Topic: First Impressions: PS90 w/Gen. I NV

[Tomac]

Had the chance to pick up a decent (for Gen. I) night vision scope w/full warranty for a very good price that's small enough to work w/the PS90. It's the Yukon 1.5x42 NVRS that uses AA batteries (50hr runtime & AA's are my fav power source) and has a built-in IR illuminator & remote switch. Even though it claims to be made of titanium it weighs in at 30 ounces so a PVS-14 it's not (but then, it cost less than 1/10th as much as a PVS-14). It mounted quickly/easily w/the rubber eyeshield positioned perfectly for optimal eye relief. Picture quality is good for Gen. I but like all Gen. I it has distortion around the edges. The red crosshairs reticle is adjustable for brightness and stands out very well against the green sight picture. Switches are well placed and easy to find/manipulate. The remote switch (which can be strapped/velcroed anyplace on the rifle that's convenient) controls both the reticle (on/off) & IR illuminator (on/off) w/separate buttons. The IR illuminator is *very* bright but I'll have to wait until I can hit the range at night this weekend before I can test the max effective range of both the scope & IR illuminator. So far I'm pleased with this unit, stand by for a range report this weekend...
Tomac

[JollyRoger]

Sweet...looks good.  You definitely have unique taste in firearms, not like it's a bad thing though!  Where'd you pick up the scope, do they keep them in stock??

[Tomac]

Sweet...looks good.  You definitely have unique taste in firearms, not like it's a bad thing though!  Where'd you pick up the scope, do they keep them in stock??

Thx! I got the scope off Ebay for $299, they usually run about $399. If my range test this weekend turns out well I'll be looking to pick up a 2nd for my other PS90.
Tomac

[Shortmag]

Sweet report Tomac,  looking forward to the range report.

SM

P.S. the M3 works great!! pleasure doing business with you.

[Tomac]

Sweet report Tomac,  looking forward to the range report.
SM
P.S. the M3 works great!! pleasure doing business with you.

Thx! Glad to hear the M3-LED is working well for you!
Tomac

[Joey]

Nice application of a mag clamp / cheak piece!

[Tomac]

Here are some preliminary pics until I can get to the range tonight and just in case I'm unable to get usable pics at the range. They were taken from inside my garage which is completely dark (no windows). NOTE: The reticle pics shown here are somewhat blurry due to shutter speed and the shape of the eyecup which prevents me from properly positioning the camera lens.
Tomac

This shot was taken from inside the garage using the IR illuminator w/the crosshairs at max brightness. Although I can still see w/o the IR illuminator it's not bright enough w/o it for my camera to take a pic. The garage door you see is 10yds away:
 

This shot was taken from the same location but with the garage door open and using only ambient light. Dark fence in the foreground is 20yds away, dark house to the left is 25yds away and the bright house in the distance is 85yds away:


Same shot as above but w/the IR illuminator on:

[Tomac]

Range report: Unfortunately the range test was spoiled by the moon (93% full last night) so I didn't have the opportunity to test the Yukon's capabilities in full darkness as I'd hoped as I couldn't find any decent dark areas at the range and the few pics I took didn't turn out. I'm planning on going out again next weekend when the moon isn't as full or has already set.
However, I did manage to ascertain a few things while I was there. The inner 2/3 of the lens is very clear w/noticeable distortion in the outer 1/3 (the IR illuminator spot almost exactly covers the clear area). FOV is very nice, specs say 20 degrees and at 8yds appears to be 2yds wide (one of the major reasons I chose the 1.5x instead of the 2.5x). My car and gear detail were clearly visible at 100yds using only the moonlight at my back (the Yukon has an adjustable diopter so can be adjusted for differences in the user's vision).
I did find a berm that was in the moonlight's shadow and set up a single unmarked std silhouette to determine effective range of the IR illuminator. With the moon "glaring" directly into the Yukon I could distinguish the silhouette against the berm at appx 90yds and it was clear at appx 80yds. However, at *very* close range I find it too bright, causing washout. The IR illuminator does produce a dimly visible red glow when viewed from the front.
Although the Yukon can be used/tested during the day by leaving the lens cover on, the reticle (while very bright at night) isn't bright enough during full daylight to be visible so sighting in has to be done either during dusk/dawn or full dark.
While the Yukon is a 1.5x scope and not a CQB reflex sight I did run it through the tactical pits. I wouldn't recommend it for bedroom distances but for anything beyond that it appears to do well, more in-depth testing is in order.
Tomac

[Spiff]

Thanks for the updates Tomac, keep 'em coming!! NV is definitely on my "to get" list. Will probably have to wait until the first of the year.........or so.

[Tomac]

Thanks for the updates Tomac, keep 'em coming!! NV is definitely on my "to get" list. Will probably have to wait until the first of the year.........or so.

You're welcome! It's probably a good thing I've never had the opportunity to use good Gen. 3 stuff or I'd find myself trying to hock a kidney to pay for it! 
At least the Yukon is affordable and halfway decent for Gen 1.
Tomac