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The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 #7062961 02/02/18 03:19 PM
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So I've had a chance to use the new Flir ThermoSight Pro PTS 233 for the past 2 weeks, I've had several hours of glass time with this scope and I feel like I know it well enough to give my honest/unbiased opinion. I hunted with it every night... I spotted, scanned, shot, and tested everything on this unit that I could think of. This is the newest "budget" thermal from Flir in quite a while, coming in at a very buyer friendly price at around $2,200. In the review video you'll see my likes/dislikes... you'll see actual video through the scope and some of the different picture modes, preset enhancement modes, and all of the shooting reticle choices. If you're looking at getting into thermal hunting for the first time, if $2,200 is your max budget, or if your looking to add an additional thermal scope to your collection... the PTS233 is worth looking at and considering. If you have any questions I'll give you a very unbiased answer...



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Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: HansETX] #7063003 02/02/18 03:45 PM
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Hans thanks for the info !

Can you advise on what calibers your tried with the scope during your testing and what the manufacturer recoil rating is listed as?

These (PTS Thermosight PROs) are the first models of the FLIR/ARMASIGHT venture and I think they have ALOT going for them. A couple of the issues I noted with Armasight scopes I used in the past was that the screen (near eye display) would develop artifacts at high recoil (308 or higher) and the auto gain would tend to wash out or darken the overall image too much, too often.

Did you experience any of these during your tests? If not then I would say those kinks got worked out and that the PTS series is going to be very attractive for night hunters!

P.S. - if you would like to test the scope on some heavier calibers (30-06 / 338 Federal / 7mm Rem Mag) let me know, I'm sure we can arrange something rifle

!!!Good review by the way!!!

Last edited by Pig_Popper; 02/02/18 03:57 PM.

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Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: Pig_Popper] #7063100 02/02/18 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted By: Pig_Popper
Hans thanks for the info !

Can you advise on what calibers your tried with the scope during your testing and what the manufacturer recoil rating is listed as?

These (PTS Thermosight PROs) are the first models of the FLIR/ARMASIGHT venture and I think they have ALOT going for them. A couple of the issues I noted with Armasight scopes I used in the past was that the screen (near eye display) would develop artifacts at high recoil (308 or higher) and the auto gain would tend to wash out or darken the overall image too much, too often.

Did you experience any of these during your tests? If not then I would say those kinks got worked out and that the PTS series is going to be very attractive for night hunters!

P.S. - if you would like to test the scope on some heavier calibers (30-06 / 338 Federal / 7mm Rem Mag) let me know, I'm sure we can arrange something rifle

!!!Good review by the way!!!


Thanks Pig Popper! I tested this unit on a .223 using 62 grain ammo. It's rated for max .308. I didn't test it out on my .308 but I can slap it on there and report back to you, if you'd like..


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Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: HansETX] #7063212 02/02/18 05:58 PM
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Thanks Hans, that’d be awesome .

I think experience and information pertaining to recoil resilience, tested and repeated, is very important to buyers.

The scope is so new you’d be giving us the first word on the matter wink


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Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: HansETX] #7063225 02/02/18 06:11 PM
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This new version of flir products better than the Armasight Predator series of thermals


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Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: KK30RAR] #7063259 02/02/18 06:37 PM
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Originally Posted By: KK30RAR
This new version of flir products better than the Armasight Predator series of thermals


KK30RAR, is that a question or a statement?

Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: HansETX] #7063300 02/02/18 06:57 PM
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Sorry question ?


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Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: HansETX] #7063316 02/02/18 07:04 PM
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I hunted with the Armasight Predator 336 for about a year and I’ll tell you that the picture quality on the PTS233 is definitely better. I’ll put the PTS233 on my .308 and see how it reacts..


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Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: KK30RAR] #7063343 02/02/18 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted By: KK30RAR
This new version of flir products better than the Armasight Predator series of thermals


Granted it isn't the end all be all there are many other variables involved but the

Armasight Predator ran the FLIR Tau 2 17 micron core

the PTS223 runs the FLIR Boson 12 micron core

The new tech *should* translate to better imagery , of course somebody needs to throw the Boson core around on 308 or higher to see that the new cores are recoil stable and anchored well....


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Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: HansETX] #7063372 02/02/18 07:31 PM
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Only rated to 308 bolt

Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: HansETX] #7063436 02/02/18 08:25 PM
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Just bought this thermal myself. Haven't hunted with it, but will share what I think so far.

Pros:
Seems well built
Nice mount
Ease of use/controls
Good selection of color palettes
Picture and video are very clear
Price point

Cons:
No audio
Non focusable lens

I'll post videos and additional thoughts once I get to hunt with the scope. For me I had a very tight budget and this scope seemed to meet most of my wants. I'd love a bigger lens, more magnification and audio, but I simply wasn't willing to spend anymore than I did.

Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: HansETX] #7065327 02/04/18 04:49 PM
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They're dang good for the price point. Basically an upgraded Armasight predator.


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Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: MDMORROW] #7065714 02/04/18 10:45 PM
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Originally Posted By: MDMORROW
They're dang good for the price point. Basically an upgraded Armasight predator.


Agreed!


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Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: HansETX] #7066447 02/05/18 02:14 PM
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Wonder if audio can be added, from some update?

Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: HansETX] #7066598 02/05/18 03:52 PM
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It cannot. It doesn't have a microphone or the ability for user firmware updates.


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Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: HansETX] #7066666 02/05/18 04:33 PM
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One more question. How far can you see to shoot pigs?

Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: HansETX] #7066669 02/05/18 04:34 PM
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Unfortunately, no sound makes for rather boring videos.


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Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: Double Naught Spy] #7066818 02/05/18 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted By: Double Naught Spy
Unfortunately, no sound makes for rather boring videos.


That’s what the music import feature is for and those laser sound effects...

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Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: HansETX] #7067049 02/05/18 09:11 PM
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The lack of audio is a negative for people who like to create content. I'm having to record audio on my cell phone and then splice it together with the video. It's not fun, but heck, for the past several months I've add to do the same thing on my Pulsar Trail.. Thankfully that issue has been resolved through the firmware update..


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Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: 6.5 shooter] #7067057 02/05/18 09:16 PM
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Originally Posted By: jay baker
One more question. How far can you see to shoot pigs?


Really.. conservatively I'd say 150 yards on a night with low humidity. 150 and closer is where you want to be with this scope..


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Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: HansETX] #7067065 02/05/18 09:21 PM
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Thanks, Hans.
I really appreciate it.

Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: HansETX] #7067154 02/05/18 10:29 PM
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Don't know about a .308 but mounted on one of my 6.8s, no problem so far. I sighted it in Saturday, it was bright sunshine and hot. I used a hand warmer for the thermal target. Didn't have time to go to my 100 yd range so I went to the hay lot and sighted it in 1" low @ 50 yds. This little clip is after I sighted it in, I was just burning up some FMJ loads. Video is a little washed out but I didn't adjust the enhancements that I had set the night before.



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Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: HansETX] #7067978 02/06/18 04:00 PM
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I can’t belive there isn’t any available for sale. FLIR and pulsar missed out on the market.

Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: HansETX] #7068345 02/06/18 08:02 PM
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Just ordered one, cant hunt this coming weekend but will be out 2/16-2/18

shipping from Ft worth to Addison should be here this week

ordered from www.nightvisionoutfitters.com they said they just got 10 in stock 2/6/2018 @ 2pm

Last edited by hetman; 02/06/18 08:05 PM.

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Re: The New "Budget" Thermal Flir Scope- PTS233 [Re: 6.5 shooter] #7068625 02/06/18 11:45 PM
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Originally Posted By: jay baker
I can’t belive there isn’t any available for sale. FLIR and pulsar missed out on the market.


FLIR has been dribbling the PTS233's out a few at a time and it's been very frustrating. I'm hoping that changes within the next few months but as the PTS536, PTS736 and the Breach start shipping, I'm afraid it will get worse because they all use the exact same Boson thermal core.


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