AR rifles are among the most versatile rifles out there. But for precision shooting, you need an excellent scope. In this post, I’ll discuss the best night vision scope for AR-15.
One of the biggest challenges most shooters face is choosing a suitable scope. There are four generations of night vision scopes. Gen 4 is the latest technology with unbeatable clarity.
These technologies make choosing the best night vision scopes a challenge. Read through and carefully choose the suitable one.
Main Contents
- Our Recommendations – Best Ar-15 Night Vision Scope
- 1. Night Owl Optics NightShot Rifle Scope
- 2. Bushnell Equinox 5x32mm Night Vision Monocular
- 3. Sightmark Wraith Digital Night Vision Riflescope
- 4. Firefield NVRS 3×42 Gen 1 Night Vision Riflescope
- 5. Sightmark Photon RT 6-12×50 Digital Night Vision Riflescope
- 6. theOpticGuru ATN X-Sight-4k Pro Smart Day/Night Scope
- 7. BESTSIGHT Night Vision Scope,DIY Night Vision
- Buying Guide- Tips When Buying a Night Vision Scope for AR-15
- Conclusion
Our Recommendations – Best Ar-15 Night Vision Scope
1. Night Owl Optics NightShot Rifle Scope
The Night Owl optics is our first choice night vision scope for AR-15 to consider buying. It’s a high-quality scope with 100 yards range in typical nighttime equipment.
The scope is pretty simple to use, mount, sight, and shoot. This is a quality scope that delivers sharp and bright images. It boasts a high resolution of 640 by 480 for excellent images.
It’s a versatile scope to use with rifles of up to 30 calibers. The scope comes with a built-in infrared illuminator. You can spot targets even on the darkest nights. The scope also works for daytime use without damage.
Overalls, this is a lightweight design scope for night hunting. The scope weighs a mere 1.4 pounds and will not add much weight to your rifle. It’s one of the low-cost riflescopes out there that will deliver clear and sharp images.
2. Bushnell Equinox 5x32mm Night Vision Monocular
The Bushnell Equinox is a leading night vision monocular to use for night hunting. It’s a quality scope built in the USA to the highest standards. The scope has been serving outdoor enthusiasts for over 70 years.
It also comes with a simple video recording feature that works for day or night use. The video seamlessly records and stores in a micro SD chip. There is a further built-in illuminator. The infrared illuminator allows for clear and sharp images in total darkness.
The night vision range exceeds 650 feet for versatile use. This is a versatile scope for night or day viewing. The scope also comes with a tripod mounting adaptor for stable use.
Overall, this is a quality scope with a 5X zoom that brings out clear and bright details. It’s an exciting scope for 24/7 daylight and night viewing.
3. Sightmark Wraith Digital Night Vision Riflescope
The Sightmark Wraith is another excellent digital night vision scope with day and night modes. It’s a reliable scope with full-day color viewing. The scope also delivers the classic green or black and white for night vision.
This is a leading sight mark scope with a high-definition sensor. The sensor delivers high-resolution imaging. It also supports video recording with 1080p HD resolution.
Shooters can enjoy an amazing 8X digital zoom. There are two 2X optical systems that deliver up to 16X magnification. You can be sure of high-quality HD photo or video recordings.
But the memory card is not included and must be bought separately. Overall, this is a lightweight design scope with aluminum material construction.
4. Firefield NVRS 3×42 Gen 1 Night Vision Riflescope
FireField is a Gen 1 night vision scope and one of the most affordable choices for an AR-15. It’s a premium scope that will deliver high-quality images and resolution. The scope is also lightweight and durable. It features a titanium body construction and a further water-resistant IPX4 rating.
This is a proven scope to carry and use in the most rugged terrains and harsh weather conditions. It can withstand a few falls and bumps. The scope is pretty easy to use and mount. It features a quick detach weaver mount for quick and easy mounting.
There is a further built-in powered infrared illuminator for added illumination. The illuminator adds to the ambiance of light from the moon for excellent viewing.
This is an ergonomic design scope for AR-15 with a quick power-up. The scope is pretty easy to use and adjust. It boasts incremental reticle brightness adjustment to ensure clear and bright images.
However, be sure of the extra weight as it weighs 2 pounds.
5. Sightmark Photon RT 6-12×50 Digital Night Vision Riflescope
The Sightmark is another exciting digital night vision scope to consider buying. It’s a quality scope with advanced scope features. The scope boasts a Wi-Fi remote view which you can watch via the pulsar stream vision.
In addition, it features video and audio recording. The scope captures clear and sharp videos of the shots. This is a precise digital night vision scope with a one-shot zero function.
The scope also delivers amazing resolution with a 768×576 CMOS sensor. It boasts 6 reticle options with four colors to ensure bright and clear images. There is a further built-in illuminator to ensure enhanced brightness when there is a lot of darkness.
Sightmark also comes with a USB cable, user manual, carrying case, and a spare battery pouch. It’s one of those few scopes that comes ready to use. It even includes a lens cloth to easily wipe your lens.
Overall, this is a versatile scope available in 2X to 12X digital zoom. It also features a built-in infrared illuminator with 850nm allowing shooters to hone targets up to 280 yards away.
The scope is also water-resistant, with IP55 water resistance to prevailing bad weather. It’s one of the few scopes that you can easily customize to suit your needs.
6. theOpticGuru ATN X-Sight-4k Pro Smart Day/Night Scope
This is an obsidian IV Dual Core Processor night vision scope to consider buying. It’s a top-quality scope with an ultra-HD Sensor. It’s a versatile night scope that will satisfy all your day and night hunting needs.
The scope boasts a rich color palette for sharp daylight images and black and white images for night use. It’s a proven scope to use during the day and night. The scope also features a dual stream video recording and Wi-Fi streaming.
What’s more, the video streaming and recording can turn on simultaneously without affecting performances. The scope also features a ballistic calculator that makes every shot a kill. The feature automatically adjusts the point of impact by considering the ammo type, environmental data, and range of the target.
Video recording is recoil-activated to focus on the game. The scope automatically senses the recoil and stores the video on the SD card. This is an ultra-low power consumption with over 18 hours of use.
7. BESTSIGHT Night Vision Scope,DIY Night Vision
Bestsight Night Vision is another excellent scope to consider buying. It’s a proven scope with high-quality components. This is a high-quality night vision scope with multiple features for versatile use. The scope can suit a wide range of activities.
This is a perfect choice scope to ensure an excellent view in complete darkness. It comes easy to use with detailed instructions for easy assembly and mounting. There is a further 5.0 inches screen display that captures a 360-degree view.
In addition, the scope features a 5W infrared flashlight for added night vision. But you can still add a few infrared illuminators for an amazing vision.
Overall, this is a decent choice scope to order with confidence right away. It’s a lightweight design scope that works perfectly. But you will need to buy a battery separately.
Buying Guide- Tips When Buying a Night Vision Scope for AR-15
Weight is crucial
Weight is crucial when moving around with your scope for hours. A big night scope is easier to mount and zero. You’ll have a lot easy time working on it. But everything changes once you start moving around.
AR-15 are designed to be lightweight and portable. This makes it easier to move them around. You must consider how much scope weight you’re adding to the AR-15.
Optic attachments or Optic
Not every night vision will work as an optic. This is a crucial factor to consider. Can night vision work as an optic? What are the attachments accompanying the night vision?
Is there a device that you can attach to have the optic work as night vision? Consider a night vision that can be used for both day and night. It’s a better option than buying a night vision scope and an extra scope for day use.
Battery Life
Night vision devices run on power from batteries. From rechargeable batteries to standard alkaline batteries, there are options to consider. Lithium batteries are among the best and shine the brightest.
Lithium batteries are big and deliver the longest performances. But they tend to be more expensive than standard alkaline batteries. How long will you be out with your scope? Consider that period and choose a battery that will last that period.
Most batteries last from a few hours to 18+ hours.
Generations 1-4
Optics exist in generations 1-4. Gen 1 is the simplest and uses the principle of amplifying technologies. It’s also the most common scope out there. Gen 2 adds an extra micro-channel plate that adds more light. But it also costs more.
Next, we have generation 3, which adds gallium arsenide to make brighter and sharper images. Lastly, we have gen 4 with the latest technologies. It’s the most expensive, with prices rising as you go high for the generations.
Conclusion
Finding the best night vision scope for AR-15 should not be a difficult task when you know the top picks and factors to consider. A night vision scope is a crucial optical piece to use for night hunting. With so many options in the market, it’s hard to know which is the best.
Travis Mike is a firearm enthusiast and author passionate about all things guns. With 10 years of experience in the industry, Travis Mike has gained a wealth of knowledge on the subject. He is skilled in gunsmithing and tactical training. In addition to professional experience, Travis Mike is an avid hunter and shooter, regularly participating in local shooting ranges and hunting trips.