by Rod_outbak » 28 Oct 2018, 8:38 am
Spud,
We have used 2 different types of IR Night-Vision scopes; a dedicated IR NV scope with built-in illuminator, and also the Nite-Site brand plug-on arrangement, which uses the optics on your rifle scope, and simply provides the other bits to make it an IR scope.
The dedicated IR NV scope has been a bit of a disappointment, and I still dont know if we have a defective scope, or if we have defective operators.
[Could be either...]
It seems to me you'd like to try to replicate the second option, without breaking the bank?
Attached pic shows you the parts of the Nite-Site system.
Bottom left, we have the battery, which in this system, Velcros onto your butt-stock. You could also have it mounted separate from the rifle, if need be, but you'll still have a cable running to the rifle.
Bottom Right, you have the combo illuminator and video screen. End facing the battery is the illuminator, and this is doing the same as your IR torch; throwing IR light down-range.
Other end of this part has the video screen, which clamps onto your scope, and sits above (clamp in middle of pic, and they make clamps for both 25mm and 30mm scope tubes).
Mid-Right, is the IR camera, which looks down your scope. It has the On/Off control, as well as a cable running to the screen. There is also a 'Video-out' port, in case you want to record.
Top of pic are the series of rubber grommets, which are used to insert the camera onto the end of your scope. They slide over the outside of the scope, and there are 2 or 3 different sizes, to get the right fit for your scope. The camera then slides in the other end of the grommet.
Now, I'm pretty sure this setup cost us around $1650 in 2015. We have used it a few times, and I have nailed a few roos with it, but it's cumbersome, and you'll find that shooting like this is VERY restrictive.
We also found the bolt-throw on the .223 rifle didnt allow it work overly well(Kept hitting the screen when pulling bolt back). Much better on the .243, though. It mightnt be too bad if you know the direction an animal might approach you, but scanning around with this setup is pretty frustrating.
IF you could combine this sort of setup with a thermal scope to quickly scan an area and pick up animals in the first place, then you would likely find it quite successful.
OR, if you have a spot where you know the animals are going to be appearing (along a track etc) every time, then it would likely work quite well.
But we have found that even sitting in wait for the possibility of a dog to walk past, was pretty futile.
Maybe if you could flood the whole area with IR floodlights, then it might be a bit more useful, but that's going to need a lot more hardware in place.
So, you have the IR illuminator(IR Torch). Now, you need to replicate the IR camera, which could be done a cheap Raspberry Pi IR camera, and then project it onto a screen. About the only other challenge would be to make up the rubber grommet/sleeves to mount the camera in the back of the scope.
But you will find it fiddly, cumbersome, and a LOT of fart-arsing around to get it usable, and dont be surprised if you get tired of it pretty quick.
This has been my experience, but I'm sure others have made it work. Didnt end up being worth the money for us as it is, though.
I still think that if I obtained a thermal scope to scan areas to identify when we have a target approaching, then this system might get a lot more use.
My 2 cents.
Good luck.
Cheers,
Rod.
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