A night vision scope is a particular type of scope used for hunting at night. The device can be used with firearms, pneumatic equipment, and crossbows.
There are several critical criteria that you will pay attention to when choosing. For example, the distance between the eye and the sights directly affects the accuracy of your shot. Too small a space can harm your health due to the weapon's recoil.
How durable is the scope? Hunting is an open area that involves different weather conditions. Therefore, for the device to serve you long, it is advisable to have a scope with a durable body that is not afraid of moisture and can withstand other mechanical stress. Of course, such parameters require additional funds. But you have a better chance of saving money by spending money once on a high-quality device than by constantly repairing or buying a cheap one.
The accuracy of your shot will depend on the range of distances your device can cover and how close it can bring the object you are looking at.
The manufacturer will directly influence your choice. And in this article, we'll talk about why this is important and why you shouldn't neglect it.
Given the rapid technological development, many companies compete with each other and try to sell their goods profitably. And sometimes, for the buyer, this becomes a real challenge and problem. That is why, before giving preference to something specific, you should get to know the giants that have long occupied their niche in the market in more detail. Each of these companies, creating competition, will try to offer you something that other companies still need to get. And the volume of this information can be overwhelming.
Best Scope Manufacturers
Look at the largest and most successful brands that manufacture night vision scopes. And let's find out what made them so successful.
Nikon
The products of the well-known Japanese brand Nikon have long gained popularity among hundreds of thousands of consumers around the world. After all, the digital photographic equipment of this user is characterized by high quality, functionality, and reliability. Both beginners and professional photographers use Nikon cameras to realize their creativity and workflow.
In addition to cameras and lenses, the company mentioned above produces optical devices and tools for high-quality image processing. The legendary brand appeared on the consumer market in 1917 by merging three well-known companies. Initially, the brand was engaged in producing optical equipment (binoculars, periscopes, optical devices, and lenses for aerial photography), which was actively sold for military purposes.
Of course, the requirements for product quality were relatively high. However, Nikon, which employed about two hundred professional employees, fulfilled and successfully developed all its tasks. Before the outbreak of the war, the staff already consisted of several tens of thousands of skilled workers of various levels. In 1931, the first products intended for civilian use were launched.
However, despite the rapid and successful development in the civilian industry, their optical devices still have high quality and performance. They have a perfect balance of light transmission, high resolution and transmit a clear image without aberrations. By the way, it is interesting that this company was the first to achieve a light transmission level of 95%.
The company can offer devices of different categories and a flexible price range, so you can choose a high-quality sight that suits your budget.
Speaking of specific models, according to reviews, the most popular are Nikon M-308 or Prostaff. They have high-quality long-range performance at long distances due to their large objective lens and extensive magnification range.
Bushnell
The history of the Bushnell brand, which today is one of the most reputable manufacturers of optical equipment for hunting, began in the United States in 1947. Initially, the company only sold optical devices created by foreign companies. Having gained experience and the necessary skills, the company's employees began to independently design and build high-quality professional optics for hunting, which quickly gained immense popularity in many countries worldwide.
Today, the brand's portfolio includes high-quality GPS devices, night vision devices, rangefinders, binoculars, optical sights, thermal imagers, etc.
Elite Tactical SMRS or HDMR scopes are the most popular scopes of the company.
Leupold & Stevens
The history of this company dates back to 1907. However, in the beginning, Leupold & Voelpel, founded by German immigrant Marcus Friedrich (Fred) Leopold and his son-in-law Adam Voelpel, was engaged in the repair of surveying equipment. In 1911, Leupold & Voelpel contracted with John Cyprian Stevens to manufacture a water level recorder he designed and patented. After the product's initial success, he became a partner in 1914, and the company was renamed Leupold, Voelpel, and Co. Subsequently, they were engaged in developing the mentioned technologies. And in 1942, the company name was changed to the modern version.
Their work on the production of sights began with an unsuccessful hunt. Leopold could not hit the deer because of the fog, the sight was obscured, and after a missed shot, the animal ran away. Then the inventor cursed, saying he could have created a better view. And in 1947, the world saw the first Plainsman riflescope with fog protection. A little later, Marcus made the duplex reticle, which is still used in producing many scopes.
Established a century ago, the company is still thriving today. Today, the brand produces riflescopes, red dot scopes, binoculars, rangefinders, telescopes and eyeglasses, scope mounts, clothing, and accessories. In 2020, Leupold launched a virtual tour of the plant. In the 2014 NRA National Championships equipment review, Leupold was named the most popular rifle scope manufacturer.
According to the reviews, the VX-1 Rimfire Scope or the VX-2 are the most popular models of this brand.
Vortex Optics
Vortex is an American company that began its journey in 1986 with a single retail store in Middleton, Wisconsin. Thanks to a caring attitude to the consumer and fast and high-quality service, the business grew, and in 2002, Dan and Margie Hamilton founded Vortex Optics. Today, it is one of the leading manufacturers of premium scopes, binoculars, tripods, and related accessories.
The advantage of this brand lies in its pricing policy. The company perfectly balances the excellent quality of the device with its price. Therefore, if you want to buy a night vision scope that you can be confident in but, at the same time, a more economical option, then you should pay attention to Vortex.
Zeiss
Carl Zeiss AG is a holding company, a world leader in producing optical systems. The main production sites are Jena, Oberköhlen, Weszlar, Göttingen, Dublin, Minneapolis, and Shanghai.
The father of the optical Empire was Carl Friedrich Zeiss. Carl Zeiss studied mathematics, physics, anthropology, mineralogy, and optics at the university. For several years, he traveled around the country as a traveling salesman, visiting optics and glass factories, where he studied various areas of glass melting methods, materials, the required temperature of furnaces for firing, and more. He was interested in producing glass, lenses, microscopes, and various optical instruments. In 1846, Karl Zeiss opened a visual workshop in Jena, obtaining a license to manufacture and sell mechanical and optical devices. After that, his workshop proliferated and received many orders for microscopes. In 1882, Schott moved to a new Jena laboratory built especially for him. In 1884, together with Karl and Roderick Zeiss and Ernst Abbe, Schott established a company known as Schott & Genossen Glaswerke. The plant produced new types of optical and heat-resistant glass. Some of them, such as borosilicate glass (BK), are still widely used worldwide.
After Karl's death, his colleagues continued to work on the progress of new inventions and approaches in optics manufacturing.
During the First and Second World Wars, the company produced equipment for the army. On the day of the German surrender, May 8, 1945, American troops entered Jena. Most leading specialists were sent to the United States to develop the optical industry there. And the events after World War II became a real challenge for the company, which it successfully overcame.
The Carl Zeiss Group is considered a world leader in optics and optoelectronics, has about 30 divisions, and operates in the following market segments: life sciences, ophthalmology, industrial metrology, semiconductor technologies, and microelectronics. It manufactures telescopes, optical measuring instruments, cameras, lenses, optoelectronic products for defense and security, etc.
Such a long and complicated history only confirms the high production quality and dedication to its users. However, this also means that the same night vision scope manufactured by this company will be much more expensive. Of course, if you have the means to spend money on a scope made by them, you will be okay with it.
Swarovski Optics
The Swarovski Optik brand rightfully ranks among the world's best optical manufacturers. The rich and long history of the company has led to such success. After all, the birth of the company began in the distant 1895. But then still, the founder of the company Daniel Swarovski did not even suspect that the company would eventually be engaged in producing high-quality optical devices. After all, his main activity focused on processing precious stones, which began with the invention of an electric grinding machine. And only many years after that, his son was the first to grind optical glasses on this machine, which led to the birth of the first Swarovski binoculars.
And since 1949, mass production of optical devices for various purposes under the brand Swarovski Optik began.
All optics of the Swarovski Optik brand are reliable and durable, significantly affecting their longevity. Using the optics of this brand, you can be sure that it will not let you down in any weather conditions.
Of course, these optical devices belong to the premium segment, and their price policy is only affordable for some. However, it is worth considering that the price for Swarovski Optik devices is fully justified.
AGM Global Vision
AGM Global Vision is based in Springerville, Arizona, USA. It designs, develops, and distributes a wide range of optoelectronic products. The product range includes night vision devices, thermal imagers, binoculars, telescopes, monoculars, safety glasses, infrared illumination devices, multispectral laser separators, mounting systems, and more.
Compared to the companies above, AGM is very young. It is only 20 years old. But in such a short period, the company has proven its reliability and gained an excellent reputation; its products are trusted not only by hunters but also by special services with high tactical equipment requirements (Ministry of Emergencies, law enforcement, military). The products are based on exclusively innovative, high-strength materials and new technological developments that allow for improving the functionality of the devices from model to model and increasing the quality of achieving the set goals.
The optics manufactured by this company successfully combine all the advantages you can't pass up. If you choose their riflescope, you can be sure that the image you will observe as a result will be clear, and its magnification range will meet all your requirements and make hunting easier. It is comfortable and straightforward in its functionality. This device will not let you down in any weather. The materials used to make the scope are light enough not to create an additional load on the rifle (which is especially important in the dark) but are durable and not affected by the environment. They are guaranteed to be waterproof and dustproof. This will facilitate the process of operation and maintenance of the device.
As for the cost, this company has a flexible pricing policy. And among their products, you can find a high-quality scope, which you can be sure of, but you can afford it for the budget. And it will be a great introduction to the brand, which will quickly assure you that you can trust it.
This is not an exhaustive list of brands that manufacture night vision sights. But we have mentioned some of the most advanced companies. Many users have proved their credibility for many years. And in some cases, a century of experience only emphasizes the quality of the product.
Many factors will influence your choice. First of all, it is the pricing policy and the size of your budget. The generation of the scope, its autonomy, additional functionality, etc. But after weighing all the information and choosing a specific model, remember to be careful. It would be best to go to official stores and distributors that can confirm the product's authenticity with certificates and other necessary documents.
We would also like to emphasize that despite the high quality of the device you purchase from any of these companies, they will not last long if they are not treated with care and used improperly. Therefore, before using the device, please read several rules to help your device serve its helpful life. Be sure to check its serviceability before and after use. Always keep it clean, and regularly clean the surface of the device and lenses from dust and dirt. Check the mounts, and repair the defect if they are not working correctly. Thanks to these simple manipulations, you will always be confident of the success of your hunt.