Welcome to my review of the best night vision monuculars of 2020.
Long range sports like golfing, shooting, bowing, and even military operations require devices which can be used to track the objects or targets from a distance. You will need a device which can accurately show the object and the distance it is at from you.
In the daytime, you would not find it to be a difficult task as you can use a regular rangefinder, binocular, or monocular to get the job done. But when it is the night time, the issue gets a lot more difficult as normal devices cannot work without the light which is needed to reflect from the object. So there comes a need for you to look for a device which works during the night. Night vision monoculars are such devices which can help you keep track of your target with ease during the nights.
In this article, we will be discussing different Night Vision Monoculars which can come in handy for you. Whether it is a tactical sport, hunting, or any kind of professional operations, these devices have great use during the night. It works like a charm as you do not need external light to keep track of the object.
An external source of light can result in the target noticing that it is being watched and can flee the location easily. To avoid this being happening, we use night vision monoculars to help us get through the issue of not being able to keep track of the target at night. If you do not know what a monocular is, it is a refracting telescope which is modified to magnify the images of targets which are at a distance from the process of passing light through prisms or lenses which is kept in series.
But purchasing a monocular can turn out to be a tough task. There are so many different types of monoculars available in the market that you might find it difficult to choose one which suits you the best. The selection available to you range from affordable to expensive and great quality to the worst quality. This makes it important to have enough information at your hands before purchasing a monocular.
What are the best Night Vision Monoculars for 2020?
You should know the aspects which decide whether a monocular is suitable for you or not. Once you have all the information, it becomes easy for you to make the decision. So, we have come up with this list of the best Night Vision Monoculars after putting in a lot of research, based on which you can make the purchase. So, go ahead and take a look at all the aspect and help yourself purchase the best Night Vision Monocular which suits your needs.
Amazon product1. Bushnell Equinox Z Digital Night Vision Monocular – Affordable Without Any Compromise
This item has earned Editors’ Choice for its outstanding quality and performance.
The Bushnell Equinox Z comes in three different models. But the one which is mentioned in this article is the 3x 30 magnification variant. One of the best features about this monocular is that it weighs only about 425 grams which is close to 15 ounces.
This makes the monocular easy to carry around as it is comparatively lightweight. The monocular has a viewing range of about 200 meters which comes around 656 feet.
For a 3x magnification monocular at such as price range, this is the ideal range you can expect it to have. The monocular has a field of view of about 30 feet at 100 yards. The field of view would help you get a better view of things as it covers more space than most of the monoculars from the same range.
And not to mention, the name Bushnell is one of the best manufacturers of both binoculars and monoculars. With expertise spanning over many years, they have gained the reputation as one of the best in the market. As a company which produces devices with sturdy construction and best features, Bushnell has again hit the target with Equinox Z and leaves you with no doubts about purchasing this amazing product. The device works on four AA batteries which deliver great battery backup. But it might be a bit hard to find the alkaline or lithium batteries as it is not easily available. It comes with an infrared illuminator which makes it easy to observe in the dark. And you get a tripod stand to keep the device on.
One of the downside when it comes to this device is that you do not get the option to record both video and audio. Unlike other models, the 3x 30 model does not feature it. If you really want that option to be there, it would be a better option to go for either 6x 50 or 4.5x 40. Also, you have the auto-off feature which turns off the battery after some time of being idle. This is an efficient way to save battery. Click here to see the latest price.
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact
- Auto off feature
- Good battery backup
- Great range for the price range
- 3x magnification
Cons:
- Use of AA batteries
- Does not have video or audio recording option
2. Bestguarder 6x50mm HD Digital Night Vision Monocular – Excellent Range
Shenzhen Siyuan Digital Technology Inc is the manufacturer of Bestguarder monoculars. They are comparatively new to the device manufacturing market but have already made a name for themselves with their amazing products.
The Bestguarder monocular is no different as it is one of the best monocular you can purchase at the price range. It has a built-in infrared illuminator which makes the work of tracking things during the night much easier.
One of the main features to take about when it comes to this device is its range. It has an astounding range of about 1150 feet, which is pretty uncommon for any monocular for the price range. Produced in the city of Shenzhen in China, Bestguarder monocular is a masterpiece which is manufactured in accordance with all the rules and regulations regarding monocular manufacturing.
It boasts a 5x magnification with an objective lens of 50mm. It offers great optical quality which is ideal for any monocular. This also helps in better viewing during the night. A great choice if you are an explorer or hunter as it serves the purpose of being a great night vision monocular and also gives an amazing range. In the package, you can expect the device.
And it also comes with the TV and USB cable which lets you save memory on the go by connecting to a laptop. Then you have the cleaning cloth, the pouch, and a portable removable strap which makes it easy for you to carry the monocular around. It also has the mountable tripod jack which lets you connect it to a tripod in case you do not want to hold it for longer periods of time. The device operates on four AA batteries or a power bank whichever you prefer. The AA batteries are not provided with the package, and you will have to get it separately.
It offers the ability to take great photos and videos. When it comes to pictures, you can choose different qualities ranging from 640×480 pixels, 1600×1200 pixels, and 2592×1944 pixels. The videos come at 30 frames per second for both 640×480 pixels and 1280×720 pixels. Also, you can add date and time stamps on both the videos and pictures. These are the features which really does come in handy. The device weighs at two pounds and has a sturdy built which can withstand few impacts with ease. It has a field of view of 20.5 feet, and it is ideal to be used in the daytime too. Click here to see the latest price.
Pros:
- 1150 feet range and 20.5 feet field of view
- 5x magnification with a 50mm objective lens
- Audio and video recording feature
- Ideal for both day and night
Cons:
- Use of AA batteries
- The company is new in the market
If you want the highest quality without spending upwards of a 1000 bucks, this is the rangefinder to go with.
3. Firefield 5×50 Nightfall 2 Night Vision Monocular – Pocket-Sized Powerhouse
We have this notion that the bigger the device, the better it works. But Firefield Night Vision Monocular proves this wrong with some great features which you cannot turn your eyes away from.
Compared to some of the monoculars available for purchase in the market, this one is tiny and might make you think it would not fair good in comparison to the rest. But you have got it all wrong.
The device has everything you expect from the product of its price range. From a well-built design to the ability to see at the darkest of the nights, Firefield Night Vision Monocular is a beast. If you are planning to make darkness your home, it would be a wise decision to carry this amazing piece of equipment with you. Though you might get the feeling that the monocular might be a bit front heavy, you will realize when you use that it has an ergonomic shape which can be held comfortably.
The infrared illuminator does a great job as we were able to get 75 feet vision even without it. Once the infrared illuminator was turned on, the range increased by a lot. It offers a resolution of about 36 lines per millimeter which is great when you think about the price range it belongs to. The 5x magnification delivers a lot when it is combined with the 15 degrees field of view. The device is fully water-resistant and can withstand any kind of harsh conditions. This allows you to take it with you anywhere with you not worrying about how the climate would affect the device.
All in all, the Firefield Night Vision Monocular is a device which is well rounded in all the aspects that makes a monocular great. At this price range, you really cannot expect a device to do more, and you would find it really worth to purchase it. Yes, it does lack some features when compared to other monoculars, but it sure does the job when it comes to something more than simple surveillance during the night. Click here to see the latest price.
Pros:
- Ergonomic and compact design
- Water-resistant
- 5x magnification
- Great battery backup
- Lightweight and easy to carry around
Cons:
- Use of AA batteries which are not included with the package
- From the right angle, the infrared light is visible to the observers
4. Barska NVX100 3x Night Vision Monocular – Great Design With Easy Grip
Barska NVX100 is a monocular which features a definite design when you compare it with the rest of the Night Vision Monoculars you have seen on this list.
The design only deserves applause as they have gone ahead and showed the courage to try something different. But that is not the only thing about this amazing piece of gadget which you should take note of.
Barska NVX100 is a great night vision monocular for its price as it features a 3x magnification and a digital zoom of 2x. When these two features are combined, you get a monocular which delivers a great range and ability to survey things with ease. It does not matter whether you are using it for sports, tactical operations, or hunting, this monocular is a great companion.
The infrared illuminator is of the highest quality which lets you magnify and survey objects when there is little to no light. The device is also capable of taking magnified pictures and videos of the object. This is a feature which comes in handy a lot in case you want to collect data about a particular surveillance.
The image quality and clear view of the object in itself sets the device apart from all its competitors. It has a resolution of 640 x 480 which is ideal for a device from this price range. It comes with a micro SD slot which allows you to get extra storage space. The battery used to run this device is 4 AA batteries. This delivers a battery life of about 2 to 5 hours. A 1gb micro SD card is already provided with the package. It also comes with a neck strap, a USB and AV cable, and a carrying case.
It can be easily said that the Barska NVX100 Night Vision Monocular is one of the best monocular you can purchase from the price range. It has all the features which make it worth every penny you pay. And the design is something admirable. So make sure to keep an eye on this product when you are planning on a purchase. Click here to see the latest price.
Pros:
- 3x magnification with 2x digital zoom
- High-quality infrared illuminator
- Video and audio recording capability
Cons:
- Use of AA batteries
5. Armasight Spark Multi-Purpose Night Vision Monocular – Ceramic Optical Ruggedized Engine Technology
Armasight Spark Multi-Purpose Night Vision Monocular is one of the Generation 1 night vision monocular to have the CORE technology.
It is a versatile product which combines great performance to give you a monocular you have never seen before. It has a 50mW built-in infrared illuminator which gives it the ability to give a clear view during the night.
The 1x magnification is one of the features which might be considered to be a letdown for the device. But depending on your use, it can also be more than enough. So you might need to do a proper check on what your requirement is before purchasing this device. The 20mm objective lens is great to give you impressive images through the darkness when the infrared illuminator is on.
The device is fully water-resistant. This comes in handy when you are using it in places where the weather condition is harsh. You get to carry it around without worrying about the effect of moisture on it. It also has tethered objective lens caps which protects the lens from external factors. The wide rubberized wing caps make it easier for you to have a grip on the monocular.
It also comes with the ability to mount it on a headgear, helmet or a tripod, which would make it easier for you to comfortably carry the device. Like most other monocular, Armasight uses a CR-123 battery which is expensive and hard to get in the market. But it does deliver great power backup for the device.
The lightweight and durable monocular will be a great addition to your gadgets. You will not regret buying this product as it is one of the best you can buy from this price range. You also get a soft carry bag and a lens tissue with the package. Click here to see the latest price.
Pros:
- Comes with Ceramic Optical Ruggedized Engine (CORE) Technology
- Built-in infrared illuminator ideal for night time viewing
- Tethered objective lens cap and rubberized wing caps
- Ability to mount on weapon, headgear, or helmet
Cons:
- Use of expensive lithium-ion CR-123 batteries
Buying Guide – Night Vision Monocular
Anything you put money in for is an investment. It is no different when it comes to Night Vision Monoculars. It is an investment you make for a good period of time. So it is necessary to find the right monocular before you make the purchase. If you end up with the wrong one, you might either have to purchase another one or get stuck with the one which does not satisfy your needs. So, it is always better to know the features and the things you are expecting from the monocular before making the purchase. In this section of the article, we have put together the aspects you have to look into to get a clear idea before you make the purchase of a monocular.
Your needs and budget
The first thing you have to take into account is your budget and the features you are expecting from the monocular. If you know the budget, you can easily eliminate the monoculars which fall short are over it. This gives a clear idea of the monoculars which are there in your budget and let you make an informed decision based on it. Also, if you know the requirements, it will be easy for you to filter out the monoculars which do not have the features you need or which has more features than required. Shelling out more money for a feature you are never going to use will not be a wise decision.
The Generation
With the increase in generation, the performance of the monocular does increase. So you should always choose which generation will be able to satisfy your requirement the most. The life expectancy and the performance of monoculars in Generation 1 to 3 vary a lot. So there is a need for you to put great thought into the one which would suit you best.
Accessories
Having the right accessories with your monocular will make a great difference in the way you use it. If you are stuck with the right monocular but the wrong accessories, you might not be able to make full use of it. So, find out the accessories which are needed and buy a monocular which comes with all these accessories so that you do not have to make additional purchases.
This is our #1 ranked rangefinder for 2021. It features a lot of great technology and is overall one of the most advanced rangefinders you can get.
Conclusion: Best Night Vision Monoculars
All in all, it comes down to your preference. Your needs and your budget are the two things which define the kind of monocular you can buy. So set these things up first and then proceed to make the purchase.
