Night Vision Armasight Zeus 3 Thermal Weapon Sight

[Bennybone]

I just rented a 336x256 30Hz 42mm Objective Zeus 3 thermal sight for this weekends hunt.

I will report back within the week on my thoughts and will hopefully have some video to share of wildlife.

We are expecting a cool front today and tomorrow with lots of humidity and moisture in the air, I hope this doesn't cause the hogs to bed down and while it isn't optimal condition for judging thermal's capability I am hoping that by Saturday night it is clear and normal.

BB

NOTE - I enjoy doing video reviews on all gear that I use and hope that this information assist others in gauging the capabilities of the product. I will not field or respond to any questions from forum members regarding the company nor will I engage in any discussion on opinions given about the company, this is a review of my experience and nothing more.

 

[MrBearClaw]

I like the camo coated lower

 

[Bennybone]

I put a pig pipe with a special recipe in the corner of the hay field, hope to get some pigs around it this weekend.



There are pigs in the area, reference our trap location on the other side of the property.



Bullets begin flying tomorrow hopefully....

BB

 

[Bennybone]

Had a pretty decent weekend with regards to the trap catching 16 hogs for a total weight of 1235 lbs.

Before dispatching the hogs it provided an opportunity for me to run through the color palettes of the Zeus 3, gives you a fair indication of what to expect from each mode. I really really really liked Sepia with black crosshairs.

Also previous to tending to the trapped hogs, as I was walking the property I stalked up on a sounder feeding on a fresh hay bale. Stalked to within 35 yards and delivered a 300 Blackout headshot to a 145 lb sow.

My overall thoughts of the 2 night rental of the Zeus 3 are as follows:

PROS -

The mounting clamp is a quick detach style, once adjusted it held firm to the optics rail of the weapon.

Zero was maintained over the course of 55 shots taken for the entire weekend.

2x digital magnification was useful at 150 yards and in for placing shots on game.

Automatic NUC (Flat Field Correction) every 10 minutes or so to maintain a clear crisp image.

CONS -

The zeroing took 10 shots, the manual provides a calculated formula to use based on the distance you are zeroing, after using the formula it was not enough adjustment to be zeroed so I ended up just wagging at it with shot/adjust shot/adjust until I was zeroed at 100 yards.

I was using rechargeable CR123A batteries and the unit powered those down pretty quickly, I'd say 2-3 hours max.

The front objective lens can be unscrewed off the unit, while reaching ahead to focus I would inadvertently grab the front objective lens and turn that which would unscrew it from the housing. A bit annoying but I figure the design is to allow for interchanging the larger objective lens however if you do unscrew the front objective you would possibly allow contaminants to enter the unit which wouldn't be good.

Neither PRO nor CON but Noteworthy:

The menu structure on the Zeus 3 has software filters labeled Hog Hunting / Coyote Hunting / Bear Hunting etc... Cycling through the filters had no effect or change to the image and reading the manual doesn't provide any information as to what variables are changed in each mode. So I guess these features aren't yet active but can be made active with a software update. Innovative idea but until they are made live it is just words on the screen.

If I come to find that the software is updated in the future I may consider renting the Zeus 3 again and doing a more in depth review.

Until then, Happy Hunting!

BB

Here is the video:

Armasight Zeus 3 - Video of color palettes and headshot on a sow - Sept 2013 - YouTube

 

[Phantom223]

Thanks for the review its always nice to see info from a user.

 

[Bennybone]

Thanks for the review its always nice to see info from a user.

You're most welcome - Thx

 

[SkyPup]

Yes, thanks for the review on something new, looks like it will work plenty well for targeting within 200 yards or so, nice writeup!

 

[Bennybone]

Yes, thanks for the review on something new, looks like it will work plenty well for targeting within 200 yards or so, nice writeup!

Thank you for the compliment on the write up SkyPup.

Also don't forget to change the Youtube vid quality to 720p, gotta love these embedded videos - but they default to low res...

BB

 

[SkyPup]

So is there an option for purchasing a larger lens system for this unit instead of the standard 42mm to increase range and clarity?

It would seem that this unit with a 60mm or so lens on it would be quite a good performer....since the objective simply screws on or off it seems a possibility.

 

[Delta4-3]

Benny,
Something I have found that keeps pigs in your target area for an extended period of time is this....
Dig a hole about 3 feet deep with post hole diggers so that the hole is narrow all the way down. Fill said hole with corn then pour a gallon of diesel over top of the corn. This makes it really sweet and irresistible. Being that the hole is so narrow, it takes them a long time to dig it out. They also lose their situational awareness because they get so focused on getting to the bottom of it. You're method looks like it would work well too, very interesting. I like honest reviews as well, well done.

 

[MrBearClaw]

So is there an option for purchasing a larger lens system for this unit instead of the standard 42mm to increase range and clarity?

It would seem that this unit with a 60mm or so lens on it would be quite a good performer....since the objective simply screws on or off it seems a possibility.

There is an allen set screw on the lens if you loosen it the lens screws right off. Armasight hasn't said anything about the lenses being interchangeable, but for some of the units I think it would work.

 

[BATTLE CREEK]

There is an allen set screw on the lens if you loosen it the lens screws right off. Armasight hasn't said anything about the lenses being interchangeable, but for some of the units I think it would work.

I was speaking to a sales rep tonight about my 3 thats on backorder. He mentioned that some complained about the lenses screwing off and that Armasight was taking care of that. He also said that some of the units currently in the field were demos and not finalized in design. Sounds like thay must be reading peoples reviews and getting feedback. Thanks for posting the vid, gives me an idea of what to expect in a week or so.

 

[BATTLE CREEK]

Bennybone? What kind of rechargeables did you use? I see some are 3 volt or 3.6 What should I be getting? Thx

 

[BATTLE CREEK]

Whats the horizontal lines from on the screen? Did you see these through the viewfinder or were they only on the dvr vid?

thx

 

[Hooper]

Benny,
Something I have found that keeps pigs in your target area for an extended period of time is this....
Dig a hole about 3 feet deep with post hole diggers so that the hole is narrow all the way down. Fill said hole with corn then pour a gallon of diesel over top of the corn. This makes it really sweet and irresistible. Being that the hole is so narrow, it takes them a long time to dig it out. They also lose their situational awareness because they get so focused on getting to the bottom of it. You're method looks like it would work well too, very interesting. I like honest reviews as well, well done.

Switch the fuel for Tequila, switch the rifle for a Louisville Slugger. Drunk pigs do not run.lol

 

[Delta4-3]

Switch the fuel for Tequila, switch the rifle for a Louisville Slugger. Drunk pigs do not run.lol

Negative sir, drink the tequila and you'll see twice as many pigs...guaranteed!

 

[BigTek]

Thanks for the review! Looks like I have another scope to consider :/

 

[wildfowler]

I read animal farm as a kid. Do pigs really like to drink alcohol? May have to try that on.

Ha!

I put a post hole full of corn out and overnight, the hogs excavated an area large and deep enough to bury a dead body in.

Then we put salt in the excavation, now every critter in the woods comes to that spot. The piglets on trail camera seem especially fond of playing in the hole.

 

[ncorry]

I read animal farm as a kid. Do pigs really like to drink alcohol?

Yep. Police in Western Australia in Search of Drunken Pig