Night Vision FLIR 640 resolution scopes and recommendations

[LRSHOOTER0311]

I'm curious if FLIR intends on bringing out any thermal scopes with 640 resolution? I'm very interested in the PTS536 model since the PTS223 just isn't enough for the longer range applications I'm looking at. I've also had my eye on a Pulsar XP50, but I hear a lot of issues with them holding their zero, along with some temperature issues. So that being said, I have a $4,500 budget and would like either or Pulsar XP50 or equivalent. So let's hear it, what is the cat's meow in terms of thermal for my allotted price range?

 

[wigwamitus]

If I had that budget and if I believed that pulsars don't hold zero for more than 24 hours ... then I'd go for used Trijicon Mk2 hunters. The 19mm used, should come in under your $4.5k number. The 35mm would be maybe $200 over.

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Note I've had 4 different pulsars and I know a pile of people using them, and I haven't had or heard of a zero retention issue. That said, I think any digital NV?thermal can loose zero, rarely, and for that reason, I check my zero often. In 24 months of heavy use I have had trijicons loose zero 2 times.
The downside of used trijicons is reduced or no warranty, hence the reduction in price. But after the sacking of the Armasight CS group, I'd rate Trijicon EO CS as #1 in the civilian thermal space. And even with no warranty, I believe they will fix a broken unit for a reasonable price.

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Realistically, if I liked the XP50 except for rumors of zero retention, I would work to dispel those rumors from my head and move forward with the XP50

 

[LRSHOOTER0311]

If I had that budget and if I believed that pulsars don't hold zero for more than 24 hours ... then I'd go for used Trijicon Mk2 hunters. The 19mm used, should come in under your $4.5k number. The 35mm would be maybe $200 over.

==
Note I've had 4 different pulsars and I know a pile of people using them, and I haven't had or heard of a zero retention issue. That said, I think any digital NV?thermal can loose zero, rarely, and for that reason, I check my zero often. In 24 months of heavy use I have had trijicons loose zero 2 times.
The downside of used trijicons is reduced or no warranty, hence the reduction in price. But after the sacking of the Armasight CS group, I'd rate Trijicon EO CS as #1 in the civilian thermal space. And even with no warranty, I believe they will fix a broken unit for a reasonable price.

==
Realistically, if I liked the XP50 except for rumors of zero retention, I would work to dispel those rumors from my head and move forward with the XP50

Thanks for the advice! I found an XP50 for a killer price and will more than likely move forward with it. Have you heard anything on the new Pro PTS 536 or 733? What would you think of them in comparison to the XP50?

 

[wigwamitus]

More rumors ... with regard to the FLIR(Armasight) units, I'm on the fence until after they are released and regular people have them in their hands. Even "dealer prototypes" could be different units, than what we will ultimately have in our hands. And as to dates, I never hold my breadth. After the WASP was announced at SHOT in 2015 and never arrived and both the Patrol and Q14 at SHOT 2016 and were "2 weeks" from release ... both finally really released (the weapons mountable versions) in Sept 2016 ... well I don't hold my breadth. I hope FLIR gets behind the "Armasight" customers and puts out some boson Zeuses ... those handfulls of 19mm fixed focus teasers aren't pulling me in ...