Night Vision Thermal for coyote hunting

[Matman2010]

I know this question probably gets asked a lot, but from my searching around I kept coming up with a Pulsar that is no longer made. Kansas just allowed using thermals for coyote hunting for 3 months of the year. Looking to get into a 2-3k budget thermal but have no idea what to even look for. Shots will be less than 300 yards. So what do you suggest I look into?

Thanks, Matt

 

[Muncho]

Trail xp50

 

[kirsch]

There are only a few options in this price range. For this price, the Hogster series from Bering Optics is the best value in the thermal game. It has become our hottest seller at Night Goggles. Many of the other more affordable options become almost worthless when the humidity gets high. The Hogsters still perform really well. There are 3 models. 25mm, 35mm, and Super Hogster. The table below gives you the differences between them.

For what you described, I would probably recommend the Hogster 35. It falls in the sweet spot for FOV and magnification. However, if you need some shots up to 300, I would then recommend the Super Hogster.

Hogster 35 Coyote Video:


Super Hogster Video:

 

[324matt]

Ive seen them all. Buy a pulsar xq50lrf and slay the yotes. Should be in at 3799. Dont buy a used trail. They have issues.

 

[Langford]

Are there any thermal clip on units in the 3-4K range that can be used with a regular variable power/magnification scope?

 

[kirsch]

Are there any thermal clip on units in the 3-4K range that can be used with a regular variable power/magnification scope?

Bering optics makes the Hogster-C. Night Goggles sells a lot more of the standard weapon Hogster-R versions. The reason is with a QD style mount, it can be a scanner in about 2 seconds. The clip-on can be a scanner as well, but you have to thread on an eyepeice, it is 3x base mag (which is a little high for some as a scanner)and it costs almost 1K more. If you really need a clip-on, it is a good option at this price range.

 

[Mbaysinger89]

Leica just came out with a 640 1x clipon. I haven't really heard any info, but it looks like MAP is $3999.

 

[TheHorta]

Leica just came out with a 640 1x clipon. I haven't really heard any info, but it looks like MAP is $3999.

They have two models — a 388px 1x “Sight” and a 640px 2.5x “View” with 42mm objective. The “Sight” has an OLED display and the “View” has a 1280x960 LCOS display and uses a 12µm 640x512 core.

They also look kinda sexy. Definitely gonna pick one up. Sounds promising. Only problem is permanently installed rechargeable battery.

 

[Mbaysinger89]

I thought I read on Leica's information that they can also be powered by your power source of choice. Could be confused between the sight and scanner.

Edit
Quote from Leica-
"- Integrated, protected battery, additionally possible with powerbank use"
Also definately not a 640 sight. 640 on the scanner. Which is too bad. Id be really excited about a 640 clip on for 4k.

 

[Chips26]

Echoing this....is there a decent thermal clip on or full scope in the $1-2k range or is it not even worth bothering at that price point?

 

[kirsch]

Echoing this....is there a decent thermal clip on or full scope in the $1-2k range or is it not even worth bothering at that price point?

Clip on probably not. For a weapon's sight, if you could find a used Pulsar Apex, knowing if you need service you are out of luck. For low to mid 2K range you can get into a Hogster 25 or 35. You could buy a Pulsar RXQ30 or a used Flir PTS233, but they really struggle in humidity. I would save your money and get a Hogster.