IR lamps are not visible to warm blooded creatures, however the emitter in the illuminator has a red glow, which will be seen by pigs at 20-30 yards. There are two common illuminator lamps, the 800 and 940 nm and the 940 will be the illuminator with the dimmest emitter.

Sniper Hog Light here in Texas makes an IR illuminator that has an adjustable tail switch so you can control the brightness of the emitter.

 

If you plan to ground bling hunt from the same spot you might consider a Slow Glow external IR system. I have a setup that uses this and it's one less thing to have mounted on your crossbow and it works off a motion sensor and has a remote so you can turn it on and off as well.

 

If you plan to ground bling hunt from the same spot you might consider a Slow Glow external IR system. I have a setup that uses this and it's one less thing to have mounted on your crossbow and it works off a motion sensor and has a remote so you can turn it on and off as well.

View attachment 7308486

Thats sounds cool. But I don’t understand it.

 

ATN and Signtmark are common suppliers for the digital night vision scopes that will work with your crossbow.

I use the 4K Pro but the smaller lighter simpler LTV may be ideal.

ATN LTV Scope Link

 

Thanks for the replies. The Slow Glow external IR system is not an option as I'll be moving to different feeders and need to be more portable. Is the red glow from the emitter in the IR illuminator broadcast out from the device and can be seen shinning on a tree or is it only visible on the device itself? I like that Sniper Hog Light with adjustable illuminator... what exact model is it?

With your ATN scope and Sniper Hog IR Light, how much detail can you see out to 40 yards while sitting in a dark box blind?

Do you use a xbow reticle with that scope? Thanks.

 

The SHL model is 38LRX with the 940 nm emitter and dimmer tail switch. I also got their Predator Pro mount to lift it on my 4Ks top mount setup.

The red light it produces is not projected, just visible looking at the light.

You can see great detail at 40 yards. As long as there isn't something in between you at the target animal, the focus is correct and the emitter brightness adjusted up. I don't have a photo handy but here's a freeze frame on a video at 22 yards. The pig is a bit blurry but he's moving.

 

Look at the ATN Thor LT 3-6 or 4x8, the 3x6 has detection at 475 yards with identification at 160 yards

 

How about night options for budget conscious folks?

 

If it's for killing something living I have found it's not even close. Thermal is superior to night vision.

At Crossbow ranges, a 384 core thermal is more than enough. Bering optics makes a few great options in the 2k range.

Love my Super Hogster.

 

Given the inquiry from LS for a crossbow solution for hog hunting and with an emphasis on detail, I'll put another vote in for a digital solution. Thermal scopes are fantastic for mobile hunters, night only hunters, long range hunters, hunters with multiple optic and weapon options and deep pocket hunters.

I certainly wouldn't call a thermal image superior in detail for short range situations and it's arguably a less than desirable image compared to IR.

Show me any $700 thermal that can produce a picture or video image like this in daylight..... Thermal technology can't do it.

And a night picture or video with this detail.

Digital night vision and thermal both have their places but it's hard to beat an IR unit for day and night use on a xbow.

I use the ATN 4K Pro and have had one in use for 3 seasons now hunting in all kinds of situations and environments chasing turkey, deer, hogs, bear in Canada and varmints here in Texas. A single day/night digital IR optic is the right option for me.