I've only used a thermal scope, never a monocular, and I can certainly appreciate the utility. Still taking NVGs. I'm not sure I would want to hike around with thermals strapped to my head for hours on end, whereas traditional night vision (i.e. light amplification) has much better utility across the board. Thermals won't help you load a magazine in the dark or look through a bag or driving a truck or set up a tent. All the other grunt work of being outside doing soldier stuff in the dark is made much easier with night vision, while thermals are really useful in one or two specific instances.
1 month ago | 162
I picked Night Vision. If there is no ambient light, it is too scary dark and other world beings may be out to play. Time to stay inside hidden.
1 month ago | 62
I'd recommend having both as I do. Thermal is great for finding stuff quickly, even through light brush and at distance. The problem is identification. Coyote and the neighbors dog look a lot alike with the thermal. If close in, I'll backup the thermal with the night vision to get the details to properly identify the target before a shot
1 month ago (edited) | 1
Night vision is far more practical than thermals. Thermals might help me identify a target rapidly, but night vision is going to help me do everything else from walking to driving to sending rounds down range.
1 month ago | 30
For what environment is the intended use? It's extremely relevant.
1 month ago | 32
With night vision you can see at night in general. With thermals they’re good for specifically finding people but not moving around. It’s best to have a thermal clip on for night vision but if you have to pick between the two I’d go with night vision. You’d have to actually own thermal to understand its downsides and see why in general night vision is better for actually moving around.
1 month ago (edited) | 27
NVGs for several reasons. Traditional NVGs are far more efficient power wise. I like to read maps they help me drop warheads on foreheads. Fighting via IR laser is a proven method to engage your enemies. Also thermals cannot be used to effectively provide buddy aid. Its difficult to find the hole in your buddy under thermals.
1 month ago | 8
What SS14 taught me is that thermals are better UNLESS nvgs come with a health hud
1 month ago | 1
I'm gonna say night vision, so me and my crappy Subaru can flee the danger without headlights
1 month ago | 10
Yeah a 3000$ thermal would be a way better solution than 50000$ GPNVG18.
1 month ago | 0
As a combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan it depends on the application of course but at range thermal is vastly superior. If you're doing close quarters night vision is better.
1 month ago | 1
Night vision is useful for literally anything you might be doing in the dark. Thermals are only good for spotting things that stand out thermally. I’ll take being able to move around at night without a flashlight giving me away over faster target acquisition on the off chance that shit actually goes down
1 month ago | 0
Depends on what gen of each tbh I’d rather have latest nvgs than 1st gen thermals
1 month ago | 0
Night vision typically uses some thermal in its enhancement, and an IR laser is peak tech.
1 month ago (edited) | 0
Justin Taylor
You have to pick one, and you can't mix the two. Which one you going for?
New video out now on thermals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy2ww...
1 month ago | [YT] | 505