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

[big honkin jeep]

I'm thinking about jumping into a thermal optic but man they are still pretty pricy to make an uneducated guess.
I know a couple of guys who are using the Bering optics Hogster "vibe" and the AGM rattler "TS30". They all seem very pleased with their choices.
I have been trying to educate myself before dropping so much cash.
It seems there are a couple of new ones coming out and the Pulsar Talion and AGM Adder have caught my attention.
Especially the AGM Adder 50 with 4x base magnification. I do have a few concerns like will 4x base magnification be too much for scanning when trying to locate feral swine at closer distances say 30-75 yards. The pulsar Talion has a near instant start up time of about 3 seconds and appears to be one of their budget options.
Another of the things that concerns me is built in batteries. I know they take external power as well but cant see spending that much on something with a battery that may fail well before the rest of the optic. Most have 3 year warranties and the Bering optics come with 4 years.
Any other pros and cons?

Does anyone else use NV or thermal on a regular basis?
I know some guys think a lot of the Sightmark Wraith which is a much more budget friendly NV option.
I'd love to know what you guys are using, have experience with or would recommend.
Thanks

[Txhillbilly]

NV & Thermal has the same losing investment as all electronic devices do. They are all obsolete within a few month's of buying them.
Unless you plan on using them all the time, it's really cheaper to just rent them. There are a couple places online that rent them, and you can try out many different brands and find what works best for you.

I've got a really simple digital NV unit that a machinist here in Texas was making several years ago. It has worked well for my usage in the fields at night hunting pig's. It's like looking at a backup camera mounted on your gun. I don't now if he's still making them, but it's called Resolute Night Vision. I think I paid around $500 for it.
I'd love to have a nice Thermal unit, but I can't see spending $3k - $5k for something that isn't going to get used all the time and loses value quickly.

[Alderman]

I just got the SightMark Wraith 4K Mini the other day and the Wraith HD arrived this afternoon.

The Mini with the base 2X has no issue focusing at 40 yards.
Same can’t be said for the 4X as it doesn’t have enough focus to get really clear at 40.

I don’t know how other manufactures and models will perform.


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[big honkin jeep]

Thanks for the input.
I'm still trying to figure out the differences in the offerings and which details in the specs vs real world application are going to matter and which ones don't.
Currently waiting on several newer models of thermals to hit the shelves for comparison.

[shoots100]

My advice after decades of all night hunting optic usage over the last 30 years, don't put all of your eggs in one basket.
Meaning, don't spend all your money on a thermal scope.
Thermal is king, NV is Queen and Digital NV is the Jack.
To be the top predator in the field, a thermal monocular coupled with a thermal scope is ideal.
Your going to be spotting + scanning more than shooting at targets and thermal is top dog in the detection dept.
Most (me included ) have recommended that a thermal monocular and some type of NV scope is an ideal/cheap way to get into the field.
Once in actual use, you'll realize the limitations of cheap NV once you put the thermal mono down and try to engage the target with a NV scope.
Is it doable, yes, is it frustrating, yes.
Life is to short to be frustrated, especially when your trying to kill something.
Thermal isn't cheap, but with the amount of competition in the market, it's a lot cheaper now.
When I started down the thermal rabbit hole, 160 resolution was top dog and it was very expensive.
Did I say very expensive, I really meant very very expensive.
So expensive that I won't say how much I spent to even my closest friends.
Resolution costs money and if your planning on taking long shot's, a medium base mag 640 resolution scope is recommended.
I prefer a 384 wide FOV spotter, as I use a spotter as a spotter and use the scope to help ID and engage.
I have a pulsar HD19A, but I've been using the AGM TM15-384 monocular for awhile now and it's been a great addition, but as I'm always looking to upgrade, I'm saving my pennies for the AGM Fuzion LRF TM35-640.
Removable 18650 battery, 640 res and LRF !
I can survive with one kidney.
I stick with Pulsar for scopes, as they've always treated me fairly, they have (IMHO) great customer service and their products work for me and I use them a lot in all weather conditions.
I currently have a Thermion XG50 as my primary and an AGM TS25 rattler on my backup small caliber rig.
Get the best you can afford now, as who knows what the future holds.

SJC

[Steeltrap]

"Resurrecting" an older post here, but I've been "educating" myself on these Thermal Scopes. Looking at reviews and also Warranties.

Now...I find this interesting at best. This is part of the warranty for a "Thor LT" Thermal scope:

This warranty does not cover a product (a) used in other than its normal and customary manner; (b) subjected to misuse; (c) subjected to alterations, modifications or repairs by the Customer or by any party other than ATN without prior written consent of ATN; (d) special order or “close-out” merchandise or merchandise sold “as-is” by either ATN or the ATN dealer; or (e) merchandise that has been discontinued by the manufacturer and either parts or replacement units are not available due to reasons beyond the control of ATN. ATN shall not be responsible for any defects or damage that in ATN’s opinion is a result from the mishandling, abuse, misuse, improper storage or improper operation, including use in conjunction with equipment which is electrically or mechanically incompatible with or of inferior quality to the product, as well as failure to maintain the environmental conditions specified by the manufacturer. This warranty is extended only to the original purchaser.

Ok....so if I buy this specific scope....and they decide to no longer "make it" (which could be as simple as changing the name from say..."model 1X" to model 2X") they have now just relieved themselves of any future warranty claims....especially on a product that is giving them a bunch of warranty claims.

What a crock!!!

[Dave Hoback]

Well yeah… Understand, these are toys. That’s all. True low light, thermal imaging optics cost thousands of $$! And like very Top Tier rifle scopes, one does not spend this amount of money FOR the warranty, but rather in spite of it.

[shoots100]

"Resurrecting" an older post here, but I've been "educating" myself on these Thermal Scopes. Looking at reviews and also Warranties.

Now...I find this interesting at best. This is part of the warranty for a "Thor LT" Thermal scope:

This warranty does not cover a product (a) used in other than its normal and customary manner; (b) subjected to misuse; (c) subjected to alterations, modifications or repairs by the Customer or by any party other than ATN without prior written consent of ATN; (d) special order or “close-out” merchandise or merchandise sold “as-is” by either ATN or the ATN dealer; or (e) merchandise that has been discontinued by the manufacturer and either parts or replacement units are not available due to reasons beyond the control of ATN. ATN shall not be responsible for any defects or damage that in ATN’s opinion is a result from the mishandling, abuse, misuse, improper storage or improper operation, including use in conjunction with equipment which is electrically or mechanically incompatible with or of inferior quality to the product, as well as failure to maintain the environmental conditions specified by the manufacturer. This warranty is extended only to the original purchaser.

Ok....so if I buy this specific scope....and they decide to no longer "make it" (which could be as simple as changing the name from say..."model 1X" to model 2X") they have now just relieved themselves of any future warranty claims....especially on a product that is giving them a bunch of warranty claims.

What a crock!!!

Friends don't let friends buy ATN optics.
Stick with a reputable optics manufacturer and you shouldn't have to worry about repairing it.
I recently bought an Nvision Halo X50 and now use the Thermion XG50 as a backup.
Both scopes are performers and have BAE cores, the best in the business.
They are not toys.
The thermal scope I bought in the mid 90's still works and I'm hoping to get at least the same lifespan out of my newer thermals, which are made to tighter tolerances and with better components.
Buy the best performing optic you can afford that has the features you want and use it.

SJC