Practicing with Night Vision

[wigwamitus]

2015-12-18
2200-2400
20F
03 MPH SW

Goals: Compare Zeus to Pulsar at 500yds

Environment: Clear, cool, little wind. It got above freezing today for a few hours, but it has been in the 20s for most of the last 3 days so most of the mud is frozen. Moon 50% and was high in the sky when I went out.

Equipment: .300WM with manfrotto, pulsar and 220 SMK MV 2850. 5.56(18) with atlas, Zeus and 77gr SMK, MV 2720.

Activity: This was the debut of the .300WM. A Rem700 action, Criterion Barrel 10 twist, McCree Chassis. I decided to zero at 40yds as this would give me a second zero at 285yds and a hold of 1.6 mils on level ground at 500yds.
I decided to run the .300WM off the manfrotto tripod as the bottom of the forearm on the chassis is flat and has a sling mount, the harris without QD like a rounded forearm. I'll probably need to hunt up a rail section for down there. I plan to move the atlas over there. But maybe I will mostly shoot this rifle off the tripod anyway.
The first round was high and a little left. I cranked down on the pulsar and the second round was good on elevation but a little left. I cranked right and the third round was in the center of the handwarmer. So I went to 285yds. I could not see the targets with the pvs-14 so I pulled out the 3x magnifier and sliped it on. I still could not see the targets, but I could see shadows where the berm was, so I lased and with the dot bouncing off I could see the targets. Eventially I got myself to 285yds. I carry the 3x 14 magnifier primarily to aid in distance determination and it gets used. Putting the .300WM in the tripod by feel is doable, but will take some more practice to do it quickly. Practice has begun.
The first round was fine on elevation but 4 inches left. I cranked right. The batteries in the pulsar died. I fired it up and it came up but the batteries were blinking red. I stole the batteries out of the Zeus. I am really out of batteries, though another 200 are on the way. This was the first time I had changed the pulsar batteries in the field and an issue was revealed. While the Zeus and Apollo batteries come out to the side of the thermal, the pulsar batteries come out the top. Gravity can't work for you too well in that case, especially if the rifle is on the tripod. I tried to get them out, but could not. I had to take the rifle off the tripod. This would not be necessary with the Apollo or Zeus. So a negative for the pulsar. But the batteries got changed, I cranked right and fired 2 rounds. They were fine on elevation but 2 and 3 inches right. I did not "zero the hecque out of it" . But given my battery issues (the Zeus batteries were not fresh having been used Wednesday night) hurrying was indicated. Before going out to 500yds I added 2 more handwarmers to the target, for a total of three.
Out at 500yds (known distance) I could barely see the dot of the three handwarmers. I focused and nuc'd and it got better. The reticle did not obscure the handwarmers. I held up 1.5 mils due to the elevation. For the second shot, I had to nuc again. It was hard to see the handwarmers. For the third shot I could not see the handwarmers no matter what I did. There were several factors, but the rear of the pulsar was fogging up as well.
The two rounds fired were 2 inches part and 2 inches high but 6 inches left. They made a single quarter sized hole in the target.
So elevation wise the ballistic data is matching the ammo and the gun, so this is good. I just need to get zeroed on windage.

Summary/Results: I'm not sure the pulsar is a 500yd scope on most nights for small targets, though it probably is on some nights. For a small say two handed size target (like three handwarmers, it will be tough. For a coon or larger, probably possible most nights.
The .300WM seems to be meeting up to hopes and I was surprised at the lack of felt recoil. I'm not sure it kicks as much as the 7.62 16 inch. I had the harvestor on the .300WM.
But no matter what - I did not accomplish my purpose. Lack of batteries stopped me if nothing else did. I will have to try again when I get more batteries. I want to compare the Zeus and the Pulsar side by side out to 500yds. So we will try it again once the batteries come in.

 

[wigwamitus]

Tried again during the day today with the .300WM and pulsar at 500yds. I was going to use water bottles but forgot them, so used 5 handwarmers. We had nominal 20 MPH wind at 240 degrees off bullet path, but actual I measure was 10-15. I was trying to hold 0.8 mil left for wind.
For elevation, I am supposed to be holding 1.4 mils up at 500yds. The pulsar reticle has a 1.45 mark I was using.
Fired 3 rds, distribution was almost opposite of what I was expecting.
1 rd 5 inches high, dead center. One rd 4 inches low, dead center, 1 rd 3 inches low and 3 inches right.
I was shooting standing off the manfrotto tripod and the wind was blowing ME around.
Interestingly, I believe the 3 inches low and right result is most representative of where I should have hit. This is because the way the wind was blowing me around it would move the barrel left. And once I know it moved me such that the barrel was left and high.
I need to figure out how to use the PIP in order to better use the pulsar reticles. I went into the menu and turned PIP on by changing "no" to "yes" but still not PIP. I guess I will have to read the fancy manual

 

[wigwamitus]

Oh, forgot to mention. After getting site picture through the pulsar off the tripod at 500yds. I focused and waited for a nuc. Then the 5xhandwarmer target was brightly visible. After firing the first shot, for some reason the 5xhw aiming point was fuzzy. After firing the first shot, the wind did spike up about another 5 mph. Perhaps the wind caused the fuzzification of the target, that's my theory anyway.

I need to take water bottles next time. They are tougher to setup, but usually offer a bright image until hit or until their temperature matches the surroundings.

 

[wigwamitus]

2015-12-20
1900-2100
40F
15 MPH SW

Goals: Check .308WIN out to 200yds+ with Bushy EZ, eotech and t-20. Check T10-N on Moosberg 930 for rat slaying.

Environment: Cloudy and windy. Some moon up there barely burning through the clouds.

Equipment:
.308WIN bolt gun with eotech, bushy 3x EZ, t-20, FLC xm80. Mossberg 930 with T10-N and No. 8 shot. Initially OPSCore helmet had pvs-14, but switched that mount out and replaced with mount with q-14 thermal.

Activity: Went to top of hill with .308WIN and tried to see how far I could see. I could not see over 100yds with the t-20. The t-20 is too low to line up with the bushy 3x ez. I've never had an experience like that. The internal ir bounces off the back of the t-20. I will have to make adjustments. I can move the t-20 to the other side and try to get it up higher.
Switched to moving on foot. Changed the helmet mount to use the q-14 thermal on helmet and grabbed mossberg with the T10-N.

Thermal performance not good tonight, but I was able to cross the creek without falling. The moonlight burning through the clouds was just enough to allow unaided eye to assist in navigation. This was a night I really could've used the pvs-14 on the other eye. The shotgun had no sling, so given that I would be walking around and carrying it for about an hour, it was a 2 handed carry so no spare hand for a second monocular.
Went to brush pile where rats are known to hang out. Saw rat with q-14 at about 20yds. A bright dot. Powered up the T10-N, could not see rat. Stalked up, 2 steps stop, 2 steps stop, rat moved, but was moving towards me. Continued to stalk and check T10-N. Could see rat with q-14 but not with T10-N. Eventually rat buried itself down in the wood pile and I lost it. I continued around the apple orchard area and so no further critters. Recrossed the creek and headed down along the creek bank. Saw some birds sleeping in a bush with q-14. Could not see with T10-N. Made way up hill, touching branches with hands, to avoid poking self with branches. Made way over to large dirt piles. Saw rat with q-14. Could not see with T10-N. FInally checked pallet. I was on black hot !!! Switched to white hot. Stalked up to rat. Finally at about 10yds, could see rat. Fired, splatter. Tried to climb up dirt pile to find rat parts, could not get up there. Too many giant weeds stalks and too much mud. Continued around to other side of dirt pile. This dirt pile is about 60 feet long, 50 feet wide and 15 feet high. Saw another rat with q-14, stalked to 20yds, could see with T-10N. Took shot, splatter. CLosed in, was able to locate rat and take a pic.

So, now we know T10-N can be used on shotgun to slay rats. The first 2 rats were probably a couple of thumbs, the thirds rat was closer to half a hand. Larger critters would be much more visible at greater distances. I tested with wife one night a couple of weeks ago and I could see her at 91yds. She was near an evergreen that night which washed her out. A large critter in the open would be more visible.

 

[kryptekman]

Thank you for the write up, Im undecided to put a Q14/Q10 or a Vortex mini RDS on my thermal rifle as back up sights

 

[wigwamitus]

Got another rat last night with the t10-N on top of the mossberg 930 ... using q-14 on helmet as spotter. Distance 5yds.

 

[wigwamitus]

Got 15 rats so far this week, 10 Monday night, 5 tonight, all with 77gr SMK, which tears them up. It is overkill, I need to switch back to .22lr for this purpose. Getting new AAC mini tomorrow.
This is with q-14 on top of .223 wylde. Farthest distance was 40yds, closest 5 yds. Most were thumb sized, two were hand sized.
Saw 2 horses in neighbors pasture at 800yds with q-14 and 6 deer on our land at 300-400yds.
Found a juvenile red tailed hawk which had been injured probably bounced off a vehicle rolling by. We moved it in garage in a box for the night, if it makes it we will take to recovery people in town.

 

[kryptekman]

Hiked down to the Chena river in Central Alaska, the weather is a very scary 28F, usually we are in the negative twentys.

Spotted several very large red squirrels, took shots at them under 25yards and never made a kill

Went to the public range after and confirmed my zero was off, I was shooting about 6 inches to the right. I will try to get them tomorrow, I was able to piss them off pretty good today using a hand mouse squeeker and imitate there calls. The weather was perfect for the Thermal, any creatures really popped out against the 28F trees and snow, usually everything is so bitterly cold and common temperature its hard to get contrast.

 

[kryptekman]

 

[wigwamitus]

2016-01-03
2200-2330
05 MPH W
20F

Goals: Zero Pulsar on 5.56(14.5)

Environment: Cool and clear. Stars very visible overhead. Cass has turned around relative to earlier in the season and Andromeda is now to the South. Orion was over to the East but heading topside. The remnants of the snow were crunky underfoot as the cool temps refroze the grass.

Equipment: 5.56(14.5), 62gr, pulsar 2x 50mm 384(50hz), CQBL-1, T-20, SPW556, pvs-14 on helmet, lrf.

Activity: Setup handwarmer. Switched to the "moa" reticle. This one has a zillion hashmarks up, down, left and right. Each hashmark is 4 moa. I got the PIP working, which gives me a little window at the top of the screen with 2x digital on the spot the center of the reticle is pointed. In essence, this makes the reticle usable by magnifyig it.
I zeroed at 25yds then I walked around the 5 acre "human" area, looking for rats. I did see one, but he managed to avoid me in the grass. Walking and scanning with 2x is definitely inferior to the 1x q-14 ... for this purpose. And the PIP, being 4x net, is useless for scanning. I don't think the PIP helps you aim better with the center of the reticle, but it helps you use the reticle if you need to hold.
After walking around I fired again at 25yds holding up two hash marks, this should be 8 moa or about 2 inches at 25yds. It was 2 inches up. So looks like this reticle is usable. That is a victory for me - I wanted a thermal with a useable reticle - I might be the only person - I am me and I want it!

The "glass" was getting glazed over, perhaps moisture was freezing on the front glass. In general I have the impression of a clearer image, but I'm not sure it is a better detector. I don't recall losing a rat/mouse I found in the open grass with the q-14.

All this will take some getting used to.

The two c123 batteries in the Pulsar last longer than the one c123 in the q-14.

 

[wigwamitus]

And BTW the juvenile red tail made it through the night that night and next day we took to the recover shelter in nearby town ... so it will still have a life ... not that we need any more red tails around here!
Shelter people said this time of year the juveniles have trouble learning to fly - hum - it did not seem damaged in the morning but we let it out and tried to have it fly and it could not, so we took to shelter.

 

[kryptekman]

Todays hunt is titled 'REDEMPTION'


TIME 1pm-3pm
TEMP 1~f
TARGET Ptarmigan, Red Squirrel

Finally the stars aligned in the biggest state west of the mississippi, I was able to use my thermal and find game!

My second purchase of an Armasight Battery pack finally payed off, the battery pack works, great job Armasight!

I was able to stalk around the sub arctic conditions for over 3 hours with no battery drain.
That allowed me to stalk two ptarmigan and eliminate them at 25 yards, they flew outta the deep snow and put themselves in the skyline of the trees, down they came!

Unfortunately I dont have any photos of them, I left them in the snow to grab later, because my pack was full with coyote calls and water. The bastard ravens up here found them and I was able to see was feathers and blood a few hours after returning.

Oh well, atleast I got to pull the trigger

 

[wigwamitus]

Your "second" purchase? Can't you return the first one for a credit?
Of course, over there in that "biggest state west of the mississippi" you might need two of them!!
Do you think those battery packs are water proof?
Where do you "wear" the battery pack?
I guess you don't have a DVR. A DVR mounted on the thermal (what thermal do you have anyway - a predator?) would give you opportunity to take "movies" of you kills so we could see them!
I need to get my DVRs going again. But I need to get battery packs going as well!

Looks like 183 tons of fun !!!

 

[kryptekman]

Your "second" purchase? Can't you return the first one for a credit?
Of course, over there in that "biggest state west of the mississippi" you might need two of them!!
Do you think those battery packs are water proof?
Where do you "wear" the battery pack?
I guess you don't have a DVR. A DVR mounted on the thermal (what thermal do you have anyway - a predator?) would give you opportunity to take "movies" of you kills so we could see them!
I need to get my DVRs going again. But I need to get battery packs going as well!

Looks like 183 tons of fun !!!

I have the Armasight Predator 336 60hz

I have an RMA started, just waiting to go into town and drop it off at the post-office

I figured when I ultimately purchase an Armasight PRO series I can use the second battery pack so yah, sucks I had to buy another one to replace the first faulty one asap.

I have the battery pack attached to the outside of my Magpul CRT-Stock with male/female velcro attached to the Battery pack and the stock. Being that this is my second battery pack and I have gone through two DVR's I know how to attach it properly and to always use Zip-Ties for backup security.

I have two DVRS, both made by Night Goggles. The first DVR I had somehow got damaged and the 2.5mm input was no longer working. I purchased another one and just a few weeks ago the 2.5mm video cable stopped working, but this time it was the Yellow end of the RCA cable. I purchased another set from hobbyking but they are internally wired wrong so It does not work.

So currently im just over the DVR thing, unless I can find a reliable 2.5mm to RCA source, Radio shack here does not carry it.

 

[wigwamitus]

Hum, I've got the olde original Armasight DVR, which actually works well and is easy to use and gives feedback into the thermal site picture as to whether it is on, etc. I think those run about $300 ... if I ever get my second one back, I'd be willing to sell you one of them. I'm not set on dragging DVR out there like I was at first, but I do like to watch some of the olde ones I made. They are a good record keeper.

==
2016-01-06
2100-2230
05 MPH W
30F

Goal: Rat Patrol

Environment: Overcast, no moon or stars, light frozen rain.

Equipment: 5.56(14.5), 62gr, sling, pulsar apex 2x, 50mm 384(50), cqbl-1, t-20.

Activity: Moved reticle 1 click left and 1 click up, based on last session results and confirmed zero at 25yds, I was good.

There was a tiny rat near where I was zeroing, so I dispatched him first, he was so close I missed the first three times until I realized I needed to increase the holds due to the 2x. Then moved over to the alfalfa patch/apple orchard area. Saw a larger rat in the treeline and got him with the first round, though spent a second round to make sure he splattered as I could not reach the area he was at without crossing deeper water. Went South along the creek and saw 5 deer at 100yds moving from the alfalfa patch through the woods up the "ramp" (a collapsed bank) into the upper South pasture. Saw another larger rat between the buildings. Had to make a long end around maneuver to obtain a safe firing angle but then splattered this one with the first round. Even the 62gr seems to blow these rats up.
Holding at point blank range with the 2x needs to be exaggerated, so getting used to that. The 1x is actually much better for this purpose, but for 100yds to 300yds or so, the 2x would be in its sweet spot. But it is a clear image, I am impressed with the image.

I've loaded up this rifle with crap to help with weight training and it is helping, this rifle is getting lighter and the lighter rifles are getting real light. Another six months and things will be even better.

 

[Ratdog68]

Look out boys, this ratter is a non-gym-gym-rat. Tripod AND heavy rig.

 

[kryptekman]

I route the cable under the buffer assembly, over the fire controls, then one more zip tie before plugging into the predator. I wrap the cable in camo wrap so it does not get so easily snagged or cut/torn/field ****.

too many times in the past I have been walking in the woods, go to turn on my thermal and the battery pack cable was no longer plugged in, with big winter gloves it was hard to plug it in fast, murphys law took over whenever it could, it would.

 

[wigwamitus]

I see you aren't bothering with the "eye cup" ... is that another precaution against murphy removing it?
Are you most operating during the day? I find trying to shoot with thermal during the day an eye shade seems more important ...
At night keeping the rear of the thermal pointed away from me, when it is not up to my eye, is also something I try to do, so I'm not walking around with a white light shining at me. I suppose I need to get the "momentary" switches working.
So how long do you think the batteries last now with the "new improved - actually working as designed" type of battery pack, in your environment?

 

[kryptekman]

I see you aren't bothering with the "eye cup" ... is that another precaution against murphy removing it?
Are you most operating during the day? I find trying to shoot with thermal during the day an eye shade seems more important ...
At night keeping the rear of the thermal pointed away from me, when it is not up to my eye, is also something I try to do, so I'm not walking around with a white light shining at me. I suppose I need to get the "momentary" switches working.
So how long do you think the batteries last now with the "new improved - actually working as designed" type of battery pack, in your environment?

When im walking through the woods on a clear day, there are many over hanging trees and branches with snow, and if that falls and lands on my scope with the Eye Cup on, it melts and is very hard to see after that. I normally have the lense cup installed when its activly snowing or generally warm where my heat wont fog the lense. But, on the draw back i did kind of scope eye myself when shooting one of the ptarmigans today lol.

Im going to guess 3-4 hours at 0 degrees, if it drops below zero ill try to see if it drains any faster.

 

[wigwamitus]

Oh, as to combating fogging ... 2 things I do ...
Use "FogTech" anti fog juice ... on all lens that fog up ... mostly those my eyes get near ... it works pretty well for maybe 1-3 days, before needing a new application.
Use "snow goggles" which might really be called "sky goggles" these are "vented" and "anti-fog" and can be used when shooting, once you get used to them. I have a "lo pro" pair I wear behind 14s when driving 4-wheeler.
The big snow goggles I use are called "Smith Optic IO" they have replaceable lenses, clear for night and various sun protection levels for day.
Maybe you're already way ahead of me in this area, living where you do!