1st scanner or upgrade thermal scope?

Spidicus

Spidicus

Active member
I have a hogster r35 thermal scope. But I have no scanner. Should I buy a decent scanner or just upgrade from the hogster?
I noticed rix currently has a sale on their S6 640 scope that includes a free k2 256 scanner for free for 2800.
Budget is 3k. I hunt open mohave desert.
 
I agree you're looking through the scanner more but I want the best resolution possible (that I can afford) when I'm putting the crosshairs on the animal. If most of your shots are long and you're using the zoom, the first level up drops your scope resolution nearly in half. (640<384, 384<256) I'm using a 384 AGM 2x base thermal handheld to locate the animal. Here in the northeast most of my shots are under 200 yds and any wide open fields are a rarity where I'm at so I'll zoom maybe to 4x. I can see their heat signature fine with my handheld but I'll use my scope (digital night vision) (rifle is next to me mounted on a tripod) to positively ID the animal. This works for me but these guys have been at it far longer than I have so don't put to much faith in what I have to say. Just my two cents. So many of you guys have much better hunting areas than I do, most of mine is fairly close mature wooded terrain. I'd love to see the coyote coming from 500 yards away.
 
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I hunt the northeast. NY specifically. When I went thermal I opted for a 384 scanner to get my feet wet in the thermal game. It works fine for detection, and that is all I thought I wanted. Logic was such that I know something is out there, and I could confirm what I am seeing with my scope if I couldn't accurately identify with my scanner. The system works fine for me. However, I now have a different perspective. You will scan far more than shoot. Detection and positive identification through a scanner is safer than detecting with a mounted scope. I know if I was out and another hunter picked me up as a heat signature, I would much prefer they were identifying me with handheld scanner, rather than a rifle.

I would now opt for a better scanner if it were my decision.
 
I have used a 384 scanner (Bering r25 scope) for 3-4 yrs (can't remember when they became legal in PA) I bought a 640 (Rix Stride ST6) a few weeks ago. The better pic is nice, and I have less eye strain (only 1 good eye) BUT i don't think I was handicapped with the 384. I could ID out to several hundred yards by the movement of the critters 'most of the time'.
As far as needing a "crisp" target: I used to think that but now I do not. My Thermion allows me to zoom the PIP incrementally to what I want instead of 'X steps' as most scopes. I run PIP at 15x and shoot with it for everything except the "in your lap" shots. Just get to the center of where you want to hit in the image and shoot. I have always used the PIP to shoot with my Bering r35 and Super Hogster also.
 
I just read old cat’s post then re/read the original. Your r35 will work great in your terrain as a scanner.
Research then get a scope.
Spidicus said:
I have a hogster r35 thermal scope. But I have no scanner. Should I buy a decent scanner or just upgrade from the hogster?
I noticed rix currently has a sale on their S6 640 scope that includes a free k2 256 scanner for free for 2800.
Budget is 3k. I hunt open mohave desert.
Click to expand...
 
I hunt in mixed field/ wooded terrain, so the wider FOV 384 res scanner works fine.
I also have a 640 fuzion that works great when I'm scanning the farm fields.
As was stated in other post's, get the best you can afford.
A scanner is useful for security and hunting/recovering other game if legal in your state.
SJC
 
I just recently bought a scanner/monocular because I walk a lot of open ranch fields ambushing coyotes and it's a whole lot easier to scan with something you can hold in one hand versus something that weighs about as much as a newborn calf :D

It lets me leave my rifle slung on my shoulder until I have something that I need to set up the tripod for and clamp on the rifle.

That having been said, go for the highest resolution scanner that you can afford.
 
After seeing this pop up again and reading through the post, I’m agreeing with old cat, use your existing scope as a scanner and get a nice scope.

Since this question first popped up, not only has the scanner showed us more critters than a rifle scope alone, it has recovered quite a few critters for us.
One hog ran in some real THICK stuff. My 10yr old spotted it looking back behind us after we’d lost blood (actually took wrong trail) and he guided me to it. Even though I had a really good headlamp I COULD NOT see that hog until I was literally on top of it. He was laughing saying “Dad you’re about to step on it!!” Pretty certain we wouldn’t have found it without a scanner, and walking around with the rifle and trying to scan would’ve really sucked.
 
Same as above hogster for scanner and your choice for scope. Rattler 384 works for scanning and locating the 'kill'. Finding a dillo in tall grass with a headlamp doesn't work.
 
hunt0168 said:
I hunt the northeast. NY specifically. When I went thermal I opted for a 384 scanner to get my feet wet in the thermal game. It works fine for detection, and that is all I thought I wanted. Logic was such that I know something is out there, and I could confirm what I am seeing with my scope if I couldn't accurately identify with my scanner. The system works fine for me. However, I now have a different perspective. You will scan far more than shoot. Detection and positive identification through a scanner is safer than detecting with a mounted scope. I know if I was out and another hunter picked me up as a heat signature, I would much prefer they were identifying me with handheld scanner, rather than a rifle.

I would now opt for a better scanner if it were my decision.
Click to expand...
Well said Bob!
Soup
 
Scanner link
I linked to a scanner that is very good especially for the money.
Definitely get a good scanner so you can ID things before putting a rifle on them.
A person for sure spends way more time scanning than shooting. A good scanner will help with eye fatigue as well.
 
Without a doubt buy a scanner. It will make your hunting a lot more enjoyable and as mentioned above, safer.

I also agree that you should buy the best scanner that you can afford.

However, if your terrain, style of hunting, etc is anything like mine here in SC/NC I feel no handicap whatsoever using a 384 scanner. Especially a newer one. Even if I could, I have no desire to even attempt a 300+ yard shot on a coyote at night. It's just not how I like to hunt.

From what I've seen the S6 is a really good scope for the money. Just keep in mind that it's only a 2x base mag.

Whatever you decide to do make sure you let us know....
 
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