Night Vision Thermal Imaging Magnification Clarity

[DragginDogs]

I am in the market for my first thermal imaging scope and I have a question about magnification clarity.

Let's Use the ATN Thor 4 for example. I am wondering if the 10x power on the 640 1-10x model will function the equivalent of the 10x power on the 640 1.5-15x model. As long as they are both 640 it would seem to me that they should be of equivalent clarity unless there is a difference in the objective lens size.

I don't understand why there is such a lean for the higher power scopes and I am trying to justify the significant extra cost. Because even during the day I shoot most of my coyotes on 10x power and only crank it up for standing still shots over 200 yards. Long range shooting would be fun but not necessary, especially at night, so I feel no need to go past the 1-10x power. Change my mind.

Thanks

 

[DoubleHaul]

The key is the difference between optical zoom (what you're doing with glass in a traditional scope), and digital zoom (what the thermal optic is doing). Think about it like blowing up a digital image - you quickly become pixelated. On digital optics right now you are getting the full resolution at the base magnification and then digitally zooming into that exactly like you would on a digital image.

Edit: I may have misunderstood your question. Yes, 10x on a 1.5-10 or 1.5-15 digital optic would look the same (both have the same base magnification). I don't personally have experience with a 640, but I have serious doubts about a 1.5x base magnification 640 being usable at 10x.

 

[DragginDogs]

So if I am understanding you correctly. The first number is a non-adjustable optical zoom and the second number is the max digital zoom? As opposed to a standard scope that lists the range of the optical zoom. ex: 4-16x.

If this is the case I agree that I don't see how you could digitally zoom 10x and retain any kind of picture quality, it would have to become extremely pixelated.

 

[DoubleHaul]

Yep, exactly.

 

[TheHorta]

1x = 640px
2x = 320
4x = 160
8x = 80
10x = 64

64px spread across a 640/VGA+ OLED is, to all practical extent, worthless in most situations. It's all digital zoom. Anything beyond 4x/160px greatly diminishes usefulness.

 

[kirsch]

Find a thermal with a decent FOV and native magnification that equates or works for the majority of your hunting applications. It is OK to digitally zoom once in awhile, but you do lose a lot of image quality. Talk to a quality thermal dealer and describe your hunting terrain, target species, shot distances, and budget and they can help you decide on the best option for you.