Thermal Scope Advice?

Post some info on best thermal scopes within $2000 price range.

Wannabe and airport trapper would be your guys to go to

2000 is a waste of money

Been there done that

My brother is a thermal scope expert and he told me $3000 minimum or forget about there has been stories of people shooting farmers dogs from using the real cheap ones

Yes you’ll have to spend 3 times that to get one you’re really happy with.

$3000? Or $9000?

Nope!

Two of my friends just purchased thermal scopes. One has a $2100 ATN Thor.
Other has a $1200 AGM Rattler. When I get a chance to use each of them I will make a decision, but it won't be $3000 or more. We are about to declare war on feral hogs, so I'll know more soon.

I have a Pulsar mono-bino I paid just a tad over 3k for last year, I have regular night vision but wanted to up grade to Thermal for a long time watching all kinds of outfits coming out with thermal stuff for several years, I bought this to become familiar with thermal and the options that Pulsar provides, they did not slack off on anything either, its amazing using this all over in my travels so far !

I settled on Pulsar due to the amount it cost and the amount of options that you can use with it and this is just a mono.

I'm now saving for the new Pulsar Thermal day/night scope for night hunting coyotes, it's a little over 4k but after seeing it and how it works compared to others and what they have as options I'm sold on Pulsar for cost and the options it has for all of their products.

There are other brands out there that cost even more, however I believe I can manage with Pulsar

No you don't have to spend that much, however you don't get what Pulsar gives you on it's models either, worth it to me !!

I use a Pulsar and have only good things to say about it

Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XP 50 Pro, is what I finally bought. Yes expensive, but it is worth it. Hunted, and was able to use several different devices before buying 1. . As stated above, I bought top end, and I'm pleased, and have looked through the newest models, more expensive, few add ons, I can do without. There are several places around that have surplus, Pulsars, that can be bought reasonable. Snipers, Hide, has several for sale. I do recommend buying the range finder, included in any model, eliminates, guessing the range. I also picked up a Pulsar , hand held of Snipers Hide, to scan while calling, then jumping over to the rifle. I was told years ago, from veteran hunters trappers, fisherman, you get what you pay for. I also recommend, save up and buy the better equipment, then you don't have to try and resale, to get you want Know several dealers, , in my area, going to 1, next week, and taking friend up to purchase Pulsar, this dealer sells, several other brands. Good luck

I have a Iray bolt tl35 v2. $2700. I like it, glad I didn’t get a cheaper one.

Some important points regarding thermal scopes. If a range finder is available, I suggest you take that option over increased power or lens size. It is almost impossible to establish distance from your target at night. Be aware that if you plan to hunt hogs at night that it seems like everyone has a thermal scope and hog numbers are seriously diminished in many areas. Night hunting with thermal is a rush. We, not the animals own the night. With a good thermal you can see mice in fields and raccoons in trees. If you are serious about thermal, take out a loan if necessary and buy quality.

Not gonna be looking for a place to hunt hogs. Already have a 1000 acre property that is overrun with em. We've been putting off widespread eradication, but the time has come. Beginning corral trapping next week.

Thanks for info...

https://www.foxoptic.com/pulsar-talion/pulsar-talion-xq35-pro-2.5-10-thermal-rifle-scope-pl76566u/

If you can afford a suppresser and shoot one of the furthest hogs they will often run back to you as opposed to away from you. You also have less visits from enforcement while hunting.

If Spend 3-4 grand on a scope I think I need a new rifle to go along with it. Can you get an AR10 in 7mm08? What about a 22-250 in an AR platform?

I run the pulsar thermion 2. I really like it, does about everything you can ask. Other than a rangefinder, I have no complaints with it. My son had a Rattler, it was a good scope. Did everything needed, but lacked in some areas. We just upgraded it to an Iray. I am really impressed with it. It can support an add on rangefinder. It’s better in a lot of areas than my Pulsar. The only downside to it. It’s a 4x and cuts down on the field of view when scanning. But the zoom is great. For the money, I would take a hard look at the Iray line up. I think they have a couple that’s not a lot above your price point.

I own a pulsar thermion 2. Stay away from atn they are trash and theyre warranty is terrible.Buy one with the highest res and refresh hz as you can.

Look up outdoor Legacy on youtube

Jason reviews all kinds of thermals

Better yet look them up and call them.
Tell them your budget and ask what the best value is

Shooting hogs does not seem? To be a long range affair.

I don't own one but have several good friends that use the Super Hoggster. They use them for calling coyotes and are please with them.

X2 that's who I ordered mine from. Guys are top notch.

I like to scan with thermal and shoot with night vision. I have the AGM 25 monocular thermal which I love, and I shoot with a Pulsar night vision scope. No problem with identification before pulling the trigger.

Swamp Wolf. I got to spend some time with this 1 in West Texas. Government trapper had 1. You can get into AGM like this model for 2500 It has 5 year warranty = Like Iray

Buddy of mine bought a Rattler for feral hog hunting in Alabama, he says it works great.

I wouldn't buy anything but iray or pulsar. ATN is junk.

Come on man,,,,,

Trijicon IR-HUNTER Type 2 1.75-14x35mm

Swamp, I have an iRay Bolt TH50 C that’s above what you’re wanting to spend, but would purchase another or even more expensive iRay in a heartbeat.
I bought an AGM TS35 Rattler 640 as a “backup” that I use (for now) as a scanner. It was less than half the price of the iRay and is a decent scope.
After a year of having them, I’d say the most important feature for me is battery life and batteries. A scope is only good if it’s powered on. The Bolt has an internal battery and takes 18500 batteries as another power option. I can buy 8 batteries for like $30 and hunt all day it I wanted.
The AGM doesn’t have an internal battery and will go through 2 batteries it takes to run it in 2-2.5hrs of continuous use. They do make battery packs for them though.
As far as rifles I’m running the Bolt on an Ruger American Predator right now, but when my Gen 2 comes in it will get the iRay and the Predator with get the AGM. Both guns are suppressor ready. I was “told” you won’t kill as many (hogs, coyotes, etc) with a bolt rifle. I made an ole boy eat those words, lol. I mainly went with a bolt rifle for weight purposes. My hunting is done in brush and having to generally walk fairly long distances to my targets. I tend to be more accurate when I know I just can’t spray and pray too.

Now for $2000 I’d look at AGM or the RIX line. You’ll most likely have to go with a 384 so my advice is don’t ever look through a 640. I don’t care what anyone says there is a night and day difference. Heck I’ve looked through a 1280 and it makes my 640 look like a kids toy.
I think right now you could get the AGM TS35 Rattler 384 for right at $2K. I don’t buy online, I have a guy that I can scopes cheaper than advertised.

Now when shooting anything at night (or day) a suppressor will definitely increase your odds of multiple shots and critters hitting the deck. Especially when shooting around cover and critters disappearing quick. Take everything you know about a critter and throw it away at night. They don’t own the night like I used to think. They own the day, we own the night. Not saying they’re stupid, but there’s no way I should be able to mouth squeak a coyote 50yds from my truck while I’m sitting in it with my rifle hanging out the window. Hogs at night will return to a bait pile within 10-20min after you already dropped a few from the sounder…this is hunting in cover, may not work in fields. And if you’re after hogs, use enough gun to drop them. As far as range, my shots are 200yds and under for the most part. I prefer to sneak in as close as possible and generally set all my bait sites where I’ll have a higher elevation vantage point for multiple shots looking down in the brush. My best night was 6 pigs. 3 on initial shoot, waited 10min then 2 more, waited another 15min and one showed back up…she died too.

Also just so you’ve been warned…it gets addictive!! You’ll get one rifle set up, then the next thing you know your setting up another rifle as a back up or is anyone else wants to tag along, lol!!!

Been waiting on your reply WannaBe. Thanks! May have to get you to come go with me a night or 2 and kill some of em.

I can't speak to thermal scopes but I'll never buy another flir product, ever.

Bought one of the phone plug in thermal units and all worked great until they up and changed the app software. A "new and improved" upgrade they said. Some upgrade, all of the existing units ceased working. Their answer, you have to buy the new model and send in your old one on your dime but we'll give you a small discount on the new one. Like hail I'll spend another dime with you just to have you screw me over again.

Heck tell me when and where. I’ll let you shoot my gun if you want to try one out first. Hoping my new rifle comes in soon. I try and be loyal to locals even if it takes a little while. Owners appreciate the repeat business and I get a little knocked off with each purchase. They always give me my price and the price if anyone asks, lol.

Just a little something else…humidity makes them all “grainy” to an extent. I remember after hunting all Summer, my first cool night had me thinking something was wrong because it was a LOT clearer. My iRay does have an option for real humid nights and it works like advertised. Just recently found it, lol!!!
If you get one go outside at night and use it in your yard learning buttons and where everything is and what each button is used for while it mounted on your weapon of choice. Read the manual…I have both iRay and AGM saved to my phone just incase.
The more you use them the more you learn!!

What IRay are you running? We have the RICO LR 42. I am really liking it, taking a little getting used too and understanding all the features. Which color do you find that works the best for you? I go back and forth between white hot and black hot. Like the black in more open areas. Get a lot more detail with it. White is good for picking up movement quickly.

I got the Bolt TH50 C 640…wish they’d had the voice recording one when I bought mine but it’s probably best I don’t have it, lol.
I started off with white hot, but the last few months I’ve been running black hot. I really prefer it now over anything else. I’ve actually picked out spotted hogs vs solid color hogs. No that doesn’t matter really, except I get pics on my camera and will take out sows first, then boars. If I’ve got a spotted sow on camera, I can differentiate and shoot her first.
And yes, a lot of options to play with. Over time you get quick about what and where to press without your eye ever leaving the scope. I have 8 18500 batteries and NEVER have to worry about running out of power during a hunt no matter how long I stay out.
iRay just came out with a TS60 that’s a 1280. I’m hearing anywhere from $7-9K. I’m hoping more towards the lower end, lol. If so, I might have to do some serious saving and add it to the arsenal.

I have used the IR-Hunter, for the extra cost, I didn't see any reason to get it over the pulsar

No more ATN's for me.

X1,000,000

https://youtu.be/WHupmcWqnss?si=MZKV37eWWeBK9qLY

That sure doesn't look like a coyote in this video. Head/ears looks like a domestic.

Why?

Yeah, that didn’t look like a coyote to me. Maybe it was just the way it transferred to YouTube. I have called in domestics before and quickly realized what they were.

I have the AGM Rattler 35 and have been very pleased with its performance.

It's just the way it transfers over to youtube. It looses a ton of resolution. I can easily tell the difference through the scope. Atn has terrible customer service and a 2 year warranty mine went to crap right at the 2 year mark. It was also very hard on my eye even when it was turned down.

I really like the laser range finder feature. If you are in a area that you are not super super familiar with your depth perception is way off. At least for me. You can see it in use on some of my videos. When you range something it will also give you bullet drop if you have it set up correctly.

I’ve looked thru ATN, AGM, and Pulsar, 384 and 640 in the field. Pulsar all the way for me. In my opinion, a good scanner is key. Way more time behind a scanner than scope. The Picture in Picture is my favorite function on my scope. One screen at base magnification and the smaller screen at mid or full mag in the press of a button, keeps the wide field of view for tracking moving critters. Buy once cry once. Your wife ain’t gonna leave ya over a thermal scope lol, just tell her that’s all ya spent

That video looks distorted because they clicked the display power up, every time you increase the power it will look closer but the image will not be as good. For $2,000 you are not going to get a very good thermal. You might get a 2,500 - 3,000 used or display scope for $2,000. New scope models will be out this year and people will want to sell their units to get the newest thermals out there.

If you can go to the $2,500 - $3,000 range you will get into some decent 384 scopes.