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Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? #7123220 03/26/18 02:41 PM
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Brian C. Offline OP
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Alot of choices out there. I have been doing my research and value my fellow THF friends opinions. I'm looking to spend up to $6k but if possible always seeking to save every dollar possible. My #1 concern is PID on target. Hands down I will pay for quality and assurance. I do not want to have to explain myself to any LO, GW or anyone for lack thereof. With that being said, I'm also curious for any tactics or methods that can improve my investment. I'm considering spending more on a single stand alone monocular in 640 hz for scanning to save my arms holding up the rifle the whole time and PID. Then using a 384 hz scope. Anyway appreciate the insight!


God Bless Texas!!! Godspeed our Military!
Re: Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? [Re: Brian C.] #7123292 03/26/18 03:49 PM
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Apex XQ 50

Quantum XQ 30

Both from Pulsar and you should have abou 500-700 bucks left for ammo and a vest.

As far as proper identification, you won't have that problem with this equipment.


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Re: Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? [Re: Brian C.] #7123401 03/26/18 05:21 PM
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Ditto what Pitchfork said ^

Re: Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? [Re: Brian C.] #7123501 03/26/18 06:30 PM
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Are these .308 rated? I've noticed some manufacturers do not state wether or not


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Re: Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? [Re: Brian C.] #7124201 03/27/18 03:59 AM
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I cannot recommend more, having a scope for shooting and a monocular for scanning. Doing it with a rifle alone blows. XQ50 is a great buy (on a .308), but you will need an external MDVR for video. Killer combination Sat night! smile


You'll learn after use, it's really practice and experience looking at animals with a thermal and being able to tell a cow from a hog for example. Doubtful you'll be doing many 200+ yard shots at night.

If your budget is $6k, you have plenty of options, but do get both, don't go all in on scope alone. Get a monocular you can helmet mount like the new FLIR PTS. While the hz rating is important, my 9hz 330 OTS works just fine, even while driving in the Pioneer.


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Re: Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? [Re: Brian C.] #7127364 03/29/18 09:29 PM
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Kinda gotta admit my brain is hurting from researching. Alot of information to take in. Originally I was looking at an ATN but after seeing alot of buyers remorse I'm expanding my knowledge. I've read that ATN purchased componets from other manufacturers and did not get all the components necessary for fluid system operations. I have read some units will freeze up after the guns recoil. I have not found out if ATN has resolved this issue.

Furthermore, CharlieCTx I've come to understand NV is better for driving due to thermals will not pass through glass. Is this true or is there something I'm missing? I will admit all the cool features added in like video and tons of color options or reticals is not as much as important to me as good quality picture. Still learning, enjoying and valuing everyones opinions!

Thanks in advance!


God Bless Texas!!! Godspeed our Military!
Re: Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? [Re: Brian C.] #7127672 03/30/18 05:19 AM
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ATN has let a bunch of people on this forum down over the years, including me. Pulsar has very few folks with anything to complain about. They simply make a better product with better components than ATN.

You are correct, Thermals cannot see through glass/plexi. That said, most NV monoc's also need some degree of ilumination to see any kind of distance, so the external illumination will present it's own issues trying to drive with windshields, etc. I flip the windshield down on the Pioneer while scouting, so either will work.

Driving with a Thermal monocular does take a little practice. Branches, holes, mudholes (a gate one time, stopped with inches to spare!) don't immediately present themselves as such, particularly as you're looking elsewhere while driving. You'll be amazed at what you can see with a Thermal vs what you'd never see with NV. I rarely fire up my NV monoc anymore.

Don't worry about how far can you ID something with your monoc, you'll just know a whole lot better, there's something out there to investigate. Again, my 330x30x9hz Thermal is my primary driver/spotter. (The 70x60hz monoc has too much magnification to drive with, but is excellent for everything else)

Don't overthink it, it's quite simple.... spend what you can afford and enjoy it. All of my optics were purchased used. A thermal monoc and a good NV scope is a good way to start.


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M&P-10 + AAC Cyclone
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Re: Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? [Re: Brian C.] #7127733 03/30/18 11:55 AM
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Thanks Charlie!


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Re: Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? [Re: Brian C.] #7127804 03/30/18 01:27 PM
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Originally Posted By: Brian C.
Are these .308 rated? I've noticed some manufacturers do not state wether or not


With a 6000 joule recoil rating, that will get you into some loads of .475 H&H. So yeah, .308 is no problem for the Apex XQ50. Sapper Titan put his on a 12 ga. pump shotgun and is thumping hogs and coyotes with it, if that gives you any idea what it can do, LOL.


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Re: Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? [Re: Brian C.] #7128620 03/31/18 11:26 AM
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Awesome! Appreciate it D.N.S.


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Re: Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? [Re: Brian C.] #7128864 03/31/18 04:36 PM
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Originally Posted By: Brian C.
Awesome! Appreciate it D.N.S.


Me too!

Re: Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? [Re: Brian C.] #7128985 03/31/18 07:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Brian C.
Awesome! Appreciate it D.N.S.
yep I’ve put about 50 or so rounds of 12 gauge down the pipe with the Apex XQ50 on top and have had no issues with recoil at all. I’m also using the Pulsar QD mount. Also I received the go ahead from Pulsar to ru. It on the 12 gauge so no worry about any warranty issues as far as that goes.

Here are a few kills with the Apex XQ50 and shotgun


Last edited by SapperTitan; 03/31/18 07:49 PM.
Re: Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? [Re: Brian C.] #7129111 03/31/18 10:11 PM
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I think that is an excellent testament to the durability of the scope, not to mention the warranty from Pulsar!


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Re: Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? [Re: Brian C.] #7129298 04/01/18 03:04 AM
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Lots of good info here. Im looking at Pulsar thermals for my Rem 700 .223 since I dont own an AR platform.


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Re: Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? [Re: Brian C.] #7132164 04/04/18 01:42 PM
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Hey guys, I found a good article about AR rifle scopes and would love your feedback.What are your hunting and target practice scope recommendations in general and for ARs in particular? I think most of the expensive ones are overkill and have gotten decent results with some of the medium prices scopes, as long as the optics are high-quality and the fit the weapon.

Source: https://www.geekwrapped.com/guides/best-ar-scopes

Re: Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? [Re: Rafeal Nandi] #7132468 04/04/18 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted By: Rafeal Nandi


The thread was started on Thermal Scopes but...

Don't believe everything you read on the internet, particularly, hunting scope advice from a site called "geekwrapped". smile

When they're refering to an X-Sight II as "...one of the best top long range scopes, the American Technologies Network Scope. We almost couldn’t believe that it had such amazing HD technology."

I'm kind of speechless by that introduction and also including Monstrum brand, etc which are just cheap imported scopes.

Buy once, cry once.... don't try to save money on hunting stuff... pick your favorite saying, you don't want to scrimp on your optic.


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Re: Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? [Re: Brian C.] #7132628 04/04/18 09:23 PM
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Oops, I misposted above. .375 H&H, NOT .475 H&H. Not even sure there is a .475 H&H, LOL.


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Re: Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? [Re: Pitchfork Predator] #7139724 04/13/18 12:54 AM
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I am happy with my IRHunter. Now that they are sold by Trijicon, they are a little past your budget though. I also have an IR Patrol. It works fine as a monocular, but the firmware is pathetic for a scope. Make sure you can see your X,Y offset. The IRHunter essentially has a LaRue quick disconnect scope base on it. If you know your offsets, you can move it from gun to gun, and worse case need a single shot to zero. The Patrol’s scope base also sucks.

Re: Need your options... Best Thermal Scope? [Re: Brian C.] #7139890 04/13/18 11:31 AM
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I love the XQ50 Trail.. the battery packs will save you from buying all those CR123s (or hanging an external battery on), and you get the record feature.

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