BushnellEX650 Digital Equinox X650 Night Vision 5x 32mm Monocular

I bought this on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. Burned through the Alkaline battery pretty quick because I had accidentally hit the power button putting it in the case. Oops. No documentation came with it, but I was able to go online and download the most current version. The IR illuminator comes on the moment you turn on the device. Once I read how to use the menu, I was able to turn it off. I could also increase or decrease the brightness of the illuminator. I do have IR floodlights around my house so I don't need to use the illuminator on the device unless I move further away from the house. The IR floodlights keep the neighbors from complaining when I turn them on. I was able to see accurately out to 300 yards. Another thing I noticed, I can see a lot of stars when I point my Monocular into the sky, even those I can't see unaided. I have been very pleased with the Monocular. I did replace the 8 GB card with a 64 GB one for more storage. With a 1.0 view, the device works great. When I increase the zoom up to 3.0 the image becomes grainy. For me, the 1.0 view is just fine.10/16/2023 UpdateWhen using the 64 GB card, the device will shut off at times while in use. Sometimes it won't even come on. Once I removed the 64 GB card and replaced it with the 8 GB version that came with it, the problems ceased. Since I primarily use it for wildlife spotting in my neighborhood and night viewing of the sky in conjunction with a couple of telescopes, I don't need to record any video or pictures. I did buy a couple of IR lights for it and they work well with the scope. The quality is pretty good for the price. I would buy one again if I needed another one.

Ok there is one caveat to this. You really need to buy a quality aftermarket either red or infra red light for this. Then it becomes an incredible value. I already had the light. I have been trying to coyote hunt with lights with zero luck. Someone recommended this on a fb page saying they were picking up eyes at 800 yards with it. I can say that they are correct. But you have to have a light that will get out there. Without an aftermarket light it's basically a toy and useless for what I need. But as mentioned I already had a awesome light and this has a pic rail that let's u mount the light.With a good light I can sweep a half mile field in a few seconds with a great degree of confidence whether there is anything there or not. It picks up eyes amazingly. Way better than we could ever do with just flashlights. This is a great way to see what's going on while trying to call them in and have your second guy at the ready with a light on his boomstick. Then once it's in close enough to pick up good with a light you are ready to go. Under 200 yards this thing is 100 percent capable of i.d. out side of that u can usually tell by their mannerisms but may or may not have a good look at their body. It has no problem picking up eyes 500 yards our from a racoon in a tree. It's like a spotlight on steroids.You have to understand this isn't a 3500 dollar thermal, but as a scanner and being used in conjunction with lights, this thing will step your game up I promise. I think coupled with a 100 dollar ir light off Amazon you will have a very capable scanner. Or, if like me you already have one, then this is a no Brainerd.I included a couple pics from a coyote that was 150 ish yards out. It's better in person than the pics show.

Overall, like the title says, it works really well and a long distance and the IFR light on it is fairly powerful at a long distance lighting up reflective objects. In the moon light it is very clear for what it is and does.Pros:1.) You have a really good night vision scope anytime you need one and will not hesitate to use it.2.) Wife loves it, she can sit on the back porch at night and keep an eye on the chickens when the coyotes come around. She can see them coming in a half-mile away and let me know when to start sending out warning shots to chase them away.3.) You have a really good night vision scope anytime you need one and will not hesitate to use it. Yes, I said it again. Very well built easy to use and glad i got a good middle of the road unit for my needs.cons:1.) Cannot turn off the IFR light - Would like to be able to not be seen by the glow of the red IR light - can over come with tape but would be a nice option that way when you are watching someone they cannot see you and the red light.2.) Cannot dim the brightness of the LCD eye monitor. It would be nice to drop the brightness down at night fir the same reasons as stated above.- a.) The LCD is so bright that if you take your eye away it lights up your face and can be seen from a far distance.- b.) Cannot use your shooting eye when looking through eye piece because it will destroy any night vison due to the brightness.3.) Digital Zoom SUCKS! Anything with digital zoom sucks but...-a. excellent light and Digital zoom looks great even when taking photos, so if your subject is being lit from a source you can zoom in and get great detail-b. Poor lighting - just sucks but that is with anything "camera alike" device.Better than the other units i saw for less, plenty of videos out there to support its worth at the current price.

The IR light on this is too weak. In pitch black I can only see fuzzy outlines of objects out to about 30 yards. I cant see anything in my field thats about 100 yds deep, not even the trees at the back. I could hear animals running around and this couldnt even detect eyeballs. You need an additional IR light to be able to see further out.