How to Sight In a Night Vision Scope - Quick Explanation - Consumer Files

How to Sight In a Night Vision Scope – Quick Explanation

In Hunting by Consumer FilesLeave a CommentLast Updated: April 21st, 2021

Night vision scopes are a necessity if you’re looking to take down nocturnal varmints. But, if you’re new to the world of night vision scopes - be they infrared or thermal- figuring out how to sight in a night vision scope may very well leave you scratching your head. In truth, it’s a process that is incredibly simple, though not obvious.

How to Sight in Night Vision Scope?


1. Check with the manufacturer.

When sighting in a night vision scope, the first thing you want to do is check with the manufacturer to see if they have a recommended method. After all, no one knows that particular scope better than the people who created it, so be sure to check the user’s guide or the manufacturer’s website for a prescribed method or any tips.

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If there is no recommended method, the next step is to check the objective lens cap of your night vision scope. There will be a small pinhole in the lens. This hole allows for a tiny bit of light to pass through the lens cap so that you can sight in your night vision scope during the day - but without risk of permanently damaging it.

2. Check the objective lens cap.

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With the objective lens firmly in place, you can sight in the scope as you would any other scope during the day, taking shots and making adjustments as necessary.

Of course, if your objective lens does NOT have a pinhole in it, that might require you to be more creative. This pretty much leaves you with having to sight in the scope at night. So, how can you tell where your shots are hitting if it’s dark?

  • wrench
    One option is to set up your target and use a spotlight to illuminate it after every shot. Using a pair of binoculars, you can gauge your accuracy and make any necessary adjustments.
  • street-view
    Another option would be to trek back and forth to be sure of your accuracy, but that can get tiring fast (although that may be incentive to get it sighted in as quickly as possible)!


As you can see, the process really isn’t complicated, but it is very much something that may not strike someone immediately. Good hunting!

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How to Sight In a Night Vision Scope – Quick Explanation was last modified: April 21st, 2021 by Consumer Files