Bushnell Night Vision

by Technical Advisor Brendan Atkinson

One of the lessons learned from the Gulf War was the absolute need for troops to have night vision capability. If an enemy can see you and you can’t see them, disaster will soon follow.

Night vision is not new. Back in my army days in the Vietnam era, the Armalite M16 rifles could be equipped with the Starlight system - remarkable in its time. Some of these scopes eventually found their way into civilian hands, but at a cost of thousands of dollars.

In more modern times there is now the SIMRAD system, available since the late 80s and effectively used by the US Army and many police departments in that country. There have been reports that a sniper can take shots out to 800 yards using this system.

Now there is an affordable and effective version for shooters to use in peacetime.

The Bushnell Night Vision 2x42mm Compact Monocular system can be held in one hand, weighs only 17 ounces, and can be run from the power of two AA size batteries. It has a built-in infrared illuminator and in addition to a 2x magnification, has a field of view of 70 feet at 100 yards.

For those unfamiliar with the process, the comprehensive instructions explain that a night vision device collects and amplifies the available light, no matter how small and projects it onto an image intensifier. This causes a photocathode to become ‘excited’ and convert photon energy into electrons.

After these electrons are accelerated across an electrostatic field, they strike a phosphor screen that then gives you a green monochrome image.

I tested this device on an overcast night in a suburban backyard. Objects could not be seen with the naked eye. With the power button in the ‘on’ position and after focusing the unit, it was quite easy to see objects in the yard. Switching on the infrared feature was like turning on a small spotlight. This feature is normally recommended for situations of total darkness. It was now possible to see underneath bushes and trees and a neighbour’s cat was observed totally unaware of my presence.

I can think of a number of hunting situations where this device would be an excellent addition to the usual equipment. Feral pigs, for example, usually feed at night and even getting up early at first light is often too late in the areas that I hunt. Finding the game with the Bushnell and then having someone ready with a spotlight and rifle should raise the shooter’s tally.

There are certain do’s and don’t’s with this device. Obviously, it is meant for work in darkness and won’t take kindly to being switched on in bright light. There is a pin hole in the front lens cap that will allow for focusing the device in daylight conditions. This is recommended. It is also suggested that the batteries be removed when the device will not be used for some time.

To sum it up, this is a product that I can recommend to the serious hunter. No doubt it will find other uses in a surveillance situation, but for after dark observation of game it will certainly meet one’s expectations.

At the time of writing, the approximate cost of the Bushnell Night Vision 2x42mm Compact Monocular is $595. Unit supplied by NVT.