Today’s post lays out the best night vision scopes for AR-15 and attaches an insightful buyer’s guide to help you find the best optic for your firearm.
If you want to take your hunting skills with the AR-15 to the next level, you should invest in a night vision scope. A night vision scope will improve your vision at night and increase your situational awareness in the dark.
But nowadays, the market is saturated with night vision scopes from different brands. This makes the process of choosing the right one an overwhelming and time-consuming one. In this article, we have done our homework and put up a list of the best night vision scopes for AR-15 to make your selection process less taxing.
We will take you through the top-rated scopes that are highly acclaimed for their stunning performance at night. We have also included a comprehensive buying guide to help ensure that you make your selection wisely. So, without much ado, let’s dive right in.
1) Pulsar Digex C50 3.5-14x30mm Night Vision Rifle Scope
The Pulsar Digex C50 is a digital day and night rifle scope with a detection range of over 500m in typical nighttime environments. It is designed to offer excellent image quality day and night and this is what makes it one of the best night vision scopes for AR-15.
Built on a 30mm body tube, the scope is easy to mount on your AR-15 with standard 30mm rings. For professional hunting, it offers a wide-angle eyepiece that makes it target finding and tracking a walk in the park. Besides, it boasts a Picture-in-picture mode for high-precision aiming.
The operating temperature of this scope range from -25°C to 50 °C. It is also IPX7 waterproof to survive use in all weather conditions and rigid enough to take the beating. Designed for round-the-clock use, Pulsar Digex C50 will be a valuable addition to include in your arsenal.
Furthermore, this night vision rifle scope comes with multiple reticles for you to customize your shooting. You can also use it to record videos and take photos and later on share them with your family members and friends.
This night vision scope for AR-15 features an advanced set of ballistic adjustments that offer shooters all the key features to execute accurate shots. Whether you use your rifle for hunting, recreational shooting, forestry, or target shooting, you can rely on the Digex C50 to get the job done proficiently.
Features
- Remote firmware update
- Photo and video recording
- Wind-angle eyepiece
- IPX waterproof rating
- Multiple reticle patterns
- 5 individual shooting profiles
- 30mm main tube
Pros
- Long battery life
- Solid aluminum alloy construction
- Day and night functionality
- Long 500m detention range at night
- Crisp clear image views
Cons
- Short eye relief
2) ATN X-Sight LTV 6-18x, Day/Night Hunting Rifle Scope
For long-range hunting at night with the AR-15, you need a high-quality night vision scope like the ATN OPMOD X-Sight LTV 6-18x. It is powered by the new revolutionary ATN Obsidian LT Core which is optimized for low power consumption.
This hunting rifle scope has dual functionality. During the day, it provides crisp clear image views rich in color. It also provides amazing nighttime performance thanks to the new QHD+ sensor.
Furthermore, the scope boasts One Shot Zero technology which makes sighting it a walk in the park. It also has classic ergonomics that make it easy to mount and multiple reticle patterns for you to pick one that works best for your hunting habits.
Best of all, this product is waterproof for use under the rain, and an ultra-lightweight of 780g only. Vivid and crisp daytime images and unbeatable nighttime performance help solidify ATN X-Sight LTV scopes as the best night vision scopes for AR-15.
Features
- ATN QHD+ sensor
- Multiple reticle patterns
- One Shot Zero
- Digital night vision technology
- Weather resistant design
- Durable aluminum body
- Record HD video
Pros
- 10+ hours of battery life
- Lightweight design
- Comfortable eye relief
- Easy to mount and easy to use
Cons
- The warranty could be better
3) SightMark Wraith HD 4-32x50mm Digital Rifle Scope
The SightMark Wraith HD 4-32x is the best budget night vision scope for AR-15. It is equipped with a 1920×1080 HD sensor which provides stunning color clarity during the day and either green or black and white at night. This provides the flexibility needed to hunt nocturnal beasts confidently.
The rifle scope also comes with a removable 850 IR illuminator to improve your detection range in the dark. Impeccable nighttime image quality makes the SightMark Digital Rifle Scope one of the best night vision scopes for AR-15.
Complementing the stunning optical clarity of this rifle scope are 10 tactical and hunting reticle options with 9 different color choices. This gives you the flexibility to customize the scope to meet your needs and tackle the situation at hand.
Moreover, this digital night vision rifle scope is made to last. It has an aluminum 1-inch body tube that is shockproof to withstand whatever punishment you subject it to. It is also built to survive in any environment thanks to the IP55 water resistance rating.
Features
- 8x digital zoom
- Customizable tactical and hunting reticles
- IP55 water resistance rating
- High-definition sensor
- HD photo and video recording
- Removable IR illuminator
Pros
- Dual day and night functionality
- Robust and reliable construction
- Batteries included
- Easy to use
Cons
- Short eye relief
- Poor battery life
4) ATN X-Sight-4K 3-14x Pro Edition Smart Day/Night Hunting Rifle Scope
As one of the best night vision scopes for AR-15, the X-Sight-4K 3-14x Pro Edition hunting scope makes nighttime hunting fun and more rewarding. It has a ballistic calculator to ensure that you hunt responsibly and a smart rangefinder that helps you estimate how far a target is.
The scope employs a highly sensitive 4K ultra-HD sensor with a dual-core processor. This gives you the ability to record and stream videos simultaneously. Apart from that, this optic comes with a One Shot Zero that makes it easy to sight in.
ATN built this night vision rifle scope to be virtually indestructible. It is built out of hardened aluminum alloy to stand up to rough handling and anything that comes it’s way. Besides, it is designed with impact-resistant electronics to weather the pressure of high-recoiling rounds.
For added convenience, the battery of this rifle scope lasts up to 10 hours to ensure continuous operation. The scope is also easy to mount with standard 30mm rings and very easy to use as well.
Features
- Water-resistant
- Smart Mil Dot reticle
- Recoil activated video
- Recoil and impact-resistant electronics
- Smart rangefinder
- Ballistic calculator
- Highly sensitive 4K ultra-HD sensor
Pros
- Ultra-low power profile
- Easy to mount and use
- High-quality construction
- Great optics
- Excellent finish
Cons
- Software issues
5) AGM Global Vision Wolverine Pro-6 6x Night Vision Rifle Scope
If you are in the market for a military-grade level night vision sight, you have found it in the AGM Global Vision Wolverine Pro-6 6x rifle scope.
This high-end night vision rifle scope is easy to use and ideal for use even on the darkest, moonless nights. The Wolverine Pro is one of the best night vision scopes for AR-15 money can buy.
It utilizes a high-strength aluminum housing that is rigid enough to withstand everyday handling and ever-changing environments. Furthermore, all the external surfaces except the optical elements have a non-reflective matte black finish that adds durability.
For added protection, the exterior surface of the objective lens and eyepiece lens elements have an ultra-durable and scratch-resistant coating. This night vision rifle scope also brings to the table a fixed 6x magnification power suitable for taking shots at constant ranges.
Other notable features included are an adjustable projected reticle, waterproof construction and easily accessible windage and elevation adjustments.
Features
- 6x magnification
- Scratch-resistant lens coatings
- Adjustable projected reticle
- Waterproof
- Non-reflective matte black finish
- Aircraft-grade aluminum housing
Pros
- Easy to use
- Long battery life
- Durable construction
- Batteries included
Cons
- Expensive
- Fixed power
Further Reading
- Best AR-15 Red Dots
- Red Dot Magnifiers for AR-15
- Best AR-15 Laser Sights
- LPVO Scopes for AR-15
- Best Leupold AR-15 Scopes
Choosing the Best Night Vision Scopes for AR-15
When you are looking for the best night vision scopes for AR-15, here are the essential factors you should take into consideration.
Size and Weight
Generally, night vision scopes are slightly heavier than traditional rifle scopes. However, not all are heavy.
When making your purchase, look for the size and weight of the night vision scope, and see if it will be manageable to carry.
If you hunt without carrying any other gear with you, weight may not be an important factor. However, if your hunting involves carrying other gear together with the AR-15, consider getting a product that is lightweight and compact.
Optical Power
The optical power in night vision rifle scopes varies from one product to the other. The majority of these scopes have a variable magnification power, and others have fixed magnification.
When making your selection, you should first determine how far you intend to shoot. This will guide you in making the right purchase. If you prefer hunting at constant distances, go for a variable power scope.
On the other hand, it is best to invest in a variable night vision scope if you prefer to hunt at varying ranges.
Read: Best Vortex AR-15 Scopes
Battery Life
Night vision scopes are battery-operated. The higher the battery capacity, the longer you will be able to hunt with the scope continuously. You wouldn’t want to cut short your hunting expedition as a result of batter failure.
A night vision scope whose battery lasts for at least 8 hours when fully charged will do. Having a rechargeable battery is also good so you can carry a power bank as a backup.
Durability
The next important factor you should take into account is durability. The best night vision scopes for AR-15 are well-made to take in the rough handling that comes with hunting in the dark. Ensure that you pick a product that is rigid enough to withstand fierce recoil, shock and impacts.
You all need to get a scope that is built and ready to survive harsh weather conditions. A fully waterproof scope and fog-proof will be safe to use even when it is raining, snowy or misty.
Mounting System
With most night vision scopes being large and heavy, they can be hard to mount with the normal mounting hardware that is used for traditional scopes. This is the reason why most of them come with their mounting solution systems.
When you are selecting a night vision scope for your AR-15, ensure that it has the correct mounting rings. You don’t want to get a set of rings that will not work with your rifle.
Read: Best DMR Scopes
Detection Range
The other factor you should consider is the detection range. typically, the best night vision scopes offer a detection range between 50-250 yards in the dark.
However, some of these scopes come with a built-in or removable IR illuminator to help you recognize and identify the target at distances longer than 250 yards.
Pricing
Night vision scopes are more expensive than traditional scopes. The high cost is brought about by the advanced night vision technology that these scopes are built with.
However, the pricing will be different from one scope to the other depending on the generation of night vision technology used. So, go for a scope whose features will at least give you good value for your money.
Read: Best Red Dots for AR Pistols
How Much Magnification Do You Need?
Generally, you don’t need that high magnification in a night vision scope. Instead, you will need a moderate level of magnification.
You can opt for a fixed power scope up to 6x if you take shots at constant ranges only. On the other hand, a variable power scope with less than 10x is sufficient for hunting at varying distances.
How to Attach a Night Vision Scope on AR-15
To attach a night vision scope to your AR-15, you are going to need the usual mounting hardware. This includes Picatinny or weaver rail, together with compatible mounting rings.
Mount the scope on whatever base or mounts you have as you would with a regular scope then tighten the rings.
Night Vision Scope vs Thermal Scope
Many hunters find themselves in a dilemma on whether to buy a night vision scope or a thermal scope. While these two devices will let you see at night, each has its dedicated application.
Thermal scopes cover a longer distance than night vision scopes, as they are not dependent on light. However, a thermal scope will not operate effectively in extremely cold conditions. Besides, thermal scopes are heavier and costlier than night vision scopes.
On the other hand, night vision scopes depend on a light source like the moon and stars to work. They are therefore less effective on dark, moonless nights. They also have a shorter detection range in typical nighttime environments than thermal scopes.
However, night vision scopes can render images that are of better quality at night than thermal scopes as they are built to be used in the dark.
Read: Thermal Scopes for Hog Hunting
Conclusion
Nighttime hunting is fun and rewarding when you have the right gear by your side. Each of the night vision scopes we have mentioned above comes with a set of unique features that make it ideal for use with the AR-15. Understand which scope has the right features for you and choose accordingly.