Thermal vs Night Vision

[Blr243]

Brinny those misses in front of the landowner would be very embarrassing. I can see why your not happy. . Settle jimtom, Forget the new sako, While you are saving some dollars u have plenty of time to research and make the right choice. I’ll never forget my first bunch of pigs in a thermal scope in thick cover 20 m away in total darkness Some time over the weekend I’ll put together an exciting tale with a couple of pics of a huge 1130 pm boar that got my adrenaline going so much I was a mess and could not function. It affected me as if I had just received a huge electric shock and my brain was short circuited .... I was standing , with rifle and all I had to do was shoot. But It took everything I had to round up some brain cells , coordinate my body and pull the trigger

[brinny]

In saying that mate, it doesn’t sound as if it’s the case for you.

No...the after sales service from the distributor to me was great....
They were spot on in fact and never hesitated to replace the scopes that i sent back....
The after sales service, or the distributor was not the problem.....the damn scopes were....

[brinny]

[quote="Blr243"]Brinny those misses in front of the landowner would be very embarrassing. I can see why your not happy. .

You have no idea mate....
I pushed hard to get access onto this property and laid claim to having the most up to date technology for the task.....
s**t did i hear about that as he was escorting me to the gate.....
The scope obviously picked that night to do its little POI altering thing.........

[Blr243]

Another bloke I know useing thermal to shoot foxes down your way gets tons of properties to shoot foxes because the landholders are so impressed with the results , Not sure what type he uses

[Ferrisweil]

Mountain pig

[JimTom]

Mate bloody nice hog. Well done, I can definitely see the attraction of thermal.

[Blr243]

Very nice boar Ferris, The grin is indicative of adrenaline and endorphins running riot through your body

[Ferrisweil]

Lol. Thanks mate. Yeah, there was a fair degree of adrenaline still going. The property owner could not believe how many pigs were on his place when we took him out. Another advantage of thermal. The owner and his mates go out (older blokes) and sometime get 1 or 2 with a torch; and then to see the numbers and size of the pigs on his block has astounded him. He’s one happy property owner. So much so, he went and bought a thermal monocle himself. We’re VERY lucky to access to that spot.

[JimTom]

Just doing a bit more research and see that Pard are releasing a Thermal scope. After watching Ozzie review the Pard008 I would be interested in seeing how the thermal goes. Will no doubt be fairly cheap. I think Ozzie eluded to the fact the he was going to review the thermal this year when available.

[Blr243]

I would love another thermal scope for either my shotgun or another rifle but I’m not spending another 7-8 so I will research the pard too

[Blr243]

I just had a look but I could not find a price on them. Because they only have 384 res instead of 640 I hesitated but it won’t matter to me as I can use my hi res binos to locate and identify species, then stalk in and use a low res device at close range eg 150 m or less to shoot ..... it seems to have an impressive detection range but that will still be white blobs. I depend on my pulsar s 640 res when I’m looking at longer ranges it helps me identify necks and tails and triangular shaped bodies so I don’t end up walking along way just to find out my boar is actually a roo

[mchughcb]

Just doing a bit more research and see that Pard are releasing a Thermal scope. After watching Ozzie review the Pard008 I would be interested in seeing how the thermal goes. Will no doubt be fairly cheap. I think Ozzie eluded to the fact the he was going to review the thermal this year when available.

I don't wait for Ozzie Reviews. I do my own reviews.

https://youtu.be/HlSZFWznoE0

[mchughcb]

G’day Gents

For those who have gone down this path and are using either night vision or thermal scopes, I would greatly value your opinion on either of these two systems.
Interested in why you chose one over the other and why you think it’s a better option.
I have quite a bit of experience using night vision equipment (goggles not optic sights) occupationally so I have some understanding of the limitations there. In saying that, it was conventional (intensifer tubes, etc) high end night vision and not the digital Night vision available to us.
I have started reading and watching reviews, however would appreciate some input from you blokes.
Thanks in advance gents.

Watching free reviews on Youtube. Its better than splashing your own cash then finding you have a lemon.


https://youtu.be/asxtnT5oE-o

[JimTom]

So what do you think of it mate? Are they even available here yet?

[mchughcb]

To tell you what I think? Best answer is to compare to some base product you understand like a Pulsar Apex, Trail, Thermion or Ward T1 50-3, GSCI or Thor Mars.

[JimTom]

Have found them. Not as cheap as I thought they would be. Anyone know or have heard anything more about these?

[JimTom]

To tell you what I think? Best answer is to compare to some base product you understand like a Pulsar Apex, Trail, Thermion or Ward T1 50-3, GSCI or Thor Mars.

Ok mate, I have done a fair bit of research on the ATN Mars 4 and Pulsar Thermion. How do you think they stack up against those two?

[JimTom]

Would anyone here on this forum entertain the idea of purchasing one if you were in the market?

[Blr243]

I will def have a closer look because I can’t afford another 7 k for athermal on a second rifle Just be aware they advertise eyepiece specs as 1024. But sensor spec at only 384. And I’m 90 per cent sure it’s the sensor specs that give you clarity of images. If they post vids of the image , any manufacturer is likely to display game animals up close to excite potential customers with the detailed imagery

[Blr243]

Do you know when they are avail for purchase.? It will b a couple of months before I do anything. That should give me some time to research others real field experiences. With 384 res and only a 25 mm tube It’s definitely not going to be a long range identifier

[JimTom]

Do you know when they are avail for purchase.? It will b a couple of months before I do anything. That should give me some time to research others real field experiences. With 384 res and only a 25 mm tube It’s definitely not going to be a long range identifier

Mate I don't know when they are available, only just come across them. The 384 sensor is the same size as the ATN and slightly bigger than the Pulsar Thermion. Would really like to see a review on them before I did anything. I have heard good reviews on the Pard 008 Night Vision however that does not necessarily mean their thermal will be good also.

[JimTom]

Just out of curiosity BLR, what sort of distances are you shooting with your thermal? I am tossing up if I use the thermal on my 300AAC or put on 6.5CM. My budget for the thermal will dictate which rifle it goes on I guess. Thinking the Pulsar XM30 for the 300AAC for use circa 100m. If I am able to get the next size up, would prob put on my 6.5. What do you reckon?

[Blr243]

Ferris has a range finder on his xp50. Other than that our scopes are the same. He may have better advice regarding ranges as I’m uncertain about my ranges because distance is so hard to judge with a thermal at night. Mostly I stalk up to the point where I can hear them munching but plenty of times I have to take the shot at longer rangers. I guess prob not more than 200. I prefer close Because of the excitement of getting so close and it’s more ethical for great shot placement .... after the first shot on a close mob I watch when they bolt I never shoot at em on the run I think it causes wounding but often after a short bolt one or two will stop to listen to hear for more danger and to correct themselves that they are running away in the right direction. That’s when I shoot again and that’s when I really need that bipod for ethical shot placement. Because of thes range uncertainties and cause u can b shooting at smaller targets eg dingo fox cat that’s where I think it’s pretty crucial to have a flat shooter. I have my 243 25 mm high at 100 and 25 mm low at 200 Definitely I suggest the 6.5 Use your 300 AAC during the day ..........actually you will love the thermal so much that u will want to be using it daytime as well. When pigs are standing in shadows in the day our eyes looking and normal scopes mostly miss them but with a thermal they stand out like dos balls

[Blr243]

Jimtom im really looking forward to your stories about your first few hunting trips with a thermal. It will be impossible from the read not to get an idea of what a fantastic time you will be having

[Blr243]

Jimtom im really looking forward to your stories about your first few hunting trips with a thermal. It will be impossible from the read not to get an idea of what a fantastic time you will be having

[JimTom]

Definitely looking forward to getting one and taking it out mate. Will let you know what I end up with and my experiences. Thanks for your help mate. Appreciate your advice.

[Ferrisweil]

Hey Jimtom. BLR is spot on in that, when using thermal, 98% of the time I’m shooting under 100m, if not half that. As BLR said, the buzz for me is seeing how close I can stalk in start bopping them. You’ll be surprised how close you’ll get especially if you get used to reading the wind and watch the noise you’re making. We’re super quiet on the stalk. One of my mates I shoot with is SAS and he’s taught us a few good tricks....
Having said all that, there’s no reason you couldn’t take shots at 300m if you were so inclined. Wish you could post vids on here. I could show you a cool vid of a pig at 240m. You can even see the mist as it hit his head. You can also set up different “profiles” so technically speaking you can have a 100m, 200m, 300m or a “whatever distance you want” zero and with a push of a button the scope re-zeroes at the distance you need to shoot.
Again, nearly all our shots are however under 100m, and most often even under 30/40m. Like BLR said, if you can’t hear them munching, get closer lol.
We do however take shots on the run. When there’s a mob of pigs that close,’its game on and we open up. Property owners want numbers where we go and with mobs between 6-50, we’ll occasionally go through two mags each. Keep in mind, this is out on big paddocks on BIG properties.
For what it’s worth, my thermal is on a 6.5creed. I’ve found the eye relief on most thermals to be ****** and on a 308/270wm the recoil is a fair chance of smacking you with the scope in the eye. I could put a muzzle brake on (but I hate them) and don’t like wearing muffs when I’m in the field, so the 6.5 has good smack down power and that little bit less recoil which works well for my thermal.
Let me know which thermal you’re looking at. I use the Trail xp50 LRF and one of my best mates uses a Thermion XP38. We swap rifles so I’ve had a fair bit of time behind both. Another bloke messaged me the other day and I replied with the pros/cons of those two. Happy to put it up here if you want?
Hope that helps

[Blr243]

99 per cent time I shoot prone and as thermal scopes sit further back I get hit in the face occasionally even from a mildly kicking 243 but it has a good buffering rubber so it’s only ever a slight bruise not a full cut. And I’m so happy pig hunting that I don’t care how often I get hit

[Ferrisweil]

Haha so agree BLR on the being happy bit. Lol
You say you lie prone most of the time. I’ve been looking into tripods and claws lately as a support instead of free shooting or lying prone with a bipod. (Free shoot on big mobs and prone for lone boars etc)
I’m really interested in the hyperpod 2. Looks easier to walk with than a tripod/claw and fast and quiet to set up....It really looks the goods...

[JimTom]

Thanks Ferrisweil. Mate I was thinking that I would be shooting like you, 100m or less so was thinking I would put the thermal on my 300AAC or maybe 6.5cm for longer shots when presented. Although I am no chicken strangler I did spend quite a number of years in the Army so am able to be a bit sneaky when required. Nothing like those blokes though. Figure the gentler recoil of those two cartridges would be kinder to the scope also.
I am looking at either the Thermion XM30 or 38, or the ATN Mars 4 equivalents. Would be interested in your opinion mate. Not sure the budget will stretch to the Thermion XP range at this stage. Am I better of waiting and saving some more? Like you I shoot on big properties so no issue there. There are opportunities for longer shots and also close stuff when sneaking up on dead pits etc. Nothing like getting the good oil from someone who knows what he is talking about. Mate I am all ears for whatever info you can provide.