i dont have as much experience as some on here but i can tell you i have a thermal spotter and it is indespensable. maybe it is just me but i have walked up to elk and deer at night using my thermal spotter, then i flip down my nv goggles and i can't see them. it's crazy. even when i turn on my luna eir 2, it is hard to see them unless they turn their eyes just right and you get some eye shine. this is if they are not moving though although they are staring at me (what i mean is even staring right at me 200 yds or more, it is hard to get an eye shine). anyway, it must just be me because plenty of guys shoot coyotes with nv, i mean, i am still learning but that has been my experience. in my opinion, if you want to spot coyotes at night, go thermal.