Between all the acronyms in the night vision world and manufacturers, things get down-right confusing quickly.
Let’s break it down for you.
AGM offers the Wolverine that is a fixed 4x magnification standalone night vision scope.
NL1 indicates that it’s Level 1 quality of an upper Gen 2 IIT – the best of Gen 2 that AGM has to offer.
As such, the Wolverine PRO-4 NL1 is the best night vision rifle scope the brand has to offer within its 4x Gen 2 series.
If the best of Gen 2 is exactly what you’re looking for to avoid putting down the cash for Gen 3, here is what you need to know.
Quick Overview...
What We Like: AN/PVS-12/12A-based
What We Don’t Like: Heavy
Best Uses: Night Shooting, Tactical Use, Hunting, Scouting, Varmint Control, Military-Grade NV, Long-Range Detection,
- IIT: Gen 2+
- Magnification: 4x
- FOV: 8.3-degrees
- Resolution: 51-64 lp/mm
- Eye Relief: 30 mm
- Color Modes: Green Phosphor
- Battery: 40 hours
- Dimensions: 8.4 x 3.7 x 3.2”/2.35 lbs
Our Verdict: If you want the best of Gen 2, the Wolverine PRO-4 NL1 is it. It’s high-end, long-range, and easy to use. As a standalone scope, you’ll employ the scope’s reticle and zero to get dead-on whether you’re hunting hogs or prepping for work stake-outs. For the best of Gen 2 without leaping into Gen 3 prices (at least another $1000 more), the AGM Wolverine is the buy that fits the bill.
Who is the AGM Wolverine PRO-4 NL1 Best Suited to?
The Wolverine 4 NL1 is certainly the best of the Gen 2 scopes offered in this series. This would be suitable for those who want long-range performance for everything from varmint hunting to professional law enforcement or military use.
It’s on the expensive end of the spectrum, but having military-grade, high-quality resolution, and upper end Gen 2 night vision has always been expensive. To put things in perspective, it’s right around the price range for comparable products and is cheaper than the Aquila 4x AN/PVS-12 – the standard for AN/PVS-12/12-A NVDs.
If the budget just isn’t there for a NV scope at this price point, consider the more affordable Wolverine 4 NL3 or night vision scopes under $1000.
How Does the AGM Wolverine PRO-4 NL1 Perform?
The Wolverine PRO-4 NL1 is priced right within range for a scope of its quality and class. It’s an upper Gen 2 scope based on the AN/PVS-12/12A military NVD. It’s tough, durable, and strong.
When it comes to performance, the big aperture and high-quality IIT really makes it shine. Whether it’s close-range detection, long-range detection, or everything in between, the Wolverine 4 puts a light on it for fast target acquisition and identification.
It’s simple to use with its limited functions as any military NVD should be. As a standalone scope, it doesn’t need anything else to bring optimum performance to the field – just focus, aim, and shoot. With the adjustable projected reticle, it’s fast and easy to put your crosshairs on the target.
Whether it’s hunting game, hitting steel, or stalking unwelcome visitors, you can see it all with more resolution and clarity from a well-made IIT with quality closer to the best Gen 3 scopes in the market.
Features & Benefits
AN/PVS-12/12A-based
The Wolverine PRO-4 NL1 is based on the low-profile military AN/PVS-12/12A night vision scope. While used for close to mid-range interactions, it’s also suitable for sniper use with its fast target acquisition power setting of 4x and decent field of view.
It’s designed with simple operation in mind but not without high-precision accuracy. You have a projected chevron bullet drop reticle and windage crosshair, ½ MOA adjustments, and is MIL-STD-810G compliant.
If it’s suited to military applications, it’ll more than do as a night vision scope for coyote hunting.
Standalone Night Vision Scope
The Wolverine PRO-4 is a standalone scope, so it works on its own and does not need a red dot or daytime scope to operate. This makes it easy to use and fast to employ out in the field. The NL1 is designed to work alone with its own zero, reticle, and adjustments. Because you’re not using any other optics with the scope, it offers the most optical clarity versus non-standalone scopes like clip-ons.
The only downside is that you must have a rifle that you can dedicate to nighttime use or you’re left to dismounting the day scope, mounting the NV scope, and then dismount and remounting again for the daytime setup.
If you’d rather leave your day scope mounted and want to simply “add” night vision, a clip-on night vision scope may be the better option. The AGM Comanche-22 NL3 is cheaper, lighter, and easy to mount and clip right onto the objective bell of the daytime scope.
Excellent Imaging Quality
What night vision generation is the Wolverine PRO-4 NL1? It has an upper Gen 2+ IIT and has AGM’s Level 1 designation. This indicates that it’s the best in its series with a high signal-to-noise ratio and superior resolution for its class.
The NL1 has 51-64 lp/mm resolution, no visible spots, and extremely crisp and clean imaging. This allows the user to see high detailed images for hog hunting, spotting trespassers on the property, and for observing activity during stake-outs and mission patrols.
This tube has a green phosphor screen that provides the typical green night vision that is most discernible to the human eye. The adjustable projected reticle is red and is easy to see against the green background. Don’t worry about it washing out the picture since there is a reticle brightness control.
Long-Range Night Vision
With a large 70 mm objective lens and a quality IIT, it can go quite the distance. Expect to be able to spot predators at 1000 yards and don’t be surprised if you can see well past that.
For nighttime hunting, these distances are extreme, but it’s still helpful for knowing where to move and to get closer to game. With high-resolution quality at 200 yards, the Wolverine 4 will turn a mediocre hog hunt into a productive extravaganza.
If you wanted to play with hitting steel in the dark, you may want to try your hand at 500 and 600 yards with the Wolverine. With imaging quality this good, it’s more than possible.
Limitations
Heavy
The Wolverine PRO-4 NL1 may be short and compact in size but it’s packing weight at 2.35 lbs. If your weapon system can handle the additional weight, it’ll be put to good use. The hefty poundage is justified as it has a huge 70 mm objective lens and is military-grade to handle abuse and shock. You can rest assured that this is not some paper weight or scope that is only good for air or rimfire rifles – it’s made for serious business.
Popular Questions
The AGM Wolverine 4 NL1 requires 2x AA batteries to operate. They’re easily accessible and affordable, and the top-loading battery compartment makes for convenient battery changes while out in the field. A set of batteries will provide up to 40 hours of operation in 20-degree C/68-degree F conditions.
There is no stated recoil resistance of the Wolverine 4 NL1 scope. However, it is MIL-STD-810G compliant, so it should be assumed that it can handle vigorous recoil. It’s likely only rated up to .308 Win although it is likely paired with 5.56 NATO or .223 cal weapon systems such as an AR-15.
The Generation 2 scopes have Gen 2 IITs and the Generation 3 scopes have Gen 3 IITs. The difference is slightly higher resolution up to 72 lp/mm and auto-gating technology in the Gen 3 Wolverines. The jump up in price is at least $1000.
AGM states the Wolverine 4 is completely waterproof. Since it’s watertight, it’s also safe to assume that it is also fogproof.
The Wolverine Pro 4 comes with a dual-lever quick release mount. The levers allow for the clamps to grip the Picatinny rail for a secure fit without movement or play during use and recoil. Fast dismounting is convenient once daylight comes for removing and storing the night vision scope.
Conclusion
This price point is the realm of real night vision, that is, night vision with image intensifier tubes. They function extremely well under ¼ moon conditions and in the harshest of environments when accuracy and precision is still required.
The Wolverine 4 NL1 lives up to these expectations with detection ranges exceeding that of 800 yards. With high resolution to boot, imaging remains crystal clear that makes this scope suitable for hunters, professionals, and snipers. What are you hunting tonight?
Further Reading
