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Thermal handheld #5695123 04/11/15 07:47 PM
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Beaubien Offline OP
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I want one but only want to spend around 2k.

Any good options out there? Demo units are ok, is there someone way sells them?

Some options I did see was a

FLIR PS24
Pulsar ???

Are they worth it?



Re: Thermal handheld [Re: Beaubien] #5696085 04/12/15 03:49 PM
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MDMORROW Offline
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Pulsar hd19a is what you want. Will absolutely smoke the flir for less than 2k.


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Re: Thermal handheld [Re: Beaubien] #5696278 04/12/15 07:42 PM
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Beaubien Offline OP
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Thanks!



Re: Thermal handheld [Re: Beaubien] #5697148 04/13/15 01:53 PM
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I was testing the HD19a and it seems to have an issue with battery drain.
Twice I have pulled it out to use it and it won't power up despite having recently replaced the batteries.

I am just going to say it, I don't trust their products, I tried 2 versions of the digital NV scopes and both of them were not reliable.

I was constantly trying to adjust the HD19A as well.

I spent the weekend with an Eotech X320 and it's just so much simpler to use and worked great.

Re: Thermal handheld [Re: Beaubien] #5701763 04/15/15 11:46 PM
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I've been using a Thermal Eye X50 for years now and while it's not as high tech as the newer units, it's always worked when needed. You turn it on and adjust brightness. Simple to use, Runs on AA batteries and is tough as a brick too. You can find a used X50 or one of their newer units for sale on E gads once and awhile for under 2k.

Re: Thermal handheld [Re: Beaubien] #5702133 04/16/15 02:36 AM
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I am testing an Eotech x320
I like it.

Re: Thermal handheld [Re: Beaubien] #5702899 04/16/15 05:15 PM
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I'll be testing the Pulsar Quantum HD38S this weekend, I'll report back.

Re: Thermal handheld [Re: Beaubien] #5702924 04/16/15 05:23 PM
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Beaubien Offline OP
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Thanks guys.



Re: Thermal handheld [Re: Beaubien] #5702976 04/16/15 05:46 PM
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Can you get an Eotech x320 or Pulsar Quantum HD38S in the 2K range? The prices I'm seeing are over $3500

I would be interested if they were available in the 2k range

Re: Thermal handheld [Re: Beaubien] #5703152 04/16/15 07:16 PM
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ccoker Offline
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I will take the HD19A out again this weekend with lithium batteries and see how it stacks up against the X320.
I have used the FLIR PS32 before.

I just got the FLIR PS64 scope in..
here piggy!

Re: Thermal handheld [Re: Beaubien] #5705258 04/17/15 08:19 PM
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Found an HD19A for $1824 with free shipping. I may have to get one if ccoker gives this the thumbs up.

Re: Thermal handheld [Re: ccoker] #5706189 04/18/15 02:02 PM
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MDMORROW Offline
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Originally Posted By: ccoker
I was testing the HD19a and it seems to have an issue with battery drain.
Twice I have pulled it out to use it and it won't power up despite having recently replaced the batteries.

I am just going to say it, I don't trust their products, I tried 2 versions of the digital NV scopes and both of them were not reliable.

I was constantly trying to adjust the HD19A as well.

I spent the weekend with an Eotech X320 and it's just so much simpler to use and worked great.


While I agree the Eotech is much simpler in operation and is more compact and rugged I was very disappointed in the picture quality. The tiny screen was a big disadvantage over the pulsar line. Not to mention the Eotech only gave a year warranty while pulsar gave 3. The image quality of the eotech was also much poorer than the pulsar line. The 384 sensor is a noticeably better image. I have owned both the Eotech x320 as well as the ATN OTS-X and felt like the pulsar outperformed both of them. With the pulsar (or any thermal or NV for that matter) its best not to store them with the batteries in. I believe the pulsar has a clock function and that's what drains the batteries. I do like how the pulsar uses a battery pack and includes a spare. Much easier than removing one battery at a time. The custom color feature of the Eotech is pretty cool but I found the standard white hot/black hot was what I went to mostly. I like the OTS-x but it was pretty bulky and I didn't care for the menu operation. Didn't seem well thought out. One other huge plus for the pulsar that the others don't offer is independent contrast and brightness adjustment. That makes a huge difference in less than perfect condition. Of course all that is just my opinion but I have owned all three of those units and the only one I've still got is a pulsar.


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Re: Thermal handheld [Re: Beaubien] #5708429 04/20/15 02:33 PM
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I got to test out the Pulsar Quantum HD38S this weekend. I have to say, this thing is pretty stinkin awesome!! I'm sure there is much better quality optics on the market but what I experienced was nothing short of amazing! I'm so screwed now! I gotta have a weapon sight to go along with this handheld! With everything on the market, you can't go wrong with Pulsar!

Re: Thermal handheld [Re: Beaubien] #5709943 04/21/15 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted By: Beaubien
I want one but only want to spend around 2k.

Any good options out there? Demo units are ok, is there someone way sells them?

Some options I did see was a

FLIR PS24
Pulsar ???

Are they worth it?


If you want to try both units out we have an HD19A and PS24(actually Scout II 240) available this weekend. smile

Re: Thermal handheld [Re: Beaubien] #5710041 04/21/15 04:30 PM
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Beaubien Offline OP
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Thanks but I won't be back to the lease for a month or so.



Re: Thermal handheld [Re: MDMORROW] #5710066 04/21/15 04:39 PM
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Originally Posted By: MDMORROW
Pulsar hd19a is what you want. Will absolutely smoke the flir for less than 2k.


Agreed... Used a lot of Pulsar stuff and never had any issues. Sellmark, the U.S. distributor, is excellent at backing their products.

Re: Thermal handheld [Re: dfwroadkill] #5711307 04/22/15 02:21 PM
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Originally Posted By: dfwroadkill
Originally Posted By: MDMORROW
Pulsar hd19a is what you want. Will absolutely smoke the flir for less than 2k.


Agreed... Used a lot of Pulsar stuff and never had any issues. Sellmark, the U.S. distributor, is excellent at backing their products.


2X on Sellmark's backing their products. I had a Pulsar N550 for almost 2 years when it started having issues. They sent me an upgraded one (N550A) that is almost as good as the N750 I have. Even has the wireless remote. In fact I like it better than the N550 when I pair it with the laser illumination.

I just ordered the Pulsar HD19a.. I'll let you know how it performs if I get out in the field this weekend.

Re: Thermal handheld [Re: Beaubien] #5725219 05/01/15 05:13 PM
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I did get to go out this past weekend and try out the Pulsar HD19a. It was impressive. I did not see a hog or yote but was able to locate rabbits and easily identify farm animals. Here is a video that shows some lama's that still had lots of wool on so they were insulated. I had the unit in 1X mode and switched it to 2x. The clarity in 1x is of course much better. Sorry for all the movement I was on my ATV.

Overall I was impressed with this unit but I don't have anything to compare it to. I'll say this, I was able to identify animals that I could not with my Pulsar N550A and N750. With each of them I could see an eye reflection but could not always tell what it was until I got within 400 yards.

So this will be a very helpful asset in the tools to locate hogs and yotes, even in daylight.

Oh and I know I had not set the date and time up yet so it does not show the correct date and time.

[img]http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f108/spbelies/th_085514_zpsdvndfrrh.mp4[/img]

Re: Thermal handheld [Re: Beaubien] #5727617 05/04/15 01:25 AM
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I have had a Pulsar HD19a for about 6 months. I use it almost every night at work. I have found several people that our helicopter couldn't see now that the tree canopy has grown. No issues at all except It went from full battery to dead while stored. I got a more padded case for it and that case stays in an optics bag. I believe the dead battery issue was that the on button got accidently pushed while it was in the factory case. Since I switched how I store it, I have had no issues. So simple to use too. Just boot up and a second or two of brightness adjustment and it's good to go. I leave it on automatic calibration and have found it's much smarter than I am.

Re: Thermal handheld [Re: Beaubien] #5728184 05/04/15 01:56 PM
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I will give the HD19a another go with the positive feedback here..

Re: Thermal handheld [Re: ccoker] #5730240 05/05/15 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted By: ccoker
I was testing the HD19a and it seems to have an issue with battery drain.
Twice I have pulled it out to use it and it won't power up despite having recently replaced the batteries.

I am just going to say it, I don't trust their products, I tried 2 versions of the digital NV scopes and both of them were not reliable.

I was constantly trying to adjust the HD19A as well.

I spent the weekend with an Eotech X320 and it's just so much simpler to use and worked great.


What type of batteries were you using? Ultimate Energizer lithiums will run my HD38S and HD19A for 6 hours easy.

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