnification
- Displays a high-quality image
- Can be used day and night
- Low power consumption
- Durable construction
Cons
- Heavy
- Slightly expensive
2. SightMark Wraith 4K Mini 2-16x32mm Digital Scope
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The Sightmark Wraith is a solid choice as a day/night scope. The scope captures a crisp image with the help of a 4K CMOS sensor, and sufficient light thanks to a bright 850nm of illumination.
The image is then displayed on a 1280×720 FLCOS screen. That makes it even better for the person viewing it.
The scope is extremely compact, both in its dimension and weight. But that doesn’t mean that it’s been stripped down of features.
The weight reduction results from the use of aluminum material. That makes it solid for the outdoors. It’s also shockproof and features an IPX6 level of weather protection.
Other features include a 300-yard range in low-light conditions, a 16X magnification, and a daytime color mode for use when it is not dark outside.
The scope also has the option of 14 reticle choices and 9 colors. All of which are available at a similar price. These additional options give it the perfect value, and makes it one of the best night vision scope for a crossbow.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Crispy clear image
- Sturdy construction
- Video and image recording capabilities
- Good range and magnification
- 14 reticle options
Cons
- Using it requires some getting used to.
3. ATN X-Sight 4K Pro Edition 5-20x70mm Scope
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This is a popular choice for use with either a rifle or a crossbow. It is reasonably priced, resulting in greater value for the user.
The scope uses a high-definition 4K sensor to give you a crisp view of your target objects, and supports wi-fi so you can pair it with any of your favorite gadgets. It can also record the videos of your activities.
Next, because it uses low power to illuminate the object, it can provide up to 18 hours of battery life
Much effort has gone into making the scope user-friendly and long-lasting. Some of the features include a generous eye relief of 90mm, which allows the scope to be used with high-recoil rifles and by users who wear glasses.
A weather-resistant lens with a 70mm objective lens diameter lets in more light to provide the clearest image of the target.
lastly, a ballistic calculator and smart range finder help make perfect adjustments to the scope based on the target.
Pros
- Recoil Activated Video
- Up to 18 Hours of Battery Life
- One Shot Zero feature
- Ultra-Low Power Consumption
- Includes a Ballistic Calculator and Smart Range Finder
- Has Recoil Resistance
Cons
- 2 lbs. can be hefty for some users
4. Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ38 2.5-10x Thermal Scope
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Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ38 is a thermal scope with some of the most premium characteristics.
This rifle scope may appear to be expensive at first glance, but that is not the case when you consider the value that it provides.
It employs a variety of techniques to produce exceptional image quality that is unrivaled by any of its competitors at this price.
It also has unrivaled range, with the ability to detect heat signals as far as 2000 yards away, far more than a crossbow can hit a target.
Moreover, it is simple to mount with standard 30mm scope rings. There are no special tools or equipment required. It is also simple to use, with only three function buttons on the top of the device.
Finally, it is lightweight and durable, with an IPx7 waterproof rating. The lightweight feature was achieved by using a light aluminum housing that can also withstand impact.
Pros
- Excellent range of 1850M
- Long battery life
- High-quality images
- Easy to operate
- Customizable reticle options
- Picture-in-picture feature
Cons
- Pricey
- Smaller field of view
5. Night Owl Optics NightShot 3x Night Vision Scope
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If you need a low-cost alternative that still provides excellent value, this is the first option you should consider.
The Nightshot uses digital night vision to process an image under low-light conditions and deliver to you a clear image of the target.
In a typical nighttime environment, the scope can target targets up to 100 yards away and has a 3x magnification for a closer look of the target.
It is designed to withstand.30 caliber recoil when used with a rifle, and it has been weatherproofed to ensure that it can withstand the harsh outdoor environment.
The downside of this scope lies in its battery life. Although it’s sufficient for on and off use. Continually using the scope to track and fire at your target will drain its battery rather easily in less than 3 hours.
Pros
- Comes at an affordable price
- Delivers Good quality images
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Can be used in both day and night
Cons
- Less durable battery
- Small eye relief
- A fixed magnification.
Night Vision Scope for Crossbow-Buying Guide
From all the countless night vision scopes available on the market. There are a few characteristics that you can look at to help you decide on the perfect option to have for your crossbow. These are the more important characteristics;
Magnification
The magnification level on a scope is denoted by the letter “X” which means the number of times the image has been enlarged. Compared to the original image visible through the scope.
We have two types of magnification in scopes. Fixed magnification, and variable magnification. A scope with fixed magnification comes with only one level of magnification and the user is not able to change it.
Conversely, a variable magnification means that the user is able to make a choice between two minimum and maximum levels of magnification.
Consider purchasing a variable magnification scope to help you adjust for different target positions. However, avoid scopes that have a minimum magnification of more than 3.5X. This is because it will obstruct your aim if you intend to target objects that are closer to you.
A maximum magnification of at least 5X is more than sufficient. But only useful if you intend to aim at targets over long distances such as 400 yards.
Image Quality
The image quality is determined first by the diameter of the objective lens. The objective lens diameter is the opening at the front of the lens that lets in the light.
A larger opening usually results in a clearer image because more light is let in to brighten the image. A wide objective lens, on the other hand, has the disadvantage of making the scope larger and unwieldy.
Another thing that affects the image quality is the amount of coating on the lenses. Manufacturers often use various coatings on the surface of the lens. To reduce reflective loss and improve the light transmission rate through the lens.
The level of coating is usually indicated by the manufacturer and high-quality coating results in a better image.
Durability
The outdoorsy comprises harsh weather environment. In addition to the occasional bumps and knocks that occur to the scope. A good scope should have some level of weatherproofing against elements like; rain fog, and snow. The material used should also be solid enough to withstand regular impacts.
Thermal vs Night vision
Thermal uses the heat differential between a target object and its surroundings to form an image that is displayed to the user.
Night vision on the other hand magnifies the ambient light surrounding the image. So that it becomes bright enough to be viewed by the user.
Although both are equally as good for targeting in the dark. Thermal scopes are able to display images of targets behind obstructions. And also, can be used both day and night without suffering damage.
See Also: Difference between thermal and infrared scopes
Weight
The weight of your scope can have a major effect on your targeting. This is because a heavy scope can weigh down your scope and interfere with your accuracy.
Most people consider a weight of no more than 2lbs to be manageable.
Night Vision Scope for Crossbow-FAQs
What is the range of a night vision scope?
The range of a night vision scope depends on the type of scope. Manufacturers give different scopes different capability, based on the price range and type of technology used. Basic models have a range of around 200 yards. While more advanced models can have a range of more than 3000 yards.
Can you use a rifle scope on a crossbow?
Yes. A rifle scope can be used on a crossbow, but there are some factors to consider before doing so, such as magnification, reticle design, and objective lens diameter.
CONCLUSION
We hope that this guide will be extremely useful in determining the best night vision scope for your crossbow. We’ve also included some scopes that use thermal technology to provide images of your targets at night.
If a specific scope that you want isn’t on our list, use the guide we’ve provided to decide on which night vision scope to buy. To select from the numerous options available on the market
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