5 Best Crossbow Scope For Night Hunting (2024)

Night hunting has been extremely popular for a while now. However, what every hunter needs for night hunting is the best crossbow scope for night hunting.

Hog hunting, coyote hunting, and other predator hunting would be impossible without it.

That’s why we’ve compiled this round-up best night vision scope for crossbow. So keep reading:

• Best overall: ATN X-Sight-4k Pro Sight
• Best value for-money: Sightmark Wraith HD 4-32x50 Digital Riflescope
• Most Affordable option: Night Owl Optics NightShot Digital Night Vision Riflescope
• Top for thermal scope: Pulsar Thermion Thermal Riflescope
• Largest Lens: Burris BTS 50 2.9-9.2x50mm Thermal Riflescope
  

Best Night Vision Scope for Crossbow Reviews:

1. ATN X-Sight-4k Pro:

ATN 4K Pro is truly one of the best scopes for night hunting. We loved it so much that it had to be the editor’s choice in this buying guide!

ATN 4K Pro works great for night vision - but not day hunting. It’s the perfect choice for anyone who doesn’t want to pay too much for a high-end thermal scope.

High contrast for night mode

We noticed that the contrast and the amount of detail were decent - and the picture was black and white. The night vision mode includes an IR illuminated mode - the ATN IR850 Supernova.

The IR illuminated mode features three power levels so that you can fine-tune it to your liking.

Some would argue that three power levels are not enough - but they are for a crossbow, a little less so for a rifle.

The off dot is too small, but then again, a hunter usually hunts within a 40-yard distance.

The mount uses 30mm standard rings, and the L-shaped ring comes with a Picatinny rail.

18+ long hours battery

The scope is one-shot zero and has an amazing 18+ hours battery.

The battery lasts long in normal temperatures since it’s a low-consumption battery, but note that replacements can be pricey.

Other great features

This durable, recoil-proof scope comes with a dynamic reticle.

You can even choose from six available reticles - and it features a built-in rangefinder.

Moreover, the scope can stream videos in HD and record them on your SD card.

It’s an affordable and weather-resistant option, too. However, keep in mind that it’s not water- and fog-proof.

Drawback

What we didn’t like is that the crossbow is rather big, weighing over two pounds.

You will need a beefy mounting rail to handle the scope. We recommend using a metal scope rail mounter and a metal trigger box, and you should have a shooting stick, as well.

Another con is that the digital zoom is not optical, and it can be blurry.

Moreover, the design is pretty complex; you will need to learn a bit to manage the scope.

If you would like to charge the battery, you need a charger and an extra battery, too, since the charger is a USB-C.

Pros:

Cons:

2. Sightmark Wraith HD 4-32x50 Digital Riflescope:

(Best digital night vision scope crossbow)

The Sightmark Wraith HD digital riflescope is so good; it simply had to be the runner-up. This scope is the best value-for-money, beginner-friendly option.

It’s ideal for hunting during the day or night - it works well, either way.

Let’s get into the details and see what this scope is all about:

Excellent day or night vision scope

What truly makes it stand out is that it works for hunting throughout the day.

It works during the daytime and at night - which is a great thing. Many scopes only work for daylight or the night, but not both.

The Sightmark scope can detect something up to 183 yards away so that you can cover all grounds with this piece of tech.

It will give you such a clear night image that you need to turn the brightness down and hunt.

Short battery (4.5 h)

When it comes to the IR illuminator, we recommend using a separate battery for it to extend the main battery’s life.

The battery life is rather short, only up to 4.5 hours - but as we said, you can attach an external battery through the USB port to combat that.

Other features

The scope is mounted on the standard Picatinny tail.

It enables 1080p HD video recording, with an 8x digital zoom and a 2x optical system. So, you can zoom up to 16 times without losing the quality of the picture.

As for the reticles, there are 10 options in nine colors - black, white, red, blue, green, cyan, orange, yellow, and magenta.

The scope itself is sturdy, IP55 water-resistant, shock-proof, and it can withstand most temperatures - from 5 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

It also comes with a three-year warranty.

Drawback

What we didn’t like is that this scope weighs over two pounds with batteries. The additional weight might be an issue, but if your crossbow is lightweight, it will be fine.

Also, it doesn’t include a rangefinder and a Wifi pairing app.

Moreover, there’s a little learning curve before you become successful hunting with this scope.

Plus, you will require some additional accessories such as memory cards, the mount, and an external battery.

Pros:

Cons:

3. Night Owl Optics NightShot Digital Night Vision Riflescope:

(Affordable night vision scope for crossbow)

Some hunters want to try out night hunting but aren’t sure if that is something they would like - and because of that, they aren’t looking to spend too much on a night vision scope.

For them, the Night Owl Optics offers the perfect digital night vision scope. It does the job well while being extremely affordable.

Now, let’s check out the specs.

Entry level scope

The dark mode on this scope is relatively basic, but it offers a perfectly clear vision.

The mount is pretty standard; you can mount the scope directly on a Weaver or a Picatinny tail, without scope rings or much else.

Long range

The range on this affordable piece of tech is between 100 and 200 yards. That’s more than plenty for crossbow shooting.

The scope comes with integrated IR illumination for the ultimate experience. The scope itself is weather-proof and resistant to all outside elements, making it rather durable.

The Night Owl offers triple magnification, which is not too impressive. There are three different types of reticles to choose from:

What we liked a lot about this crossbow scope is that it’s extremely easy to zero. The power requires 4 AA batteries, but they’re not included in the package.

Long and easy to replace battery

The battery holds about seven hours with IR settings on low and about four hours if you use the high settings for the IR.

The batteries are easy to replace, though; you don’t have to remove the scope.

We certainly recommend that you buy some extra batteries to take with you because you don’t want to be left out in the dark - literally.

Lightweight

Another great thing about this affordable product is that it’s extremely lightweight - it weighs just over a pound!

Drawback

What we didn’t like is that the scope is made out of cheap plastic; it won’t last too long. It doesn’t support external power banks, which isn’t too great, either.

Another thing to consider here is that this scope is great for night hunting, but day hunting? Not so much.

For that, you will need an additional scope - and another crossbow or rifle, on top of it.

Pros:

Cons:

4. Pulsar Thermion Thermal Riflescope:

(Best Thermal Device)

Using thermal devices for hunting is not exactly new, but it was not available for everyone until recently.

Thermal devices offer an entirely new level to hunters - and these devices are very hot on the market right now.

For those who want to get into thermal optics, we present the Pulsar Thermion Thermal Riflescope.

Continue reading for the detailed review.

Superb dark mode

The first thing everyone notices about the Thermion is that it has a superb dark mode. It comes with eight amazing color palettes:

What makes this rifle scope stand out is that it’s suitable for use during daylight, too. The mount is standard and uses standard 30mm scope rings.

Long range

The range is an XM30 model, which enables the hunter to see over 1400 yards away. Moreover, the scope comes with four reticle colors - black, white, red, and green.

Medium battery

You‘ll get two packs of batteries - an internal, fixed, and an external replaceable battery, which lasts a long time.

But generally speaking, you will get over five hours of power - which isn’t too much.

Tough and user friendly

This shock-resistant scope is IPX7 waterproof, as well, and it can even withstand snowfall.

With the user-friendly buttons, you can use the 8x digital zoom or connect to your phone and use the streaming app.

Lightweight

The weight isn’t too bad - at 1.65 lbs, it’s much better than most night vision scopes.

There are also options for video and image recording, but the internal memory of 16GB requires a micro SD card.

Double picture mode

Another notable option is the picture in picture mode, which enables you to have the big screen on 4x zoom, and the small picture on 8x zoom - or even more.

Drawback

The flaw is that the WiFi speed is significantly slower when transferring files.

What we didn’t like is that the scope comes with a basic stadium metric rangefinder only; you’d expect a bit more for the price.

Pros:

Cons:

5. Burris BTS 50 2.9-9.2x50mm Thermal Riflescope:

(Largest Lens)

Let’s face it; some hunters need the larger lens, whether we like it or not. For some - especially hunters that have declining eyesight - a larger lens is easier to manage.

For those, we present the Burris BTS 50 thermal riflescope. It includes thermal technology and great magnification - but let’s check out the full specs.

Prominent dark mode

The dark mode comes with seven fantastic color palettes:

You have plenty of colors to try out here to see what works best - and what ensures hunting success.

Another great thing is that there are ten reticle options to choose from here. The magnification is a 4x power zoom so that you can see anything - and everything - clearly.

Standard mount

The mount is standard on the Picatinny rail, and it comes with a quick detect mount, so it will be super easy to secure.

Super light

Another thing we liked a lot about this night vision scope is that it’s pretty lightweight - since it weighs just 1.5 pounds, it won’t add on too much weight to our weapon.

Short battery

The battery life is just over three hours, which could be better. The upside about the battery is that the installation is rather simple.

Also, the reticle is easy to zero too.

Great Picture in picture mode

What every hunter will appreciate is the picture in picture mode for video recording.

What every hunter will appreciate is the picture in picture mode for video recording.

You can move this mode to the left, right, middle - and even turn it off during recording.

Other features

The built-in rangefinder is basic, but it still serves its purpose.

The scope itself is water-resistant and made in the USA. Another great thing about the Burris night vision scope is the lifetime warranty. If you purchase this one, you are set for life.

Drawback

What we didn’t like is that there is no built-in option for recording, but you can record with an external four-pin LEMO.

The con of this scope is that it doesn’t have WiFi, meaning you cannot stream via an app.

On top of that, while the scope is amazing, it’s still pretty expensive.

Pros:

Cons:

Types Of Crossbow Scopes For Night Hunting:

Night Vision & IR Vs. Thermal Scope

Handheld thermal devices are the best pieces of tech you can use to locate your prey. However, a night vision is a scope you need to shoot and kill that target.

Night vision is tougher - and in a way, more efficient - but no animal will be able to escape from a thermal device.

There has to be some light outside when you use night vision scope, though. Otherwise, it won’t work.

Even the best hunters will struggle to locate the prey in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) or tall grass.

Many night vision optics are paired with another infrared light. Together, they help you put a light on the field or a target in extremely dark conditions - like on moonless nights, for example.

The infrared light is great because it’s invisible to the eye, but it looks like a spotlight when you look through the scope for night hunting.

For high-end scopes, the technology relies on infrared illuminators less than it does on cheaper units.

What To Consider Before Buying:

Buying a scope means having to keep in mind several crucial things. But when looking for a scope for night hunting, the list gets even longer!

The scope has to be able to assist you when hunting during the night.

That’s why we’ve made this overview of the principal things your new scope needs to have in this section.

Clarity

What makes the scope worth having is being able to get a better picture of your prey. That’s why the scope must have a clear picture. Otherwise, it's pointless to have one.

Look for scopes with a high-quality lens to give you a crystal clear picture. Hunting in the dark will not be possible without it.

Weight

The weight of the scope is a crucial factor, too.

Since crossbows can get pretty hefty, even without the scope, with one - they’ll be even heavier.

Because of that, you should look for a scope that doesn’t weigh over 2 pounds or so.

Have this in mind, and don’t hesitate to prepare a shooting rest or supportive sticks that will assist you in aiming with your crossbow.

Range

A scope without a decent range is simply not a scope worth having. The scope’s range needs to give you a clear picture at a distance of 80 yards - at the very least to your feeder.

Granted, you will usually shoot from a shorter distance. But you should have the option to shoot from afar if need be.

Battery

Scopes have some fine-tuning settings, and to power those settings, they have a battery.

That battery has to hold for at least 12+ hours, or you will need to charge it mid-hunt - which is plain inconvenient.

Do note that some settings require more juice from the battery and could shorten battery life significantly.

You should carry a power bank to extend the battery life - this is a practical tip to utilize and prepare for.

Magnification

Magnification is something you don’t need, but it’s a nice detail to have. Since there are plenty of hunters of age, declining eyesight could be a problem.

Keeping that in mind, look for scopes that offer at least 5x magnification. The best magnification would be 8x or more.

Durability

For scopes for night hunting, durability is certainly something you need to keep an eye on when choosing.

For optimal durability, the scope has to be weather resistant.

Also, the scope ought to be water-resistant, so it doesn't get damaged by the rain.

Moreover, look for shock-proof scopes to prevent them from getting damaged in the tree stands.

Bottom Line:

To conclude, hunting during the night can be fun - but only with the right equipment. You have most of the gear already, but you will need a night vision scope, as well.

Our top choice would have to be the ATN 4K Pro. It comes with a decent, not-too-high price - along with the enhanced night vision mode.

It’s also IR illuminated, with a powerful battery.

So, if you’re looking for fantastic specs at a more than decent price point - the ATN 4K Pro is the best crossbow scope for night hunting there is!

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