Night Vision RS64, PTS233, or other?

[WVC1119]

Currently my only thermal device is the Leupold LTO and I am in the market for an upgrade. The new FLIR PTS233 1.5-6x19 looks great, especially for just over $2000; however, I am seeing 640 units like the RS64 and Thor for $3500. With 4x the sensors, are these units worth shelling out the additional $1300-1500? This would be for hog and coyote hunting in open terrain in a warm environment and on a 6.5mm rifle.

 

[wigwamitus]

With a budget of $3,500 I would try to squeeze into a Pulsar Trail XQ50 ...

https://www.opticsplanet.com/pulsar-trail-thermal-imaging-sight.html

When you are ready to buy today, Call Optics Planet on the phone, tell them you are ready to buy today and offer something like $3,400 ... if they do not say yes (and they make a higher counter-offer) tell them you will think about it and come back here and post about it and we can consider other options.

The pulsars are great "bang for the buck" at the low end of the market ... I've owned 38mm, 50mm and 75mm pulsar thermal rifle scopes and I think the 50mm is the "sweet spot" ... Though right now I own a 38mm.

 

[WVC1119]

Excellent. Thank you for the advice, Sir.

 

[wigwamitus]

Will the 6.5mm rifle be a bolt gun?

 

[WVC1119]

No, it's a 6.5 Grendel AR.

Do you expect the new FLIR 50mm 12um to be released around the Trail XQ50 price range?

 

[wigwamitus]

A FLIR(Armasight) might be a little less in 320, but might be more for 640.

Data as to "when" such devices might be in "general release" (in stock at some dealers) seems to shift around.

==
I have a 6.5G(18) myself ... I replaced Sig 7.62(16) with the 6.5G(18) and love it. 2 pounds lighter ... hits transonic zone 895yds with 123gr AMAX, versus 725yds with 168gr AMAX for the 7.62(16). Lighter, but longer reach.

==
Are you looking to make this gun real light?

I would hope a 12 micron would be smaller/lighter than a 17.

Per the manual

http://www.pulsar-nv.com/upload/iblock/e58/instructions_TRAIL.pdf

The XQ50 weighs 19.8 oz without batteries or mount. The old Zeus Pro 50mm(17) is 2 pounds per it's manual. The XQ does have some video recording capability built in to that weight.
==

 

[WVC1119]

http://www.nightvisionguys.com/flir...-30hz-thermal-weapon-sight-with-boson-320x256. This is the FLIR Unit I was speaking of, "released in Q4 2017". I think the extra range would help me get to the shooting distances I want but I am concerned about a shorter detection range compared to 640 units.

Weight is not too much of a concern since most shooting will be off of a hog saddle and the 6.5G is already so much handier than any AR10s I've had.

​​​​

 

[wigwamitus]

http://www.nightvisionguys.com/ther...-30hz-thermal-weapon-sight-with-boson-320x256

Aye, basically the "Boson Zeuses" .. 4x and 6x ... with that much magnification those are definitely "long distance" devices ...

I sold my Zeus Pro because 4x was too much magnification for me ... most of my hunting shots, night or day are around 100yds ... and 4x is a lot of magnification at night at 100yds.

But you are in "open terrain" ... so might not be able to sneak up on hogs to 100yds and might have to shoot at 300yds? So 4x would be useful in that case.