For folks in the western part of the US, note that Big-5 Sporting Goods
stores have a post-xmas sale, and one of the items is a $99 night vision
scope, Famous Trails FT-300. I got mine! These have piezo-clicker supply
(no batteries) and a separate IR illuminator (needs lithium cell.) The ad
says that prices are good till Dec. 31.
Use as IR viewer? Observe micro-phosphorescence? Telescope attachment?
Crash through the woods at midnight?
I had my eye out for something similar, but the absolute cheapest I've
ever seen is about $130 for used scopes on ebay. Costs more for
waterproof versions, and LOTS more for gains higher than 15,000x