So I just picked up a Howa m1500 in a 308 and looking for a new scope. Thinking of going the thermal/night vision route to make it my nighttime hog gun. Any suggestions on a decent scope that won't break the bank? Don't need all the fancy video and picture taking options. Just something that will let me see the pig from about 100 yards out. Thanks!

If you're looking for a good Thermal scope for that distance and not breaking the bank, the Pulsar Thermion XM30 (PL76524) would be perfect for it. It has a 320x240 resolution with a 12 micron. The clarity is going to be perfect for that 100-150 yard range you're talking about. Has 8 different color pallets, 10 different reticle options as well as recording capability.

If you're looking for something less than that, then Pulsar’s digital night vision riflescopes Digex’s or Digisight LRF’s would work great as well or even the Wraith 4K (SM18030).

It's our pleasure to discuss this with you

Yes sir, Doug is right, lots of good options with out breaking the bank. As he mentioned you can start with a good Sightmark digital NV scope or go with something like the Pulsar Thermion XM30 or AGM Rattler or Bering Optics Hogsters. There are more NV and thermal options from $500 to $3,000 than ever.

I believe the very first thing you'll have to do is decide what you're budget is. If you really don't want to spend $2,000 or more, then get a good Sightmark or Pulsar digital NV scope and get your feet wet in the night hunting game.

Jason

Follow on question as I have the same issue. Are any of the sub-$2000 units not made in China. I don't want to support that kind of regime if I don't have to.

Even if not made in China, a goodly number of the parts will be. Some brands will boast being "Assembled in America" but are largely comprised of Chinese parts.

We live in a Global economy. If you want the really inexpensive electronics, China is the source.

The only thermal scopes made outside of China are Pulsar (European), N-Vision and Trijicon (both American). The least expensive Pulsar is the Thermion XM30 for $2,299. It is a 3.5x base magnification so it's definitely better for the guys doing a lot of shooting at 75-100+ yards. It is also a fixed focus, so it's not quite as sharp of an image as some other scopes but the trade off is more magnification. The next step up in $3,299.

Otherwise, it's all made in China. I know it's not something any of us really desire but I'm typing this from a computer made in China.

I appreciate it. Gives me a starting point. Now I need to adjust budget accordingly.

None of us really do. But you think about the entire economic chain. You still help the US because even though the item might be made in China. Let’s say you buy from Outdoor Legacy. They will make a profit that helps sustain their US based family. You will pay state sales tax that supports Texas. The company will pay income and/or corporate taxes. Harbor Freight Tools is a big example of what I’m saying. They contribute a lot to the US economy even though they source their inventory from China.

Also you might consider QD mounts. No need to have the new Howa just a thermal scoped rifle.

JR

I may be off here but I thought the Hogster by Bering Optics was American made.

"Final assembly of globally sourced components and black boxing" is done in the US.
It's an infiray unit known in the rest of the world as the SAIM SCT.

Take ATN out of the equation if they were ever even in it.

I know the AGM Rattlers come with the American Defense QD mounts, single lever. I believe the Hogsters do, also, but Jason would know that better.

Those AD QD mounts aren’t cheap, so the fact they’re included is a nice plus been trying to consider options, IMO.

Yes sir the American Defense mounts are awesome. They are one of the best companies I've ever dealt with in all my years in this industry.

The thermal scopes that currently come standard with ADM mounts are....AGM, iRay USA (they are also available for the Infiray scopes like the Ricos and Bolts sold by iRay USA) and all N-Vision scopes. A huge percentage of Pulsar Thermions sit in an ADM mount as well. Before FLIR dumped their hunting thermal scopes, they all came with ADM mounts as well. They also have mounts available for the Sightmark Wraith models. At this point, it's clear, American Defense is the industry standard for scope mounts.

Currently Bering uses an OEM branded mount on the Hogsters but their soon to be released Super Yoter is supposed to have a LaRue mount, which should be nice.

Jason

If it is the same as on the prototype SYR, then it is outstanding, easy to use and easy to adjust.

I believe that Burris sources their parts from the Philippines and assembles in USA. Has anybody used Burris Thermals? Any good?

If it is the same as on the prototype SYR, then it is outstanding, easy to use and easy to adjust.[/quote]

That's awesome to hear. LaRue makes great stuff. I wish they weren't so hard to deal with on the wholesale side, I'm honestly not sure how Bering pulled this off, but kudos to them!




Burris thermals are re-branded Guide IR scopes from Wuhan China. I will be diplomatic here but my advice is stick to any of the other well known thermal brands. The Guide IR's do not compete well with the other thermal competitors on the market. I'd highly suggest avoiding them unless Burris does something different in the future. Also, I'd like to point out that I'm not against a company re-branding and bringing Chinese made scopes. That's what the majority of the thermals in the US are and most of them are fantastic. I just think Burris could have done a whole lot better. Just my 2 cents....

Well, that sucks. Gonna cross that one off my wish list...