Rix Storm 3 vs Leap 3

[PearlWhiteGT]

Looking to purchase my first thermal in the near future and these two are on my list. Any of you have experience with both of them? Is there any reason other than the optical zoom to spend the extra money for the Leap 3? Will be used for hogs in high humidity conditions.

 

[brazz04]

I have an S3 as I use it as both a scanner and scope as I don't see much use in buying two thermals for my needs (hogs under 150yards in central Texas). I do enjoy the S3 and the quick detach. The Leap 3 has "optical" zoom, but that only zooms the eyepiece in further on the digital screen, so you aren't getting an actual optical zoom of any sort. The optical zoom is not the same as say an AGM Secutor that changes lenses and adds more base magnification with the same resolution at a higher base magnification. If this thing had true 3x-10x optical zoom that would open up a heck of a lot of longer range thermal hunting.

 

[PearlWhiteGT]

I have an S3 as I use it as both a scanner and scope as I don't see much use in buying two thermals for my needs (hogs under 150yards in central Texas). I do enjoy the S3 and the quick detach. The Leap 3 has "optical" zoom, but that only zooms the eyepiece in further on the digital screen, so you aren't getting an actual optical zoom of any sort. The optical zoom is not the same as say an AGM Secutor that changes lenses and adds more base magnification with the same resolution at a higher base magnification. If this thing had true 3x-10x optical zoom that would open up a heck of a lot of longer range thermal hunting.

Do you use the digital zoom at all on the S3? My main reason I was eyeing the Leap L3 was for when zooming in. Feel like the so called optical zoom would help out more than digital zoom.

 

[shoots100]

The rix zoom feature is an ocular zoom, not an optical zoom.
It magnifies the display and doesn't degrade the resolution when zooming.
It does minimize the size of the display, but it isn't really noticeable when targeting prey at longer ranges, which is what it is there for.
When combined with the digital zoom, it makes longer range shots feasible.

SJC

 

[carbonbased]

From a review I just saw the ocular zoom was described this way: the zooming does NOT show up in any recording. The zoom degrades the image less than digital zoom, but a certain percentage of people will have to refocus the diopter each time you zoom the ocular.

This review:

 

[PearlWhiteGT]

Thanks, I've seen that video along with a few others. Is that the same quality you see through when looking through the optic or is it better than what is recorded?

 

[ChrisAU]

I just posted a Storm S3 for sale, and I hesitated for a few weeks. I built a 22 Creed bolt gun for night hunting so I went to a tube style, but I'll say this about Rix - they knocked the UI part out of the park. Easily the most easy to use thermal I've ever touched, and I've had a bunch. I did not go with a Leap because I think the "optical" zoom is a gimmick and they are overpriced with the iRay and Pard options out there.

 

[PearlWhiteGT]

I understand the gimmick of optical zoom but I do use whatever type of zoom feature that the optic has. Just feel that the gimmick would serve me well rather than digital zoom. But I have no experience with thermals so I'm just guessing.

I do use a Sightmark Wraith 4K Max DNV with a Sniper Hog IR light on my 6.8 SPC AR and it has done the job for me. I do use the digital zoom on it when taking shots. I thought about buying the 4K Mini 4x32 and a Rix K3 for scanning which would be less than a thermal. Whatever optic I purchase will be going on my AR10 .308.

 

[carbonbased]

I just posted a Storm S3 for sale, and I hesitated for a few weeks. I built a 22 Creed bolt gun for night hunting so I went to a tube style, but I'll say this about Rix - they knocked the UI part out of the park. Easily the most easy to use thermal I've ever touched, and I've had a bunch. I did not go with a Leap because I think the "optical" zoom is a gimmick and they are overpriced with the iRay and Pard options out there.

I’m looking at the L3 upon the advice of Outdoor Legacy. I don’t have experience with that vendor. They run the show Late Night Vision Show on YT.

ANYWAY, what iRay or Pard products would you suggest? And are iRay products mostly rebranded Pard? Maybe that’s someone else.

 

[ChrisAU]

I’m looking at the L3 upon the advice of Outdoor Legacy. I don’t have experience with that vendor. They run the show Late Night Vision Show on YT.

ANYWAY, what iRay or Pard products would you suggest? And are iRay products mostly rebranded Pard? Maybe that’s someone else.

The iRay TL35V2 can be had for under $2k right now. I just got a discontinued Pard 384 to get me by until the new releases and I like it a good bit for a tube style scope. iRay is releasing something new this Friday in the tube style world. No idea about if one brand is the same as another or not.

 

[carbonbased]

The iRay TL35V2 can be had for under $2k right now. I just got a discontinued Pard 384 to get me by until the new releases and I like it a good bit for a tube style scope. iRay is releasing something new this Friday in the tube style world. No idea about if one brand is the same as another or not.

Cool. Looks like I’m on the right track, as the iRay TL35V2 is what I’m already interested in. But OL didn’t have any as it’s discontinued (as you prob know).

What I’d prefer is the Bolt 50c from iRay, but twice as much. That’s discontinued too.

 

[PearlWhiteGT]

Cool. Looks like I’m on the right track, as the iRay TL35V2 is what I’m already interested in. But OL didn’t have any as it’s discontinued (as you prob know).

What I’d prefer is the Bolt 50c from iRay, but twice as much. That’s discontinued too.

I read nothing but great things about the Bolt 35 for $2K. I agree on the Bolt 50. Out of my price range though.

 

[shoots100]

I've been using an L3 as my backup scope for awhile now and it's performed admirably.
I didn't want to spend more than $2,500 for a backup scope.
The ocular zoom isn't a gimmick, it works as designed.
It makes a 384 scope a viable option for longer range shot's.
The scope doesn't record the zoomed image because it's magnifying on the ocular side, not the objective side.
Here's a video of a fox that was almost 300 yards away when taken.
I didn't have to digitally magnify the scope to make the shot.
As with most thermal optics, the actual image looks a lot better than the downloaded image.
SJC

 

[PearlWhiteGT]

I've been using an L3 as my backup scope for awhile now and it's performed admirably.
I didn't want to spend more than $2,500 for a backup scope.
The ocular zoom isn't a gimmick, it works as designed.
It makes a 384 scope a viable option for longer range shot's.
The scope doesn't record the zoomed image because it's magnifying on the ocular side, not the objective side.
Here's a video of a fox that was almost 300 yards away when taken.
I didn't have to digitally magnify the scope to make the shot.
As with most thermal optics, the actual image looks a lot better than the downloaded image.
SJC

Thanks, what’s your main thermal you use?

 

[Slayor]

When it comes to thermal optics, the Leap 3 offers some advantages beyond just optical zoom. In high humidity conditions, you may benefit from better image clarity and contrast which can be crucial for spotting hogs, so the leap 3 typically has improved thermal sensitivity and resolution that allows better detection at long ranges.

 

[PearlWhiteGT]

Thanks fellas, I'm leaning more towards just going with a thermal scanner like the Rix K2 or K3 for spotting and a DNV scope. The new AGM Spectrum LRF 4K looks really nice. Just not sure if the cost is worth it over something like the Sightmark Wraith 4K Mini. I don't need nor will really use the LRF.