Helion 2 XP50 vs new Bering Phenom

[kfin]

Ok, I thought I had this all figured out until I saw Kirsch's latest post and review of the new Phenom. Background....Until last year I used red lights and had a decent time doing it. Last year I moved up to the Wraith and absolutely loved it except for the FOV with the base mag of 4. I scanned with the wraith or the old red light. I know I have been missing a ton of critters so I am trying to move up to thermal for scanning. I don't mind the Wraith for shooting but I am going to order the new one with 2x base mag.

Most of my hunting is done in brushy areas with almost all shots under 200 yards. Occasionally we will go down to the bottoms and hunt the big fields. So for a scanner I really need a wide FOV 90% of the time. I was kind of set on the Helion 2 XP50, did not want to spend $4,000 on it though so have been hesitating. Totally a buy once kind of guy though..... Have any of you used both the new Phenom and the Helion XP50 (either the old one or new one)?

Looks to me like the FOV is about as good as you can get with a really nice picture (640 core) with those 2. Phenom appears to have a slight edge, but not much. Am I missing something when comparing them? Anything that the Pulsar Helion has that the Phenom doesn't? I don't mind spending the extra cash on it IF there is an advantage I'm missing. Right now it almost looks like the Phenom is the better buy to me. I don't need to zoom any more than the Phenom zooms...I think.

I also toyed with the idea of getting a Hogster 25 or 35 instead of the new Wraith. I could use it as my scanner until I have saved up enough again to buy my "scanner".

Thoughts? I know this "help me pick a scanner" gets old to some of you guys but man this is a lot of coin for an old country boy to drop.

Thanks,
Keith

 

[Kirsch]

Keith,

Here are my thoughts. I have used the Helion XP38 and XP50. They both are good optics. I have used the XP50 and the Phenom 17 µm scanner at the same time. On that night, the image of the Phenom was better. This was one night not days, weeks, or months of testing. However, I sold my XP50 after testing the Phenom for one night, so that should say something. Then Bering introduced the 12 µm version. My XP50 was sold before it arrived. Without comparing them on the same night at the same time, it is hard to say. However, I will say in general I believe the 12 µm version is another step up in image improvement over the 17 µm version. Bering thought so as well because they made this move to 12 µm.

I have only looked through the Helion2 at Shot Show, so I can't say for sure how much difference, and how it would compare.

Image: I would give the advantage to the Phenom. I have had it next to a Trijicon with BAE core and it was better in some ways and not as good in others from an image perspective. It totally held it's own with a 9K thermal. One thing I noticed is the image strobes a little. What I mean by that is the sensor is always trying to optimize the image. In doing this it can cause this strobing effect. It was really noticeable at first and now I don't really even notice it. It provides an amazing image, but it is something a little different.

As for the Helion 2, I don't see it being as good image-wise as a 640x480 12 µm but maybe.

Warranty: 4 years for the Phenom and 3 years for the Pulsar. Customer Service is good with both companies, but typically if there is something wrong or that needs service, Bering is super quick on turning things around..

Size: Phenom is a little smaller, and 3.5 ounces lighter.

Battery: This is a positive on the Helions. It has a good battery to start with, and you can buy swappable batteries. The Phenom has a 6 hour internal battery. The Phenom is easier to connect to a battery pack compared to the Helion (at least V1) as it had a strange sized micro-USB port that restricted the cables that would work.

Price: The Phenoms were $3,195. I have not heard an official announcement from Bering if the price is going to increase. Night Goggles received the 12 µm models at 17 µm pricing on the first order because the order was originally for the 17's. Either way, the Pulsar XP50 is around 4K. You will be saving almost 1K by going with the Phenom at least at existing prices, and a little less if there is an increase in the Phenom pricing.

FOV: They are similar with the Helion having a 12.4 vs the 13° with the Phenom so not a ton of difference, but slight edge to the Phenom. These will have a lot wider FOV than your Wraith but still not super wide. The older (discontinued) XP28 had a 22°. That is a wide FOV.

Eyepeice: Maybe a slight edge here to the Pulsar but I don't love either eyepiece.

Resale: Pulsar is the more known brand. However, in the last 12 months Bering has made huge strides in recogintion with the Hogsters. The Phenom is new but will gain popularity quickly. I still would say maybe a slight edge to Pulsar on this.

Recording: Pulsar has audio and video, and Bering is video only. Both have streaming and wifi but Bering is Android only.

Customization: Huge advantage to the Helion on this. At this time, the only adjustment to the Phenom is brightness. However, the sensor adjusts to and changes automatically so not as much need. I rarely touch my Super Hogster and have yet to change anything on the Phenom.

Focus: I like the focus mechanism better on the Phenom, but this is probably personal preference.

To me, the image, price, and warranty led me to move from the Helion to the Phenom, but I believe both will serve you well. The first batch of Phenoms shipped this week, so hopefully others who may have experience with XPs or other thermals can report their thoughts.

 

[kfin]

Wow, thanks for that answer! It sounds like I couldn't go wrong either way....sure wish they would bring back that XP28, that would be right down my alley.

The sound would be nice on a video but that isn't a game breaker. The battery deal I would have to give a big nod to Pulsar on, just from what I have read about Bering in this respect. But that is really the only bad thing I have seen very often about the company.

I look forward to hearing others thoughts when this first batch gets out into the field.