Night vision, thermal scopes, recommendations

[std7mag]

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.

Yeahhhhhhh.....

My 10yr old BMW X3 was 11K.
I can't justify 3K on a scope.

Maybe with overtime every week, for the next 3 yrs.

 

[jccinohio]

Yeahhhhhhh.....

My 10yr old BMW X3 was 11K.
I can't justify 3K on a scope.

Maybe with overtime every week, for the next 3 yrs.

Maybe something like a Sightmark Wraith with a good illuminator then. If you're hunting fields or areas without tall cover IR works just fine. Depends on where you hunt I guess.

 

[std7mag]

Maybe something like a Sightmark Wraith with a good illuminator then. If you're hunting fields or areas without tall cover IR works just fine. Depends on where you hunt I guess.

I'll bear that in mind!!

Mostly coyote hunting in fields and on gas/power lines.
Fields maybe out to 400 yards visiblity.
Gas/power lines, miles. Lol

 

[jccinohio]

I'll bear that in mind!!

Mostly coyote hunting in fields and on gas/power lines.
Fields maybe out to 400 yards visiblity.
Gas/power lines, miles. Lol

This is a real good resource for asking questions on night hunting equipment. Pred masters night calling

 

[std7mag]

This is a real good resource for asking questions on night hunting equipment. Pred masters night calling

Thank You!

Neighbor & i went out yesterday evening.
My first time hunting at night.
Set up on a field in public game lands. About 150 X 400 yards.

Set the caller out & got set up.
Started off with some greeting calls.
Got responses back within a couple of seconds, but they were a ways off.
Responses started getting closer, as it got darker.
Switched to a pack calling.
Responses still getting closer.
Then the battery died on my neighbors spotlight. (red lense)

We started using our Coast head lights. (If you've never used one, they are amazing! You can litterally spotlight a field with one!)

Then 3 side by sides came roaring in!!

We lit them up with our head lights. They skeedaddled!!

But we never heard from the coyotes, or saw any after that.

 

[nakneker]

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.

I tried getting into this night vision stuff 4-5 years ago and went with a current offering from ATN at the time. It was a total PIA. I know guys who use them without issues but that wasn’t the case with mine. I lost interest because of the problems and frustration. I understand being on a budget, I’ve been there but one thing I’ve learned is sometimes it’s better to buy quality used or wait and save and get something that works. Just my opinion, definitely not trying to be a smart butt, just trying to help.

 

[ronsatspokane]

Older thread but I've developed an interest in these. Mounted an ATN on an AR platform for a friend the other day. Not sure what people are talking about with ATN being a budget brand but this thing was over 7 grand. We were playing with it in the shop with the lights out. I was blown away by the level of detail it showed. Easily matched that of another friends who is a dedicated coyote hunter and always buys the best equipment. Looked through his on a very dark night a while back. These latest generation of scopes are stunning in the detail they can show in no light conditions. Not sure I can swallow the price though.

 

[TrapperBR549]

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 3-24X Thermal Riflescope PL76529 For Sale | SHIPS FREE - EuroOptic

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

www.eurooptic.com

Now that you have had a couple months to play with it what is your opinion?

 

[nakneker]

Now that you have had a couple months to play with it what is your opinion?

I haven’t mounted yet. Been shopping for a scanner, just waiting for a good deal. The young coyotes have been howling and yipping nightly at the house so it’s about time I get that done. Probably be up and running by the September, early October at the latest. I know a coyote is a coyote but I don’t like shooting them right now, I could care less if other people do but I like waiting till October when bobcat season opens so I can pull trigger if one comes in during a stand.

 

[Shifty6br]

Some examples of different gear I run..

Spotter Pulsar Accolade 2 pro lrf



Pulsar Thermion 2 xp50



Trijicon ir hunter mk3 60..going on 7th season in service.

 

[Knotwild]

If I was able to buy night vision I would spend the money for a 640 unit with a good reputation. That said a guest gifted an ATN Thor 4, 288 sensor to a friend who manages a plantation. It's good for about 100 yds if you don't zoom past 2x. I wouldn't spend my money on one.

The device has had some problems. It swallowed the mini chip when I tried to update the firmware. I called and it was fixed and back in 2 weeks including transit time. Then it started freezing up. I emailed one night and they responded the next day with a phone call to walk me through a reboot, then emailed the newest firmware with video instructions to solve the problem. And the next day they checked to see if the problem was solved. I personally think their customer service is pretty darn good.

 

[603Country]

Not wanting to spend big bucks on a thermal, my night vision intro was with a Sightmark Wraith Mini. And I got a Sightmark Wraith monocular. I like them both, but I can see the joy of thermal.

I have the stock illuminator, and my useful range is max 250 yards. Maybe 300.

 

[effendude]

I just ordered the Pulsar from EuroOptics. I can't wait! I know I need a scanner. Looking at the Phenom models from Bering Optics. Any leads on good dealers?
Thanks,
Scott