ATN NZT-1 Monocular

Pros: Good amplification and image clarity for its class. Inexpensive.
Cons: Tiring to use since power button must be constantly depressed.

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...

Pros: Cheap as chips, high quality, common batteries, good clarity
Cons: uselessly hard IR switch, heavy, poor internal design for tubes capabilties.

The scope is basic but works superbly, I have two units, one brand new and another that the previous user pointed at the sun and killed for parts.

The light tube is of very high quality and not realized to it's full potential in this unit, it's crisp, clear and only the eyepiece lets it down. It's zoomed at almost 3x and only half the effective tube area is actually used, I would like to get another, place a 0x magnification lens and a different eyepiece. (I have seen one with a much larger lens and without the "guides" over the tubes light collecting part)

The tube seems much more receptive to red wavelengths (red light) than green or blue and using a high bright red LED gives fantastic results.

Overall for the price, it can't be beat.

The powerswitch only needs pressing for a short time (1-2 seconds) and is a good design.

The IR illumination switch is horrible and this must be moodified.