Thermal optics

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.

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.

Ok, I’ll look. Thank you.

Get a pulsar

I would but everyone is sold out.

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

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.

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.

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

You'll have great luck with that apex. Probably the best thermal for the dollar out right now.

I agree on the Apexes. Heck of a deal if you don't need internal video recording. They are a real value.

- Jason

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.

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

True dat

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

go with the XQ50

+2

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

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

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

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

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.

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!

I seen in one of your videos you had a thermal mounted on what looked like a forward grip, could you post any pictures of that setup?

What is the best QD mount for the pulsar apex 38?
Thanks.

best ZRO DELTA but nothing wrong with the Pulsar QD.

Pulsar does make a very good qd mount now part #PL34000

just know on the Apex scopes you will have to flip the mount backwards when you mount it if you plan on using the aux out port for video or anything else. The lever on the Pulsar mount block the port.

Well I guess that one is out for me, I would like to add a dvr soon.

I use it on my Apex just have to flip it so the lever is on the right and not left side of the scope. Mount still functions perfectly and holds zero even on my shotgun.