Hand held thermal advice

[Devildog]

I’m looking for some recommendations on a decent handheld thermal. I’m looking to spend around 3k plus or minus.

My goal is to use it to quickly find and help identify critters and things that go bump in the night. Here in KS they finally allow thermal an NV for night hunting of coyotes. I live on thirty three mostly wooded acres and have some struggles with coyotes at times.

I have NV and lasers for now, I’d like a thermal scope down the road but one thing at a time. I had considered a clip on for dual use, but I’m thinking a dedicated handheld my be better for now. Idk correct me if I’m wrong.

Currently I’ve been looking hard at the Phenom 640x489-35mm, looks like a good piece but I’m new to the thermal game that’s why I’m asking. Appreciate any input.

​

 

[TheHorta]

Lots available in that price range. Phenom seems to be one of the better options.

Don’t get paralysis by analysis. Pick one and go.

 

[BamaSE]

If you wear glasses, be sure to check out eye relief specs. Anything less than 20mm is going to be challenging, and less than 15mm nearly unusable. You could consider one of the compact scopes Bering or AGM makes to resolve the eye relief, but then battery life will be a nuisance so one has to either carry a pocketful of CR123s or add bulk to the scope with a Anker type battery pack.

The AGM Fuzion is a legit thermal device and also has a LRF. The NV part is kind of gimmicky as one has to have an illuminator or ambient light for functionality. I cannot recall the eye relief specs, but I could see fine through the eye piece.

Good luck, and prepare to spend $$$$x10 than you ever intended to after your initial acquisition

 

[Devildog]

If you wear glasses, be sure to check out eye relief specs. Anything less than 20mm is going to be challenging, and less than 15mm nearly unusable. You could consider one of the compact scopes Bering or AGM makes to resolve the eye relief, but then battery life will be a nuisance so one has to either carry a pocketful of CR123s or add bulk to the scope with a Anker type battery pack.

The AGM Fuzion is a legit thermal device and also has a LRF. The NV part is kind of gimmicky as one has to have an illuminator or ambient light for functionality. I cannot recall the eye relief specs, but I could see fine through the eye piece.

Good luck, and prepare to spend $$$$x10 than you ever intended to after your initial acquisition

I use readers otherwise I don’t need glasses not sure if that could be an issue?

 

[BamaSE]

I use readers otherwise I don’t need glasses not sure if that could be an issue?

Nah, just if you wear ‘em full time for near/far sightedness….you can adjust the eyepiece to match your eye for clarity. Actually one can do the same even if a full time eye glass wearer, but then have to keep up with the glasses.

 

[BamaSE]

And pay the extra for a 640 resolution unit if you can….and 2-3x base mag.

 

[GreenMushroom]

Phenom is excellent. Light and compact fits very well in a coat or cargo pocket. I wasn't crazy about the internal battery at 1st but after seeing how my yoter chews through batteries I've changed my tune on that. You can run it off external power and also charge the internal battery from an external battery pack. I've only done that with it turned off so not sure if it also charges while on. Also does very well in poor conditions.

Good conditions

Very thick freezing fog. Visibility with NV was probably 10-15 feet.

For dual use the new yoter35 looks great but if you're getting separate scanner and scope the phenom is tough to beat.

 

[shoots100]

I went with the AGM TM15 384.
Priced right, great FOV, screen size + resolution and is helmet mountable.
Only drawback to me is the internal battery, but it last's 7+ hours in the field of continuous use and can be powered externally.

 

[Devildog]

Phenom is excellent. Light and compact fits very well in a coat or cargo pocket. I wasn't crazy about the internal battery at 1st but after seeing how my yoter chews through batteries I've changed my tune on that. You can run it off external power and also charge the internal battery from an external battery pack. I've only done that with it turned off so not sure if it also charges while on. Also does very well in poor conditions.

Good conditions

View attachment 7836000

Very thick freezing fog. Visibility with NV was probably 10-15 feet.

View attachment 7836006

For dual use the new yoter35 looks great but if you're getting separate scanner and scope the phenom is tough to beat.

Appreciate the input. Batteries was one of those things that I have definitely thought about. I didn’t want to be buying cr123 or whatever by the case, but I also didn’t like the idea of a internal battery. Being able to add an eternal battery supply would work fine. I saw these the other day and thought it was great solution. https://midwestthermaloptic.com/products/power-lanyard

 

[Tnc]

I just picked up the AGM TS-35 and I couldn’t be happier. Super lightweight. It has a ADM throw lever mount if you decide to use it as a scope also. Takes batteries but can also use an external battery pack. Has its own wifi so you can record video with your phone if you want. Well within your budget

 

[awpk03s]

I really like this iRay USA CBL19.
384x288, 12um, 50Hz, 2X optical.
Proprietary battery but is removable and rechargeable, and you can buy spares. Also runs off USB battery pack.

CABIN CBL19 384 Thermal Monocular

The InfiRay Outdoor Cabin Series is a compact and powerful optic that operates easily with one hand. The CABIN is available with multiple lens options and its 50Hz 12 μm Micro II sensor featuring InfiRay’s next generation MATRIX III processing ensures an unmatched viewing experience on it’s HD...

irayusa.com

Good option at $1800 I think.

 

[USP45]

I use a Pulsar Helion 2 XP50 Pro which is above your price point if buying new, but there are other Helion models that would fall in line. One of the biggest benefits of a Helion is the battery life, and it is a rechargeable battery... trust me, the battery life on your spotter is HUGE. Another nice feature is being able to wifi to a phone so others can watch what the person behind the spotter is seeing. I have a phone mount on the front upper cage on my Polaris General, we will ride around with my wife in passenger seat spotting while I drive. If she sees something all I have to do is glance up at the phone to look at what she is seeing real time so she never breaks target lock. We use the wifi Pulsar app every time we go out, if we have passengers riding in back seat with us they too can look at the phone to see as well.

The only other piece of advice I have for you is put your money in your spotter. I can tell you from years of hunting pigs at our ranch in East Texas that the ratio of spotter to scope use is about 90/10, maybe even 95/5 if you wander around looking and are not static. Unless I am using the caller or sitting in a spot that I know pigs frequent I do not even get the rifle set up on the tripod until I see something I want to go after, use the spotter exclusively until then. It is the main source of identification which is why you want a high quality spotter, once I set the rifle up I already know what I am going after. Just my 2c

 

[Devildog]

I use a Pulsar Helion 2 XP50 Pro which is above your price point if buying new, but there are other Helion models that would fall in line. One of the biggest benefits of a Helion is the battery life, and it is a rechargeable battery... trust me, the battery life on your spotter is HUGE. Another nice feature is being able to wifi to a phone so others can watch what the person behind the spotter is seeing. I have a phone mount on the front upper cage on my Polaris General, we will ride around with my wife in passenger seat spotting while I drive. If she sees something all I have to do is glance up at the phone to look at what she is seeing real time so she never breaks target lock. We use the wifi Pulsar app every time we go out, if we have passengers riding in back seat with us they too can look at the phone to see as well.

The only other piece of advice I have for you is put your money in your spotter. I can tell you from years of hunting pigs at our ranch in East Texas that the ratio of spotter to scope use is about 90/10, maybe even 95/5 if you wander around looking and are not static. Unless I am using the caller or sitting in a spot that I know pigs frequent I do not even get the rifle set up on the tripod until I see something I want to go after, use the spotter exclusively until then. It is the main source of identification which is why you want a high quality spotter, once I set the rifle up I already know what I am going after. Just my 2c

Your spot on with what I was thinking in regards to a spotter. That’s why I’ve backed off from getting a thermal scope first. Thanks for the write up. I like the idea of the Wi-Fi phone app. for a second pair of eyes!

 

[Night Vision Viking]

Pulsar Helion 2 XP50 Pro - great one! Probably the best on the market now.

 

[Devildog]

Pulsar Helion 2 XP50 Pro - great one! Probably the best on the market now.

I had trouble finding a pro but I did get a new Helion 2 XP 50 for a great deal. And I’m very happy with it. Now I’m looking at the Pulsar Krypton, not a lot of reviews out there but it looks pretty solid to me. I’m a newb to thermal so what do I know . I’m looking for input from anyone with experience with it.

 

[The King]

The FXG50 pulsar is superb. It slightly beats out the Yoter-C, and thats hard to do as the Yoter-C is superb as well.

The Yoter-C comes with the handheld spotter conversion lens and its extra $$$ on the Pulsar, but not a lot. You find the FOV is a bit low on either of them compared to a dedicated 1x scanner like a NOX, but the ability to clip on is AWESOME.

 

[Jonesky]

Where is the agm line assembled? And who’s core is in it? If anyone knows.

 

[shoots100]

Where is the agm line assembled? And who’s core is in it? If anyone knows.

Like almost every other new thermal out there.

 

[springer01]

I use my thermal scopes to scan and shoot, Pulsar trail XD50 and Bearing Super Hogster with Bobro QD mounts The Hogster is a great compact scope for the money IMO.

 

[Jonesky]

Like almost every other new thermal out there.

Great. Ok, thanks

 

[bill_van]

I've got both and if I did it over again, I'd just buy the scope with QD mount and save the cost of the handheld. Can mount the scope up in less than 30 seconds in the dark and be back on target ready to do business. If it is multiple targets coming in and out, I just leave it mounted until I'm done.

 

[YotaEer]

I really like my AGM taipan scanner and rattler thermal scope.

Killed a bunch of stuff with both. I tried scanning with the rifle for about a year. 1. you miss a ton of stuff 2. You make a lot more movement and noise than scanning with a handheld 3. It’s tiring even with a tripod.

 

[jstokes1]

Get you a skeet L. Great image for the price (even if it's old tech), small, weapons rated, IR laser, bridges well.. the works. And I know a guy that has some!