Got a good friend looking for a thermal and I told him I'd help him get the best one I can find in his budget.

I'll be buying it and would want it shipped to Katy.

We are NOT considering ATN (thanks for the feedback, THF). All others are fair game.

Looking for something reliable and good quality. Shots will be 200 yards and under. Would be nice to identify animals a bit beyond that, though.

Let me know what you have, please. Wanting to keep this under $2k


*decided to expand the budget up a bit to $2,000.02

You’re the cheapest guy I know on this forum

You can’t buy said thermal for that budget

THIS.

I actually got my thermal on this forum for less than $2k last year.

I’m trying to help my buddy out and this is his budget. Sorry if that is an issue for you.

XQ 38 Pulsars sell for $2k every day.

My Flir is worth less than his price point. Unfortunately I am not wanting to sell at this time but there are units out there. Good luck George

Thanks 2Beez

Up

Where?

Facebook Thermal Hunter Pages.. PulsarXQ38 Apex , also people are upgrading to the new Bering Hogsters so their selling the 25mm and 35mm. I’ve personally bought two. If you still don’t believe me I’ll post a pic.. also Pulsar also makes a 30 that is on the bottom rung of thermals but you have a clear pic at 250yds plus..

Oh yeah if you snag a Pulsar 30, the first ones were made with heat showing green with the later scopes going black and white.. it’s a matter of choice. Both are good scopes..

Here’s a thermal that just popped up. It will go quick but your heat sig will be green.

Thanks.

Still looking...

Check out Third Coast Thermal. They are out of Katy Texas

Thanks. I sent them a message.

Still hoping for a used one that is in good shape...

Hey Pig Popper - if you were trying to find a thermal closest to my buddy’s budget, what would you get? I know you seem to be very experienced in this arena. Maybe instead of trying to give me a hard time, you could give me some good advice and be helpful...

One suggestion was a new AGM RATTLER TS25-384, for just under $2k.
Any experience or feedback on that unit?

Thanks!

Id go with the Rattler TS25. I haven't used one myself, but I owned a pulsar core rxq30v which was the same price as the rattler, and it was great. But unlike the pulsar, the Rattler has internal video recording, a focusable objective lens, and WiFi/streaming through AGM's mobile app. I've heard good things about the Rattler so far and it seems like a hell of a scope for under $2k. I've had no problems identifying and shooting up to 200 yards with the pulsar core RXQ30V which has the same resolution/ base magnification as the Rattler TS25. You'll be able to identify beyond that as well.

You may eventually be able to find a better used scope for under $2k, but a used scope will not be covered by the original warranty. These warranties are non-transferrable as far as I'm aware.

Friend of mine picked up a barely used Bering Hogster for $2400 yesterday.

I think in most cases now, the warranty follows the serial number, not who owns it.

If the company isn't like that with warranty, then choose one that is.

Just googled pulsar’s warranty policy and it definitely says their warranty is non-transferable. They do have great customer service so maybe they’d make exceptions. I’m not sure about the other companies though. I’m pretty sure N Vision has a 5 year transferable warranty, but you won’t be finding any of those or under $2k

The Rattler has a lot of features at its price point - you asked for something reliable and good quality - this is a first run of this model so it’s a crap shoot on these aspects.

Shots at 200 yards - you’re friend is going to want to scoot up closer - you really would want 2.5x or more native magnification to do this well and repeatedly.

I don’t think any 384 res thermal from any brand should be used to ID beyond 200 yards - it’s a safety thing ....

With your expanded budget you’re only decent choice is to take the chance on the Rattler.

Now get’er done !

Also, I'm pretty sure the guys behind AGM were the same people who used to make the Armasight thermals. They're not new at making thermals. These are new units but they're under warranty and I'm sure any bugs will be worked out with firmware updates. Within the next month, there should be a lot of reviews of this thermal posted on Youtube. Check out the Late Night Vision Show, they will be reviewing it soon.

I think your friend shouldn't have any problems within 200 yards with this scope if the conditions are right and he is familiar with thermal hunting and recognizing how pigs/deer/coyotes move.

Wrong. I got my pulsar apex for sub $2k

Not anytime in the last month you didn’t ...

Thermal prices are WAY up right now like everything else

And his list of options and performance features isn’t realistic which was the whole point of that post

Budget too low and stated needs too high (for thermal)

I have an old gen 2 white phos nv that is enormous and heavy and i dont like.

Been following this and other threads and researching. Finally got tired of it all and bought the:

SUPER HOGSTER R 2.9-11.6x35mm Ultra-compact Thermal Weapon Sight from NVG

w5% off for signing up email and free shipping was $3035

says in stock but doubtful so will see.
these threads and others helpful
thx
mark