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Thermal optics #7041925 01/17/18 06:34 PM
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I’m entertaining the thought of buying a thermal. Would like to stay under $3500 if possible, also don’t want anything ATN due to their bad reviews. My needs would include the ability to shoot accurately out to 200-250 yds.
Also want built in video recording and rechargeable battery pack. What do you guys use? Thanks.

Re: Thermal optics [Re: 6.5 shooter] #7041946 01/17/18 06:51 PM
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syncerus Offline
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If you scroll through this form a few pages back, you will find the answer to all of your questions. There's a pretty clear consensus of the best current options.


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Re: Thermal optics [Re: 6.5 shooter] #7041963 01/17/18 07:02 PM
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Ok, I’ll look. Thank you.

Re: Thermal optics [Re: 6.5 shooter] #7042414 01/18/18 12:32 AM
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tannerlst Offline
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Get a pulsar

Re: Thermal optics [Re: tannerlst] #7042467 01/18/18 01:06 AM
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Originally Posted By: tannerlst
Get a pulsar


I would but everyone is sold out. confused2

Re: Thermal optics [Re: 6.5 shooter] #7042504 01/18/18 01:29 AM
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der Teufel Offline
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Originally Posted By: jay baker
Originally Posted By: tannerlst
Get a pulsar


I would but everyone is sold out. confused2


That may be capitalism's way of telling you to buy a Pulsar …


I have two unwritten rules:
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Re: Thermal optics [Re: 6.5 shooter] #7046012 01/20/18 04:38 PM
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Yep pulsar is way in demand right now. We've caught up a little bit though. Just cleared a bunch of backorders with the last shipment. Holler at me if you have any questions on which direction to go.


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Re: Thermal optics [Re: 6.5 shooter] #7077922 02/14/18 12:02 PM
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Well I ended up with a pulsar XQ38 apex. As most know, there isn’t really anything available anywhere. I was ordering some stuff from midway USA , and by chance it popped up on a suggestion. They had one in stock, and 3 days later it’s on my desk. I hope it works out, as I’m going to test it out this weekend. Many thanks to all the people that helped me out with all my questions.

Re: Thermal optics [Re: 6.5 shooter] #7079942 02/15/18 06:57 PM
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Hoyt32 Offline
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You got a good thermal. I’m running a trail xp38 and they are super easy to figure out. Post some pics of some kills

Re: Thermal optics [Re: 6.5 shooter] #7080098 02/15/18 09:14 PM
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You'll have great luck with that apex. Probably the best thermal for the dollar out right now.


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Re: Thermal optics [Re: 6.5 shooter] #7080200 02/15/18 10:27 PM
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I agree on the Apexes. Heck of a deal if you don't need internal video recording. They are a real value.

- Jason


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Night Vision, Thermal & Accessories
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Re: Thermal optics [Re: 6.5 shooter] #7080244 02/15/18 10:49 PM
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I really wanted the recording ability but none were avaliable. I’ll be adding the DVR later after I figure out how to use it efficiently. Don’t want to mess with two things at one time right now. I’ll be contacting y’all for the system a little later. Once again thanks.

Re: Thermal optics [Re: 6.5 shooter] #7083900 02/18/18 11:15 PM
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Got to use the pulsar apex XQ38 last night. All I can say is wow! Ended up harvesting 5 hogs. One boar was 230lbs, and the long shot of the night was right at 237 yds. Was able to identify animals out beyond 600 yds easily. I think I’m addicted now...lol

Re: Thermal optics [Re: 6.5 shooter] #7083915 02/18/18 11:28 PM
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Originally Posted By: jay baker
Got to use the pulsar apex XQ38 last night. All I can say is wow! Ended up harvesting 5 hogs. One boar was 230lbs, and the long shot of the night was right at 237 yds. Was able to identify animals out beyond 600 yds easily. I think I’m addicted now...lol


Welcome to the club of eating ramen noodles loco_too

Re: Thermal optics [Re: songdogslayer] #7083923 02/18/18 11:33 PM
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Originally Posted By: songdogslayer
Originally Posted By: jay baker
Got to use the pulsar apex XQ38 last night. All I can say is wow! Ended up harvesting 5 hogs. One boar was 230lbs, and the long shot of the night was right at 237 yds. Was able to identify animals out beyond 600 yds easily. I think I’m addicted now...lol


Welcome to the club of eating ramen noodles loco_too


True dat

Re: Thermal optics [Re: songdogslayer] #7083982 02/19/18 12:12 AM
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Originally Posted By: songdogslayer
Originally Posted By: jay baker
Got to use the pulsar apex XQ38 last night. All I can say is wow! Ended up harvesting 5 hogs. One boar was 230lbs, and the long shot of the night was right at 237 yds. Was able to identify animals out beyond 600 yds easily. I think I’m addicted now...lol


Welcome to the club of eating ramen noodles loco_too


Ramen noodles and no sleep when the sun goes down...lol

Re: Thermal optics [Re: 6.5 shooter] #7083988 02/19/18 12:15 AM
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Originally Posted By: jay baker
Got to use the pulsar apex XQ38 last night. All I can say is wow! Ended up harvesting 5 hogs. One boar was 230lbs, and the long shot of the night was right at 237 yds. Was able to identify animals out beyond 600 yds easily. I think I’m addicted now...lol
go with the XQ50

Re: Thermal optics [Re: SapperTitan] #7084266 02/19/18 04:36 AM
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Originally Posted By: SapperTitan
go with the XQ50

+2


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Re: Thermal optics [Re: Double Naught Spy] #7084582 02/19/18 03:13 PM
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Originally Posted By: Double Naught Spy
Originally Posted By: SapperTitan
go with the XQ50

+2

How much better is the xq50 over the 38? I have the 38 now

Re: Thermal optics [Re: 6.5 shooter] #7084624 02/19/18 03:43 PM
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Better is realative term. Detection range is a little further. Where you’ll se a difference is under bad conditions, high humidity to be specific. Ther larger lens allows for more information to be collected. Translates to a “better” heat signature . Under perfect conditions you’d be hard pressed to see any real difference, other than native mag . But reality is, very seldom perfect conditions. It worth the extra$ unless the 4x-ish native is too much . I’ve got both that get used as loaners. Usually guys end up liking the 50 better by end of night , but I think it’s due to combination of all factors combined. Hope this helps

Re: Thermal optics [Re: Midwaytmm] #7084654 02/19/18 04:05 PM
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Originally Posted By: Midwaytmm
Better is realative term. Detection range is a little further. Where you’ll se a difference is under bad conditions, high humidity to be specific. Ther larger lens allows for more information to be collected. Translates to a “better” heat signature . Under perfect conditions you’d be hard pressed to see any real difference, other than native mag . But reality is, very seldom perfect conditions. It worth the extra$ unless the 4x-ish native is too much . I’ve got both that get used as loaners. Usually guys end up liking the 50 better by end of night , but I think it’s due to combination of all factors combined. Hope this helps
I was in West Texas early October and I couldn’t see 10 yards the fog was so thick but i could see deer at the feeder 250 yds away with the thermal lol. Couldn’t see terrain but could see the heat sigs. Thought that was cool

Re: Thermal optics [Re: Midwaytmm] #7084702 02/19/18 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted By: Midwaytmm
Better is realative term. Detection range is a little further. Where you’ll se a difference is under bad conditions, high humidity to be specific. Ther larger lens allows for more information to be collected. Translates to a “better” heat signature . Under perfect conditions you’d be hard pressed to see any real difference, other than native mag . But reality is, very seldom perfect conditions. It worth the extra$ unless the 4x-ish native is too much . I’ve got both that get used as loaners. Usually guys end up liking the 50 better by end of night , but I think it’s due to combination of all factors combined. Hope this helps


Thanks, I have a apex and trail in 38 and have been happy with both, but I'm pulling the trigger on another xq38 for a spotter

Re: Thermal optics [Re: songdogslayer] #7084716 02/19/18 04:49 PM
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Originally Posted By: songdogslayer
Originally Posted By: Double Naught Spy
Originally Posted By: SapperTitan
go with the XQ50

+2

How much better is the xq50 over the 38? I have the 38 now


Generally speaking, image quality is no better. The reason to buy the XQ50 is simply for the extra magnification. For a spotter, the XQ50 would be a good choice. For mostly coyote hunting, I think the XQ50 is a good choice because you are more likely to get coyotes hung up out there at further ranges and might have to take a longer shot at a smaller target than if you were hunting hogs exclusively.

99% of my hog hunters in the South buy the 38's and 80% of my coyote hunters in the Midwest buy the 50. When it comes to night hunting, I'm a low magnification proponent. I wan the lowest magnification and widest field of view possible that still gets the job done. Depending on your yardages that can vary from person to person. 1.6x is all I need in a scope but I realized 2.1x or 2.7x is better for some people.

Since you already have the 38, I'd just say to decided if you really want more magnification and are you willing to lose FOV to get it. For a spotter I don't see that being a big deal but I personally do for a scope, again, considering your hunting conditions. The Trail XQ38 has a FOV of 71.5ft at 110 yards, whereas the XQ50 only has 43ft at 110 yards. That's a huge difference and it is even more pronounced when you get down in the 50-75 yard range.

- Jason


Outdoor Legacy - Owner
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Re: Thermal optics [Re: 6.5 shooter] #7084730 02/19/18 04:58 PM
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The image quality may not appear to look any better on the xq50 than the xq38 but that is specifically because of the magnification difference. The lack of magnification hides the clarity difference very well.


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Re: Thermal optics [Re: 6.5 shooter] #7084740 02/19/18 05:10 PM
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I hear that. I already think that the xq38 has less field of view than the apex38 Scope will double as a weapon mount also. Getting a pretty good deal from sportoptics, so I'll probably just go 38. Thanks for the help!

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