Night vision, thermal scopes, recommendations

[nakneker]

Never have taken the plunge mostly due to the price for quality NV and thermal optics. Europtic is running a good sale on a pulsar right now and I may try it. I think I could get my money back out of it or lose very little if I didn’t like it, link below, opinions?

I know very little about these optics. I know Pulsar and Trijicon have a good reputation, I also know they have multiple models and generations. I don’t really want a ATN, I say that without knowing anything about them to be fair. Night vision and thermal optics change and evolve as fast as cell phones and tablets. I would do a search but a thread that is only 2-3 years old may not apply much today. What do you know, what do you recommend. Budget is 5k or less of possible. It’ll be used for varmints. What is the realistic range on these optics? I would guess these optics are mostly used in the low power ranges. Having ranging capabilities at the touch of a button would be a plus I would think. Battery life, what’s it like? What separates a a. 1k, 5k, 8k optic, other than name?

Looking for a crash course on the above.

Pulsar Thermion XG50 3-24x42 Thermal Riflescope PL76529

FREE SHIPPING on Pulsar Thermion XG50 3-24X Thermal Riflescope PL76529

www.eurooptic.com

 

[Mark M.]

Bering optics and don't look back

 

[TrapperBR549]

I have some of the same questions so following along.
I know that the price has been coming down on them the last few months so I would be careful about buying one just because you got a deal and think you can get your money back.

 

[alf]

You need to budget for a scanner as well.

Scanning with a scope will get old fast.

 

[nakneker]

You need to budget for a scanner as well.

Scanning with a scope will get old fast.

Do you use one Alf? If so, what?

 

[alf]

Do you use one Alf? If so, what?

My scanner is a Bering Optics 640 Phenom.

Scope is their Super Hogster. I use an external battery pack rather than the replaceable 123's.

That Pulsar on blowout price is a great deal. I haven't heard anything bad about them.

 

[nakneker]

My scanner is a Bering Optics 640 Phenom.

Scope is their Super Hogster. I use an external battery pack rather than the replaceable 123's.

That Pulsar on blowout price is a great deal. I haven't heard anything bad about them.

Looks like I need to save my pennies to do this right. Thanks for the input, I’ll get set up before fall and try and do this right.

 

[pdhntr]

I have just about the same set up as alf. I got the Super Hogster first and found it was a total pain to scan with it. Saved for a while and got the Bearing Optics Phenom 384 scanner this last summer. Alf's scanner is higher resolution than mine, but the 384 can be had for around $1800 and that would put you pretty close to being in your budget.

I would have no problems recommending the 384 Phenom. It would be nice to have the 640, but I am able to make this set up work.

Hunting coyotes up here in No. Wis has been very challenging this year. With the deep snow, the coyotes haven't been able to get around, and the wolves have pretty much taken over. The first set this winter, my partner and I were pinned down with a wolf sitting and watching us for over 15 minutes. Sometimes coming within a 100 yards of us. It is a challenge to make a positive ID on whether it is a wolf or coyote and a high quality scanner might help. But as the animal gets closer, I switch over to the Super Hogster on the rifle and that helps. It still requires us to watch the animals reaction to the situation and how it walks etc. to make a positive ID.

I would guess you don't have this issue so I think the 384 would do the job for you. As alf said, that is a very good price on that optic and they usually don't go on sale, and are usually bound with a MAP.

I have a battery powered selfie stick that I use to recharge the scanner on long cold nights and it makes scanning easier. I also have an Anchor battery that fits inside the A2 butt stock of my AR that runs the Hogster.

If I was to upgrade anything it would be the Super Hogster. I would then get the same scope you are looking at, but with the range finder. Thats a big investment for me, and this winter it would have been a totally worthless investment as we can't get to most of the sets.

Jim

 

[Knotwild]

I've been watching and I've been thinking about night vision for pests. I've had the opportunity to look through some from cheap to high end. If I were going to buy one today I'd contact the guy in the scope for sale section that has an IR Hunter for $5500. I've looked through them and they are awesome. I've also looked through an ATN base model which was free or me to use - after looking through it I put it back in the box, not on the rifle. It would have been good for shooting armadillos out to 100yds in the yard, but that's all.

Read this article, it will help you decide what you can live with and what is "enough " for your needs.

Thermal Optics Terminology

I'm still treading water right now.

These guys are also right about having a scanner. Trying to scan with a 12 lb rifle gets old really quick. I'm thinking of buying a scanner first myself.

 

[nakneker]

I've been watching and I've been thinking about night vision for pests. I've had the opportunity to look through some from cheap to high end. If I were going to buy one today I'd contact the guy in the scope for sale section that has an IR Hunter for $5500. I've looked through them and they are awesome. I've also looked through an ATN base model which was free or me to use - after looking through it I put it back in the box, not on the rifle. It would have been good for shooting armadillos out to 100yds in the yard, but that's all.

Read this article, it will help you decide what you can live with and what is "enough " for your needs.

Thermal Optics Terminology

I'm still treading water right now.

These guys are also right about having a scanner. Trying to scan with a 12 lb rifle gets old really quick. I'm thinking of buying a scanner first myself.

Excellent article, thanks for posting!

 

[Knotwild]

I thought it would be helpful. In the beginning it was all Greek to me, but that article really helped me. I'll probably end up getting a scanner for what I want to do. Once I locate it, then I can deal with it and I'm not coyote hunting.

 

[69mach]

i have a agm ts35x384 rattler and have been very happy with it for $2000. my father has a agm varmint 50x640 and a older flir 640 thermal rifle scope. personally i don’t know if going with a 640 is worth the extra money. if your hunting hogs a 384 will work just fine. if your hunting coyotes a 640 is nice. and a built in range finder like his varmint model or more expensive set ups is really nice when coyote calling. first thing i learned with mine is your ranging ability is horrible looking through a thermal. if you want to pm me i can send you videos using the rattler ts35x384 i’ve taken showing deer at know yardages.
also, an added perk i didn’t know id like or use is the agm app that connects to my thermal from my phone. i will take it outside and look around and my boy can see everything on my phone i can see in the scope. i’m not a tech guy and it’s super easy to use. my boy loves it when i shoot mice and rats with a suppressed 300 blackout and he gets to watch on my phone.

 

[Stugots]

Currently I'm running with Gen3 NV and an N-Vision HALO-50. Hasn't harbored me yet hunting Hogs down in East of Sarasota, Florida.

 

[nakneker]

i have a agm ts35x384 rattler and have been very happy with it for $2000. my father has a agm varmint 50x640 and a older flir 640 thermal rifle scope. personally i don’t know if going with a 640 is worth the extra money. if your hunting hogs a 384 will work just fine. if your hunting coyotes a 640 is nice. and a built in range finder like his varmint model or more expensive set ups is really nice when coyote calling. first thing i learned with mine is your ranging ability is horrible looking through a thermal. if you want to pm me i can send you videos using the rattler ts35x384 i’ve taken showing deer at know yardages.
also, an added perk i didn’t know id like or use is the agm app that connects to my thermal from my phone. i will take it outside and look around and my boy can see everything on my phone i can see in the scope. i’m not a tech guy and it’s super easy to use. my boy loves it when i shoot mice and rats with a suppressed 300 blackout and he gets to watch on my phone.

Pm Inbound

 

[Heavy17]

I have the same setup as Alf. If you cruise the different thermal pages and forums you can easily find a super hogster for 2500-2700 and a 640 phenom for 2700-2800. Bering has their new LRF models coming out so prices on previous models will only be getting better. I know this is a little over budget but, it is a very solid setup until you want to upgrade/ try something else. Something to keep in mind while putting your setup together is go with higher resolution with scanner first, since you spend 90% of your time looking through it.

 

[nakneker]

Well I tried to educate myself as much as I could in a short time. Ended up ordering the pulsar, I know it’s bigger but it gets good reviews and the that’s a serious discount. I like BAE processor and the 640x480. I think this is just one of those things where you just need to dive in and learn what you like. I’ll order a quick detach mount and save up for a scanner. Ordered an extra battery too.

Pulsar Thermion XG50 3-24x42 Thermal Riflescope PL76529

FREE SHIPPING on Pulsar Thermion XG50 3-24X Thermal Riflescope PL76529

www.eurooptic.com

 

[jccinohio]

I have the Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ50 Pro as well as an older hand spotter. I'm very happy with both, and with Pulsar customer service. The XG50 was tempting, the BAE processor looks real nice.. but I liked the idea of the upgraded software on the Pro models. You can't go wrong with either though I think.

IMO.. I like the cantilever mounts that have the hex head nut/bolt vs the ones with the lever/s. If you switch between rifles the levers never seem right and the tension varies too much for my liking. With the hex head you can torque it specifically to whatever the specs are for that mount and know you're set.

Have fun, and smack some yotes.. Here's the last time I was able to go out.. It's about the worst shot I've taken, pulled right a bit.. but shows the scope.

 

[Intell]

Well I tried to educate myself as much as I could in a short time. Ended up ordering the pulsar, I know it’s bigger but it gets good reviews and the that’s a serious discount. I like BAE processor and the 640x480. I think this is just one of those things where you just need to dive in and learn what you like. I’ll order a quick detach mount and save up for a scanner. Ordered an extra battery too.

Pulsar Thermion XG50 3-24x42 Thermal Riflescope PL76529

FREE SHIPPING on Pulsar Thermion XG50 3-24X Thermal Riflescope PL76529

www.eurooptic.com

That deal is hard to beat for a 640 unit.
I bought one a few months ago at that price. I have a trijicon reap, but wanted another for a second rig. No regrets so far at 1/2 price of trijicon.

 

[std7mag]

And what might be recommended for someone that say has a budget that's 1/5 of the OP's budget?
Even at that, it's at least a month with a butt load of overtime & surviving on PB & J sandwiches.
Hence why i've been looking at the ATN's.

 

[jccinohio]

And what might be recommended for someone that say has a budget that's 1/5 of the OP's budget?
Even at that, it's at least a month with a butt load of overtime & surviving on PB & J sandwiches.
Hence why i've been looking at the ATN's.

My experience with ATN is if you get a unit that doesn't have any problems you are fine.. but if you have issues their customer service is abysmal...

The ~$3000 Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ35Pro is their new low end model.. Iray/Hogster/Bering Optics have their equivalent. I'm not sure about AGMs rep, haven't looked into them much.