What's the best thermal with 2 gun settings for under 3 grand? Way to many choices for me to sort through.

I might add reliability, visibility, ease of use are most important to me.

The good news is... for under $3k you don't have much to pick from.

I have a FLIR-based Thor 19mm (not the new HD models which have varying reputations depending on who you ask). It's good to 100 yds, but that's about it for clear sighting and it does have (4) profiles. My "Holiday Hogs" post below has some video where I state the distance I'm shooting at.

I'd recommend the Pulsar XD-38A (don't know if it has the multiple profile capability). It has a 38mm objective @ 50hz which really matter for the visibility part. UNV has them with the DVR for $2,999, so you'll just squeak by.

Don't try and compare what you see in the IR Defense Patrol videos for example, with what you're going to get for $3k.

Charlie

Charlies correct, not many options under 3. You can find a good deal on a used unit but you're still looking at either a pulsar, an ATN or an armasight product. Pulsar or Armasight is what to look at. The new ATN scopes don't have a great reputation. With the pulsar though you'll need to upgrade the mount in order to use the multi rifle abilities. The factory mount sucks big time. Armasight comes with a good mount but for the Zeus you'll be spending a little more than the pulsar. Feel free to shoot me a message and I'm glad to help you research. I been doing the thermal thing for quite some time now.

Interesting, the Pulsar mount seems to work very well as a non-QD type mount. Very solid.

I have no issues with the Pulsar mount either. Budget is everything when it comes to thermal. Personally, I think you will be underwhelmed with the cheaper scopes unless you always hunt in a short, closed in area.

Spend a little more and get an XD50a or XD50S....that will still be $3500-3900. You'll be much happier with the extra magnification.

After that I don't see a point in spending more unless you are stepping up to a Mark II which is $6500.

When is Flir going to come out with their rendition of an Armasight scope?

I have the same budget as you (3k) and I was super pumped up about IR Defense's announcement of a budget line with decent resolution, this was about a year ago based on a new cheaper core.

Well IRD sold out Trijicon and it never came to be - too bad it would have changed the entire market....

I have more patience than money so I'm waiting for the market to get crowded at 3k before buying

It's fine as a permanent mount but the OP specifically said he wants to use it on multiple guns. As a QD mount it sucks. The solution is the ultimate night vision pnvm plus a quality QD acog mount of your choice. Then it's a reliable multi weapon scope.

Flir is coming out with a version of the armasight zeus. That said it's still pretty much just a zeus with a new name. Same body and whatnot. The Zeus is good option also if you can get to around 4 you might be able to get a lightly used 640 Zeus 42.

I invested an extra $140 and put a qd mount under my XD50A. I switch it back and forth between my AR and my 22 mag. Good enough to shoot coons at 50 with the WMR then shoot coyotes out to 180 with the AR.

I'm new to the thermal and interested in the Pulsar XD50 and adding the DVR. What's the difference/advantage between XD50A and the XD50S. Thanks guys

OLED screen

On the S

Which mount did you buy. I can't tell the difference based on pictures. I've used the cheap Chinese stuff before. Can you share a link?

Not having looked through both, I can't say how much better the OLED screen makes the picture. What I can say is that my 50A does two things which the 50 oled doesn't do. First the PIP goes to 8x while the oled goes to 4x and second it has reticles that are available in red or green whereas the oled has black and white. I don't know if the oled has the sepia color scheme that I like on the 50A. Someone who has one might jump in and comment on that.

It's two separate pieces. I don't remember exactly but I think I got the info from here somewhere. I'll look and see if I can find my receipt.

Do the Pulsar's (38 or 50) allow you to save different zero settings for different mountings or round type?

Charlie

They allow 3 profiles.

^^^see my above post. UNV PNVM and Acog mount of your choice. I used a larue mount when I had my apex.

Good info. So I guess a new Apex Pulsar XD50A for $2700 would be a good deal

Nope that's a great deal!

That would be such an unbelievable deal to make me think something's not quite right.

Charlie

I'd agree with you, that price is lower than any dealer cost that I've seen.

I can get a few ATN's for under $3000 and the Flir RS32 pretty dang close to $3000, but Pulsar price is too good to be true.

I'd make sure they're not thinking Hd50A.