I expect to do both!
Actually I bought this device for a christmas present for a neighbor.
But, I would like to test it, so I can instruct the neighbor most properly on how to use it as this neighbor has no experience with NV/thermal, though they have looked through my NV/thermal and are interested.
So, in order to test the device both as handheld and as weapons mountable, I must do so!
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I believe Bushy intended the 4.5x device to be useable as a component to a night sight. The "flier" in the box talks about 350g recoil rating and recommends TRS-25 or TRS-32 as sights to be used with the 4.5x NV. So I ordered a TRS-32 for $100 from Amazon, it should be here Monday.
I assume the intent is to mount the 4.5x behind the TRS-32. So that is what I will try.
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I have gone out with the 4.5x and t-20 and compared the image from 0-500yds. The t-20 did help me see my steel targets hidden in vegetation at 300yds. I could not see them with the internal IR, I could see them with the t-20 (attached to the rail mount on on the 4.5x) if I zoomed in to the maximum extent. I was impressed with that. There was no moon at that time.
This is a useful NV device, no question about it.