madang55 wrote:And now, my favourite subject. Firmware updates. My ATN 4K makes me weep. Obviously something I'm not seeing or doing or understanding, but it takes me several attempts to get it going. I have actually sent it in for a service (hammer and anvil job) so I'm hoping it comes back behaviour modified. Question is, does your unit present as easy to update when needed. Does it continually require updates or does it happily do its job without software updates?
madang55 wrote:I just wanted to open a thread just for Thermal scopes and monoculars. There are lots more to chose from with a much greater price spread as well. The clip-ons are starting to be more available, but still pricey I think. I am looking for a functional scope. Not a cheap one, and certainly not prepared to pay current top dollar. I don't expect it to last until I fall off the rail (not long if I think about it), but I expect it to stand a bit of reasonable punishment. I want to be able to mount it on everything I own. 22LR, 204R, 223Rem, 6.5 Grendel, 308W, and 9.3 x 62. Its got to be able to handle all the recoil and NOT LOSE ZERO. I don't need it to do calculus. Its like buying a new phone a couple of years ago. This wunderkind spent 30mins marveling at the wonderful things this phone could do, the applications, the games, the computing power, the storage, etc etc, etc. When I asked him "does it make phone calls?" I think I ruined his day. So simple is best. Video, not required, photos, in the middle of the night, why? range finding, maybe, different shaped reticles, OK, white hot, red hot, black hot, if you must, but trajectory calculations, recording of bullet weights etc etc etc, I don't have that long to live. Again, I don't need it to do calculus. When I'm planning a shoot, I want to mount it on the intended rifle, take it to the range, confirm the zero, get to the hunt, turn it on, and its ready. Mounts, I just want to use standard mounts, not some thing that looks like it used to be attached to a mecano set. Simple batteries, not Li-on power packs. If its got a power pack, all that power is being used/wasted by the additional computations going on. I have a night vision scope which has been a little troublesome. What I did find though was that in open country, its fine. but in the bush....the bush is where the Thermal works a lot better.
madang55 wrote:And now, my favourite subject. Firmware updates. My ATN 4K makes me weep. Obviously something I'm not seeing or doing or understanding, but it takes me several attempts to get it going. I have actually sent it in for a service (hammer and anvil job) so I'm hoping it comes back behaviour modified. Question is, does your unit present as easy to update when needed. Does it continually require updates or does it happily do its job without software updates?
Die Judicii wrote:BRINNY : > By the look of your photo, the plug in that I've got that enables me to run an external power pack on my Pulsars,
would fit straight in.
Errrrrrrrrrrrrrgh,,,,,,,,,, No it won't.
I just checked, you have a totally different mechanism for holding the battery compartment door shut which would negate everything.
madang55 wrote:GSCI .. yes indeed.. but the cost? Where are they made? If Pulsar are Belarus, the supply might dry up. This could allow all the others to put their prices up. Wouldn't it be nice if they got together and dropped their prices just to put a Russian out of business. The Australian government may yet ban imports from from Russian based companies.. so many variables.
brinny wrote:madang55 wrote:GSCI .. yes indeed.. but the cost? Where are they made? If Pulsar are Belarus, the supply might dry up. This could allow all the others to put their prices up. Wouldn't it be nice if they got together and dropped their prices just to put a Russian out of business. The Australian government may yet ban imports from from Russian based companies.. so many variables.
GSCI thermals are made in Canada....Yes mate...they are pricey.....but you get what you pay for....My S6100 was around $11,300.....well worth the extra dollars to have piece of mind in reliability, quality, and confidence in your gear..... my new scope only took a few weeks from order to delivery.....
They also come with a 7 year warranty, unlike most others at 3 years....They have to have confidence in their product to offer that size warranty......
When the funds are available i will get one more....and it will be a GSCI....possibly another 6100 for the 22-250, then im done......
niteowl wrote:brinny wrote:madang55 wrote:GSCI .. yes indeed.. but the cost? Where are they made? If Pulsar are Belarus, the supply might dry up. This could allow all the others to put their prices up. Wouldn't it be nice if they got together and dropped their prices just to put a Russian out of business. The Australian government may yet ban imports from from Russian based companies.. so many variables.
GSCI thermals are made in Canada....Yes mate...they are pricey.....but you get what you pay for....My S6100 was around $11,300.....well worth the extra dollars to have piece of mind in reliability, quality, and confidence in your gear..... my new scope only took a few weeks from order to delivery.....
They also come with a 7 year warranty, unlike most others at 3 years....They have to have confidence in their product to offer that size warranty......
When the funds are available i will get one more....and it will be a GSCI....possibly another 6100 for the 22-250, then im done......
Hey mate, I think you need to re-look at your invoice??
madang55 wrote:Scrolling through the Used Guns web site, looking at the Thermals, I noticed 1 that hasn't been mentioned on this thread. The Night Tech MS42 units.
There is obviously a reason why no-one has brought them up? The price is good, basic operation, video on the 42R model with internal memory, they run on 123 batteries, of which I have a cupboard full. Small unit, external power (power bank?) via USB C, picture in picture which looks good. Most of the work will be on a 22LR, 204R, 223R, or 6.5Grendel, 308W, recoil rated to 300WM so no problems there. So, why no mention so far? I could get a scope and a monocular for the price of some of the other scopes alone. Just wondering. Someone is going to burst my bubble, I know.
Blr243 wrote:I think briny loves his gsci more than his wife and dog
madang55 wrote:Scrolling through the Used Guns web site, looking at the Thermals, I noticed 1 that hasn't been mentioned on this thread. The Night Tech MS42 units.
There is obviously a reason why no-one has brought them up? The price is good, basic operation, video on the 42R model with internal memory, they run on 123 batteries, of which I have a cupboard full. Small unit, external power (power bank?) via USB C, picture in picture which looks good. Most of the work will be on a 22LR, 204R, 223R, or 6.5Grendel, 308W, recoil rated to 300WM so no problems there. So, why no mention so far? I could get a scope and a monocular for the price of some of the other scopes alone. Just wondering. Someone is going to burst my bubble, I know.
Blr243 wrote:I think briny loves his gsci more than his wife and dog
Die Judicii wrote:madang55 wrote:Scrolling through the Used Guns web site, looking at the Thermals, I noticed 1 that hasn't been mentioned on this thread. The Night Tech MS42 units.
There is obviously a reason why no-one has brought them up? The price is good, basic operation, video on the 42R model with internal memory, they run on 123 batteries, of which I have a cupboard full. Small unit, external power (power bank?) via USB C, picture in picture which looks good. Most of the work will be on a 22LR, 204R, 223R, or 6.5Grendel, 308W, recoil rated to 300WM so no problems there. So, why no mention so far? I could get a scope and a monocular for the price of some of the other scopes alone. Just wondering. Someone is going to burst my bubble, I know.
Just by looking on "Used Guns", And, what you DON"T see tells a definite story.
I check that site every day, and I have never seen a Pulsar FXQ 50 listed for sale.
So,,,,, either I'm the only person that's ever bought one,,,,,,,, or,, They are that good, that no-one wants to sell their unit.
cusco wrote:Just my two cents worth but comparing different models with different resolution sensors will not help in your decision, best to settle on a budget with a little bit of wiggle room. Then look at models in your budget. Most common resolution in Aust is the top 640 x 480 then 384 x 288. There are some lower resolution models out there but image quality won/t be that great. Then look at how they mount whether it is via a built in mount like Trails, Nitetech, Hikmirco or in 30mm rings like Thermions/Inifiray Tubes. If you wish to swap from gun to gun the 30mm ring set ups work pretty good. I have two Pulsar units one an old 384 res Apex and the newer Trail 2 640 res models. But the rail mount versions work OK swapping as long as you do the bolts up to the same each time. I use a torque wrench and find the zero is fine. I believe the zeroing issue with Mark 1 Trails was the actual hardware inside moving, Mark 2s from my personal use have had no probs. Do NOT touch ATN.
I shoot with lots of different guys with thermals and have had a chance to look through several model/brands/resolution and to be honest have been impressed with some of the 384 res models for their cost. Namely HiKmirco Thunder 35, various old and new Pulsars plus lately a Nitetech MSR42 which was OK for a 384 res.
Also think of the distance you will shot which then helps in deciding on base optical magnification which also affects the field of view. Do not get too excited with digital zoom as it gets pixelated as you go up. Best to look through any unit you like before buying, plus some Youtube channels have good unbiased reviews. Write up a spread sheet with ALL the specs and compare models features like recording, laser range finders etc. Before my purchases I did weeks of research before deciding.
Also some sellers offer demo nights. Good luck.