Night Vision $3k thermal weapon sight

[YotaEer]

I’m looking at options for a new thermal weapon sight. My budget is $3k or less. This would be on a dedicated 6 arc AR night rifle using lighter v max or ELDvt loads. Maybe 22 ARC someday.

Coyotes, coons, Fox, skunks etc in PA. Max range would be 300 yards for a coyote in a crop/hay field. Otherwise, the vast majority of shots will be at or under 150. LRF would be nice but not necessary.

I’ve had good luck with an AGM rattler and an older pulsar trail. Had to sell both due to life. Still have and constantly use an AGM taipan monocular both day and night with great luck. Never go hunting without it

Im currently debating the newer AGM rattler V2, AGM adder, Iray bolt or some of the recently reduced pulsar thermions.

Any other suggestions?

 

[Evolution 9]

Used super Yoter or super Yoter C.

With the current economy, the used market is very attractive.

 

[shoots100]

Hands down the RIX L3 scope.
Uses an 18650 battery(comes with 2 and a charger), easy controls, Ocular zoom, built like a tank and a 5 year transferrable warranty.
Mine also came mounted in a quality two lever QD mount, but I don't know if that happens with everyone.
$2,300 shipped

SJC

 

[YotaEer]

Hands down the RIX L3 scope.
Uses an 18650 battery(comes with 2 and a charger), easy controls, Ocular zoom, built like a tank and a 5 year transferrable warranty.
Mine also came mounted in a quality two lever QD mount, but I don't know if that happens with everyone.
$2,300 shipped

SJC

this is another one I am interested in. Seems to get great reviews

 

[gr8fuldoug]

It's our pleasure, as a long standing supporting vendor here, to discuss the different available options and special opportunities with you.
We just put super sale pricing on all Refurbished Pulsar Thermals, that come with a 1 year Pulsar warranty.
Please give a call, 516-217-1000, when you have the time. Thanks

 

[joe777]

Armasight

 

[wigwamitus]

We also have some GUIDE ...

https://strictlyoffensivekit.com/products/guide-sensmart-tr650-tws

(made by the same OEM who does AGM, Bering, Burris, Stiener - just a more direct brand so lower price for same performance)

The line runs from $1800 ish for 384 up to the top of the line 50mm 640 linked above ...

 

[Evolution 9]

Just watched the video. Pretty impressive looking!

 

[YotaEer]

We also have some GUIDE ...

https://strictlyoffensivekit.com/products/guide-sensmart-tr650-tws

(made by the same OEM who does AGM, Bering, Burris, Stiener - just a more direct brand so lower price for same performance)

The line runs from $1800 ish for 384 up to the top of the line 50mm 640 linked above ...

Impressive for the price. What is the warranty like on these?

 

[SCGunner84]

I’m looking at options for a new thermal weapon sight. My budget is $3k or less. This would be on a dedicated 6 arc AR night rifle using lighter v max or ELDvt loads. Maybe 22 ARC someday.

Coyotes, coons, Fox, skunks etc in PA. Max range would be 300 yards for a coyote in a crop/hay field. Otherwise, the vast majority of shots will be at or under 150. LRF would be nice but not necessary.

I’ve had good luck with an AGM rattler and an older pulsar trail. Had to sell both due to life. Still have and constantly use an AGM taipan monocular both day and night with great luck. Never go hunting without it

Im currently debating the newer AGM rattler V2, AGM adder, Iray bolt or some of the recently reduced pulsar thermions.

Any other suggestions?

I’m looking for a 2nd thermal and I’ve been eyeing the agm clarion 384. It’s pretty close to your price range. I’ve been using Gen 1 Bering Hogster R35 with great luck for the past 2-3 years

 

[Evolution 9]

Impressive for the price. What is the warranty like on these?

According to the video it’s a 10 year warranty!! That’s pretty amazing.

 

[joe777]

Pretty amazing if you're down with Chinese stuff

 

[patriot07]

Just picked up a Bering Hogster A3 (gen 2) for just over $2k. I think it will be hard to beat at that price point.

 

[JackOfAllTrades]

I’d stay away from armasight, not the most impressive image. But they are built well.

 

[joe777]

I’d stay away from armasight, not the most impressive image. But they are built well.

Is this based off of facts and experience? I shot 9 coyotes this season with a 320...

 

[JackOfAllTrades]

I’ve compared there top of the line 320 to other thermals and iray and pulsar have the better image. But I absolutely don’t gate keep one brand over the other.
Image isn’t everything.
More important than image is reliability and durability in a working man’s thermal.
So yes it can absolutely kill coyotes, but if you want a better image I would look somewhere else. If you want to be able to smash it around, then give armasight a look

 

[joe777]

I’ve compared there top of the line 320 to other thermals and iray and pulsar have the better image. But I absolutely don’t gate keep one brand over the other.
Image isn’t everything.
More important than image is reliability and durability in a working man’s thermal.
So yes it can absolutely kill coyotes, but if you want a better image I would look somewhere else. If you want to be able to smash it around, then give armasight a look

Without exact models what you're saying means nothing

But go ahead and keep pushing Chinese thermals

 

[JackOfAllTrades]

Contractor 320 6-24x50 Thermal Weapon Sight​

That was the specific model.
But again, every thermal has their own pros and cons.
Every company has their growing pains, and armasight can’t even make their thermals first focal plane. I’ve talked to their engineers, and they didn’t know what that was. Must I continue? I’m just stating my opinion, but they still put yotes down so..

 

[joe777]

Contractor 320 6-24x50 Thermal Weapon Sight​

That was the specific model.
But again, every thermal has their own pros and cons.
Every company has their growing pains, and armasight can’t even make their thermals first focal plane. I’ve talked to their engineers, and they didn’t know what that was. Must I continue? I’m just stating my opinion, but they still put yotes down so..

Compared to what other chinese model?

Also please elaborate on first focal plane thermal scope. I have the 320 6-24x and I feel like it does do what you're talking about? Either way seems like that's a pretty weak complaint for a cheap thermal, most people doing ballistic calculations are going to a clip on. Seems like you got a beef with armasight...

 

[JackOfAllTrades]

I just stated my opinion from my experiences.
I even threw your thermal a bone as to not dog your purchase that you clearly spent hard earned money on. As I know people are defensive of their purchase. I have nothing against armasight, just stating a pro and a con.
Every thermal company does stuff different and there will always be pros and cons from company to company.

 

[joe777]

I just stated my opinion from my experiences.
I even threw your thermal a bone as to not dog your purchase that you clearly spent hard earned money on. As I know people are defensive of their purchase. I have nothing against armasight, just stating a pro and a con.
Every thermal company does stuff different and there will always be pros and cons from company to company.

What thermal did you compare the armasight 320 to... easy question buddy

 

[joe777]

Also explain your engineering/ thermal ffp topic too please

 

[Rerun7]

Also explain your engineering/ thermal ffp topic too please

 

[Rerun7]

Back to topic..

OP - I’ve owned thermals from Flir, Pulsar, Bering, AGM and Nvision. If I were in your shoes I’d take a look at the new model of Bering Hogster.

The Bering units have a great image, good features and good customer service.

Whatever you get, make sure it’s got a solid warranty and customer service. Ive had issues with every brand so it’s not confined to certain companies.

And call one of the vendors here to talk about any specials that may be available. Shout out to Robert at JRH and Doug at Cameraland. Both are great to work with.

 

[joe777]

View attachment 8438373

Keep pushing, china.

 

[YotaEer]

Back to topic..

OP - I’ve owned thermals from Flir, Pulsar, Bering, AGM and Nvision. If I were in your shoes I’d take a look at the new model of Bering Hogster.

The Bering units have a great image, good features and good customer service.

Whatever you get, make sure it’s got a solid warranty and customer service. Ive had issues with every brand so it’s not confined to certain companies.

And call one of the vendors here to talk about any specials that may be available. Shout out to Robert at JRH and Doug at Cameraland. Both are great to work with.

I ended up going with the 50-640 guide unit linked above by @wigwamitus

He was very helpful and great pricing via strictly offensive kit. Never used a 640 unit yet so very excited and worth a few hundred extra $ compared to newer 384 units.

Hopefully get it sighted in and take it out next weekend

 

[shoots100]

I ended up going with the 50-640 guide unit linked above by @wigwamitus

He was very helpful and great pricing via strictly offensive kit. Never used a 640 unit yet so very excited and worth a few hundred extra $ compared to newer 384 units.

Hopefully get it sighted in and take it out next weekend

Great choice in supporting a Hide vendor.
Beats any brand that still uses early 2000 tech CR123 batteries to power their scopes, like Armasight uses in 2024.

SJC

 

[joe777]

Great choice in supporting a Hide vendor.
Beats any brand that still uses early 2000 tech CR123 batteries to power their scopes, like Armasight uses in 2024.

SJC

Lol

 

[tekmann2377]

I have used a bunch of different optics ranging from a lower end ATN Thor all the way up to a Voodoo M and Clip ELR. My friend has the latest generation Super Yoter V2. The image quality was quite good and it proved reliable over multiple hunts. It did not have quite the image quality or detection of the BAE cored units like Trijicon and N-vision, but it was perfectly serviceable and held zero, and we made shots up to 200+ yards during the hunt.