Thermal hunting

[juststarting]

I am also curious if those that have sent ATNs back whether they were thermal or night vision?
I think the X-sights are all night vision which all require some form of illumination whether moon/starlight or an IR spotty.

I think they are thermal, require IR torch. As far as I know...

[YoungBuck]

I am also curious if those that have sent ATNs back whether they were thermal or night vision?
I think the X-sights are all night vision which all require some form of illumination whether moon/starlight or an IR spotty.

I think they are thermal, require IR torch. As far as I know...

The ATN X-Sights are not thermal. They are a FLIR unit that requires an IR torch (>900nm I believe) to see in the dark.
I've read mixed reviews about them. Users of them either seem to be very happy with the unit, or not happy at all
Though ATN do also sell Thermal products. No idea what they are like though.

[juststarting]

Uh, I did mean IR...

[juststarting]

Anyhow.... Be interesting to see first hand accounts.

[brinny]

I too like my foxing...but for that price ill keep with the sporting option & stick to my spotlight.

Good footage though...i would like to give it a crack.

Id imagine you'd want access to many properties to avoid shooting out all hunting stock pretty quickly.

Can assure you mate, there is nothing unsporting about using thermal... not much differen in having a fox sitting there looking at you at 100m with a spotlight and one at 100 m with the thermal... difference is you can get the light shy ones with the thermal that you can't with the spotlight....I shot over 300 last year with the thermal off the properties that I have, and I was still getting them off the same properties at the end of the season... they just keep coming back....

[andreweden]

I am also curious if those that have sent ATNs back whether they were thermal or night vision?
I think the X-sights are all night vision which all require some form of illumination whether moon/starlight or an IR spotty.

I think they are thermal, require IR torch. As far as I know...

Thermal do not require an IR torch, that is night vision.
Pulsar and ATN both make both Thermal and Night Vision gear which is why I am interested who had what.

Night vision gear is also called an image intensifier and needs light in the 'near IR'. Basically, just beyond what we can see with our eyes and what an IR spotlight or torch can put out. These are the green goggles pilots wear to fly.

Thermal 'sees' the heat of the target and the differences in heat and whilst it is IR energy - it was waaaay beyond what we can see and needs no illumination at all. This is what FLIR pods use on fighter aircraft.

Great comparison on this link with the same scene in Thermal vs Night vision.
https://www.opticsplanet.com/howto/how-to-thermal-imaging-vs-night-vision-devices.html

[brett1868]

I owned an x-sight 2 5-20 and it went back, do not believe the bullchit from the atn sales man or x-sight owners group, I would not buy again
it is to good to be true and they are made for an ar format they do not fit hunting rifles properly, you cannot stretch your neck enough

Almost my experience exactly, software was buggy as hell, obliterated batteries, no external power in option, cross hairs at 10 O'clock position after setting zero. Factories response was to wait a random number of weeks for a "firmware" update, waited several weeks and the new version essentially crippled many "Features". Their idea of a bug fix was to disable the entire feature...admittedly the Aus importer was pretty decent about it and didn't hesitate to refund. Had the Pulsar a bit over 2.5yrs and not a single issue and I know the importer stands by their product in respect to support & after sales service.

[juststarting]

Mate uses an IR torch with his, that's the good feedback I've been getting. I'll ask for more details.

[brinny]

Mate uses an IR torch with his, that's the good feedback I've been getting. I'll ask for more details.

Sounds like your mate is using night vision... not thermal.....

[juststarting]

Mkay... Either way, I'd like to know what specifically made people return the scopes and what models.

[marksman]

height has nothing to do with the x-sight 2 being not a good buy, juststarting

eye relief is what the problem with fitting it to a hunting rifle, they are made to fit an ar platform, mine burnt out because the manual said to use lithium battery's and when the battery's were installed the x-sight2 camera scope burnt out, farken fried instantly, this is the reason they send battery instructions with the camera scope now to stop you from being able to put in a claim.
I was told by the owner of ATN that the voltage output of the battery was how you got the size eg: AA, AAA ect.. not by the physical size
I had to contact x-sight America to force him to replace the camera scope,
I sold the x-sight2 camera scope on to a guy who I know very well who recons he knew more than me and would not have any fuss with it because of all his worldly nerdy knowledge, farken bullchit he got rid of it not long after nerdy knowledge did him no good just made him a nerd

its just an ir camera adapted to fit onto a rifle and not a very good one or very well either
they do not work as hyped up by the salesman,not even close, another blanket statement by an ex owner of the x-sight2 5x20

have a look at some home made ones on utube you would be better off
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg5-z_RXQp0

[juststarting]

That's helpful. Thanks!

[RoginaJack]

Yeah, maybe Marksman but be careful what it's mounted on; like nothing with more recoil than a 22lr or air rifle. I was interested in a model from England but any rifle with a bit of recoil, the batteries came loose and connection was broken....

[drbolsen]

I own xsight scope, it works fine, one just needs to manage ones expectations. I use it only on 22lr.

I made few small adjustments that made the whole experience better
- forget batteries, use external power bank with coiled USB cable
- buy better IR torch than the one that comes with the scope
- use or build a night vision spotter if you are hunting in unknow area, it is like using binoculars during daylight to spot a target then point and use scope for a shot. During the night this becomes more important.
- shooting distance becomes shorter, one rarely needs shoot beyond 100m, adjust scope accordingly.
- dence grass or bush will hide small targets, e.g. rabbits
- fine tune screen brightness setting, otherwise if it is too bright it might become a bit painful for eyes over long period

[brinny]

Couple of clips of critters taken last year....

https://youtu.be/2j4bGBki1-M

This critter just didnt want to stop.....had my chance about halfway through, but had the bolt up on the rifle, so missed that chance...got him in the end though....
https://youtu.be/2j4bGBki1-M

Results of my annual pilgrimadge to Simpson.....actually got 9 for the night, but couldnt find two in bullrushes....
https://i.imgur.com/717qcqk.jpg

[Stix]

I too like my foxing...but for that price ill keep with the sporting option & stick to my spotlight.

Good footage though...i would like to give it a crack.

Id imagine you'd want access to many properties to avoid shooting out all hunting stock pretty quickly.

Can assure you mate, there is nothing unsporting about using thermal... not much differen in having a fox sitting there looking at you at 100m with a spotlight and one at 100 m with the thermal... difference is you can get the light shy ones with the thermal that you can't with the spotlight....I shot over 300 last year with the thermal off the properties that I have, and I was still getting them off the same properties at the end of the season... they just keep coming back....

Sorry brinny--i should've said after the 'sporting' comment...no offense meant.

You're right about the light shy ones, & about still getting them keep on coming on the same properties...
I just find that doesnt happen much for me lately due to neighbouring land owners more proactive in shooting & baiting.

I do have one of those leupold thermal trackers though...so far im yet to use it effectively as i find im blinded for a time after viewing with it...
I tried it on some roos & a mate (obviously not to shoot them) & found the transition from thermal to rifle scope/spotlight almost impossible due to the temporary blinding effect.
I also fail to see how the fox wouldnt see me using it given how bright it is...
I need to experiment with the equipment & give it more time...but as it stands now, i want to buy more guns before i buy thermal equipment.
And like i said, id really like to give it a crack one day...so if you're ever over here & willing to take a tag-alonger, give me a bell & ill get us out on a property or 2 over here.

Cheers mate...

[brinny]

I too like my foxing...but for that price ill keep with the sporting option & stick to my spotlight.

Good footage though...i would like to give it a crack.

Id imagine you'd want access to many properties to avoid shooting out all hunting stock pretty quickly.

Can assure you mate, there is nothing unsporting about using thermal... not much differen in having a fox sitting there looking at you at 100m with a spotlight and one at 100 m with the thermal... difference is you can get the light shy ones with the thermal that you can't with the spotlight....I shot over 300 last year with the thermal off the properties that I have, and I was still getting them off the same properties at the end of the season... they just keep coming back....

Sorry brinny--i should've said after the 'sporting' comment...no offense meant.

You're right about the light shy ones, & about still getting them keep on coming on the same properties...
I just find that doesnt happen much for me lately due to neighbouring land owners more proactive in shooting & baiting.

I do have one of those leupold thermal trackers though...so far im yet to use it effectively as i find im blinded for a time after viewing with it...
I tried it on some roos & a mate (obviously not to shoot them) & found the transition from thermal to rifle scope/spotlight almost impossible due to the temporary blinding effect.
I also fail to see how the fox wouldnt see me using it given how bright it is...
I need to experiment with the equipment & give it more time...but as it stands now, i want to buy more guns before i buy thermal equipment.
And like i said, id really like to give it a crack one day...so if you're ever over here & willing to take a tag-alonger, give me a bell & ill get us out on a property or 2 over here.

Cheers mate...

Certainly no offence taken mate.....I have a thicker skin than that....
Appreciate the offer, and vice versa...if you find you are over my area...would like to take you out and let you see first hand how it all works....
You do get a black spot in the eyes for a short time after using thermal, but it is only for a short time...the eyes adjust back pretty quickly....

[andreweden]

These new ones in a more conventional form factor certainly make the choice more interesting.
I think they were only just released at Shot Show.

https://www.atncorp.com/thermal-scope-thor-4-640-2-5-25x

[juststarting]

The price tag, holly crapola!

[andreweden]

Not really that different to the current thermal sights.

[juststarting]

Yeah, ouch.

[andreweden]

Yeah, ouch.

The best toys are like that

[juststarting]

Usually, but night vision seems very overpriced... I recon I'll diy my own night vision.

[andreweden]

It’s not night vision, it’s thermal imaging. Different technology.

[juststarting]

It's a device that allows you to hunt at night. I lump them all into one.

[andreweden]

Thermal works during the day as well. NV doesn’t.
Putting them together is very shortsighted.

[juststarting]

[brett1868]

The price tag, holly crapola!

Come talk to me young fella, I'll hook you up with a mates rates price on a Pulsar
Actually thinking to sell my XD50 and buying the clip on version so I can use an assortment of rifles, no fun just dedicating it to the 308/338 SRS when I could bolt it to the .243.

[juststarting]

Actually, since you've mentioned a clip-on - I have been looking at DIY IR scopes and I am intrigued, surely it can't be that easy to make one, but from everything I am seeing - it is. So I am going to try to build a spotter. If that works, will try to kick it up to clip on, if not - we will talk But I haveto try now.

[andreweden]

The price tag, holly crapola!

Come talk to me young fella, I'll hook you up with a mates rates price on a Pulsar
Actually thinking to sell my XD50 and buying the clip on version so I can use an assortment of rifles, no fun just dedicating it to the 308/338 SRS when I could bolt it to the .243.

Nah, he wants to build his own Mad Max beyond thunderdome jobby. I might take it off your hands