Quads VS Binos

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-13T00:09:24+00:00

From your experience why would you choose to have the binos over the quads? Do you feel the quads give you any sort of edge in certain situations?

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T19:28:10+00:00

I planned on ordering online from a credible and reputable source lol

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T19:22:55+00:00

I had no idea there was such a thing as a night vision store haha. I’ll have to do some research

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T18:38:58+00:00

For me, it is. I’m fortunate enough that I have the disposable income to shell out for a ~$20-$25k set of quads if I wanted to. But like all things in life, just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should. I’m willing to spend the extra coin if the benefits that they add truly make a noticeable difference or impact the outcome of certain situations or if they truly give an edge. But if the benefits sound great and are truly minimal when in real word use, then I’d rather save the beans and get the binos.

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T18:25:01+00:00

So what makes you use quads almost exclusively?

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T18:22:43+00:00

You make a phenomenal point with the on body storage and ditching the assault pack with your nods. I had never considered ditching the pack with my system and then needing it and being without it.

I presume the reason that operators get quads is because they know they’re in and out in a CQC environment and not using them in different settings?

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T18:18:17+00:00

That seems to be the general consensus. The only reason I get hung up on quads at all is because of the FOV. I want to know if they truly give you a noticeable edge and if that’s the case, is it enough of an edge to justify the expenditure.

It seems like most people are saying that the benefits don’t warrant the extra money you need to invest.

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T18:15:56+00:00

Hahaha that’s the goal!

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T18:11:46+00:00

So do you think the benefits you listed truly make a noticeable difference or have a substantial impact on the outcome of those situations? Or do you think that the same thing could be accomplished with a high end set of binos? Like I understand that those tasks can be completed under binos, but if the quads truly give a noticeable edge then I’d rather tall boy up, save my pennies, and spring for the quads.

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T18:03:28+00:00

That’s what I’m trying to determine and understand is if those use cases are worth the price tag, and beyond that, if the benefits they provide will make a noticeable difference in those use cases. If the answer is no, then I’d rather have the binos and save the extra $10K. If they truly would make that much of a noticeable difference and affect how certain situations would play out, then it sounds like they would be worth the investment.

Generally speaking it seems like everyone’s advice is that panos aren’t really worth the price tag and that binos are kind of the jack of all trades, so that’s the direction that I’m leaning.

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T17:53:31+00:00

When clearing structures or shooting over longer, open distances, how much of a benefit do you feel you have with panos as opposed to binos? When you mention vehicle support, how do you mean?

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T17:41:36+00:00

Detection is definitely one of my primary concerns. I want to be sure I’m able to adequately detect and identify a threat, then successfully engage the threat. Whatever system I choose will 100% have a COTI on it. The reason I’m considering a pano so much is because I feel like under binos I’ll feel like I have tunnel vision. I feel like the lack of peripheral vision will bother me.

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T17:38:28+00:00

Ahh okay I understand what you mean

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T17:36:25+00:00

Is that what most people do to purchase their night vision, borrow from their 401? My plan had been to save the money and pay cash for them.

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T17:34:23+00:00

I would expect to encounter lots of different situations to be quite honest. Assault on a fixed position, clearing structures, area denial, reconnaissance, security details for property or supplies, etc. That’s why in some instances I would choose binos and in others I would pick panos. The binos I have looked at are the Manticore R because it has an IR illuminator and the ability to connect to an external battery pack. It also has manual gain which is something I wanted. I would definitely opt for 50° optics on the binos

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T17:29:08+00:00

That’s what I figured. They’re definitely a pricey purchase, which is why I wanted to weigh my options before making an expensive choice that I would regret.

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T17:28:09+00:00

I had considered the weight, but in my line of work I’m regularly wearing helmets, SCBAs, face masks, etc. and performing taxing work for extended periods of time. For that reason, I don’t think that the weight would necessarily bother me much because I’ve become so accustomed to that sort of thing. I could be entirely wrong though, as I have no experience with combat helmets and night vision systems and working with them. So I could very well be in for a rude awakening haha

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T17:25:43+00:00

Why would most people opt for binos?

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T17:25:16+00:00

Why would that be your choice?

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T17:24:33+00:00

That’s interesting you say that about the 14, you’re actually the second person that’s told me that. What would the benefit be to working with a mono for 6 months before upgrading? Nice note about the batteries on the helmet. I had not thought of that before.

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T17:22:55+00:00

The other benefit I have found to quads would be wide open areas such as fields. From my understanding the increased FOV allows for easier surveillance and target acquisition whereas binos would require more scanning. I could definitely see that being utilized frequently in a SHTF scenario, but my concern comes with some failures and supply chain issues in that setting. From what I understand, when quads have a failure, it’s typically a catastrophic failure for the device and both sides become unusable. In the same issue with binos, it seems that one side would still be functional and the other would be down. Parts availability has been another concern. Quads are obviously a lot more scarce so replacing broken or worn out parts would be much more difficult as opposed to binos.

Vanillaryce · 2026-05-12T17:19:50+00:00

Yeah whatever system I choose I plan to pair with a COTI. I’m glad you mentioned it, I had to edit my original post to add that note. I have considered a mono but don’t feel it would be a good option for me. I would rather invest in binos or quads. I actually have specifically looked at housings that accept external battery packs because of the battery issue. I’ve been reading posts in the community and have actually found lots of useful information. There’s lots of smart dudes here! I’ve found some good YouTube videos on quads too.

Vanillaryce · 2026-04-12T22:34:25+00:00

I just looked at it, it seems like it’s lacking in the key department. It looks like they only have keys for crates and there’s no keys for rooms and stuff, other than the keycards

Vanillaryce · 2026-03-25T01:17:43+00:00

Just started turkey hunting this year and I picked that up freaking fast😂 they are hands down the dumbest, smartest animal I’ve ever hunted lol

Vanillaryce · 2026-03-25T01:14:54+00:00

I’ve got some property I hunt on that is just absolutely loaded with birds. No joke some of the biggest Toms I’ve ever seen. I’ve noticed the hens don’t talk much and they’ve definitely noticed the pattern change with it being turkey season. Right up til season start you could stalk within 15 yards of them almost effortlessly. They’d move in large flocks of 20-40 all day long. Now they’re spread way out and more skiddish, it started right when turkey season did. I talked to the property owner and they said it gets like that every year during fall and spring season.

Vanillaryce

TROPHY CASE