The thermal would be the way to go. The night vision isn't going to be useful picking up heat signatures
for finding or tracking game. Depending on your state regulations, it also can be illegal to use an infared illuminator with night vision to see under no moon conditions.

 

Thermal has no match when scanning areas for warm bodies. As far as general observation or navigating, night vision is going to give you a good contrast of shades, but you’ll have to study really hard for movement or shapes to pick out what you’re looking for. NODs are like looking at a black and white (or green) screen. So unless you have good contrast of shades or movement, you’ll have trouble determining what you’re actually looking at.

For what you want, I’d use thermals for watching animal movement or finding one that’s recently been killed if legal.

 

Does anyone have experience with Bering optics Phenom 640 thermal monocular?

 

I use night vision googles several times per week at work. There is enough ambient light to make them work. I can see literally for miles and miles with our NVG’s. The technology of US made NVG is unmatched and is protected under ITAR. I have no experience with thermals, but for the purpose of scouting, and searching for anything, I think an NVG will get it done.


Semper Fi,
Mike