Handheld thermals

Ive got a hunt coming up where I could see one being invaluable. I can already think back to many times walking out of the woods at dusk scaring pigs or deer. I just don't see how it isn't extremely useful for those low light situations. I know I could have killed a few pigs if I could have had one already just walking up on them on my way in from hunting.

What are you guys using?

The Burris scanners are on serious closeout at a number of places, including Midway. They aren't the best, but they aren't the worst either. I've got the 35mm which I bought for cheap, and it was essential to finding downed game shot at late twilight on my last hunt.

I have the Pulsar axion and really like it.

Model number or link?

I am looking at the AGM TM15 in 256 since it is right in my budget. I really don't want to spend more than $800 so it is between the TM10 for 500 or the TM10 for 800.

I am not sure of the difference except the 1.0 vs 1.5 X magnification right off the bat. As far as I can tell that is the only difference. Maybe one of the guys can chime in on any other differences or even a better thermal I should be looking at for that price range.

I am sure there are others like me interested in a budget thermal.

Thanks

https://www.eurooptic.com/Burris-BTH-35-23-92x-Thermal-Handheld-300631.aspx

Looks like currently out of stock but accepting back orders. I’d give them a call.

This.

If that Burris comes back in stock I will be all over it

Really like my Pulsar Axion Key. I use it all the time for spotting

I also run the Pulsar Axiom Key. I think it's a good value thermal monocular. The image quality is good enough for spotting any animal. It's certainly not the best, but it works great. It beats using your scoped rifle for spotting, that's for sure.

I have a nvision atlas and a flir handheld. The nvision is crazy clear. The flir is nothing special. Think looking through a weaver k4 compared to a nightforce.

I have AGM Taipan TM19-384, it works well. Here's a video of hogs at 220 yards, the big one on the far left is no longer with us.

https://youtu.be/1k7zPLaI59k

Ordered the Burris BTH 35 today and it is on the way for $819 including tax from optics planet. Not the best monocular for hunting with a 20 second turn on delay but the price is outstanding for that quality of picture. I cant wait to use it on my TPWD night time feral hog drawn hunt that I somehow pulled off on the 2nd draw, coming up in January.

I’m happy with mine. The image quality is mediocre, but perfectly functional at reasonable ranges. For the money,it can’t be beat. I used mine to recover three hogs shot at late twilight, and I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have recovered two of them without the scanner.

How good are these scopes during daylight hours to spot downed game in thick brush? Will they even work in daylight?

Thermals work great in daylight. My AGM has a jungle mode to reduce the "noise" of thick bush and highlight the heat signature when looking for downed game.
Or you can adjust the contrast and brightness for the situation.

You can not see through the brush (leaves, twigs, grass) if the brush is completely blocking the animal, day or night. If there is any of the animal exposed through the openings in the brush, you can see the spots of heat through the openings. Otherwise, you are looking at the temperature of the brush.

Another plus for Pulsar Axion. I’m using the XM38 almost every night.

I bought an Axion Key when they first appeared, and at a reduced price. It's very compact and light, and very effective. It powers up in only a few seconds, and operation is quite simple.

My nephew did three tours in Iraq and has far more experience with thermals than I do. He showed me that when you see a lot of objects glowing hot, like boulders and stuff, just raise it up until an object of interest is nearer the bottom of the view and a lot of the "clutter" will be reduced. That was a useful pointer for me.

The only criticism I'd level at the Axion Key is that the display appears to be rather small (mine is the 30, I think) but that does not diminish the usefulness or effectiveness IMO.

Anyone have any experience with the AGM products? Specifically the Taipan TM15-384 ?

I have an AGM Secutor thermal scope. Been using it 2+ years now and works great. Very well built unit.

I know you can get one free with the purchase of the Adder TS50-640 from NVG's. Don't know about that unit but probably ok
for short range ID. I have the AGM Fusion 640 unit and am very happy with it. Brother in law has one of there 35 mm units and no problems after a couple of years.

I use a Pulsar Hellion XQ50 now for spotting, but the 4x base mag is too much for looking for a hog in the woods. Looking for something specifically for that task.

The TM15 is 1.5X so that might be the ticket. The TM19 is 1.9X.

The TM15-384 is a nice entry level optic. It's a fixed focus and the TM19 offers a better image for $300 more but for the price, the TM15 is nice. You could also consider the Pulsar Axion XM30F for $1499, $200 more than the TM15 and the Axion has a fully removable battery.

I had an Axion for awhile and wasn't impressed with the image quality and the battery kept falling out.

Came across the Burris BTH 35 2.3-9.2x35mm on sale for less than $700 now. I know it's not in the same league as Pulsar and AGM but for the money it might do pretty decent for some folks. I'm actually thinking of picking one up and giving it a try.

I have the ATN monocle. Decent, similar to the AGM (lookalike?). 1,2&4x. focus is pretty difficult at 4x. trees at about 200 yds, 1x. Pics at 4x are difficult, push button moves POA. Same with focus, tried the same pic while steadying on bench - don't see much. Scanning works fine, keep the batt charged, it runs down pretty fast even when not in use. Oh, 50F nite in E texas.