I am looking at getting into night hunting and want to get a thermal scope and monocular. My question is I have about 3500 dollars to spend so should I get a Pulsar XD50A, or get a thermal monocular like a HD19A save up to get a scope and use gun mounted lights when up close until I get a scope I think if I sit in a stand to hunt I should be fine with a just scope, but has anyone been successful spot and stalking hogs at night with just a thermal scope and do so efficiently or should I just save up until I can buy both?

Wait for the pulsar trail series should come out this spring there is a topic on it a couple posts down.

For that budget I would seriously recommend a large objective thermal monocular and consider a Sightmark photonXT for making the shot.

Digital scopes will serve most hunters inside of 150 yards.

Then save up for a thermal optic for next year and you'll have no regrets of having the best setup

I have had an ATN X-sight that failed me miserably, and have used a friends photonXT which was significantly better. But after I used the XD50A I decided that was the way to go. I had problems getting off second shots when I used the photon with the smoke from the barrel after the first shot. So I figured if I was only able to one shot off with a photon or a gun mounted light might as well go with the cheaper of the two. And what is a large objective for a monocular? Is there anyone in particular you would suggest?

I use a Quantum XD50A for spotting

The follow up is possible with a Photon the whiteout effect is hit or miss based on environmental conditions and shooting setup.

You can limp along with it for a year

^^^^ good advice. Not sure what mount they'll come with but a good return to zero mount is much cheaper than a handheld. I have Bobro & LaRue mounts on mine & use them as spotters. When I get within comfortable shooting range I just pop it back on the gun. Gets the job done.

Do you have something to shoot with presently? Nothing wrong with starting with a spotter. The trail will be awesome but if at some point you can swing a handheld and a scope you're really love the setup. Scanning with a riflescope is ok but not as comfortable as a dedicated handheld.

I'll have more info next month. Got the pulsar guys bringing all the new stuff up to the ranch for a pig hunt next month and will be able to get hands on. I'm pretty excited about the Helion and the Trail.

I'd suggest a thermal monocular for spotting and a decent Gen 2 or Gen 2+ sight with a good illuminator for actual shooting. Bear in mind that the weapon sight for wading into a sounder at 20 yards is very different than the one best for shooting at 175 yards; unless you really write a check. Another way to go is with a thermal spotter, a PVS 14 helmet mount and a rifle mounted IR laser pointer for "laser tag".

Lots of choices out there for sure. You don't need to spend much to shoot a hog under a feeder at 75 yards (Photon XT + illuminator), but you do have to understand what your typical hunting situation will be.

Get the XD50A...don't waste your money on an XT and monocular. You will do fine scanning through your scope, I've done it that way for the past two years. I just got a monocular last week.

I started with a Pulsar XT Night Vision but after renting a thermal unit sold it ASAP and bought thermal. You will see way, way more animals with the thermal and after shooting one time with the XT the smoke and flash will make it difficult for follow-up shots.

I always recommend that if your getting into thermal for the first time to start with a monocular to scan and nv to shoot. With hogs maybe not so much but there is a learning curve to be able to positively identify your target with thermal. I don't know what your seasons are in Texas but on still targets it may be difficult to distinguish a fox from a coyote, a skunk from a racoon or opossum.

Thermal hand scanner with Photon would get my vote.

Unfortunately, a lot of folks overlook the flashider/muzzle break and blame their NV.
If you get a good flash hider on the muzzle, follow-up shots are very quick.

When I had a Troy Claymore on my 6.8, it took an excruciatingly looonng time for the muzzle flash to dissipate in the NV.
I switched to a MilStd A1 flash hider and follow-up shots are much, much quicker.
The A1 has 6 slots all the way around the perimeter of the device.
The A2 which more folks are familiar with, has only 5 slots and the bottom is closed to mitigate dust clouds when shooting prone.

Check this flash hider shoutout and compare it to what you have on the muzzle.
It made a quite a difference with both my Pulsar N750A and Photon.
Flash Hider Shootout

Hope that helps!

Scanning with your rifle just blows, not so bad if you have a lot of activity, but if you're sitting for a few hours, it's no fun,

One option not mentioned is investing in a high quality quick-detach mount (LaRue) and use your scope for both. The Gen-1 Thor's came with a QD mount that I tested taking on and off and it held the zero, as long as it went back on the same rail notch.

That said, I love having both. My OTS isn't supposed to be a helmet mount, but it works just fine with a $20 eBay J-Arm. With the new Pulsar Trail stuff coming, there will be a decent selection of older Thermal stuff hitting the market that will be great to use for spotting.

Hate scanning with my rifle. If you already have a way to shoot then handheld all the way. If not maybe a photon and a handheld til you can swing a second thermal.

Not a pro by any means but have been on enough hunts to say I would go with a thermal scanner for sure and have another sight on my weapon either or. Two

What would be a good thermal monocular for scanning wheat fields. Really only need to detect a hog about 600 yards out and then put the stock on it for a shot under 100 yards with my scope/green light combo.