How far can it actually see at night?

The IR illuminator lights up nearby ground and treeline well, but effective range drops in open fields. Expect clear detail at close to mid distances and silhouettes beyond that, not the maximum figure in open air.

Does it work in complete darkness?

Yes. The built-in infrared illuminator switches on in low or zero light, so you can view without ambient light. The IR glow can be visible to some animals and to other people using night vision.

Can I record what I see?

Yes. It captures photos and video to onboard storage and plays them back on the 3-inch LCD. You can review footage in the field without a phone or computer.

How long does the battery last?

The 2000mAh battery supports extended sessions, though runtime shortens with the IR illuminator and screen on. You can also run it from USB or swap in batteries to keep going.

Is it good for hunting?

It works for scouting and observing game at night and records the session. It is not a thermal scope, so it will not pick out warm bodies through cover the way thermal does.

How does it compare with Gen-1 night vision?

It gives a digital image on a screen with recording built in, while Gen-1 analog tubes show a green image through the eyepiece and usually cannot record. Digital images tend to be grainier in very low light.