Thermal Scope Recommendations?

[Spartan5]

I am looking at purchasing a thermal for an immediate want to hunt those sound dogs all around me, but also for the potential for other creatures of the night. Anyone have recommendations on what they like, love, or avoid at all costs? I am planning to mount it on a CZ 550 in 270 for now. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Dawg2019]

Following

 

[Bandera]

I use a ATN Thor LT. 5-10.
It is either 5 or 10 magnification.
It does not have the video recording, I did not want the extras.
Battery life is decent.
It holds zero.
Mine is mounted on either a 22LR, 223 or a 6.8 SPC.

My buddy uses Pulsar. It is more expensive and has a slightly crisper image. Money is not a problem for him.

We use battery packs in both thermals. So that is not an issue.
We both can identify deer, hogs at 250 yards or more.
Skunk size animal, 75 yards.
The pulsar has better refresh rate.

You learn a couple of tricks after using them. Like hit the refresh button before you get on a critter. Which mode you prefer.

I would also recommend a hand thermal scanner. Makes it easier to find the target

Avoid anything Sightmark.

 

[samson7x]

Do you have a budget in mind? That would help drive the discussion. One of the pulsar models would be easy to mount on a bolt gun with their day scope form factor.

 

[Spartan5]

I have been looking at the ATN line, budge is probably $2k top end right now.

 

[analog_peninsula]

There are many better options than ATN. They have earned a terrible reputation for customer service and low quality. What’s the terrain like where you hunt? Average shooting range?

 

[Spartan5]

Sorry I had posted it above, but about $2k is budget

 

[analog_peninsula]

Depending on your situation, you may be better off with a thermal scanner and a digital nv scope than a thermal scope alone.

 

[wesheltonj]

These are popular in Central and Eastern Europe. Unfortunately, not marketed is the USA. You might be able to grey market one to the USA. Don't go to the North American Site, no scopes list there.

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[analog_peninsula]

Take a look at the Rix Storm 6 640x512 or the Athlon 640 sold by EuroOptic. Right now, I think those are the best deals on the market. I’ve owned AGM and Pulsar units in addition to my current Athlon and was happy with both units.

The caveat is that you’ll get sick of scanning with your riflescope really quickly, so you will need some form of thermal scanner in addition to whatever is on your rifle. It’s important to understand that you will use the scanner to spot 95% of your targets, even if it’s just to find glowing blotches for closer inspection with your riflescope. The best deal on basic, entry level thermal that’s actually usable right now is the Sightmark for about $1000. An alternative is a thermal scanner plus a digital night vision riflescope which actually works pretty well most of the time. You can also use some thermal riflescopes with QD mounts as both scanner and riflescope. It can be awkward, particularly when things develop quickly, but it’s a path forward.

Anyway, good luck and remember to have fun. There are very few kinds of hunting as fun or as low pressure as night hunting hogs and coyotes.

 

[Spartan5]

What thermal scanner do you recommend? If I were to do scope and scanner?

 

[analog_peninsula]

640 units are better than 384 units, but the 384 units generally work well at reasonable ranges. Nothing under 384 is worth buying so don’t waste your money. AGM, Pulsar, Bering Optics, IRay/InfRay all generally do a good job, but there are also others trying hard. Take a look at the reviews on the Late Night Vision Show YouTube channel, or Hans East Texas channel. They are long winded and unnecessarily stretch their material, but are truthful and immensely experienced. I recently bought the Athlon 640 unit because it was a great deal but the company has a good reputation for warranty service which is an important consideration. My scanner is a Bering Optics model, but, again, I’m also happy with my Pulsar 384 riflescope, and my old AGM clip on was great.

 

[mdwest]

What distance are you shooting?

Generally speaking an entry level 256 thermal will get you enough clarity on something size of a hog out to about 125-150 yards… if you think you’re going to be shooting further than 150 I’d recommend stepping up to a 384 unit… AGM makes a 384 Rattler that’s about $2100…

Above a 384 and you’re likely going to bust your budget to get anything from a quality manufacturer..

I’ve got two of the AGM Rattler 256’s… they more than meet my needs… where I hunt hogs 5 of the 6 blinds on the property are 120 yards or less to the feeders… the 6th blind is 140 yards… that stretches the capabilities a bit… but I whacked a 250+ lb hog at that blind this past Friday night about an hour after last light…

AGM Thermals | AGM Rattler TS25-384 Thermal | Okie Dog Supply

AGM Rattler TS-384 Thermal at Okie Dog Supply - ships Free. Check out the AGM Rattler that mounts as a scope on your favorite riflescope.

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[Ridge Runner]

Questions you should be asking yourself:

How often will the thermal be used?
At what max range will the thermal be used?
Is this a designated night rifle or a used for day and night?
Which is better use a clip-on or a full thermal scope?
What functions are: needed, wanted, nice to have?
Can the budget be stretched?

Currently I have one designed night rifle. I went with a DNT335. The DNT335 is a multi functional digital day and night thermo scope. And although it has more functions than I need or use I'm satisfied that I purchased it.

 

[mdwest]

If your budget is open: AGM Rattler TS35-640. It's the benchmark for a reason.
If you're testing the waters: AGM Taipan TM15-256. It will work great and let you confirm your addiction.

FWIW the Taipan is very inexpensive and is excellent for things like finding downed game…

My handheld monocular is a pulsar 640 unit… it’s helped me turn what could have been a 30 minute track into a 5 minute exercise more than once…

The first deer my wife shot this season ran about 70 yards into some really thick brush… she couldn’t find a blood trail and it was less than 30 minutes before nightfall.. after about 20 minutes of looking she called me and asked for help…

I stepped no more than 10 yards into the wood line and spotted the heat from the doe in less than 30 seconds…

Handhelds are great for that sort of thing…