Compact, Capable and Budget-Friendly: A Look at the Pard Night Stalker Mini

Compact, affordable, and surprisingly capable — the Pard Night Stalker Mini continues the trend of delivering functional night vision optics without breaking the bank. While its compact design may suggest it’s best suited for air rifles, a closer inspection reveals a versatile performer that is more than the sum of its parts.

Out of the Box

As expected from Pard, the Night Stalker Mini includes a neoprene cover, Picatinny mounts, a lens cloth, and user manuals. To keep the price competitive at around £340, it doesn’t include an IR illuminator. However, it does come with a replacement ring cap featuring a Picatinny rail, allowing easy attachment of an external IR without occupying valuable scope tube space.

Specifications and Features

Although the spec sheet doesn’t feature any groundbreaking advancements (with one exception), the Mini still manages to feel like more than the sum of its parts. Image quality is solid, and when paired with a high-power IR illuminator, the Mini can reach impressive detection distances — I personally achieved around 400 yards.

Side Focus: A Unique Touch

One feature that truly sets the Mini apart is its side focus. This is the first digital scope I’ve used — and possibly the first available in the UK — with side focus functionality. It allows for smooth focusing from as close as 5 metres all the way out to infinity.

In use, I rarely needed to adjust it, as the small objective lens provides a generous depth of field. When I did, the focus dial was smooth, though a little vague at times — making it easy to overshoot the sweet spot.

Versatility Across the Board

Despite its size, the Night Stalker Mini is far from a one-trick pony. It’s easy to assume it’s limited to air rifles, but in reality it’s capable of much more — including foxing, daytime stalking, and general vermin control. When paired with a powerful IR, it holds its own even at longer distances.

The main limitation is low-light performance. At dawn or dusk, users will either need to switch to night vision mode and use an IR, or simply wait for better ambient light.

Our Recommended Uses:

• Ratting
• Foxing
• Rabbitting
• Plinking
• Pest Control
• Daytime Stalking
• Vermin Management

Summary

The Pard Night Stalker Mini is a compact, affordable digital optic that punches well above its weight. With a reliable image, long-range capability when paired with a strong IR, and unique side focus control, it’s a standout option for those looking for budget-friendly night vision with real versatility.

The only real drawback is its reliance on IR in low-light scenarios — but for the price, it’s hard to fault.

[YouTube video review coming soon — link will be added here]