I had read all the great reviews before purchasing and was a bit skeptical but went ahead and ordered them anyway. So glad I did. No it's not $2000 thermal imaging but yes you can really see objects in total darkness. I've been having lots of problems with wild hogs tearing up my pastures and needed to be able to spot them before they did me. A spotlight even with a red or green lens was scaring them off before I could get in range but this doesn't seem to bother them at all. Am able to get close and then flip on the spotlight for some efficient predator control. The night vision picture in the review was taken on a very dark night (overcast) and I couldn't see a ft in front of me. The trees in the background were about 150 yards away. Could definitely see if any critters were out and about. On a moonlit night the view is almost like looking in daylight. Unbelievable night vision. The next two pictures were of a mineral feeder about 300 yards away (zoomed all the way out and then zoomed in) You can see the photo gets pretty pixelated zooming in but that's really what I purchased them for so it doesn't bother me. I am very pleased with the purchase. Would definitely purchase again.