6 Best Night Vision Crossbow Scopes in 2022 [Reviews & Guide]

Some hunts are just best done at night. If you plan to go out hunting coyote, hogs, or even raccoons with your crossbow, you’ll need a night vision scope.

As a stealth weapon, the crossbow is simply unmatched. By attaching a night vision scope to a crossbow, you’ll have the ultimate night hunting combo.

With so many products on the market, it can be difficult to choose. So we put together this buying guide for all the archers planning to invest in a night vision cross bow scope. We reviewed the top products on the market and compared them all to help you pick the best.

And don’t worry if you’ve never used night vision before! We’ll cover the basics along with this buying guide to give you the right idea of what you need to get started.

If you love hunting during the dark hours, this is an investment that’s worth making.

Ready to learn about the best night vision crossbow scopes on the market in 2022?

Let’s get down to business.

A Quick Look At Some Of Our Favorite Scopes

The 6 Best Night Vision Crossbow Scopes in 2022 Reviewed

This is our list of the top crossbow scopes to take your crossbow skills to the next level. Take a look.

1. ATN X-Sight 4K Pro Rifle Scope Our Score: 9.4

Specifications:

• Obsidian 4 Dual Core Processor
• 600 lp/mm resolution
• 5-20x magnification
• 1080p HD video recording
• Field of view – 240ft at 1000 yards
• Weighs 2.2 pounds
• 90 mm eye relief

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At first glance, this crossbow scope from ATN might look like just a regular scope. But make no mistake about it. The streamlined design packs a range of advanced features that delivers a top-notch optical performance.

To start with, it weighs just 2.2 pounds. It’s built with aluminum alloy that makes it resistant to recoils. Note that, it’s weather resistant but doesn’t come with any official IP rating.

Keep in mind that this scope is also available in a 3-14x zoom range and a wider field of view of 9 degrees.

The Ultra HD day/night sensor ensures that you get top-quality images for both day and night hours. The dual-core processor delivers a fast performance at all levels while consuming minimum power. As a result, you get an exceptional battery performance of around 18 hours.

On top of that, the ballistic calculator makes all the necessary calculations to make you hit the target. Also, it comes with an intuitive design. For example, even if you don’t deliver the weather information, it can still adjust to zero. It also packs a gyroscope, accelerometer and a barometer.

The RAV (Recoil Activated Video) feature can record sharp videos even during night hours. However, we noticed some degradation in quality at full zoom. The crossbow scope can also stream and record videos at the same time. 

Some users have reported issues with the software and app, but ATN is constantly updating the software so we do not expect this to last long. Still, this night vision scope is an excellent package from ATN at this price. 

Want to learn more about it? Take a look at our detailed review.

In the end, we had no hesitation about marking it as the top choice for crossbows.

2. Night Owl Optics NightShot Digital Night Vision Rifle scope – Our Score: 8.8

Specifications:

• Focusing distance-3 meter to infinity
• 5.6 degree Field of View
• 3x zoom
• 3.5-gram syringe
• Weighs 1.46 pounds
• 68.50 mm eye relief

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A low-cost night vision crossbow scope that comes without bells and whistles but offers good image quality. 

Sounds good?

The NightShot is the perfect choice for a beginner who wants to enjoy shooting a crossbow on a budget.

To start with, mounting the scope of the crossbow is super easy. It offers a 3x magnification and the 640×480 resolution looks good. Considering the shooting range of 100-200 yards, a 5.6 degree field of view is respectable.

The crossbow scope comes with three reticle types. That’s good enough at this price range. The IR illuminator with the IR blaster works effectively within 75 yards during nighttime shooting. You can stretch it to around 125 yards on a full moon night.

The thermoplastic construction keeps the weight light. That makes it one of the easiest scopes to carry around. The downside is, you don’t get the durability of aluminum. The good news is, the scope is marked as waterproof and dustproof.

The scope runs on 4 AA or lithium batteries that provide anywhere between 12 and 15 hours of run time with the IR off for daylight shooting. A high IR setting, you will get battery life around 2 to 3 hours.

All in all, it’s a basic crossbow scope that lacks advanced features. But with the unbeatable price tag and ease of use, we aren’t complaining.

3. ATN Thor HD 384 Smart Thermal Rifle Scope – Our Score: 8.6

Specifications:

• 384 x 288 thermal sensor
• 50 mm objective diameter
• Field of view – 23ft at 109 yards
• Weighs 1.85 pounds
• 6 x 4.7 angle of view
• 65 mm eye relief

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If you don’t mind the premium price tag, this is one of the best day and night vision scopes for a crossbow you can pick.

Two of the best aspects of the device are a 384×288 thermal sensor and a 30Hz refresh rate. The Smart HD Optics Technology ensures that you get spotless images in the darkness.

Then again, the Obsidian II Core processor is one of the fastest chips in the market. So the thermogram images are not only razor sharp, but the data processing speed is lightning fast.

And guess what? You get a magnetometer, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, and a GPS packed in this scope. The result is accurate data collection for the ballistic calculator. The smart range finder also increases the chances of an accurate hit.

The Thor also comes with the RAV (Recoil Activated Video) feature. The HD videos are captured at 30 fps. It can also capture still images at a resolution of 1280 x 960 pixels.

The overall built quality is good but it isn’t as hardy as a Norse God. Sadly, there isn’t any IP rating. ATN just mentions it as weather resistant.

Point to be noted- There are 4 different versions of this scope available. Plenty of options to choose the one that fits your needs.

4. Sightmark Wraith HD 4-32×50 Night Vision Digital Scope – Our Score: 8.3

Specifications:

• 1080p video recording
• 32x magnification
• 50 mm objective diameter
• Field of view – 200 yards
• Weighs 36.3 oz
• 850nm IR illuminator

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This product offers great value. It’s not necessarily fo professionals, but it’ll serve casual users wanting to experience the advantage of night vision while using a crossbow.

The magnification of 32x is one of the best in the category. The variable zoom is easy to use and allows you to zero-in on any target within range. The 50 mm objective lens combined with multi-coated optics delivers a good image quality.

It’s very lightweight and comes with a weather resistant design. So durability isn’t an issue. 

Another useful feature is the quick detach weaver mount. That makes removing or remounting the scope a breeze.

The illuminator comes with an 850 nm IR wavelength. You can get clear vision within a range of 200 yards. At this price range, we think it’s a good performance.

The scope runs on 4 AA batteries. The long battery life even with the use of IR is formidable- close to 20 hours. If you use IR intermittently, it’ll easily extend beyond that.

Finding a quality night vision scope that offers the right features isn’t easy. This option from Sightmark fills that gap effectively.

5. ATN X-Sight LTV Ultralight Day/Night Vision Rifle Scope – Our Score: 8.0

Specifications:

• ATN QHD+ M584 Sensor
• 3- 9x magnification
• 1280×720 video recording
• 9X Magnification
• Weighs 1.7 pounds
• 90 mm eye relief

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What really sets this scope apart is the blend of some excellent features with good image quality.

Firstly, it offers HD resolution for crystal clear day and night shooting. Night vision mode offers clear and rapid target acquisition in blackout conditions. 

The monochrome color scheme color scheme allows you to easily spot targets that walk by in the night. You might also want to purchase the detachable IR illuminator that works like a charm in the dark.

There’s a SD card slot (up to 64 GB of storage) to capture and store your shots in 720p HD. Unfortunately, the device does not support Wi-Fi Streaming for easy sharing of content. 

ATN also offers excellent customer service. If anything happens to be wrong with your scope, ATN will likely replace the part since it is covered under warranty.

This scope gives user a simple, no-frills experience. It is lightweight has has an extra long battery life.

Next, it is rechargeable and comes with a charging cable. The battery life is 10 hours depending on how you use the features. The battery life is some of the best in class.

We wish it had a wider field of view for easy target acquisition. But considering the range of features, this is a terrific choice for your crossbow.

You might also want to purchase a quick detach mount (check price) for the scope to mount it to your crossbow.

6. Sightmark SM18041 Wraith 4K Mini 2-16×32 Digital Night Vision Riflescope- Our Score: 8.0

Specifications:

• 300 yard field of view
• 8x digital zoom
• 14 reticle options
• 9 color choices
• 1920 x 1080 sensor resolution
• LED 850nm IR Illuminator
• IPX6 water resistant,
• Weighs 2.25 pounds

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If you’re looking for a budget scope with the right features, this night vision scope from Sightmark is a great pick.

The scope offers 2x digital zoom. Actually, the digitally enhanced magnification allows you to zoom in between 4.5x scope to 9.0x. There’s a built-in 850 nm LED IR illuminator that provides a range of 250 yards in the dark.

The 768×576 resolution of the CMOS sensor delivers  bright and vivid colors. The 42 mm objective lens also makes visibility better during dark. In addition, it minimizes reflections and allows maximum light transmission. The result is a great balance of brightness and clarity.

The one shot zero functionality is another practical feature that allows you to zero in quickly. We were also impressed by the overall build quality. It’s shockproof and IP55 water resistant. Besides, the eye cup is one of the most comfortable ones we used..

You can also record your shooting sessions in video format. The scope comes with a micro SD card. With the Stream Vision App, streaming the footage to IOS and Android platforms is also simple.

The 4xAA batteries don’t deliver the best battery life. With the IR on, it delivers close to two hours of running time. So you need to carry a battery pack for a long day of shooting.

Overall, a good choice if you’re looking for a user-friendly scope with good resolution.

Night Vision Crossbow Scope Buying Guide

All the night vision scopes we have listed come with their advantages and disadvantages. To pick the right one, you need to learn about the essential features that you need in choosing the best crossbow for hunting at night.

Take a look.

Optical Clarity

The quality of the optics is essential for identifying the target and improving accuracy. Look for a high resolution image in the scope. Now, resolution is measured by lines per millimeter ( LP/mm). Naturally, a higher value indicates better image resolution. A high-end night vision scope should offer around 50 to 70 LP/mm.

Also, for tracking fast moving targets in the dark you need a lens of high quality. There are multi-coated, fully coated, and fully multi-coated lenses. Coating not only makes the lens perform better but it also improves the overall durability.

In addition, the use of high-end glass also reduces the distortion levels in the image. Distortion doesn’t play an important role in short ranges. It gets most important while practicing long range shooting.

Weight and Durability

While using a crossbow at night you might need to tackle condensation and low temperatures. Moreover, there’s a risk of tripping and dropping the scope in the darkness. So a durable scope that’s impact resistant, shockproof, and waterproof, is a great choice. 

Materials like aluminum alloys and titanium are good choices. But you also need to consider the weight factor. A light device is easy to carry and handle and is better suited for a crossbow. So it’s best to pick a compact scope.

Recognition Range

For a best night vision scope, the recognition range is an essential factor. Keep in mind that this is different from the detection range. Once you detect an object, it is important to recognize what it is. Both these factors depend on the quality of the optics and the objective lens size.

For the best performance in a night scope choose a higher recognition range over the total range. Point to be noted- The recognition range depends on the ambient light. So a scope can offer a longer recognition range on a full moon night.

Magnification

While the magnification levels are pivotal while choosing a scope you need to strike the right balance with the field of view. In reality, the best level of magnification is the one that provides you a clear view of the target. 

With more magnification, the field of view decreases. So you can easily lose your target while viewing through the scope. Also, a high level of magnification reduces the amount of light reaching your eyes. That’s not desirable while using digital night vision.

The point is, with a crossbow, your range is mostly within 100 and 150 yards. At that range you won’t be needing a high level of magnification. Note that some low quality scopes don’t deliver the best images at higher level of digital magnification

Battery Life

A scope with a long battery life is a better option. Night vision scope uses a variety of electronics that will affect the battery life.  If you are heading for a remote area, it’s important to pick a scope with batteries that last for the whole night. 

Some devices also allow you to attach a separate battery pack of a higher capacity. Not to forget, the weight of the battery pack is also important. Too heavy packs can make the scope bulky for comfortable use.

Important Things to Know Before Choosing a Night Vision Scope

How Does Digital Night Vision Work?

In traditional night vision systems, optoelectronic image enhancement is used. This technology collects the infrared light reflected from objects and magnifies it to develop a clear image. This image appears green in color when displayed on a phosphor screen.

In digital image enhancement, the light is collected in a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) image sensor made of pixels. The sensor generates a color image on the screen, which is the eyepiece. The larger the sensor, the better is the resolution of the image.

Since digital sensors are cheaper, these scopes are more affordable. Digital night vision also has a longer lifespan than a traditional device. The images can also be shared or digitally stored on SD cards. In fact, the digital technology has revolutionized the night vision industry.

But what about viewing in total darkness? 

With no ambient light, the night vision technology isn’t functional. For this purpose most night vision scopes use an infrared (IR) illuminator that acts like a flashlight to provide additional light to the optics. 

Even so, the illuminators have a limited range. That’s why advanced night vision scopes like the ATN Thor HD 384, uses a thermal sensor. Thermal imaging technology is effective even in complete darkness.

FAQs for Night Vision Crossbow Scopes

Conclusion

So now you have the best night vision crossbow scopes listed for you. 

Our team has gone through the details to point out the best and worst aspects of each product. Also, we have added all the necessary points that need to be checked before picking a scope.

To sum up, we have the ATN X-Sight 4K Pro as the top pick in this category. It has an image quality that’s sharp, there are an excellent range of features and a fantastic battery life.

The Night Owl Optics NightShot is the best value for money choice for beginners. It’s a basic scope that gets the job done.

Lastly, the ATN Thor HD is the best high-end option for pro-users. The combination of thermal imaging technology with some top-notch features makes it a solid performer.

Obviously, the final choice will depend on the features you need and the budget.

So go ahead and make the right pick.