Thermal optics
- Thread starter Bander124
- Start date
I think you’re going to be in the $2k range for a thermal worth having if you want me to be honest. Some of these newer 384 units from wave, iray, and nocpix should all focus to 10 yards depending on model. These newer 384 units are getting pretty darn good, I’m partial to Iray for scopes and pulsar for scanners. I would call Midwest thermal optic in walnut Illinois. They are really good people and will actually check if it will focus at 7 yards. Plus they may have a demo or slightly used scope to get you in budget. This is some demo footage from a wave 384 that was sent from another dealer.
Upvote 0
Thank you for the information. I’ll check them out. I pretty much shoot mice in some out buildings. Range of 5 to 15 yrds. I have night vision but I feel I’m missing a lot.
Upvote 0
If it’s that close you can run 256. But 384 would be amazing at that range. This is a mouse at 50 yards on my Iray th50c it’s a 640 unit. But for your uses I would look at the bolt tl 25 2x base mag(thermal and nv tend to have a narrow fov). It’s a 384 unit for $1500 plus it looks like a regular scope so it’s easier to get it back where you need it.
Upvote 0
Okay I took my hand held out it will focus to 5 yards it is a telos xp50. It’s a 640x480 2.5 mag( but angular view is more important for you). 12.4x9.3 degrees which equals 65.1ftwide x49ft high fov at 100 yards roughly. But anyways here is a couple pics of my dobe at 5 yards, she is 110ish lbs @ 2.5x and a doe 135yards @2.5x and 10x. Quality drops of quick with magnification. I’ve never tested my close focus but I’m pretty sure my scope will match my handheld or come really close to it. If I can help with any info feel free to pm me and ask anything, have messed with them for a few years.
Upvote 0
The IRay RICO RH50 requires about 10-11 yards to acquire a crisp focus. At 7 yards you can kind of make things out, but it's blurry.
Upvote 0
Okay I got curious so I brewed my morning coffee and dug out my scope. Here is 5 yards with the hand held(telos) and older iray bolt.
Telos has range finder showed 5 yards to coffee mug.
Iray you can actually see where the graphics on the mug are holding in some of the heat.
Telos has range finder showed 5 yards to coffee mug.
Iray you can actually see where the graphics on the mug are holding in some of the heat.
Upvote 0
I can get a sharp focus under 3 yards with a couple of different Pulsar's. That's with the focus ring(s) not entirely to the stop.
This is three short paces to my pup. That dark spot on the hip is cancer. Scope is a Pulsar XG50 Thermion.
This is three short paces to my pup. That dark spot on the hip is cancer. Scope is a Pulsar XG50 Thermion.
Last edited:
Upvote 0
This AGN Thermal is in 25mm which gives a wide angle of view. It is only 256, but it will work quite well for your purpose.
www.opticsplanet.com
AGM Global Vision RattlerV2 25-256 25mm Thermal Imaging Rifle Scope 314218550204R221, Color: Black, $104.00 Off w/ Free S&H
Shop AGM Global Vision RattlerV2 25-256 25mm Thermal Imaging Rifle Scope | $104.00 Off 4.8 Star Rating on 12 Reviews for AGM Global Vision RattlerV2 25-256 25mm Thermal Imaging Rifle Scope Best Rated...
www.opticsplanet.com Upvote 0
I had a PARD SA3 2/19 which I used for mice and rats and it went down to sub-10 yards for the short shots. It's 384k and with LRF under your price point. But it pixilated badly once you zoomed in, so I used it 90% at its lowest zoom level. If you don't need the LRF it is under $1k, but I won't get one without the LRF again!
Like all thernmal users, I upgraded to 640k units and now went hog wild with a 1280x1024 unit and yes it actually focuses down to 10 yards and I can count the whiskers on the rat!
Like all thernmal users, I upgraded to 640k units and now went hog wild with a 1280x1024 unit and yes it actually focuses down to 10 yards and I can count the whiskers on the rat!
Upvote 0
It’s crazy how clear things have come. Last time I looked at thermal was the thor4 its cost to image quality was not worth it. Also seeing no one has mentioned atn that says enough for me to look at others.
Upvote 0
Having a thermal that focuses down to 7 yds would be a little more convenient. As is I sometimes find I have to back up a yard or two, to ensure I'm not about to nail a neighbour's cat, i.e. it's not just a fat rat I'm looking at.
Upvote 0
Here's a shot of the Hikmicro 1280x1024 at 8 feet away! It's also this clear at 300 yards! @Bander124 It is out of your price range... The good news is that they are all getting better and less expensive as time moves on!
Upvote 0
5 yards is not a requirement it was a hope. 7 to 10yds is more of a Requirement though. I was hopeing not to spend a lot since it’s only used to bop rodents or vermin. I’ve searched the net and YouTube. That’s pretty frustrating since most vids are of blasting hogs. The internet has pretty much became worthless in the last few years. These forums are a wealth of information. I won’t purchase anything until after the holidays. Too many expenses between last month and March.
Upvote 0
Are you going to strictly remain under ten yards? If so, why not go for a day and night scope with an IR light?
Not trying to steer you away from Thermals.
I have.
The pulsar XQ35 LRF Pro and it's amazing. It is a 384 res, with 2x minimum zoom 8x max. I got it for $1600 from a friend but I see them on sale for $2000 on amazon. The non LRF is around $1400 and the XQ30 is around $1300. Mine has worked extremely well under 10yds
Not trying to steer you away from Thermals.
I have.
The pulsar XQ35 LRF Pro and it's amazing. It is a 384 res, with 2x minimum zoom 8x max. I got it for $1600 from a friend but I see them on sale for $2000 on amazon. The non LRF is around $1400 and the XQ30 is around $1300. Mine has worked extremely well under 10yds
Upvote 0
I found a mouse last night. It's at about 26 yards. I was holding the scope and looking around, so it's a bit choppy. I cut off the remaining zoom as it was shakier than a roller coaster ride!
As @JaceSpace1369 was saying about the NV scope... I put the thermal scope down and shot it with my Cricket II 45 tactical in .22 with a DNT 3x12 NV scope. I like thermal to find them and NV to shoot them! I need to get another monocular!
As @JaceSpace1369 was saying about the NV scope... I put the thermal scope down and shot it with my Cricket II 45 tactical in .22 with a DNT 3x12 NV scope. I like thermal to find them and NV to shoot them! I need to get another monocular!
Upvote 0
If this is what OP really wants to do, then I would recommend the DNT 225. It does everything reasonably at a low price for short distances.
Upvote 0