Best Thermal 2,500-3,500

I am looking for suggestions on the best thermal setup from 2500-3500

Looking for easy sighting in, good battery life, and great picture


What do you guys suggest?

I have shot and played with multiple thermal scopes. From my personal scopes to other shooters thermals, and friends loaning me their thermals to hunt with. I started with the FLIR RS 32 units from 5-6 years ago, played with the Armasight (which has FLIR internals) to the newer Pulsar XP38 Trail model. The new Pulsar units are freakin' awesome! They have a ton of features and have a VERY good picture quality. I run a Pulsar XP38 Trail model, and it is one of the best units for the money. I also have a brand new one for sale here in the classifieds. My vote is the Pulsar XP models.

Second that. I cancelled my PTS233 order after I got my breach. The XP50 blows it out of the water and I think the 38 would as well for a closer price point

Pulsar APEX XQ50

What will you be hunting with it and what distances?

Well 3-400 years is a long ways in east Texas but would like to be able to use it out to 5-600 if we went on one some of the West/south Texas hog/varmint hunts

But as far as regularly 150-250 I would say would be it

I don’t think you’ll be able to identify at 300-400 with even the XP50. You will be able to spot that far, but identification is different. 500-600 identification range is out of the question.

You are expressing champangne tastes (the good stuff at that) on an beer budget.

In your price range and that would best meet your needs would be the Pulsar XQ50 as Pig_Popper suggested above. The XQ38 in the Apex and Trail version is not going to have the magnification you need to get the job done. You aren't going to have the magnification or resolution for the 500-600 yard stuff you noted as indicated by BigPig. You will be able to shoot 200 to maybe 250 on coyotes. Pig_Popper does it with his from time to time, but often we have made the identification at closer range or with a higher resolution and greater magnification Trijicon scope. You might be doing 300 yards on good-sized hogs, but at the extreme range on both, you are looking at identification issues. You can see a coyote at 250 and can tell that it is a canid, but you would be hard pressed to actually identify it as a coyote (versus being a fox or a domestic dog). You may have trouble determining whether it is a coyote or small deer. For hogs, you will be having troubles determining if a particular animal is a hog, deer, calf, or in rare cases, a domestic dog (i.e. English sheep dog) at that longer distances. You can make some educated guesses and assumptions that you have the correct animal, but it can be very difficult to actually make an identification.

In your price range, the Apex XQ50 is really your best option for the most magnification and resolution. It will take you a few minutes to learn how to use and to navigate the menu system. It has some neat feature that you will have to learn to use. Once you learn them, it will be easy peazy, but it will take a little time.

I’m a guy who doesn’t drink beer trying to pick out his favorite

I’m trting your knowledge is helping me understand the limitations of the tech on my budget


Thank oh

Tried sending you a msg. You’re over your limit I think .

I concur with much of the advice you've received. Double Naught Spy is dead on and I think he's even being generous with the actual shooting ranges. Not saying it's not possible with but you need some experience under your belt to ID, estimate proper range and then take a 200+ yard shot at night with thermal. I'm using thermal nightly and I try to keep my shots under 100 yards. I realize for a lot of people that isn't always possible.

I also agree....the Pulsar Apex XQ50 is definitely your best bet.

Jason

Pulsar Apex XQ50 for thermal riflescope for reasons stated above. Pulsar Helion XP50 would be my choice for a thermal monocular.

Mook, what gun do you plan on putting the thermal scope on?

Not so much. Pig_Popper dropped this coyote at 220 yards, distance via GPS, 68% humidity, 84 degrees. Start video @ 2:10...



So I am thinking that shooting a hog that weighs 4 times as much (~100 lbs) would certainly be doable at a greater distance and a nice 200 lb boar should certainly be doable much farther as they will be so much larger in size.

Special ED 309 does a lot of longer range shooting with his old Pulsar Apex XD50 (25 micron instead of 17) and certainly managed to shoot a raccoon at 275 yards.




Identification can be tough, no doubt. Range estimate can be done numerous ways. While it is difficult to estimate hog size and distances through the flat perspective of thermal, knowing your terrain and landmarks can certainly be beneficial. In some cases, we will show up early and range landmarks in the field, determine field dimensions, etc. We know what the approximate distances are to animals near any landmarks. We generally like to keep shots under 200 yards.

However, if you know your stuff (note Special Ed's extra holdover and having assessed range before the hunt), you can certain make the Apex XQ50 work at greater distances, assuming you have a properly identified target.

Apex. Which one depends on distance. Inside 150 XQ38, outside it or around that on average than XQ50. Both are in the vicinity of your budget. Shooting at a distance it's as much of a challenge as 100% positive ID. That goes with the very best thermals too.

It says your over your pm limit

Try again fixed it. Was just going to offer to come down and look at the stuff for yourself. You’re not that far from us. Best way to decide is with your own eyes. YouTube doesn’t do this stuff justice, and opinions are often skewed. Shop around either way

Mook, tried sending you a PM but you're over limit

I am in the market as well. Is the ATN Thor 4 not good? Or is the Apex XQ a bunch better?

When ATN switched from the FLIR core to their own, it was all downhill.

I deleted

What was the last ATN model that used the FLIR core? I'm only asking because maybe an older discount model with a 640 core might be an option. Get last year's model for a cheaper price.

The ATN (non-HD)ThOR model used the FLIR core.

The used market is a good option, all of my NV/Thermal optics were purchased used. I also have a couple ATN-OTS Monoculars purchased used. The older gen, when it was new, generally sold for a good bit more than the new versions, so used "new gen" is generally a better route. Example, the older FLIR Thermosights used, generally have a higher asking price than a new FLIR PTS for example. Not saying they get what they're asking, but what you'll see. Unless you were buying a 70 or 100mm ThOR, you can buy better/new gear cheaper than a used non-HD ThOR.

When buying used, be very aware of warranty transfer and/or if it's a really good deal, the risk of it becoming a paperweight with no warranty. Most don't have an issue, but when they do... I started with a used Pulsar XD50 (when they were current) and they replaced it with a new XQ50 under a warranty claim on video output they could have easily said was not a defect. Clearly, I'm a huge fan of Pulsar for doing that. Pulsar warranty a year or so ago, required the original invoice from the original purchaser to make a claim.

Friends don't let friends buy ATN. Just say No.

If you need another reason, read this I posted in the hog forum the other day... ATN and Russia

Took the Apex XQ38 out tonight. 88 degrees and 52% humidity. I was watching 2 raccoons at 120 yards. When they stood up the definition was outstanding. Was able to watch one spin the feeder and the other hand things to another one. It really is a great unit for $2499

Pretty impressive optic.

Gawd dang coons!

Optics sure changed from about 15-20 years. Price not so much, still proud.