Night Owl Optics NightShot II Night Vision Rifle Scope with IR850-NS Illuminator
- Rifle Scope
- 40 mm
- Airsoft, Hunting, Paintball
- Plastic
- More reviewed than 58%
A capable entry point into night vision for the price, but plan on lithium batteries and possibly an extra mount to get the most from it.
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How it ranks among the 359 rifle scopes we track
4.0★ across 114 Amazon ratings, Bayesian-smoothed toward the category average.
114 Amazon ratings, weighted on a log scale so huge counts don't drown everything.
Brand identity, imagery, description and spec coverage.
The ProductDome score is separate from the Amazon rating shown above: it combines the Bayesian-smoothed Amazon rating with evidence volume, tracked demand, and data quality across the 359 rifle scopes we track - how the scorecard works · full rifle scopes data report. Confidence: medium - useful but incomplete evidence.Last refreshed Jun 22, 2026. Data-computed, not a hands-on test. Compiled by the ProductDome Research Team.
Overview
A digital night vision riflescope paired with a separate 1000mW IR850-NS infrared illuminator rated to 250 yards, built for hunters and shooters using rifles up to .30 caliber, plus handguns, shotguns and crossbows.
Night Owl positions this as a lower-cost alternative to premium night vision scopes, and one reviewer with a military night vision background found it performed as advertised at moderate range. Battery life on standard alkalines is a recurring weak point across accounts.
- IR850-NS illuminator with 1000mW output to 250 yards
- Compatible with rifles up to .30 caliber, handguns, shotguns, crossbows
- Adjustable rail mounting positions
- Weatherproof illuminator construction
Who it's for
Hunters and shooters wanting an entry-level night vision optic for low-light target identification without a premium-scope budget. Not ideal for anyone who needs long battery runtime out of the box or fine zeroing without buying an add-on mount.
What buyers say
From Amazon customer reviews.
Positive accounts described clear night vision at 30 to 175 yards depending on IR use, with one reviewer comparing it favorably to a scope costing several times more. Negative accounts centered on battery drain, limited zoom and focus range, the need to buy an adjustable mount to properly zero it, and in one case receiving a used unit with batteries already installed.
Strengths and trade-offs
Drawn from this product's published specifications.
- Clear image at moderate range for the price
- Works handheld as a monocular or mounted as a scope
- Compatible with a wide range of firearms and calibers
- Standard batteries drain fast, lithium recommended
- Zeroing needs a separate adjustable mount
- Quality control varies between units
Specifications
| Brand | Night Owl Optics |
|---|---|
| Dimensions & fit | |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 40 mm |
| Item Weight | 1.7 pounds |
| Construction & materials | |
| Material Type | Plastic |
| Color | Black |
| Compatibility & installation | |
| Mounting Type | Weaver Mount |
| Compatible Devices | Cross Bow, Handgun, Rifle, Shotgun |
| Included components | |
| Included Components | NightShot, IR850-NS |
| Warranty & support | |
| Warranty Description | 1 year |
| Other details | |
| Sport Type | Airsoft, Hunting, Paintball |
| Reticle Type | configurable |
| Night vision | Yes |
| Product Style | Scope + IR850-NS |
| Field Of View | 5.6 Degrees |
| Item Type Name | night vision rifle scope |
How it compares
This product against the closest alternatives we track in rifle scopes.
| Product | Amazon rating | Ratings | ProductDome score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night Owl Optics NightShot II Night Vision Rifle Scope with IR850-NS IlluminatorThis product | 4.0 / 5 | 114 | 3.8 / 5 |
| UTG 3-12X44 30mm Compact ScopeUTG | 4.5 / 5 | 3,000 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Vortex Optics Diamondback Second Focal PlaneBrand | 4.7 / 5 | 1,500 | 4.3 / 5 |
| PINTY Tactical Rifle Scope Combo: Illuminated OpticsPinty | 4.4 / 5 | 1,100 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Firefield RapidStrike 1-6x24 SFP Riflescope KitFirefield | 4.5 / 5 | 900 | 4.3 / 5 |
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Questions about the Night Owl Optics rifle scopes
Common buyer questions answered straight from the product spec data - no fluff, no "it depends".
What calibers does the NightShot II fit?
It's built to work with rifles up to .30 caliber, along with handguns, shotguns and crossbows.
How far does the IR850-NS illuminator reach?
It's rated at 1000mW of power for illumination up to 250 yards, though real-world visibility reported by buyers varied with conditions.
What batteries should I use in this scope?
It ships compatible with standard AA batteries, but several buyers found runtime short and recommended switching to lithium batteries.