What’s good entry level thermal monocular?

Don’t want the cheapest, but don’t want to break the bank to get one. What are your suggestions?

You have to give more info.

1 - how much is too much or breaking the bank as you say?
2 - what will you use it for
3 - how will you be hunting....ex - spot and stalk versus stand
4 - what do you think your average shot will be, distance wise?

This! Budget is a huge factor. Once the price point and magnification range needed is determined, you'll likely only have 2-3 options, max.

Jason

1 - how much is too much or breaking the bank as you say?
Under $1,500 at the very top end. Preferable under $1,000

2 - what will you use it for?
Scanning. Hog and Coyote hunts.

3 - how will you be hunting....ex - spot and stalk versus stand.
Most of the time it will likely be a stand. However, would utilize this a lot coming/going to the stand, to see what it around while walking.

4 - what do you think your average shot will be, distance wise?
400 is the longest range in most of the fields I will be in. Most likely 100-200 will be the average shot.

If you don’t have any other type of night optics, either NV or a Thermal scope, is highly suggest just getting a thermal scope such as the Pulsar Core and a QD Mount and use it as both.

Based upon how you answered the questions and specifically your budget. The Pulsar Core is about the only thing I am aware of that will fall into those categories and even it is a bit over your budget. I can tell you though, do not look through a higher end (Trijicon, Pulsar XP series) because if you do you will be saving $ to upgrade. Also, Pulsar would be better off not putting a QD mount in the box...they are junk. So plan to have to upgrade to a much better mount, I went with the Zero Delta....it is a bad [censored] mount and should be what Pulsar sends with the scope.

I’m telling you this because that’s exactly what I did....ended up with a Core, which is a great entry level thermal...then started hunting with a buddy that has an XP38 so I upgraded to the XQ50 LRF and realized that the 1.5x that is the difference was too much for stalking up because your FOV was so much shorter...so I sold that one and bought the XP38 LRF.

I will have a QD mounted Armasight Zeus 640 atop of my rifle. I was looking for a monocular - something easier to scan with.

You guys just scan with your thermal and the slap it back on your rifle before you shoot? Perhaps I’ve been thinking of this in the wrong way.

If I’m in a deer blind, a mono would seem a LOT easier to scan.

Hmmm...... I use my Armasight 3-24x75mm Zeus to scan with and mount it up to shoot. I have a BoBro Engineering mount for mine. It returns to zero every time. I also have an external battery pack for my Zeus I scan with.

I can make a cable that'll hook up to a Zeus and hone battery charger to act as an external battery pack.

Take a look at the Pulsar Axion Key XM30 2.4-9.6x24 Thermal Monocular
Small Pocket-sized Format
Designed to fit perfectly in one hand or a pocket of a standard size, Axion Key ensures comfortable grip position and easy carrying. Compact size of thermal imager makes it an optimal portable unit for scouting and spotting.

Long Detection Range
Powerful objective lens in combination with a 12 µm professional grade thermal imaging sensor provides exceptional detection capabilities. A standard 1,8 m (6 ft) tall object can be detected at a 1700 m (1800 yds) distance in complete darkness.

12 µm Thermal Imaging Sensor
New thermal imaging sensor with 12 µm pixel pitch helps to achieve higher optic magnification and observation distance and simultaneously helps to make the unit more compact.

Rugged Magnesium Alloy Housing
Housing made from light weight magnesium alloy ensures high structural rigidity and ruggedness while retaining small weight and ergonomics.

B-Pack Mini Power System
Miniature power elements used in Axion Key models provide sufficient operation time and can be quickly replaced. B-Pack mini batteries can be quickly charged either with included charger station or in the unit connected to USB.

More features

Color Palettes
The 8-color palette enhances viewing in varying conditions. While the classic “White Hot” mode is exceptionally versatile, “Hot Black” is often favored for detecting wildlife at night. Red monochrome helps to reduce or prevent bright backlight from exiting the eyepiece. Sepia often improves long-range observation while “Red Hot”, “Rainbow” and “Ultramarine” enhance temperature differences of various object attributes. Violet helps to identify objects faster.

Instant Start-up
Thanks to the new revolutionary electronics unit can be started almost instantly. Quick start-up helps to save energy and thus prolongs time of operation. The unit can be kept in a pocket and then rapidly activated when the right time comes.

IPX7 Waterproof Rated
IPX7 waterproof-rated for protection from heavy rainfall, snow or other precipitation. The Axion Key is designed to run flawlessly, even after submersion in up to 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.

Lightweight
Small weight becomes important when outdoor trip is long and each piece of equipment adds to a total load that has to be carried on the back. Axion Key weighs around 250 grams not more than a regular rangefinder unit but offers far more significant capabilities.

Picture in Picture Function
Upon activation Picture in Picture function displays second small image with magnification in the top part of the screen. Small image helps to zoom in on a target while retaining the rest of the field of view visible.

Doug,

How's the clarity for detecting humans vs animals with that Pulsar? I ask since I hunt near our southern border often and have encountered north-bound groups more than once. This is for detection only (so I can avoid them) and not for hunting.

Looks like that might be the ticket!

That is another important use! We have the same issues...and I don’t want to run into a group on the way to or from my stands!

All around it is a higher quality unit that I think you'll enjoy

Yes, my opinion....you are thinking about this wrong. It’s removed from the rifle, we drive around looking for pigs, mount scope and go make some pigs pay.

Now I understand what your asking and my next purchase will likely be a bump helmet with NV googles to use for the stalk.

^^^ I WAS thinking about it all wrong. I tend to over complicate things at times. This method seems much easier and cheaper! 2 for 1! Thanks for the help, y’all!

This is how I call coyotes and I usually don’t put the thermal on until they are within 80 yards, depending on how skittish they are

What's the resolution on this unit?

Display,type / resolution,pixels – LCOS/960X720

Save up and get the Axiom XM38. I use mine for the same purposes since I bought it last Fall. Many yotes and hogs have fell thanks to this little device. It gets used several times a week every week and detecting hogs over 1000 yards out. Pretty sweet during deer season too when I’m going in early and no longer blowing out animals

The XM38 is a very nice little monocular but the XM30 and XM38 were discontinued from production by Pulsar in January of 2020. They were replaced by the XM30S 4.5x with a new Sony display screen and it retails for $1,999. Pulsar just announced the Axion XQ38 for $2,499 and the XQ38 LRF for $2,799.

Jason