Thermal Scope for Coyotes Question

[Mark M.]

Tossing around the idea of buying a thermal scope for Coyotes, what would you experienced fellahs recommend, I have never owned one, what is the best bang for the buck, hunting in Michigan with 100-300 yard shots, thanks

 

[std7mag]

Ditto in PA.
Not looking to have to win the Powerball lottery to afford one.
Though my opportunities for shots along the gas lines go from contact to 1,500 yards or more.

 

[EBaker]

Look the new Bering optics Super Hogster. It has great reviews . I have and use a FLIR PTS 536 which works absolutely great. The Super Hogster goes for about $3200.00. Look up Hans ETX on the web for reviews.

 

[B23]

From the reading I've done it sounds like N-Vision Halo and NOX are pretty sweet thermals but they are also rather pricey units as well. Unfortunately, like many things, the more expensive stuff is often the better stuff too.

 

[Mark M.]

But what's the best Bang for the money spent?

 

[XTR]

He’d be way better off on snipers hide asking, but a super hogster from all I’ve read is the best bang for the buck out there.

keep in mind with a thermal you cant range W/o spending really large $$. If you want to try to use a rangefinder you need NV. With nv you can see the beam.

or spen the $$ for a dedicated system. Again big $$

 

[varmintshooter]

I have the Bering optics Hogster 35 and it has worked well for me. The super hogster would be better for the 300 yd shots but will have less fov than the 35. The problem with thermal is identifying your target. A fox, dog or coyote can be hard to tell apart. I have made shots on fox at 275 yds with my 35 so the super hogster should work.

 

[swimster]

I have a Armasite Zuess 640x480 x75 it works very well. I've shot Beavers at 200yds. With. But my son has kidnapped it for night coyote hunting. So I have a Burris BTS50 should be here tomorrow. I will post a report on comparing it to the Zuess. I have BTH35 also it works very well. Id's Rabbits at 160 yds and coyotes at 300 easily.

 

[Mark M.]

I have a Armasite Zuess 640x480 x75 it works very well. I've shot Beavers at 200yds. With. But my son has kidnapped it for night coyote hunting. So I have a Burris BTS50 should be here tomorrow. I will post a report on comparing it to the Zuess. I have BTH35 also it works very well. Id's Rabbits at 160 yds and coyotes at 300 easily.

Thank you

 

[5spd]

I have a pulsar xp38, no issues and great screen, viewing, records, many shots at 3-400 yds. Cost a bit more than super hogster.
If shots are 300 and under yup I'd look at the hogster.
I shoot a lot in open country so I needed a thermal that I can see them coming in from 800 yds plus.
My pal ordered a SH and he already has a flir ps32 scope.

 

[JFW]

After using thermal for 6+ yrs. The biggest issue is range to targets, get something with a built in lazer range finder. There is no depth perception with one eye in the dark, places your hunt on a normal basis you know the distance to different land marks ,but new places you have no clue, once i used a pulsar xq50 it changed everything and once i used a trail2 xp 50 i will always use a 640 resolution unit. The higher the resolution the easier to make correct ID. Started with armasight 3x12 in 384 was a great unit, but every time you see a video of a 640 unit its so crisp and clear. Also on nights when conditions are not optimal the higher res. Units make ID better. Watch this video every body asks why i did not shoot this coyote thats just standing there. I tell them the close target is a deer, the target at the woods is the coyote, a lot of the time with thermal, id is first made by the animals movement habits and then confirmed. Lower res. possibly would have resulted in misidentifaction .

 

[JFW]

This is the same thermal unit in above post on different nights, different conditions and noticeable difference in quality of picture.

This next one is in 8in. Of snow and you can watch snow being blown out from the coyotes feet by the wind in pic in pic box in this video.

Hope my 2 cents helps, good luck.

 

[Mark M.]

Would you guys consider buying a good quality used scope or stick to buying new?

 

[swimster]

I would buy a new one. The technology of thermals is moving fast buying a used one your buying old technology. Its the old saying buy once cry once. Get the best in your budget and enjoy it.

 

[10mm<3]

I’ve been hunting in Holly and Huron National Forest with a Super Hogster. You’ll be blown away the first time you see a critter through a thermal. I sure was. So much fun. Bering optics offers a 4 year warranty, it’s compact. You can buy a $20 external battery pack which will last you multiple nights in single digit temps. It does get tiring though if you don’t have a tripod or thermal scanner.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Ask 5spd. He uses one all the time for yote control

 

[markT]

Pulsar Thermion XP50
Deer on right has both antlers / Deer in middle has lost his right antler.. This was with 67% humidity.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

If you need to ID your target because of game regulations or pet,farm animal safety, that is a whole different level of performance than just shooting live targets at night. Units often use recognition(detection) and ID, typically ID ranges are much shorter than detection range.

 

[ChrisNZ]

The RF version of these is def worth a look:

Thermal rifle scope SA series_Pard| Night vision scope and Thermal imaging scope specialist

This device is a compact and portable multinational thermal imaging that may apply to Wild observation Wild hunting Outdoor exploration Anti-theft Night patrol and Operation on the sea. Adoption advanced NST technology and incorporated

www.pard-tech.com

No idea about a US agent/warranty sorry

 

[GAnderson]

Mark, some are posting about Night Vision units and some are posting about Thermal units, so realize these are 2 different pieces of equipment. In my opinion, thermal is the only way to go.
The Bering Optics Super Hogster is probably the best bang for the buck but you will likely need an external battery pack to keep it going if you hunt for several hours thru the night...or carry a lot of spare batteries with you.
I am with markT...the Pulsar Thermion XP50 is in my opinion the best in its price range. Pulsar now has a Thermion XG50 and are coming out with a Thermion 2 XP50. As for ranging distances, the Trail 2 XP50 LRF is an option, but if you hunt enough you will get to know distances from the "image" of the animal...hard to describe what I am talking about without going into long detail, so will leave it at that.
Also, a good thermal scanner is a must...now you are getting deeper into this rabbit hole. I would look at the new Thermion 2 XP50 for a scope and then look at the Bering Optics Phenom for a thermal monocular scanner...you will be hard pressed to beat this combination.

Gene