In recent times I have been engaged in feral hog hunting in the UK. Hogs typically move by night, so the rifle you use must have a sighting capability that works in the dark. I bought a NiteSite Wolf and hoped it would allow me to use my 30.06 by night. That rifle has a standard daytime Zeiss scope on it for use on deer by daylight as that is how it is used most often.
Some preamble for those who have not seen a NiteSite. It comprises an IR illuminator, camera, battery and viewing screen per the manufacturer's website image below. The camera attaches to the scope where your eye would have been, and the IR image it sees is presented on the screen above the scope. It is a competent solution, no question. But...
...there are two major issues [for me at least]. When this rig is connected, you cannot use your normal stock-to-cheek-weld grip. Rather, you move your head away from the stock by a few centimeters to view the screen above. That is fine with light recoiling air rifles or rimfires. Maintaining stock stability prior to and during firing is easy with those lesser firearms by rear sandbag or locking into the crook of your elbow. Not so the 30.06.
The second issue I have is a function of my incipient decreptitude. For over a decade I have needed dedicated spectacles for work at different distances. Working with binoculars or looking through rifle scopes is all accommodated by my driving glasses. The interesting feature of the NiteSite is that I cannot focus on the NiteSite screen wearing those distance glasses. Having visually acquired the quarry using my thermal monocle or binoculars, I then have to fumble to switch from distance to reading glasses before attempting to stabilise the rifle on target. Whilst perched in a shooting seat. I have tried that and cannot recommend it.
This is not a NiteSite bashing. It is a truly excellent bit of kit. [variable IR intensity, good image] But it does not give me a satisfactory full bore solution.
Some preamble for those who have not seen a NiteSite. It comprises an IR illuminator, camera, battery and viewing screen per the manufacturer's website image below. The camera attaches to the scope where your eye would have been, and the IR image it sees is presented on the screen above the scope. It is a competent solution, no question. But...
...there are two major issues [for me at least]. When this rig is connected, you cannot use your normal stock-to-cheek-weld grip. Rather, you move your head away from the stock by a few centimeters to view the screen above. That is fine with light recoiling air rifles or rimfires. Maintaining stock stability prior to and during firing is easy with those lesser firearms by rear sandbag or locking into the crook of your elbow. Not so the 30.06.
The second issue I have is a function of my incipient decreptitude. For over a decade I have needed dedicated spectacles for work at different distances. Working with binoculars or looking through rifle scopes is all accommodated by my driving glasses. The interesting feature of the NiteSite is that I cannot focus on the NiteSite screen wearing those distance glasses. Having visually acquired the quarry using my thermal monocle or binoculars, I then have to fumble to switch from distance to reading glasses before attempting to stabilise the rifle on target. Whilst perched in a shooting seat. I have tried that and cannot recommend it.
This is not a NiteSite bashing. It is a truly excellent bit of kit. [variable IR intensity, good image] But it does not give me a satisfactory full bore solution.
