Night Vision Bare minimum thermal scope?

A buddys wife wants to buy him a thermal scope. She says night vision but I think thermal would be best.

What’s the bare minimum the $1800 pulsar?
Probably the Burris models, at least they have good CS, but your talking 4100 just to get your foot in the door..
Otherwise, maybe a Sightmark Wraith, it is NV, but comes with an illuminator.
 
Bering Optics Hogster 25 lower 2K range. You can get a stimulus for around $1,500 but it isn't near the scope the 25 is. 4 year warranty with US Support and Service, transferrable warranty, assembled in the US. However, the Stimulus is OK in the right situation. Would need more of the use case along with ranges they wish to detect and shoot, etc.
 
I'm becoming a distributor for the Burris thermals for that exact reason, guys see my stuff and want something to go shoot coyotes or pigs, see the price tag and think I'm joking. Those new Burris thermals see like excellent bang for the buck and after I get my distributor account set up I'll let yall know so you can get SH pricing.