An Official TekReview - Rigel 2100 Night Vision Binoculars

Rigel Optics 2100 Pro Night Vision Binoculars given 9 out of 10 stars for quality

In the world of Gen I+ night vision systems, and there are several out there, Rigel optics has come up with a standout product.

Using the SIBIR pair I already own as a reference , with no illumination, the Rigel 2100s are clearly superior giving a clearer, high contrast image. I've also owned Russian Nighthawk type (Gen I) which I used as a reference in my SIBIR review. Compared to the Nighthawks without supplemental illumination, the SIBIRs were great. Compared to the SIBIRs, the 2100s are great.

That being said, the illuminator on the Rigel 2100s is almost useless for distance viewing. On the SIBIR pair, the illuminator lights up my backyard like a headlight all the way to the back fence - about 100' away. When I fired up the llluminator on the Rigel 2100s I thought I was doing something wrong until I looked down toward the ground in front of me and saw it lit up. With the illuminator off, however, the 2100s are clearly superior.

One of the things I really like about the 2100s is the fact that their field of view is so wide (10 degrees). The field of view on my NightHawks was like looking through a soda straw. The SIBIRs is a little better. The 2100s are like looking through a pair of Nikon binoculars, only, with night vision - they're wide and clear. They have a +/- 4 diopter adjustments for those of us that need it (I usually set the diopter adjustment to 0).

I took both the SIBIRs and the Rigel 2100s to a huge field to see how each performed beyond the range of either's built-in illuminator. In a farm field with trees about 1000' away, I could just make out the treeline with the SIBIRs. With the Rigel 2100s, I could clearly make out a deer walking along the field along the treeline!

The power supply was something that I initially thought would be a problem, but, in reality, it isn't. They're powered by two N-Size batteries. I thought they were obscure, and hard to find, and probably expensive. Acutally, they're in most drugs stores, and online, I can find them for about $1 each with a little searching.

The case that they come with is a zip up nylon type. It doesn't offer nearly as much protection as the case that came with my SIBIRs, but, it did the job. I prefer the SIBIRs case hands down (thick cordura nylon, with a velcro closure), but, it's really the binoculars you're after, not the case. If you want a case, buy a case. If you want a great pair of night vision binoculars, the Rigel 2100s are a great choice.

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