Onboard recording (storage)
Built-in memory that records photos and video of what you see. Useful for reviewing shots and sharing hunts; listed in gigabytes.
What it means
Many thermal and digital night vision units can record what is on the screen to built-in memory. Storage is given in gigabytes (GB). Most units on this site have 16 or 64 GB; a few have 8, 32 or 128. Some use a removable memory card instead. Digital night vision makers also list the video resolution, such as 1080p or 4K.
What it changes in the field
Recording lets you review a shot: where the coyote was hit, which way it ran, what it did after. That helps with recovery and with learning from a miss. Many hunters also film to share hunts. Some units can start recording automatically when the rifle fires, which saves fumbling for a button when the moment comes.
Recording uses battery power, and long sessions fill memory. A full night of thermal video can use many gigabytes.
What to look for
- Enough storage for a night or more, or an easy way to offload files.
- Whether the unit records sound, and owners’ reports of sound staying in sync.
- Recoil-activated recording, if you want shot footage.
- A pre-record buffer, if offered, which saves a few seconds from before you pressed record.
- Video resolution, though on thermal the recording can only show what the sensor captured.
How we use it on this site
We show the maker’s storage in gigabytes, and score more as better. For digital night vision we record the video resolution where published.