Let's be honest—hunting raccoons or hogs at night without the right gear is about as effective as trying to find your keys in a dark movie theater. You know they're out there somewhere; you can hear them rustling around, but good luck actually spotting them before they disappear into the woods.
That's where quality night vision binoculars come in handy. And if you're not looking to drop the price of a used car on military-grade gear like PVS-14s, the Firefield Hexcore HD 1-3x Night Vision Binoculars might be exactly what you need.
What Makes the Hexcore Different from Regular Night Vision Binoculars?
The Hexcore isn't trying to be something it's not. This is digital night vision designed for regular folks who want to see what's going bump in the night without taking out a second mortgage. Here's what makes it work:
Digital night vision technology means you're getting a CMOS sensor that captures images and displays them on a built-in screen, like a mini security camera for each eye, except you're wearing it on your face and hunting trash pandas instead of monitoring your front door or a parking lot.
The 1280x720 sensor resolution gives you clear images displayed on a 640x360 TFT screen. In normal-person terms, that means you'll actually be able to tell the difference between a raccoon and a tree stump at a reasonable distance—which is more than you can say for squinting into the darkness with a flashlight.
How Far Can You Actually See With These Night Vision Binoculars?
Firefield rates the Hexcore for detection out to 219 yards (200 meters) at night. Now, whether you're hunting hogs rooting through a field or watching raccoons raid your neighbor's garbage cans, that's plenty of range for most situations.
The built-in IR illuminator does the heavy lifting here. It's got three power modes:
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High mode: 2200mW (about 1.5 hours of battery life)
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Medium mode: 1400mW (3 hours of battery)
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Low mode: 600mW (5 hours of battery)
Think of it like the brightness settings on your phone. You crank it up when you really need to see, and dial it back when you're just scanning around and want to save battery.
Recording Your Nighttime Adventures
Here's where the Hexcore gets fun. These night vision binoculars can record HD video and take photos of whatever you're watching. Got a massive hog tearing up a field? Hit record. Watching a raccoon trying to figure out how to open a trash can? That's content gold right there.
The specs:
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Records HD 1280x720 video at 30fps in AVI format
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Takes HD 1280x720 photos in JPEG format
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Stores everything on a micro SD card (up to 64GB supported)
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Can record over 11 hours of footage on a full 64GB card
The video playback feature is actually pretty slick. You can review your footage right on the binoculars without having to dump it to a computer first. Perfect for showing your buddy what he missed while he was getting another beer.
Digital Zoom: Getting Closer Without Moving
The 1-3x digital zoom lets you punch in on distant targets. The base magnification is 1x, which keeps your field of view nice and wide—20 degrees horizontal, to be exact. That's about 105 feet at 100 yards.
When you zoom to 3x, you're trading some of that width for a closer look. It's not optical zoom (which would use actual glass lenses), but for spotting whether that's a hog or just a dark patch of brush, it does the job.
Daytime Use: A Bonus Feature
Unlike traditional night vision that turns into expensive paperweights when the sun comes up, the Hexcore works in daylight too. It records in full color during the day and switches to black-and-white night vision mode when things get dark.
Battery life during daytime use is about 8 hours on four AA batteries. That's a solid day of scouting or wildlife watching without needing to swap batteries.
Wearing Them: More Comfortable Than You'd Think
The Hexcore comes with a head mount that converts these night vision binoculars into hands-free goggles. The setup includes:
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DNV head mount with adjustable straps
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1/4"-20 thread to 2-prong adapter
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Extension arms and adjustment knobs
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Standard neck strap (for handheld use)
The whole rig weighs 19.1 ounces (542 grams) with batteries. That's just over a pound—about the same as a can of beans, less than a pair of PVS-14s, which would weigh anywhere from 567 to 822 grams. Therefore, it’s not quite a featherweight, but it won’t give you a headache after an hour, either.
You can also mount these to standard action camera accessories using the 1/4"-20 thread, which opens up a lot of possibilities for mounting them on helmets, vehicles, or tripods.
Power and Runtime: Keep Extra Batteries
The Hexcore runs on four AA batteries and runs at various times depending on what mode they’re on:
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High IR mode: 1.5 hours
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Medium IR mode: 3 hours
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Low IR mode: 5 hours
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Daytime mode: 8 hours
If you're planning a long night of hog hunting, bring spare batteries. AA batteries are cheap and available everywhere, so this isn't a dealbreaker—just something to plan for.
You can also power the unit with an external 5V USB-C power source, which could extend your runtime significantly if you're willing to deal with a cable.
Real-World Applications for Night Vision Binoculars
Raccoon hunting: These masked bandits are most active at night, and they're not exactly subtle about it. The Hexcore gives you enough range to spot them raiding trash cans, bird feeders, or trying to break into your shed. The recording feature is great for figuring out where they're getting in so you can block access points.
Hog hunting: Feral hogs are destructive, nocturnal, and multiply like tribbles. Spotting them in fields or along wood lines at night is way easier with night vision binoculars. The 200+ yard detection range means you can scan large areas without spooking them.
Wildlife observation: Not everything has to be about hunting. Watching nocturnal wildlife doing their thing is genuinely entertaining. Owls hunting mice, foxes prowling around, deer feeding in fields—there's a whole world of activity happening after dark.
Property surveillance: Whether you're trying to figure out what keeps knocking over your fence or you want to keep tabs on a remote property, night vision binoculars are a useful tool. The recording feature means you can review later instead of sitting out there all night.
The Limitations You Should Know About
No product is perfect, and the Hexcore has a few trade-offs:
Not waterproof: These are weather-resistant at best. Don't take them out in heavy rain, and definitely don't drop them in a creek. If moisture is a concern, you'll need to invest in higher-end equipment.
Digital, not analog: Purists will note that these use digital night vision instead of traditional image intensifier tubes. Digital NV has come a long way, but it's still different. You're looking at a screen, not through enhanced ambient light. For most casual users, this is fine. For serious tactical applications, maybe not.
Limited zoom range: The 1-3x digital zoom is helpful but modest. If you need to identify targets at extreme range, you'll want something with more magnification.
Battery consumption on high IR: Running the IR illuminator at full power will drain batteries fast. It's fine for short sessions, but all-night use means bringing extras.
Who Should Buy the Hexcore Night Vision Binoculars?
This is a great option for:
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Casual hunters who need affordable night vision
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Property owners dealing with nighttime pest problems
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Wildlife enthusiasts who want to watch nocturnal animals
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Anyone who needs basic night vision without spending thousands
These night vision binoculars hit a sweet spot between "cheap toy that doesn't work" and "professional equipment that costs more than your rifle."
Bottom Line
The Firefield Hexcore HD Night Vision Binoculars deliver solid performance at a price point that won't make you reconsider your life choices. At $215.97, you're getting functional digital night vision with recording capability, decent battery life, and enough range for most hunting and observation applications.
They're not military-spec gear, and they're not trying to be. What they are is a practical tool for seeing in the dark without emptying your wallet. Whether you're tracking hogs tearing up your property or just curious about what your local raccoons are up to at 2 AM, the Hexcore gets the job done.
Plus, being able to record your nighttime adventures means you'll have video evidence that yes, that raccoon really did figure out how to open a cooler. Your friends won't believe it otherwise.
Ready to upgrade your nighttime vision? The Firefield Hexcore HD 1-3x Night Vision Binoculars come with everything you need to start exploring after dark, backed by a three-year limited warranty. Add a micro SD card, grab some spare AA batteries, and you're set for whatever the night throws at you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far can the Firefield Hexcore HD Night Vision Binoculars see at night?
The Hexcore is rated for detection out to 219 yards (200 meters) in nighttime conditions. With the built-in IR illuminator, you can scan fields, wood lines, and open property effectively at typical hunting distances.
Is the Hexcore digital or traditional night vision?
The Hexcore uses digital night vision technology with a CMOS sensor and built-in display screens. Instead of traditional image intensifier tubes, you are viewing a digital image, which allows for recording and daytime use.
Can you use the Hexcore during the day?
Yes. Unlike traditional analog night vision, the Hexcore works in full color during daylight hours and switches to black-and-white night vision mode in low-light conditions.
Does the Hexcore record video and take photos?
Yes. It records 1280x720 HD video at 30fps in AVI format and captures 1280x720 photos in JPEG format. Files are stored on a micro SD card up to 64GB, allowing for over 11 hours of recorded footage on a full card.
What kind of batteries does the Hexcore use and how long do they last?
The Hexcore runs on four AA batteries. Runtime depends on IR mode: about 1.5 hours on high, 3 hours on medium, 5 hours on low, and up to 8 hours in daytime mode. It can also be powered with a 5V USB-C external power source.
Is the Hexcore waterproof?
No. The unit is weather-resistant but not waterproof. It should not be used in heavy rain or submerged in water.
Can the Hexcore be mounted for hands-free use?
Yes. It includes a DNV head mount for hands-free operation and features a standard 1/4"-20 thread, allowing mounting to compatible tripods, helmets, and action camera accessories.
What type of zoom does the Hexcore offer?
The Hexcore features 1-3x digital zoom. The base magnification is 1x with a 20-degree horizontal field of view, and users can zoom in digitally up to 3x for closer target identification.
Who is the Hexcore best suited for?
The Hexcore is ideal for casual hunters, property owners managing nighttime pests, wildlife observers, and anyone who wants affordable digital night vision without investing in high-cost military-grade equipment.