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- Alfred Mendoza
- June 1, 2023
Hitting targets accurately in low-light environments can be a huge challenge, especially if you do not own a night vision scope. However, with all the brands available in the market, how will you know which scope is best in helping you land a precise shot?
Our team spent 48 hours researching and compiling the best night vision scopes under $500!
- Recoil activated video
- Has multiple profiles
- Light-weight
- Has angle to target
- Exact ballistics
- Video is initiated by recoil
- WiFi streaming
- Firmware upgradeable
- Decent reticle options
- Soft blackout eyepiece
- Multi-functional
- Easy to assemble
- Color view for daytime
- Lightweight
- Provides value for money
Table of Contents
- 1 Top 10 Night Vision Scopes Under $500
- 1.1 1. Athlon Optics Argos BTR
- 1.2 2. Sightmark Wraith HD 2-16x28 Night Vision Digital Riflescope
- 1.3 3. BESTSIGHT DIY Digital Night Vision Scope
- 1.4 4. CREATIVE XP Elite Digital Night Vision Binoculars
- 1.5 5. Bestguarder 6x50mm HD Digital Night Vision Monocular
- 1.6 6. Night Owl Optics NightShot Digital Night Vision Riflescope
- 1.7 7. Bushnell Night Vision_Equinox Z2 Monocular
- 1.8 8. BOBLOV Digital Night Vision Scope
- 1.9 9. Sightmark Wraith HD 4-32×50 Digital Riflescope
- 1.10 10. Megaorei Digital Night Vision Scope
- 2 Your Guide to Buying
- 3 Our Team's Selection Process
- 4 FAQs
- 5 What’s Our Choice For The Best Night Vision Scope Under $500?
Top 10 Night Vision Scopes Under $500
1. Athlon Optics Argos BTR
Why We Picked It:
This night vision scope comes with an ultra HD sensor that provides higher resolution, faster optics, and numerous colors. It also comes with video recording features that are compatible with mobile phones. The best thing is, the video recorder starts automatically before and after your shot.
Who Should Use It:
This scope is best for gun owners who want to hit their targets even in the long-range distances at night.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Summary:
The manufacturer ensured that the public would access a night scope with an enhanced HD night vision, a video recorder, and an ultra-low-power profile.
PROS
- Recoil activated video
- Has multiple profiles
- Light-weight
- Has angle to target
- Exact ballistics
CONS
- It does not hold zero
2. Sightmark Wraith HD 2-16x28 Night Vision Digital Riflescope
Why We Picked It:
This scope enables gun owners to shoot their targets either day or night because of the crystal clear vision it provides. It also allows users to calculate ballistics for their long-range and angled shots.
Who Should Use It:
It is best for hunting in a field of view of 1000 yards. If you are having a hard time calculating the range, it automatically adjusts the point of impact.
Summary:
This scope works best any time of the day and grants you accurate shots, even in long distances.
PROS
- Video is initiated by recoil
- WiFi streaming
- Firmware upgradeable
- Decent reticle options
- Soft blackout eyepiece
CONS
- Extremely heavy
- Battery muncher
3. BESTSIGHT DIY Digital Night Vision Scope
Why We Picked It:
It is a digital night vision riflescope that can be used both day and night and comes with very detailed instructions. This also has a 5.0 inches clear display screen with a bright light and an adjustable camera.
Who Should Use It:
This scope can be used by those who conduct surveillance and nighttime wildlife observation and hunting.
Summary:
This convenient and high-quality scope provides a perfect visual experience even in complete darkness and can be used for various purposes like surveillance and hunting.
PROS
- Multi-functional
- Easy to assemble
- Color view for daytime
- Lightweight
- Provides value for money
CONS
- Has unstable mount
- No batteries included
4. CREATIVE XP Elite Digital Night Vision Binoculars
Why We Picked It:
One of the best night vision binoculars, CREATIVE XP Elite offers an 850 NM infrared illuminator that helps hunters see even at night [1]. This also features a 3.5-inch LCD combined with a very high resolution, perfect for scoping your targets.
Who Should Use It:
This scope is for shooters on a tight budget but wants high-end optics for hunting coyotes, hogs, and monitoring cattle.
Summary:
NVB Elite offers a convenient and affordable vision scope for hunters that can help them see up to 1600 ft away.
PROS
- Crystal clear vision
- For military activities
- Multi-coated objective lens
- With eye relief
- Lightweight
CONS
- Loud button clicks
- Screen is too bright
5. Bestguarder 6x50mm HD Digital Night Vision Monocular
Why We Picked It:
This digital night vision monocular enables you to share pictures and videos wirelessly and has a 50mm objective lens and 6x magnification range.
Who Should Use It:
You may use this night vision scope if you are into hunting, scouting, security, camping, and exploring caves because of its 1.5” TFT screen and adjustable IR illuminator.
Summary:
This scope offers high-quality performance and outstanding clarity in typical nighttime environments.
PROS
- Timelapse function
- User-friendly interface
- Multiple functions
- Wide application
- Built well
CONS
- Short battery life
- Compatibility problems
6. Night Owl Optics NightShot Digital Night Vision Riflescope
Why We Picked It:
The Night Owl Digital Night vision riflescope has a built-in IR illuminator and will give you an HD resolution with a 640X480 display. This also gives a sharp focus in 100-200 range yards even when used at night.
Who Should Use It:
This night rifle scope is recommended for those who play paintball or airsoft and for hunters who use rifles ranging up to 30 calibers.
Summary:
This Night Owl Digital Night Vision Binoculars gives its users an excellent experience by providing high-quality images up to 200 yards during day and night use.
PROS
- Easy to mount
- Affordable price
- Lightweight
- Easy to setup
- High-quality
CONS
- Battery doesn’t last long
- Not for people with eyeglasses
7. Bushnell Night Vision_Equinox Z2 Monocular
Why We Picked It:
Bushnell’s night vision monocular has an IR illuminator, 6x magnification, and 50mm objective lens. It also comes with a WiFi feature that allows you to stream live video recording, control image capture, and has an IR light.
Who Should Use It:
This night vision monocular is best for owners who want a clear sight picture of their targets up to 1,000 feet away.
Summary:
This scope comes with an IR illuminator and has a WiFi feature for live streaming.
PROS
- Convenient
- With carrying case
- Easy to use
- Decent lens cap
- Powerful IR illuminator
CONS
- Limited eyepiece adjustment
- Hard to replace the battery cap
8. BOBLOV Digital Night Vision Scope
Why We Picked It:
Boblov’s night vision monocular scope enables shooters to sight picture up to 200 yards away and even in complete darkness. It also has an infrared illuminator and gives a high-resolution display with a 5x to 8x digital zoom.
Who Should Use It:
This scope is perfect for viewing wildlife (thanks to its optics) and camping at nighttime (thanks to its brightness that gives eye relief).
Summary:
This scope allows you to see up to 200 yards away even at night and is best for viewing wildlife and camping activities.
PROS
- Camouflage experience
- 16GB memory included
- Adjustable brightness
- Practical monocular scope
- Sharp focus
CONS
- Fiddly buttons
- Small field depth
9. Sightmark Wraith HD 4-32×50 Digital Riflescope
Why We Picked It:
This digital night vision riflescope grants shooters 8x digital zoom, 1080P HD digital imaging, ten reticle patterns with nine colors, and video recording with a battery that lasts up to 4.5 hours.
Who Should Use It:
Thanks to its high-resolution imaging, this digital scope is recommended for open field and pipeline hunting up to 200 yards.
Summary:
This night vision riflescope allows you to enjoy your hunting activities for up to 4.5 hours and gives a high-quality image even at night.
PROS
- Fixed Picatinny mount type
- Battery lasts long
- High-quality image
- Great color screen
- Easy to operate
CONS
- Heavy materials used
- Does not hold zero
10. Megaorei Digital Night Vision Scope
Why We Picked It:
Megaorei offers a digital night vision riflescope with HD video and photo recording that functions perfectly even in complete darkness. It has a super infrared vision at night and a laser that can help increase your observation range up to 1300 feet.
Who Should Use It:
This is one of the rifle scopes that work best for shooters who want an adjustable infrared camera that can cover long distances for nighttime hunting.
Summary:
This night vision technology allows hunters to sight pictures using an infrared laser and has an adjustable camera.
PROS
- Shock resistant
- Enhance observation range
- Worth the price
- Simple to install
- Super infrared night vision
CONS
- Needed lens mount customization
- Not for high powered rifles
Your Guide to Buying
Magnification & Clarity
Night vision optics are created mainly for outdoor activities, especially those done at nighttime. This is one of the main reasons why it is necessary to look for scopes that offer a high-quality field of vision. Look for night binoculars that give sharp images and high image resolution even in long distances.
Power Source
Since these scopes are best used at night, it is necessary to buy scopes that will last long. This will enable you to enjoy your outdoor activities without worrying about your scope’s battery life. You can also bring spare batteries for your scope, just in case.
Signal To Noise Ratio
Hunters often need laser focus when observing or sighting their targets, especially at night. The signal to noise of a night vision scope matters as overly loud noises may distract you while taking your shot. Always remember that a smaller signal-to-noise ratio gives you a better scope and affects the image intensification significantly.
Detection Range
If you are hunting or observing wildlife, our team recommends a night vision scope with a far detection range reaching 800 yards and above. Look for night binoculars that have 10x magnification and are more compact and lighter.
Generation
Gen-1
The Gen 1 night vision scope has a red duplex reticle to help you focus your aim on your target. This can help you shoot even moving objects or animals. Moreover, this reticle from Gen 1 night vision can help you aim both day and night accurately.
Gen-2
The best Gen 2 night vision scopes help gun owners to maximize utility for an accurate view enhancement when doing their expeditions. Enjoy using the scope from 2,500 up to 5,000 hours with more light and clear images when hunting.
Gen-3
Gen 3 night vision scopes are often used for military and law enforcement activities because of their unique specifications and ease of use in the field [2]. These will give you clear and bright images of your target, even in low light conditions and even without the help of IR.
Gen-4
Gen 4 scopes have better image intensification and perform well even in dim environments. This generation is for professionals who undergo numerous operations. Expect that Gen 4 is more expensive than the others because it has a built-in system that enhances detection and range.
Also Read:
Field of View & Resolution
The field of view of your night scope matters as it reflects the image clarity while sighting your target. Take note that when you have a higher scope magnification, your field of view is smaller. Gun owners prefer scopes with high resolution for better target acquisition.
Build Quality & Durability
Of course, gun owners prefer durable and well-built night scopes for their rifles. Some are looking for water and shockproof scopes that can suit their outdoor expeditions. Look for a night vision rifle scope made from aluminum or other durable material so it can last long and survive any weather conditions you may encounter along the way.
Compactness & Portability
The best night vision scope for gun owners is compact, portable, and can easily be used in any circumstances. If possible, look for a scope that doesn’t have fitting requirements. A portable scope allows you to bring it anywhere, especially if you have a long way to go.
Size & Weight
The best night vision scopes must be small, lightweight, and comfortable to use. Heavy scopes can add more pressure and may affect the way you aim at your target.
Price
The best night vision scopes are usually priced higher when compared to other scopes because of the materials used and the outstanding features they have. If you don’t have bucks to spare at the moment, you can always go for a cheap night vision scope first and go for an upgrade when you have the means to do so.
Our team recommends looking for a scope that fits your budget but offers high-quality performance.
Our Team's Selection Process
Overall Performance
Our team selects products in the market based on their features and their quality performance (based on the review of users). Hence, the brands mentioned above come highly recommended by shooters and are considered some of the best night vision scopes under $500.
Weapon Compatibility
When buying a scope, it is important to determine if it goes well and is 100% compatible with the guns and rifles you own. We believe that a mount compatible gun scope can help gun owners save more money, ensure their safety, and leave them with nothing but a great experience.
Product Quality
We included brands that garnered numerous positive user feedback based on quality, availability, delivery, and even customer service. Even though some of the brands included have a relatively low price compared to other brands, you can be sure that you will be getting high-quality scopes that provide value for your money.
FAQs
The best night vision rifle scope under $500 is the Athlon scope because of its superb optics and exemplary night vision mode that can help you hunt coyotes at night. Its battery can also last up to 18 hours, so you will be able to enjoy your expeditions for a long time and practice your shooting skills at nighttime.
Yes, there are lots of reliable vision scopes available in the market priced under $500. The manufacturers ensure that they have used high-quality materials to make the scopes durable and secure.
Athlon Optics Argos BTR is the best night vision scope for shooting long distances. It is considered a pretty good night vision scope because it has a field of view that can reach 1,000 yards. It also has a smart range finder that can be adjusted automatically to help you aim at your target precisely.
What’s Our Choice For The Best Night Vision Scope Under $500?
After testing, researching, and checking consumer reviews, we can say that our choice for the best night vision scope under $500 is the Athlon Optics Argos BTR Rifle Scope.
It has an ultra HD 4k sensor and 4 dual-core processor, resulting in higher resolution, faster optics, and millions of colors! Our team loves this scope because it also has a ballistic calculator, which helps ensure that you will be aiming at your target accurately, even in long-distance shots.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Our #1 Recommendation
Athlon Optics Argos BTR
- Dual-stream video recording
- Ultra-Low Power Profile
- Recoil Activated Video
- Long battery life
