Best tube night vision scopes
Image-intensifier rifle scopes ranked by tube generation and figure of merit, then field width and price.
Updated October 12, 2026 · 12 current models considered
How this list is ranked
- Tube generation: Gen 3, then Gen 2+, then Gen 2, then Gen 1, as the maker states it.
Tube generations
Labels like Gen 1, Gen 2+ and Gen 3 that group night vision tubes by design. They are a rough guide; the measured specs say more than the label.
- Then figure of merit: resolution times signal-to-noise, the single number for tube quality. Where the maker publishes none, the unit ranks below those that do within its generation.
Figure of merit (FOM)
A single number for night vision tube quality: resolution multiplied by signal-to-noise ratio. Higher is better, but check whether it is a guaranteed minimum.
- Then autogating, which protects the tube and the picture from sudden bright light.
- Then field width: how much ground the view covers at 100 yards.
Field width
How many feet of ground fill the screen at 100 yards. Wider makes scanning faster; narrower usually means more detail on the animal.
- Then price: on a further tie, the cheaper one.
One spot per product line: a model from the same line, or one with the same sensor and lens under a newer name, is listed under the best of them instead of taking a spot of its own. Only current models sold through US dealers with a published US price. Nobody paid for a spot, and affiliate links never change the order. Phosphor color (green or white) is a preference, not a grade, so it does not rank. How we measure.
All 4 product lines, from 12 current night vision scopes.
1
Armasight
Vulcan 4.5x Gen 3 Thin-Filmed 2400+ White
Gen 3 thin-filmed · white phosphor · $5,999
- Figure of merit
- 2400
- Ground across at 100 yd
- 47 ft
Also in this range from the same line or with the same optics: Vulcan 4.5x Gen 3 Filmless 2400+ White ($6,099), Vulcan 4.5x Gen 3 Pinnacle 2376 White ($3,699), Vulcan 4.5x Gen 3 Thin-Filmed 2200+ White ($5,699), Vulcan 4.5x Gen 3 Thin-Filmed 1800+ White ($5,499), Vulcan 4.5x Gen 3 Filmless 1800+ White ($5,899), Vulcan 4.5x Gen 3 Bravo White ($1,599)
2
Bering Optics
D-790 6.0x83 Gen3
Thin Film Gen3, autogated, 64-72 lp/mm · green phosphor · $6,295
- Figure of merit
- Not published
- Ground across at 100 yd
- 33 ft
Also in this range from the same line or with the same optics: D-790 6.0x83 B&W Gen3+ white phosphor ($6,995)
3
Bering Optics
D-750 4.0x66 Gen3
Thin Film Gen3, 64-72 lp/mm · green phosphor · $5,695
- Figure of merit
- Not published
- Ground across at 100 yd
- 47 ft
Also in this range from the same line or with the same optics: D-750 4.0x66 B&W Gen3+ white phosphor ($6,495)
4
Bering Optics
Trifecta 3.0x50 Core+
CORE+ technology tube ("Gen 1+" on Bering's Russian-language page) · $795
- Figure of merit
- Not published
- Ground across at 100 yd
- 52 ft
Compare the top 3 side by side · See them all on the night vision scopes page
What is left out
Discontinued models, which sell used on eBay; brands with no US dealer network; and units whose maker does not state the tube generation. All of them are on the night vision scopes page.
Prices are the US price on file for each model, or the maker's list price where marked MSRP. Retailers change them often; the retailer's page is the current one.
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