With rifle season drawing to a close in a few weeks we are about to refocus on eradicating the pests. First time I read about a feeder light it made me raise my eyebrows, but I've just not come around to it. Well I think this is the time. Would love to know your thoughts on effectiveness vs say a green light on the rifle and anything else I can't think of. If used on conjunction with a green light on the rifle does it make any difference? Basically I don't know what I don't know and want to learn from the people who do so fire away. Thanks!

If you are stand hunting at a feeder with a glass scope a green light at feeder will work
If you want to move around and hunt need to get one for rifle ,
If you have the budget look at a pulsar photon digital nightvision scope(500.00) for a little bit more than the lights (good green light for gun 150. Lights at feeder about same )you are going to buy you can get a scope that works at feeders and walking and you will not be spooking them with lights at all

Try (The Blind Side-R) by Elusive Wildlife Technologies. I have (6) of these on my property and they work great for night hog hunting! I use the green light.

If hunting from a blind over a feeder, I really like using the Wildgame Innovation motion lights they sell at academy or amazon for about $25-30. Think it's called Moonshine. We have two per feeder and they activate green led's when something walks under it. It's great for hunting at night since you dont have to just stare into the darkness for hours, but could read a kindle or play on your phone - then when the lights come on, it's time to shoot.
I have a green Cree light i can mount to my rifle scope too, but havent used it yet.

Moultrie Hawg Light , green light under feeder, easily shoot pigs at 100 yards.

About 40 bucks.

I have used the motion activated white lights, mount on a 10' electrical conduit 2". I drive a fence post in the ground and then slide the conduit over. Depending on the set up on how far you place from feeder, the ones I bought was from Northern Tool, the light was set about 25-30 feet from feeder. I also used a driveway monitor wireless to wake me up. Good for pigs and coons. Had a light mounted to the rifle also. Used several styles of lights one was green and the other white to help with the scope. I also have a adjustable beam in green that can flood or pin point. Everything becomes pricey all at once.

ain't that the truth

You can get a good green LED rifle light on eBay for about $20 bucks with battery and charger, I have several and they throw a real tight beam that is usable to at least 200yards. I can't see paying much more than that.

I have been working on a feeder light as we speak, I order both a red and a green 10W led chip to try out. I think I will try red first and the green light isn't seen by my photon xt as well as red. Going to use a 50w solar panel and a golf cart battery to run it. It will be able to run from dusk til dawn.

If you have a light attached to the feeder, pigs wont spook as bad when you turn on your gun mounted flashlight. I have the Exterminator Feeder light from Sniper Hog Lights and its been running continuously for 5 years. Very durable and no flashlight needed. It's pricey though.

I hav ea green light for my rifle, but wasn't sure if a feeder might afford me more range? We have a few 200 yard plus feeders and my light isn't real great past 100. I can still get eyes lit up beyond 200, but figured maybe a bright feeder light might work better farther out if the light is brighter at the target? Maybe not just curious.

I am interested in the pulsar photon digital. I've always been leery of the nightvision toys the people I know with them are constantly fighting keeping them working. Could be they are too heavy handed with them I can't say. Anyone here own one of these Photon scopes? 500 is something I could live with. 2000? Meh not so much.

The photon is a worker for sure, easy to operate and proven and
If and I mean if you have problems their customer service is top notch

Do you own one? I watched a few videos and it seemed to me beyond 50 yards the ability to visualize a target was greatly diminished unless used in tandem with an IR light. I have shot hogs at 90 with my 20 dollar green light. I was hoping to see at least as far as my green light, but maybe it's just the youtube quality?

I have an early model Photon. With the on-board illuminator I'd estimate the useful range to around 80 yards, maybe a bit more. With a quarter moon relatively high in the sky I can see and recognize hogs a half mile away. In shadows or with no moon, zilch. I have a UNV-20 external IR light, and it extends the range a bit more. Most of my night shots are less than 80 yards, so I mainly use the UNV-20 for spotting and then stalk closer.

You might be able to use the light you have in conjunction with the Photon. I don't own one but the night vision scope I do have works okay.

Hey thanks for the input. Ok well that might be a kicker being able to recognize them that far away and then close in. Using my green light it's been in a climber or stand baiting them in. Would be such a blast to be able to get out and walk and stalk them with some help. So: 1/4 moon or better you can get ~ 800 yards of 'I see 'em'. That right there is good enough for me to know I have that kind of range potential for spotting and stalking on foot. Thanks for indulging me if you will please....few more questions.

Do you know if the IR's come with a model that uses regular batts/not recharge?

What kind of life does your Photon get? Can you put reg batts in?

Lastly any kind of warranty with the Photon?

The photon uses two AA batteries to drive the unit and the onboard IR source. UNV-20 uses one 18650 battery. I use recharge batteries for both and don't use the onboard IR. I have motion lights on my feeders at about $20 each.

I can't speak regarding the current models, but mine uses 2 AA batteries for the scope, and the illuminated dot on the reticle takes a CR2032 (I think). Newer ones don't need the CR2032. I use NiMH rechargeables but it runs fine with Alkaline batteries.


Not sure about life, because I don't typically stay out all night. When I do stay out late, I sit for while, then turn the scope on and scan, then go back to sitting and listening. I just carry a pair of spare batteries in case they give out.


I don't know the exact length of the warranty, but I had to return mine (for something that was my own fault) and they covered it. I think Sightmark is pretty highly regarded in the Customer Service area.

I use the moonshine lights as well on my feeders, very simple since i dont have to worry about batteries or wires, mount and wait, hogs and deer are used to them now. i do use a green light on my rifle if i am away from the feeder.

Get the 6X Photon and a cheapo $40.00 IR illuminator from Amazon. Ive shot coyotes out to 250 yds with that combo.