my night vision rabbit hole

I have gone down a rabbit hole of night vision attachments and IR torches and would like to share what I have learnt and the max ranges for each set up.

I am using a pard 007 clip on shooting a 6.5 PRC with a swaro z6 3-18 with side parallax. I have also tried it with a .22 and a .308 with a VX3hd (no side parallax).

I have also trialed the range finding pard with the same set ups.

I have used the coyote cannon ($400) and the CI7 ($225) and the standard built in IR torch.

I am using the pic rail quick release mounts from the craftys website ($49) which is awesome. https://craftys.co.nz/products/maxto...ad6398ff&_ss=r

I'll list my set ups and the max ranges for each.


Non parallax scope with built in IR torch 150m good weather, 100m poor weather.

Non parallax scope with CI7 is the same but the beam is fixed and quicker to get on target.

Parallax scope with built in IR 200m in good weather, 100m poor weather.

Parallax scope with CI7 torch is the same but the beam is consistent.

At this point you will start to realise that the CI7 torch was a waste of money, so I had to go further down the hole.

Non parallax scope with coyote cannon, 200 in good weather, 150 in poor weather.

Now here is the exciting part....

Parallax scope (good quality) with coyote cannon on a good night can clearly show animals at 400m! it can identify previous dents on the gong at 250m and can clearly identify a gong at 300m. On a shit night it can still identify a gong and an animal at 250m.

I have attached a picture of my white light spot light also as it is a very good light and can share the same mounting system.

So my final set up for night shooting is walking around with a white light spot light on for those sneaky deer that pop up. the next step would be for animals that are 100m - 150m for which I can pop the pard on with the built in IR. then if I see something at range on a good night and I have time, I can get the coyote cannon out of my pack, range dial and shoot.

Points to note,

The white light spot light can go on the top to avoid glare

the range finding pard has battery on the left so your bolt won't hit the unit.

the normal pard has battery on the right so bolt can hit unit, may have to pull it back a bit or tilt it which is ok but a bit dumb.

The coyote cannon will have to go off to the side so you don't inhibit the pard range finder.

Pard is pretty average with a .22 up close in trees etc. ok in paddock with rabbits.

Having a hand held thermal is pretty key, maybe even one with a range finder so your coyote cannon can go on the top.

I had to get a suppressor cover to stop IR glare from the coyote cannon when it was mounted on the side.

It can take way longer to find an animal that thermal which can get frustrating but once you find it, it is very clear.

Over all I am stoked with my set up. It allows me to only hunt with one gun so I can bush stalk, long range shoot all day and then add a few attachments and have a night time long range, and short range gun. My zero doesn't change, my scope never comes off and I can carry my confidence in my rifle into the night.

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Look at a sytong 850 nm illuminator from ken, zoomable and does 400 m easily on tight beam. I run one with a pard like yours, dint bother with the inbuilt one anymore.
I had to add a slip on thick recoil pad to get eye relief back with mine

Thanks for that. I'll look into it. Are you talking about the $89 one? if that is comparable to the coyote cannon, that's pretty good value. The coyote cannon is also pretty huge.

good info, thanks

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Originally Posted by Alex1990

Thanks for that. I'll look into it. Are you talking about the $89 one? if that is comparable to the coyote cannon, that's pretty good value. The coyote cannon is also pretty huge.

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That's the one, can't show you mine as a mates borrowed it. Punches way above it's weight

Good info. Im hoping to get some time soon to have a decent play with my clip on sytong.

A few point you might find of interest.
I also have spent a lot of time and effort experimenting with various night vision setups.
One very important thing you have not considered is the suitability of the scope when using a Pard type rear clip on. The Lens coatings used by different manufactures make a huge difference to the IR light transmission and effective range for viewing and shooting. Swarovski scope lenses give very poor IR light transmission. The same can be said for Leupold. I started on the night vision journey using a Swarovski 3-18 x 44, It is a fantastic scope but terrible for IR light transmission. There is some really good stuff on choosing a scope for rear add ons here on the UK Night vision forum. https://www.nightvisionforumuk.com/
For the above reasons I changed to Delta scopes which do give excellent IR light transmission, the difference was stunning. One other thing is always choose a scope with a 50 to 56mm objective lens, the bigger the better for IR light.
The Pard 007s and 007sp both have excellent built in Laser IR lights, don't let the small size fool you. With a Delta scope and the built in Laser IR I can identify animals out to around 550m and have taken animals (Fallow deer) out to 400m on a night with good conditions. Nights with heavy dew, fog or mist significantly reduce these distances. This is where it can help to have an additional IR like the Coyote Cannon, it is a huge piece of kit but it would be hard to think of a better light. This is the one I use, imported from the Uk it is a laser unit and very compact. https://www.nightvisionstore.co.uk/b...or-c2x40038869. these are excellent units and a lot more compact than the coyote cannon. However the Coyote cannon will out perform everything else out there.
One other thing. 850nm is the way to go, with add on's 940nm will shorten the range significantly.

The other very important issue is whether the IR is LED or Laser. LED lights such as the Nightcore and the Sytong have a quite short effective range compared to laser light. Only laser lights should be considered for using with the Pard 007. If you want to try a Sytong I have one here you can have. The built in Laser IR on the Pard will significantly out perform this light.
The setup you suggest with the thermal. for spotting and the night vision for shooting is exactly what I have ended up with after trying other different combinations.
I am sure there is more I can add but this will do for starters.

Thanks heaps mate. Very good points. I may start trying my pard on friends scopes to see if I can notice a difference.