Thermal Scope prices

Have we hit the bottom on price point with several new scopes in the $2k range? I'm thinking with more demand, more competition and I'm sure improved manufacturing prices could continue dropping. I want in the thermal game, but willing to wait if prices will continue dropping.

I don't see the pricing stabilizing any time soon, but the exact rate of price decline is anyones's guess. How long do you want to sit on the sidelines?

Right, and being affiliated with the business, I have know folks who want thermal, some of whom have used one of my scopes, and are afraid that if they buy now that they won't get the best price, that their scope won't be worth much when newer scopes come out next year, or who worry that they won't have the top of the line scope anymore when new scopes come out next year.

You can wait forever to get the lowest price or the best scope. That your scope won't be worth as much next year is just like with any other product (computers, cars, fast food, etc.) The one pattern I see is that if you don't buy a thermal, then you probably aren't going to be hunting with thermal...waiting endlessly for the perfect time to buy.

I see this with suppressors. How many people have you heard say or read who stated that they are waiting until HPA passes so that they can save $200 (tax fee) for a suppressor. I have been seeing such posts since 2015. More than 2 years of waiting to save chump change in the grand scheme of time.

I will say this about thermal, you can wait. You don't need it and you don't have to have it, but dang it is wonderful to have and it really improves one's hunting experience for those who hunt at night (and you can use it in the daytime as well).

I should be finished saving my money in February and plan on the new FLIR entry level scope. Just wondering if we will continue seeing lower prices and more scope for the money.

It's technology. Prices on the level of performance that is acceptable to the average joe will continue to drop.

Like double naught spy said, this is much like suppressors. I'm part of that "willing to wait to HPA" group. No way I'm paying hundreds to set up a trust and then hundreds more on a stamp when neither will be necessary at some point. It's not that I'm too cheap to spend the $400 on stamp & trust - it's just that a suppressor isn't worth $800+ to me. So I won't buy it until prices drop well under the $500 mark. Once HPA is passed, prices will drop even more since many, many more people will be buying them. When I can get a decent one for a couple hundred bucks, I'll jump in. Until then, it just isn't worth it. If I hunted at night and felt like a thermal would help a bunch, I'd consider it. But current prices are nuts.

Yes, thermal prices will continue to drop and/or options will increase for the same money.

-----

You don't need a trust for a suppressor. It is easier to get one without a trust now...as reqirements for a trust purchase have increased.

HPA is not likely to pass in the foreseeable future. It has stalled yet again and for the same reasons.

Let me re-phrase - If I knew I needed a suppressor, I would not wait for a price drop or HPA to pass. Since I'm just in the "I'd like to have a suppressor but I'm totally fine without it" camp, then I'm not going to spend a bunch of money just for the right to purchase one. I'll wait for them to go public after HPA (even if it's another decade) and prices on them will come down accordingly and I'll probably grab one then.

Same with thermal. If I needed one, I wouldn't wait for price drops. If I wanted one but had no real need for it, I'd have a hard time justifying current prices.

This ^^^ Thermal will change your life when it comes to hunting, especially hogs.

Also, consider that the lower end scopes are the ones that the prices have dropped the most. The higher end 640 resolution scopes have dropped very little. The Mark II actually sells now for more than it did two years ago when I bought mine.

It's amazing to have for sure. I think around 1500 will wind up being the bottom of the entry price point. The units around 2 have increased in quality and number. There's 3 units not (1 yet to ship) that are in that ballpark. 640 hasn't dropped much but 384, which is totally useable, sure has. The Pulsar RXQ is dang good for the money and I have high hopes for the new FLIR also.

I am a big fan of the Pulsar 384 resolution scopes, particularly the 50mm versions. They seem to perform better than you would expect given their specifications.

Is this the Apex or Predator models?

Apex ^^^ XQ50

Yep!

Being in the industry I've had to keep my seat belt buckled and just to keep up with the MAJOR price drops this year. I 100% agree with Double Naught Spy and MDMORROW, they hit the nail on the head.

There has never been a better time to buy thermal. With this year's price drops, I don't see how you can go wrong. I do believe we will see 640's drop in price in the next couple years and I'm guessing there will be some new jump in the top end resolution above 640 at some point. It just seems like the logical and natural progression. Plus, the manufacturers have to keep some scopes up in higher end price range just to keep their profits reasonable.

I agree with MD that $1,500 seems to be the reasonable bottom for the market in the next year or two. I do believe we will see a $999 thermal before it's all said and done but I wouldn't wait around on it.

^^^agree. I think a 1000+ grade core will happen eventually. Then 640 will get cheaper.

Somebody say XQ50 - I love mine!

Video from this past weekend