Night vision/ Thermal optic reccomendations? Feral Swine/Predator control

[Steeltrap]

I "started out" looking for a NV (IR) scope and was persuaded to look at thermal as they are better for night hunting. So, I went from looking at say and $800 scope to the range of $1,500 to $2,000. That's a lot of $$$$ for an optic (at least from my perspective)

So, then looking at Thermal and researching the reviews I'm finding these "lower priced" ones (the price range I was looking at) are sort of junk. Well, that's ok as it's good to know this information. I understand you can't get quality without cost....for the most part. I'm just not at the level of spending $3-K to $5-K for a scope. Not that there's anything wrong with that and anyone who buys them at that price point I say Kudo's to them!! But I'm just not at that point where I'm willing to spend that much.

Oh well.....back to a red spotlight and my scopes with a lighted reticle!!!

[Robinhood]

And the X50 seems to come in right at $8,495

[shoots100]

I "started out" looking for a NV (IR) scope and was persuaded to look at thermal as they are better for night hunting. So, I went from looking at say and $800 scope to the range of $1,500 to $2,000. That's a lot of $$$$ for an optic (at least from my perspective)

So, then looking at Thermal and researching the reviews I'm finding these "lower priced" ones (the price range I was looking at) are sort of junk. Well, that's ok as it's good to know this information. I understand you can't get quality without cost....for the most part. I'm just not at the level of spending $3-K to $5-K for a scope. Not that there's anything wrong with that and anyone who buys them at that price point I say Kudo's to them!! But I'm just not at that point where I'm willing to spend that much.

Oh well.....back to a red spotlight and my scopes with a lighted reticle!!!

If you know what your looking for, there are used thermal deals out there.
Thermal prices are way down now, as the market is flooded with rebranded china made optics.
Some are good, some are bad, but with so many people getting into night hunting, there's a lot of reviews out there to help make that decision.
I have a friend that uses his AGM TS35-384 rattler as a spotter and rifle scope.
While that's not my cup of tea, the rattler has a decent FOV and with practice it can be mounted on a rifle in seconds with the QD mount to engage.
I've seen them barely used for a lot less than $2,000 on other forums.
It's going to cost money if you want to step up your game and end the frustration of coming home empty handed after hours of hunting using a red light.
Before I was exposed to thermal many years ago, I had given up on varmint hunting at night with NV and red lights.
Unless it was a close range shot in a field, there was no way to confirm a hit with NV/Red light and that blew many opportunities for taking a finishing shot or a chance at getting a double.
While it does cost money to buy thermal, I don't have to spend the money to repair the holes I've burnt in my Truck and ATV/UTV seats or worry about starting a fire with the red lights anymore.
Thermal is also very helpful at locating downed game and home defense/security.

[Steeltrap]

"Resurrecting" this thread.....This Burris unit caught my attention: https://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-...iflescope.html So I thought I'd toss this Maker\Model out for discussion with those who have some thermal experience. The price point is on my "high end" (well, actually it's a little beyond my high end) but it's from a company with a good name behind it.

Any thoughts on this one?

[shoots100]

"Resurrecting" this thread.....This Burris unit caught my attention: https://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-...iflescope.html So I thought I'd toss this Maker\Model out for discussion with those who have some thermal experience. The price point is on my "high end" (well, actually it's a little beyond my high end) but it's from a company with a good name behind it.

Any thoughts on this one?

I sold the XG and Rattler, so I had two units that made the final list for a new backup scope.
AGM Varmint 35-384 or the Adder 35-384.
I like the Varmint as it uses the same 18650 batteries as my Halo, LRF and has a decent FOV so it can also be used as a spotter, but I'm a left handed shooter and the controls are on the left side, it sits up high because of the QD mount and is a little more money than I want to spend on a backup scope.
I have three spotters already and don't really need another.
So I've decided to get the tube style Adder scope that comes with a QD mount, sit's low for bolt gun use , has top mounted controls like the Thermion I'm used to using and is going to cost me just over $2k with discounts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFJgOBAte9o
Even if paying full price, the Adder is a great deal for a 384 12 micron scope that records video and audio.
I really don't like the internal battery of the adder, but with the long battery life of at least 15 hours and external battery input, I think I can get past it.
Reviews have been more than positive with the Adder's performance too.
I looked at the Burris BTS35 scope as it uses 18650 batteries, but it has a wacky mount for bolt gun use that I would need to buy afterwards and you need to swap mounts if you plan to use it on an AR, so it got dumped from my list.

[big honkin jeep]

I finally did it. After a lot of research and pondering I had it narrowed down to the Pulsar Talion XQ38, The AGM Adder 35 , Or the Iray Bolt TL 35.(all in about the $2500+- range) The warranty and features of the Iray won out for me, so I finally ordered an Iray Bolt TL35. Its a "tube" type scope very similar to a day optic in shape and size though its pretty heavy and mounts in 30mm rings. Perfect for bolt action or standard sporter style rifles or modern sporting rifles. The price has been dropped from 3200 right now by $600 and it comes with a transferrable 5 year 5 day turnaround warranty. (Nice if tou want to sell or upgrade) I love the battery life (about 10 hrs) and like the fact i can toss a couple of readily available18500 LI rechargeable batteries in my pocket and stay out all night. I really like the uber generous eye relief and having always used scopes in the past have no trouble with "blackout" side to side like some of the videos i saw that listed that as a con to buying this optic.The detection range is amazing (1750 yards on human sized heat signatures) and with 3x base magnification 300+ yard ID is a breeze. It also zooms up to 12X via twisting the " elevation" turret and the PIP doubling each of your selections at the top of the screen. Man something may be concealed from its view behind solid cover but nothing is camoflauged anymore day or night. Thermal is amazing. I can even see footprints for several seconds after an animal has passed. Though its my first thermal Im pretty sure Im hooked. Ive just been scanning with it so far, but once i lock it down on my BAR DBM its gonna be a bad day to be swine... Thanks to everyone who helped me wade through the options and features of each and to Dark Night Outdoors for the help and advice. It only took me 7 months to wade through it.

[Blue Avenger]

how well would a thermal work in wind breaks for raccoons?

[big honkin jeep]

how well would a thermal work in wind breaks for raccoons?

Well just messing around with mine and scanning, I can easily see small birds that think they are hiding while roosting in the leyland cypress trees in my neighbors back yard. Probably about 75 yards away. Really havent tried looking further etc just because thats where those trees happen to be.
If youre just looking for heat signatures in trees Id say one of the handheld scanners/monoculars like the AGM asp for a couple hundred bucks or something like a 25mm/320 series rifle optic would be plenty.