Armasight Predator or Pulsar XD38?

[js2013]

I'm thinking about getting my first thermal scope. Looking at the entry level Armasight Predator or Pulsar XD38 scopes. Never used a thermal scope and don't know much about them. Looking to stay under 3K.

Armasight has a $500 rebate so it'll be about $500 less expensive. Anyone have input regarding either scope or a better alternative?

 

[ZenArchery]

How far is your average hunting range?

 

[js2013]

How far is your average hunting range?

Less than 200 yards.

 

[thejamesd]

At under 3 grand it will be hard to be sure what you're shooting at. Around 7 grand you get the resolution you need. I have a FLIR PS32. With it you can tell somethings there but it's often difficult to tell what and how far away it is. Sorry to be a buzz kill. Tonite I had a coyote @ close to 200 yards when I saw it with the FLIR I knew it was there,when I looked through my generation 3 night scope I knew what it was.
James

 

[fredhorace77]

At under 3 grand it will be hard to be sure what you're shooting at. Around 7 grand you get the resolution you need. I have a FLIR PS32. With it you can tell somethings there but it's often difficult to tell what and how far away it is. Sorry to be a buzz kill. Tonite I had a coyote @ close to 200 yards when I saw it with the FLIR I knew it was there,when I looked through my generation 3 night scope I knew what it was.
James

I don't agree with this. I currently have 3 years of experience behind different thermals. And as experience grows you can tell what is what for 3 Grand. If you're the weekend worrier type then yeah, a 3Grand unit will probably not work for you. But I go out 3-4 nites a week and I can tell u what is what thru a 3 grand unit. But I've spent countless hours behind these units. You have to use your head at night and think also. By watching how the animal acts, and where it is and where it should be and shouldn't be, you can tell pretty much what it is.

 

[fredhorace77]

I'm thinking about getting my first thermal scope. Looking at the entry level Armasight Predator or Pulsar XD38 scopes. Never used a thermal scope and don't know much about them. Looking to stay under 3K.

Armasight has a $500 rebate so it'll be about $500 less expensive. Anyone have input regarding either scope or a better alternative?

In my experience it is a toss up on these 2 units. Let me give u the pros and cons. It's really a 50/50 choice. On these 2.
Armasight- Easy on and off the host gun. This comes in handy if you want to use the scope as a viewer while you're walking. The pulsar pretty much attaches to the gun and it's difficult to take it on and off, when I use it as a viewer I end up having to point the gun everywhere I want to look, I'm not always comfortable with that. But taking the Pulsar unit off is difficult. Armasight is definitely smaller, lighter, handier.
In terms of clarity and easy to use menu buttons the Pulsar definitely wins. I also love the fact that they have the picture in picture mode. The zoom feature is a lot clearer on the pulsar. But the Pulsar is definitely heavier. I also like that the Pulsar has a 50 hertz refresh rate versus the 30 on the armasight, this is very important for running shots. Pulsar has the freeze frame feature for zeroing the scope. No big deal if it is going to spend it's life on one gun. If you plan on using it on multiple guns, then this is a nice feature.
No matter what brand you get be sure and purchase the extended battery pack that will attach to the unit. If you don't you'll waste thousands of dollars on batteries over the next couple of years.
If you want PM me and I can give you my phone number if you would rather talk about it over the phone.

 

[JFM33]

If you are new to night vision/thermal I would recommend finding some hunters that would take you out and let you use there gear to see what you like and what works for your style of hunting and terrain.
thejamesd makes some good points about target ID.
I will use thermal to locate a heat source sometimes .Then I prefer a PVS 14 to ID and an Ir laser to get on target.
Anything weapon mounted means you will be scanning with the rifle.
I am not willing to break gun safety rules just because I am hunting at night ,so if you go that route please have the gun unloaded while scanning.
Good luck
John

 

[Catfish]

I have been playing with nite vision for for at least 10 years and thermal for 4 years. My thermal is the Flir $ 2,000 monical. I have used nite vision far more and am much more confident with it. I spot with PVS 7 gen. 3 binos. and carry an AR with a Core Tec. 3X scope, an IR laser and a red Laser on it. The PVS 7`s are way to heavy and I plan to trade them for a PVS 14 monical. I can spot most of the time without light, but usually need an ir for the scope. I need to carry the Thermal more just to learn it better, but as of now I have far more confidence if the nite vision.