I hope that you get many fine years from your AGM. It is an entry-level option however.
This is not a dig, but I know how fiercely loyal you are to everything you purchase. On some things like the XTR II for the price we will agree. Others we will not.
I’m not fiercely loyal to everything I buy, only the things that I find to have good quality. I’ve bought plenty of duds and garbage over the years that I will never recommend to anyone.
Also, I could drop $15,000-20,000 on a new 1024 or 1280 thermal scope, or a Rico 75…But I’m not going to. Night hunting is tons of fun, and I did it for years before owning my own NV, but it’s not my entire existence. Nor do I feel the need for the phallic extension or internet bragging rights (not saying you do, just saying some folks only buy expensive things to impress others). I buy things I want, whether it impresses anyone, or not. If I think something is a good buy, or worth the money, I post about it and recommend it. Isn’t that what forums are for?
I’d argue that no thermal scopes on the market in the 640+ range are an “entry-level” optic, but range from low-to-upper mid level.
Sure, they’re 256 models, and smaller 384’s I would certainly agree are entry level. I would consider the 640’s mid-range based on performance, not on price alone. A guy I know has a new Trijicon IR-HUNTER MKII 60mm ($9,500 MSRP) that are normally sold in the $6,500-7,500 range, and the performance is neck and neck with my Rattler TS50-640. They’re also spec’d very similarly, too. After looking through both, I honestly don’t think I could justify spending double the price on the Trijicon. Just me though. Everyone has their own opinions and reasonings, and to each, his own.
