Night Owl Optics NZT-1 Night Vision Scope (Not too bad for a surplus cheapie!)
Written: Mar 23 '01 (Updated Mar 23 '01)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Good amplification and image clarity for its class. Inexpensive.
Cons: Tiring to use since power button must be constantly depressed.
The Bottom Line: A budget class night viewer that is the best Generation I device I've used. However, the NZT-1 is no match for the advanced Generation II and III night vision technologies.
|
|
|
| tejones's Full Review: ATN NZT-1 Monocular |
The NZT-1 is a Russian surplus Generation I night vision device that is sold by several companies under varying names. It is (or was) sold by K-Mart for $169.00, making it one of the lowest priced night vision scopes available anywhere. I bought mine at K-Mart, and the NZT-1 is one of the four night vision scopes that I own.
In its several variations, the scope is commonly found with either a 1x, 2.4x, or 3x lens. The front lens thread is Pentax camera screw mount compatible, so if you have any old Pentax screw mount lens lying around you’ll have some extra magnification options available for this device. I replaced the scope’s stock f2.0 lens with a Pentax f1.4 camera lens and left it there since I now get an additional stop of light available for amplification.
There are two accessories for this scope that I am aware of; a camera adapter and an infrared illuminator, both of which I bought from aftermarket sources. The NZT-1 can also be bought with a short tripod, an accessory I did not receive with my purchase.
The NZT-1 seems to have been designed for mounting on some type of equipment or weapons system since it has mounting holes made into the body. I have no idea what equipment the scope was originally designed to function with, but the holes are handy for rigging a hand or neck strap for ease of carry (I installed a nylon shoestring). The scope is lightweight, and uses an inexpensive and readily available 9v battery.
Generation 1 devices are notoriously poor low light performers when compared to Generation II or III devices, and the NZT-1 is no exception. However, the NZT-1 has the sharpest image and highest light amplification of any first generation device I have used, in spite of its low cost. The scope makes a distinctive and rather loud ticking sound when the power is activated, and its light amplification is adequate for open areas illuminated by a half-moon or so. In pure starlight, the NZT-1’s image brightness is poor, but certainly much better than the naked eye!
The one complaint I have with this scope is the rubberized power button that must be pressed down continuously to keep the scope activated. The button is very stiff so that the scope does not activate accidentally when the device is laid down or stored, but in use your entire hand becomes fatigued very quickly. I eventually modified my model by removing the power switch and replacing it with a simple Radio Shack toggle switch. I’ve accidentally drained a battery or two when the switch was inadvertently flipped, but my hands agree that the modification was well worth it the effort!
Like any Generation I device, the NZT-1 will self-destruct in the presence of bright sunlight, and if tested during the day the pinhole safety cap must remain on the front lens.
I recommend the NZT-1 for casual night viewing, but my recommendation is made only within its class. The scope is certainly no contender to the other more advanced and vastly more expensive night vision technologies, but it is adequate for budget night viewing.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
tejones
|
|
Member: Thomas Jones
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Reviews written: 11
Trusted by: 11 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.