Thermal decision??

foxrunner

foxrunner

Well-known member
Budget wise I have it narrowed down to the AGM Rattler V2 50-640 and the Rix Storm S6R
Pros and cons on both, thanks
 
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Rattler takes proprietary batteries and is plain jane in features. 50mm lens. 2.5x base mag
Storm takes 18650 batteries, has LRF and ballistics.35mm lens. 2x base mag
Both have the same warranties.
Rix has more features for the same or less $.

SJC
 
Running coyote @ 150 yds, off hand with rattler 35-640 V2. Rabbit and dillos @ 100. Haven't had a problem with the batteries. I don't need the LRF or ballistic deal. Also have an Iray Bolt, happy with both.
 
I don't know much about either but live/hunt SW PA. Had 2x base, went to 3 and 2.8 and would not want to use 2x again. 200y in PIP at 4x is not very forgiving and I don't want to be fidgeting with buttons "in the moment" to up the power. I have LRF and don't use it other than occasionally checking distance to landmarks while setting up or after a kill. Most scopes have a reticle that you can "fudge" as a quick range finder.
 
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I don't use PIP and leave the scope on 2x base. IIRC the yote was (4x), no problem. Rabbit was 16x base just to get good ID, close to pixelated. It was a small cottontail. Dillos and possum was 4x base.
 
The few Rix I have played with are sweet. I want to upgrade to one with LRF, had way too many dogs hang up at 350+ and not knowing how far I didnt sling any lead besides the first one of the year that looked closer but I was throwing sound at it, ranged it during the day it was 500yds.
 
I hate it that AGM went away from the CR123 batteries on the V2. I have the V1 and love it. I prefer the lower base for close in work.
I also have the iRay Bolt and love it for Coyotes…still wish it had a lower base, but make do with the 3.5. But, I do love the fact it has an internal battery as well.
When I purchase another thermal, batteries and base magnification will be my deciding factor.
 
Ok, they’re cheap, I can swap them out in less than 15secs in the field, and they last several hours. Not sure how that’s a bad thing. 18650’s are the same, I buy an 8pk a year and they last all year and get the same or better hour average out of them. May just be geographical differences for what you need. I don’t need “high demand” optics to kill out to 200yds max. Maybe if I ever head out West or somewhere I can see clearly past 200yds my needs might change.
 
Manufacturers are making optics that are filled with hungry electronics that are drawing more power than the little 123's can store and that destroys the batteries.
The cold eats 123's like pez candy and when using my Pulsar Apex I'd have to change them every hour on a good day.
SJC
 
Don’t know too much about this “cold” you speak of, lol. Maybe that’s why they work great for me and last longer than an hour, especially on standby. As I go through the year and with the recharges they get they tend to lose some power, but that’s when you buy new.
So how long are these high demand optics batteries lasting? And what’s the price for a spares or to replace?
 
The last thermal optic I had that used 4ct 123's to power it was the Nvision Halo I purchased in 2020.
I sold it promptly when they came out with the X50 that's powered by 18650's.
Both of the scope choices the OP listed don't use 123's for a reason and the temperature has nothing to do with it.
SJC
 
Spurchaser said:
Don’t know too much about this “cold” you speak of, lol. Maybe that’s why they work great for me and last longer than an hour, especially on standby. As I go through the year and with the recharges they get they tend to lose some power, but that’s when you buy new.
So how long are these high demand optics batteries lasting? And what’s the price for a spares or to replace?
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Mark, I would bet you could get 10-12 hrs out of the V2 AGM thermals with the 4400 proprietary battery down there in the tropics. 🙂 My scope (Rattler V2 35-640) and batteries are brand new this year and I’m getting 7-8hrs out of one battery every night out. …..and this year it’s been cold, for here anyway, and especially since we’re in a global warming climate change (only kidding). The scope came with 2 and I bought another ($75) and I rotate between the 3 of them and charge them as soon as I’m done hunting. Time will tell their longevity.
 
Thanks Don, not sure why Shoots is upset about batteries, unless they cost him a coyote or two. I haven’t had any issues with either of the scopes/batteries I have and would recommend either brand.
 
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