Sightmark Photon - Which Magnification?

T

Tuffdaddy

New member
Hey all,

So I'm going to be picking up a Sightmark Photon over the holidays, however I'm not sure which magnification to get. The 6.5x50 or the 4.6x42? I'm leaning towards the 6.5x50L so I can have the upgraded light, but will that minimize how well I can see? Most shots are from 100 to maybe 200 yards at night. Also, it's going on a dedicated night gun as I'll be using my AR for day time shooting.

Thanks!
 

Tuff, I like the 6.5 version, but that's for my aging eyes and because I tend to like a little more magnification anyway. I think the 6.5 would work well at the distances you mentioned. You will lose some field of view with that one but it may not be as much of an issue, again at your distances. The 4.6 would be a better choice for closer ranges.

Like you, I dedicated a rifle and scope for night hunting, specifically for hogs at feeders. My 6.5 is mounted on a bolt action 308. I took a hog at 87 yards a few months back and it worked just fine. I'm on my phone at the moment but later when I get to a computer I can give you a Youtube link of the video so you can judge for yourself as to magnification and field of view.

One other thing, you will probably need an external IR light rather than using the onboard one for your distances.
 
If your going to buy a Photo now take a look at the RT version. It's released in the UK but not in the US. You can find them on eBay and looks like no restrictions to ship to the US.
 
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Thanks for the responses guys. Outside of the RT model (have to research that), it would probably make more sense to get the "s" model than the "L" model since I'd have to upgrade the IR anyway. Save $100 and spend it on new IR.

I'll do some youtube watching as well to see how the magnifications differ as well. I just don't want to grab the wrong one and be disappointed. (I can always use the shotgun for up close shots).

PMac, I haven't seen the RT versions yet, but I'll do some searching to see what the differences/improvements are.
 
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Originally Posted By: zheltonI have the 4.6 but now wished i had the 6.5...

My feelings exactly, and you will positively need a good IR light to go with it.
 
If using to shoot hogs over bait or even coyotes over bait, then the 6.5 is the way to go. If you're using it as a calling rifle for coyotes, then the 4.6 is a bit better with more FOV. One thing the new RT scopes have is built in zoom which allows you to have the lower power for moving targets and the ability to double the mag for longer range still shots, but they are more money also at this point.
 
It’ll be used for calling as we can’t bait in Wisconsin. When the the RT going to be available around here? Though I saw the end of January.

Excited to get started in night vision, but have a feeling it will get expensive lol.
 
I tried a Photon 4.6 for a while, and the small FOV was too frustrating for me. I could spot them with my Pulsar thermal scanner, but very rarely find them in the scope. I did kill several hogs and a FEW coyotes with it, but finally gave up and went with a Pulsar thermal scope. I haven't regretted it.
 
nr123, I had the same issue with finding them going from thermal to the Photon, but that might be our ages, Lol. My hunting buddy is a youngster at 55, and does okay with his and it is a 6.5 with even less FOV. Hope your Grendel has gotten some blood on it by now.

I sure love my Apex Thermal scope as well.
 
My eyes have been trained pretty well to handle the thermal with as much time as I've spent looking through them but the photons can be difficult to find a yote in
after having your eyeball crammed up against thermal all night and your pupil shrunk way down. When we killed those six Monday night there was two of us with xp50 trails and one guy with a photon 4.6 and I'll tell you he was frustrated by the end of the night trying to keep up with us. The new thermals are just ridiculous. Crazy part is his wife even told him to upgrade and he isn't
scared.gif
I don't even want to look back through my xd19a after having the xp50 trail. I'll for sure have a helion or the equivalent eventually.
 
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Originally Posted By: Dirty HippieOriginally Posted By: zheltonI have the 4.6 but now wished i had the 6.5...

My feelings exactly, and you will positively need a good IR light to go with it.

ive got the 4.6 and i'm pretty happy with it. adding a good external IR was the ticket for me. i added a t20 from amazon on and it was quite literally a night and day difference in how easy it was to see stuff with it
 

Just a note about the Photons. If you are a veteran you can get them directly from the company for a discount. I got my 6.5x scope for $585. Shipping to my door brought the total to just under $600.
 
Tuffdaddy,I'm a Illinois resident but I thought the way I understood Wisconsin law a Photon scope with a illuminater would be illegal the way the law is written. Other than that I have a 6.5 for shooting over a bait pile with a Sniper Hawg light and I can see farther than I can shoot.
 
Originally Posted By: fitzDo you know if there is a law enforcement discount 6mm06?

No, I don't know about law enforcement. You might want to phone them and ask.

I thought $585 was a pretty good deal (roughly 16% discount off retail) on the 6.5x one, even beating Sportsman's Guide price for club members. The 4.6x will be even cheaper.

Personally I am anxious to see the new RT models. Of course that's more money.
 
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