NightStar 2x42 Gen-1 Wide-View Compact Night Vision Monocular, Black, NS41242C

after using a digital unit and deciding to try gen 1, its a big leap in quality, the analog tubes can see buildings and distant objects without ir light compared to digital. now of course this isnt gen 3 technology and i tested this unit on a overcast night with no ir light. even with that poor condition, it still did better than my digital unit. some issues are the small phosphor screen which many find a pain since they have to put the monocular as close as possible. i wouldn’t recommend using this unit standalone on a helmet because the 2x magnification will mess with you so i would recommend a dual bridge mount, with a 1x digital monocular as way to see things that are close up as the night star unit cannot see things well when up close. overall i would say this is the more modernized gen 1 units as these have a microchannel plate compared to older gen 1 units like the pnv-57e.

Very good quality Gen-1 night vision for the price. I had my doubts, but then I thought...if this monocular was total trash, then why would Optics Planet be carrying it? So I gave it a shot. Just received it and tested it out. It doesn't come with lithium 123A batteries obviously so I bought two Surefire Lithium 123A Rechargeable batteries and a Surefire Recharger. I have got to tell you, I was actually pretty impressed. Granted, you've got to focus it and it's a bit confusing trying to figure out by feel, where the IR and power buttons are. The IR makes your view quite very clear, but I prefer just using the stealth advantage ambient starlight without IR (which you can get away with because it's gen-1). At this price, with the ability to use the device without the IR was one of the primary reasons why I initially was motivated to purchase it. Another great point is that It's not too heavy to mount on a helmet with a rino mount and a j-arm. So yes, thus far I'm very happy. I'm just speculating that this product is slightly older than the "digital night vision gismos" (which I am not interested in anyway). But yeah, I found this to be a great purchase. Lastly, I do not know how long the battery life lasts. But I've never been out long enought to have it run out on me.

When testing these out with my kids I was very excited to receive them. But when we went out to the woods to test them out, I could barely se about 1 foot wide in front of me. They are sold as "wide-view", but are a far cry from that... the image is pretty clear and the NVG's are well built, but it feels like see the world through a pinhole. Keep in mind I am a USMC vet and I have a lot of experience with NVG's. I bought these for Christmas for my boys so we can do night time LARPing and airsoft. I am very saddened and disappointed with how narrow of a view you can see.

I got this night vision scope the other day. It’s works ok. I’m giving this 3 stars because I’m thinking it was a return after noticing spots but can deal with them. I have found a few little dark spots near the edge of the view. One shows in low light a few other show when viewing with the ir light lights up the view. Kinda disappointed with that but isn’t all that bad when viewing low lighted areas without the ir light. I have another gen1 night vision scope that was half the price of this one that performs a little better and has no black spots. I do like how this scope looks. Even with the spots. they are at the edge of view and doesn’t obstruct too much of view. I’ll keep it and maybe replace the tube in the future if I can find a replacement tube. Till then. It will do.

Meh it’s gen 1 wit very very low fov, save for something better, digital night vision surpasses this in every way now, it light tends to not work often

First off you should know that these gen 1 tubes are about to become extremely scarce due to international sanctions against Russia. Almost every gen 1 tube that I know of today is sourced there, so get yours while they are available. Secondly, this is a perfect loaner or hobbyist unit. I have a high end Gen 3 PVS14 and this is not that. This unit WILL NOT suffice for tactical use. If that is your goal you need to start at Gen2+ and go from there. However, in terms of actual analog light amplification this is maybe the best value around. The only other head mountable unit I could find in gen 1 was the Polaris for $500. The IR light leaves something to be desired, so make sure to pair with a standalone IR flashlight and you will have a very good wildlife spotting monocular. One small gripe is that the unit I received has a 3x objective lens, instead of the advertised 2x. Not a huge deal, but it does make focusing on nearby objects harder and it hampers the field of view somewhat. I am looking around for a camera lens to bring it down closer to 2x or maybe 1.5x if possible.

I had this nvg it’s good gen 1 amazing price actually plan on buying another one but make sure you take your batteries out of the device or it will burn out that was my mistake you got to remember it’s gen 1 and isn’t as easy to use as modern nvg it cant tone down the lighting so it doesn’t hurt the lens all the fancy stuff just take care of the device nvm guy I’m not smart lithium batteries show no signs of the Dying so when it randomly on turns on barely and the green thing doesn’t come on you need to change the battery I didn’t realize that and threw two of these optics away I got one now I’m pleased with it highly recommend. I also recommend a good IR flashlight that can focus. It will help you when the moon is not out but when the moon is out, you need nothing very good for a budget it’s obviously for stargazing or airsoft for a night vision device for 150 bucks, it will last you you can have fun shoot under nods and be a little larper boi like flannel daddy but your like a trailer park larper you know what I mean but it’s good if you get it get recharged lithium batteries and a ir light source but if you are larper boi like me get this and use it for larping and save up to get gen 3 so there is no rush very good I just wish this company would make 1x objective lens it would make me do hot daddy stuff like hunt for the gnomes and hunt pedos and remember all them pew law are unconstitutional