[Azathoth]

Originally Posted by ANTICITIZEN

I would like to be able to see people so I can effectivly play night games i mean an Airsoft gun is only effective within 300-350 so id like to be able to see people at that distance in a forest or field or urban area, though I realize that it isn't like looking through binoculars, and I don't know the difference between with or without ir illuminator. Basically Id like to get the best pair that I can with the money I have

You didn't really answer my questions. Under what lighting conditions? A higher end Gen 1+ unit under a full moon is not much better than a healthy person with no NVGs. Have you done any research on your own?

Kullwarrior wrote this FAQ for Edmontonairsoft, and I annotated and added things to it. I highly recommend you read all of it. ESPECIALLY the section that is marked "MUST READ". Their are pictures of what images look like under realistic working conditions for a NOD, once you figure out what picture quality you want from that forum post, then you can determine how far your budget will go

NVG 101
First of all, I’m by no means an expert in Night Vision device. I did my own research (took me ~6 months) I’ll just put these info up so that way I have something to refer people in the future.

Night Vision is a device used to see in the dark; Image Intensifer (I2), Digital Night Vision, and Thermal. Image Intensifer and Digital Night Vision work by amplifying light whereas Thermal detect heat signature.
Important Links you should look at:
HISTORY OF NIGHT VISION TECHNOLOGY
HOW NIGHT VISION (IMAGE INTENSIFER) WORKS
NIGHT VISION GLOSSERY (MUST READ!)
NIGHT VISION DEMOSTRATOR
While they’re all Gen 2 (Photonis’ Gen 2 were well known to exceed Gen 2 specs) XR-5 is the current top tier offered by Photonis. While its debatable, most NOD forum suggest its capability are roughly similar to Gen 3 OMNI IV or V spec
NIGHT VISION GENERATION COMPARSION {MUST READ!}
HIGH END DIGITAL NIGHT VISION VS HIGH END IMAGE INTENSIFER NIGHT VISION
YOUTUBE: GEN 2 NIGHT VISION EXPLAINED
AUTOGATING VS NON-AUTOGATING


Items for a night vision setup
Night Optical Device (NOD)/ Night Vision Device (NVD)/ Night Vision Goggle (NVG)
Mounting adapter for your NOD if it does not have an integrated mount (Examples: USGI J-arm, Wilcox J-arm, Norotos Dual dovetail adapter, GSCI Horizontal Universal Side Mounting Bracket (HUB-14))
PVS-7, PVS-15, PVS-18 for example have integrated mount where as PVS-14 (and almost all other monocular) requires an adapter
NVG Mount: unless you are using USGI headmount aka Skull Crusher, you will need to get an NVG Mount. This is the part that allows one to flip the NOD up when not in use. Example of NVG mount are USGI Rhino mount, Wilcox L4 G-XX series, Norotors INVG, AKA2, TATM.
NVG Bracket: If you are mounting your NOD to your helmet other than Ops-Core FAST base jump, you need a bracket for your NVG mount. Examples: USGI NVG bracket (there are two models, PASGT and MICH/ACH type. If you’re helmet does not have 1-hole you may also need the straps)
Head mount/ Helmet: Most NOD user will recommend using helmet as it’s more comfortable (ever wonder why the USGI head mount is nicknamed skull crusher?!?)
[STRONGLY RECOMMENDED] Protective Lens: Like your real gun optic, you want to protect it. NOTE: SACRIFICAL lens protector is meant to stop items from scratching the objective lens. THEY WILL NOT STOP A BB.


Cost:
For a Monocular Night Optical Device: (In my opinion base on looking on internet)
Gen 1: $300-$700
Gen 2: $800-$2000
Gen 2 High Performance: $2000-$3000
Photonis Gen 2 High Performance with Autogating: $3500-$4000
Gen 3: $3000+
"Gen 4" aka Filmless Autogated or FLAG: $4000+, I've never seen on for sale in Canada (I don't recommend this as the intensifer has an extremely short life)
L3 GPNVG-18 quad tube Gen 3 filmless autogated: ~$34,000USD MIL/LEO only (and good luck trying to export that thing out of US getting away with it)

TL : DR

You are going to need to triple your money to get the performance that you are asking for the unit alone. If you are lucky you will find a used unit with mounting hardware for less, And depending on if you want to have oclusions on your image you can get it cheaper.