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Best Long Range Thermal Scope under $25,000
- Thread starter STI 45
- Start date
I’d recommend the Pulsar Thermion XG50 or Thermion 2 XP50. Both are gonna be super clear and display great detailed image. The XG50 is gonna look better at further distance and the XP50 will look best under 200 yards.
@THEIS Thanks 
@STI 45 Under $25k and not a clip-on leaves me with exactly 3 scopes in mind, not including your Reap 60mm.
How far do you need to PID?
How far are you engaging targets on average?
Would a mil based reticle be useful?
Are you using a LRF?
What type of country are you hunting? Open pasture/wooded/hot and humid/cold and dry.
Do you tamper with your gain/contrast? Do you like full and easy access to settings?
Do you care about hunting all night on a single set of batteries?
Are you pro- or anti- remote power bank?
Is the optics weight a concern? What about overall length?
I PM'd you as well ~ feel free to call me.
Preston
@STI 45 Under $25k and not a clip-on leaves me with exactly 3 scopes in mind, not including your Reap 60mm.
How far do you need to PID?
How far are you engaging targets on average?
Would a mil based reticle be useful?
Are you using a LRF?
What type of country are you hunting? Open pasture/wooded/hot and humid/cold and dry.
Do you tamper with your gain/contrast? Do you like full and easy access to settings?
Do you care about hunting all night on a single set of batteries?
Are you pro- or anti- remote power bank?
Is the optics weight a concern? What about overall length?
I PM'd you as well ~ feel free to call me.
Preston
you probably have one of the best right now--and it is paid for.
If you make a move then do NOT sell the Trijicon until you are overjoyed by your new toy !!!!! You may be sorry.
If you make a move then do NOT sell the Trijicon until you are overjoyed by your new toy !!!!! You may be sorry.
While I don't fully disagree, I wouldn't say the Trij 60mm is the best performer these days. It was, at one time, cutting edge. But as with anything electronic, it gets dated and new replaces the old. Make no mistake, there are better units, some of which don't cost as much as the Reap 60mm, and some costing near double.
$25k is a tremendous amount to consider investing into thermal, and I genuinely don't think that more money spent will put the OP in a winning situation considering my assumption. Either way, I laid out a bunch of question that will undoubtedly help the OP make that decision.
Paid for is nice though
@P&Y It really depends on what you're trying to accomplish.
The new Halo-LR updates produce an astonishingly good image. Both the Reap and Halo have a BAE Core, but N-Vision put a bit more love into the output you see in the display. The Halo-XRF and Reap60mm are in the same price range, but the XRF has far superior features (rechargeable batts, recording, wifi, mil reticle, and LRF). You could pair those features down to the Halo-X or Halo-LR and save some coin and still maintain a superior image.
To me, image isn't everything. Sure, it's important, but it's not a deciding factor. You're going to be able to PID easily with the Rap and the Halo. The differentiator between the Reap and the N-Vision line-up are the mil reticles. You can precisely shoot outside of Point Blank Range at night assuming you know your hold overs and distance. If you'll never shoot beyond point blank range, then the Reap is sufficient.
That said, the Reap is a fantastic optic and I ran one for a long time. The reticle and rechargeable batts were really important to me, and the Halo-X (in my case) gives me what I need. Both companies have outstanding support (every thermal has it's day and I have sent every thermal I have ever owned back to the manufacturer for one thing or another) in my experience.
There are better more expensive options too, but I still think the value of the XRF is unmatched if you are insistent on having a thermal weapons sight exclusively.
Not that I’m aware of. That would be cool for ultra long range PID, but you’d have like a .5 degree FOV unless the germanium was 12 inches in diameter
Not that I’m aware of. That would be cool for ultra long range PID, but you’d have like a .5 degree FOV unless the germanium was 12 inches in diameter
A friend of mine has one, I think the front is around 6 inches across or so, and it has a decent FOV, but I can't remember off hand exactly how wide the FOV was.
The scope itself is pretty big probably 10 years ago vintage.
Reminds me of the Raytheon W1000. Torrey Pines Logic will do custom work and this might be one of those jobs they would entertain.
The only 8x optical thermal scope I can think of was the olde Armasight Zeus Pro 100mm 384 ...
The 640 (I had two of those) were 4x, and the 384 (smaller sensor) were 8x on the front. And for long distance PID, that would actually be a good one (if you could find one). The 640 on 2x digital would approximate, but with all 8x on the front the 384 would actually be clearer. of course the 640 could back off to 4x and give me FOV. The 384 8x model could not do that.
More recently the FLIR Boson 736 scope had 6x on the front with a boson 320 core. Still lots of optical magnification on the front end.
If long distance spotting is desired, these critters could be useful.
==
There is a TILO 320 2x native with an optional 3x optical that can be added in front. That would produce 6x optical net. We can get those. Finding an olde zeus 100mm 348 or an olde FLIR 736 might be tough, with the 736 probably being way easier.
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If it was me, I'd go for a clipon and ditch the "no clipon" requirement. Good thermal clipon equal the mk3 60mm for long distance spotting. I've run the UTC and the mk3 60mm side by side in pouring rain and both could see cow ear flopping around at 400yds as she munched on a bale on 18x (4x digital and 4.5x optical for the mk3 and 16x on day scope on the UTC. The images were functionally equivalent, though the UTC looked clearer.
SOK can help OP get into a solid long distance thermal clipon, if he changes his mind on the "no clipon" requirement.
The 640 (I had two of those) were 4x, and the 384 (smaller sensor) were 8x on the front. And for long distance PID, that would actually be a good one (if you could find one). The 640 on 2x digital would approximate, but with all 8x on the front the 384 would actually be clearer. of course the 640 could back off to 4x and give me FOV. The 384 8x model could not do that.
More recently the FLIR Boson 736 scope had 6x on the front with a boson 320 core. Still lots of optical magnification on the front end.
If long distance spotting is desired, these critters could be useful.
==
There is a TILO 320 2x native with an optional 3x optical that can be added in front. That would produce 6x optical net. We can get those. Finding an olde zeus 100mm 348 or an olde FLIR 736 might be tough, with the 736 probably being way easier.
==
If it was me, I'd go for a clipon and ditch the "no clipon" requirement. Good thermal clipon equal the mk3 60mm for long distance spotting. I've run the UTC and the mk3 60mm side by side in pouring rain and both could see cow ear flopping around at 400yds as she munched on a bale on 18x (4x digital and 4.5x optical for the mk3 and 16x on day scope on the UTC. The images were functionally equivalent, though the UTC looked clearer.
SOK can help OP get into a solid long distance thermal clipon, if he changes his mind on the "no clipon" requirement.
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I agree with the above regarding the no clip on requirement.
If you’re stuck on that, then you have to define what “better” means to you. Better in what regard?
In some ways a military unit will be better (tougher, internal automatic NUC, etc.). In some ways a Halo XRF will be better (internal ranging with good reticle).
If I wanted to kill the greatest number of coyotes in one night, I’d choose the Halo XRF.
If I wanted to fight people at night I’d choose a military unit.
Strictly Offensive Kit can set you up with either direction you choose to go. Those guys have been building and sharing “night knowledge” here for a long time.
If you’re stuck on that, then you have to define what “better” means to you. Better in what regard?
In some ways a military unit will be better (tougher, internal automatic NUC, etc.). In some ways a Halo XRF will be better (internal ranging with good reticle).
If I wanted to kill the greatest number of coyotes in one night, I’d choose the Halo XRF.
If I wanted to fight people at night I’d choose a military unit.
Strictly Offensive Kit can set you up with either direction you choose to go. Those guys have been building and sharing “night knowledge” here for a long time.
haha, it would "fall out" as being a CCP unit, which we try to avoid
Check with SSVN ( surgeon_shooter ) I think he makes a market in those sorts of critters !!
==
Great unit - prism collimated. Together with the UTCs .. the LWTS-LR are among the very few prism collimated thermal clipons we can (almost) buy,
How far do you need to PID? It would be nice to ID a coyote at 400 v.s a dog
How far are you engaging targets on average? 200 average
Would a mil based reticle be useful? Prefer bullet drop.
Are you using a LRF? Raptor but integrated would be nice.
What type of country are you hunting in? Open pasture/wooded/hot and humid/cold and dry. open and cold
Do you tamper with your gain/contrast? Do you like full and easy access to settings?
Do you care about hunting all night on a single set of batteries? don't care
Are you pro- or anti- remote power bank? I like it simple. less wires the better
Is the optics weight a concern? What about overall length? No
How far are you engaging targets on average? 200 average
Would a mil based reticle be useful? Prefer bullet drop.
Are you using a LRF? Raptor but integrated would be nice.
What type of country are you hunting in? Open pasture/wooded/hot and humid/cold and dry. open and cold
Do you tamper with your gain/contrast? Do you like full and easy access to settings?
Do you care about hunting all night on a single set of batteries? don't care
Are you pro- or anti- remote power bank? I like it simple. less wires the better
Is the optics weight a concern? What about overall length? No
When you say bullet drop, are you referring to a BDC type reticle? I would think you don't need a reticle given 200 yards is near or at point blank range potential with majority of short action center fire calibers, not including sub-sonics.
Unless you were chasing image, go to the Halo line up, and unless you were wanting to integrate the LRF, get the XRF. Otherwise, my opinion is to stick with what you have.
(assumption = "it" = LWTS-LR)
As a stand alone, the LWTS-LR is even better - image wise than as a clipon. Clipon mode applies a 0.5x magnification to the unit, thus decreasing resolution. Standalone mode give full resolution.
Stand alone mode has several BDC reticles, but no mil reticles. If you want to hold with your day scope reticle, then clipon mode required.
I always wondered how they worked well as both. Makes sens they put it in .5 for clip on.
Its pretty hard to hit em at long range if you dont know how far away they are. Also hard to hit em at long range without a useful reticle.
the setup I used last year was a halo lr with a radius on the gun for ranging and pulsar accolade 2 for scanning. This worked really well, I shot quite a few coyotes with many of them being over 500 yards.
That being said, the very limited time I have messing with a friends halo xrf the rangefinder worked great, internal rechargeable batteries and internal video recording would really clean up my rifle and eliminate weight and cords dangling everywhere.
the setup I used last year was a halo lr with a radius on the gun for ranging and pulsar accolade 2 for scanning. This worked really well, I shot quite a few coyotes with many of them being over 500 yards.
That being said, the very limited time I have messing with a friends halo xrf the rangefinder worked great, internal rechargeable batteries and internal video recording would really clean up my rifle and eliminate weight and cords dangling everywhere.
Pretty sound advice given by the SOK crew. As always Scrapin and Wig are spot on. My question for OP is......"Not looking for a Clip-on."......WHY?!?!?!?!?
Especially considering your budget and criteria....."don't care about Video's or Blue tooth crap, just performance.". Just have to ask because even your username suggests baller status.
On a side note does the new Halo XRF reticles scale to size with mag ∆? @SkyScrapin @wigwamitus
I already have a high end Clip-on NV paired with a high power laser Illuminator.Pretty sound advice given by the SOK crew. As always Scrapin and Wig are spot on. My question for OP is......"Not looking for a Clip-on."......WHY?!?!?!?!?
Especially considering your budget and criteria....."don't care about Video's or Blue tooth crap, just performance.". Just have to ask because even your username suggests baller status.
On a side note does the new Halo XRF reticles scale to size with mag ∆? @SkyScrapin @wigwamitus
I bought the IR Hunter when they first came out. I believe the company was named IR Defence before selling to Trijicon.
It's been a few years so just looking at my options.
If the Halo XFR came in 5X base mag I would definitely give one a try.
I'm looking to shoot stuff/hunt. Electronic junk does not interest me it's a distraction.
Maybe I'll wait another year and see what comes out.
I hear ya. But a NV clip-on and a thermal clip-on do not compare IMO. You're comparing apple clip-on to orange clip-on. To me (based on your prerequisites) you're a perfect candidate for a UTC, LWTS-LR, high end thermal clip on; No frills, whistles, gimmicks....pure performance.
May I ask what platform are you planning to utilize this purchase with?
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thanks for the kind words!
To your Q, it doesn’t scale. We have asked @Max_R ’s crew for this update though.
