Night Owl NOCX5 Explorer Pro 5x Night Vision Scope with I/R Illuminator

Rating:
Summary: poor optic
Review: At night I'm able to view animals at great distances in the field behind my house. Even past 100 yds I'm able to see if a deer is a buck or doe. The infared is like shining an invisiable flashlight on something and it works best if turned on within about 30 yds or inclosed space. It's has solid construction, clear picture, and is a fun to mess around with.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing power and clarity.
Review: At night I'm able to view animals at great distances in the field behind my house. Even past 100 yds I'm able to see if a deer is a buck or doe. The infared is like shining an invisiable flashlight on something and it works best if turned on within about 30 yds or inclosed space. It's has solid construction, clear picture, and is a fun to mess around with.

Rating:
Summary: Best you can get
Review: Great product, and it's the best you'll find for Generation 1 night optics. Unless you want to go spending $1,000-4,000 for Generation 2 or 3 night optics, this is a good buy, and in a decent price range. It does what it advertises, and that's the important part.

Rating:
Summary: Fun and well built!
Review: I had never used a night vision scope before so when I read the reviews was not sure how much to believe. This product works well. As others have mentioned the center of the viewing area is in focus but the outter ring is blurred but not horribly so. I used it several times in the desert for long range viewing and found that on an overcast night near a city (the city lights causing the cloudcover to glow)it was almost like daylight with the scope. On a clear night with a nearly full moon while hiking in a mountainous area it was possible to see people a quarter mile up the trail very clearly, they could not be seen with a naked eye until they were within 50 to 100 feet due to shadows. I was was able to view trails over a half-mile away and could see them clearly (as with binoculars but brighter). The electronics tend to shut down if there is too much light which seemed to happen often (as a protection for the tube) but if you turn it off before it shuts down you can use the scope with the power off (the green glow stays there). When the IR illuminator is turned on it is very bright within about 30 yards but beyond that is not useful. I used it in a very dark room but the lenses can't focus any closer than about 10 feet. The illuminator was like a very powerful flashlight, but of course, you can't see the beam unless it is pointed directly at your face. From an angle it is visible as a dim red glow. I like it and can't wait to try it in other circumstances.

Rating:
Summary: Not really
Review: I thought this unit was kind of cheap. Not what I was expecting. I was looking for something cool, like in the movies and this was definetly not it.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent for police/security surveillance
Review: I use this for security surveillance when I watch my clients property at night and it works very well. You also have the option to purchase a camera adapter (on other web sites) which will allow you to take pictures which has been very usefull. When the police department I work for purchases new night vision equipment I will be reccomending they look at the Night Owl line of products.
Len Stang

Rating:
Summary: Excellent for police/security surveillance
Review: I use this for security surveillance when I watch my clients property at night and it works very well. You also have the option to purchase a camera adapter (on other web sites) which will allow you to take pictures which has been very usefull. When the police department I work for purchases new night vision equipment I will be reccomending they look at the Night Owl line of products.
Len Stang

Rating:
Summary: Update on my first review
Review: In my first review I mentioned that the electronics often shut down. I called Night Owl and they said to send the scope in. They found that the power pack needed replacement. The service was good (no charge), I got it back within two weeks of sending it in and the problem was corrected. I have since tried the scope on streets with street lights. The shadows are light enough to see what you can't with unaided eyes and the 5 power magnification helps a lot. Still having fun with this one!

Rating:
Summary: Yes and No
Review: It is good for general landscapes when there is very little light. But it does not have the power to easily illuminate small animals. Great for camping trips.

Rating:
Summary: Yes and No
Review: It is good for general landscapes when there is very little light. But it does not have the power to easily illuminate small animals. Great for camping trips.