Best Thermal Around $2000

[DB19]

I’m currently running an old atn xsight for night time coyote hunting and am looking to invest in a thermal optic. I was wondering if anyone had an opinion on any good options for around 2000 dollars. I was also curios what everyone thought about magnification versus processor. At my price point it seems that I’m limited to a lesser processor/resolution and high magnification or a better processor/resolution with a lower magnification. Thanks.

 

[Rerun7]

How far are you wanting to detect, ID and shoot? Are things like video/sound, size, battery types, etc important to you?

 

[DB19]

I’d like to be able to shoot 300 yards which is a stretch for me. Most shots I take are maximum 150-200 yards. Video would be nice but not a deciding factor for me. I know I don’t want cr123 batteries.

 

[Rerun7]

I think you are going to have to shop the used market to keep it around $2k at those distances.

I’d be looking at something with a min resolution of 384 with about 3x magnification. You’ll probably land closer to $3k new which will open options like the Bering Vibe and entry level Pulsars. Pulsars don’t get as much love here but they are solid. I used one for years and have 2 buddies that use them as well with no complaints.

You will get more bells/whistles with Pulsar but I think the Bering produces a better image. You can use an external battery pack with any of them to keep you away from cr123s but the Pulsars use rechargeables.

There are also some entry level options from AGM and iRay but I don’t have experience with them.

If it were me, I’d save a little more and grab a Hogster Vibe with an external battery pack.

Also - tag your thread on the nightvision section and you’ll get more traffic to it.

 

[moosemeat]

What about the Hogster R 384? Would that do what he's wanting?

 

[Rerun7]

What about the Hogster R 384? Would that do what he's wanting?

The 25mm is closest to his budget but at 1.4x you aren’t going to be shooting 200-300 yards with it.

To get that far you’re going to need the 35mm at 3x mag which retails for $3200.

The Vibe 2-8 would be the closest Bering that would work but retails for about $2600.

Factor in tax and the QD mount (I’d recommend one) and that’s another $500ish.

If you can find a 35mm Hogster R for close to $2k I’d snag it!

 

[moosemeat]

Sorry, I'm just learning about thermals. Just going off the vague specs listed on websites.

 

[Rerun7]

Nah, don’t apologize, there is a lot to consider. Unfortunately it’s one of those things that you get what you pay for. I tried going cheap when I started and it just ended up costing me more in the long run.

 

[JbBooks]

The biggest advice I can give someone looking to buy new thermal, is to stay in your lane, as in, if your budget is 2-3k, only look at that priced thermal, don’t walk in with 3000 dollars and look through the 5000 dollar shit, unless you got the extra cash.

 

[Rerun7]

That thread was super helpful 4 years ago

 

[BurtG]

Spend a little more get a s35 or c35. Or t50 if super rugged is a desire

 

[Simonsza1]

There was a agm in the px for $1,700. I looked at them at snipers unknown and they seemed nice for the coin. No experience using it long term though.

 

[stefan73]

If you are just walking around the farm and carrying the rifle a lot a little Berring Optics R35 is clutch! Good field of view (relatively and it is all relative), good image and handles the humidity well (I have used mine for over a year down in Louisiana).

The Steiner is a solid piece of kit but it is heavy. I have the C35 so the added weight makes me want to use it on a tripod only. It is not fun for me to shoot offhand, at all (caveat, I have a torn up shoulder and probably need surgery).

 

[Exergy]

The Late Night Vision Show on youtube


This should help with deciding. They have a solid page and video breakdowns of what you get at certain price points. Shooting accurately at 300yrds is going to be very difficult at a 2k price point. I'm picking up a AGM Rattler TS25 or 35 since almost all of my shots will be 150yrds or less and I wont be using it all the time. I looked at the Steiner S35's and if they ever restock them on expervoice I may send it on one of those instead.

 

[YotaEer]

I have an AGM Rattler TS25-384 as well as the AGM 25-384 monocular. Both have been reliable and i can ID out to 300 easily.

I killed a coyote over the summer at about 245 with the setup but that's an anomaly. Most of my shots are within 150. I don't night hunt as often as I would like, so spending more wasn't worth it for me.

I use the monocular on every hunt, day and night. Easily fits in my bino pack. It is a game changer! I will certainly stay invested in that piece of gear going forward.