Best thermal scopes under $6000?

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predatorhunter223

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Looking for the best thermal scope under $6k would like to spend less than 5, but willing to pay a little more. I would like the sight to be 640 definition, and want to be able to ID a coyote out to 250 yards. I have no experience at all with thermals but have been doing a lot of research over the past month and am looking for any pointers! Thank you!
 
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Just learning about thermals but was told by many others that Trijicon Hunters are some of the best. Recently Optics Planet had MKII’s for $4,880 which is a savings of about $1,100. Might go on sale again. Also heard that the Pulsar Trail is a good one as is the new FLIR. The Pulsar and FLIR are about 1/2 the price of the Trijicon.
 
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Based on MAP pricing the Pulsar Trail XP lineup probably meets all of your requirements. For more money, the IR Hunter Mk3 series by Trijicon is a noticeable upgrade in image quality. For many that upgrade isn’t worth the price. For others it’s money well spent.

There are deals to be had on all brands if one shops around.
 
Armasight Zeus 640 3x18x75mm is there. Try Night Vision Guys. You can find videos on youtube.
 
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I think the Trail xp50s we use are probably plenty sufficient. My advice is leave money for an equivilant handheld. Once you get spoiled with the crisp view of the gun mounter optics you will find yourself ignoring a handheld with less resolution. Swinging a gun around all night gets old and occasionally sweeping you buddy with your muzzle at point blank range gets old even quicker.....like after the 1st time lol.
I gotta add a Helion to my collection asap.
 
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Before I answer, since I’m pretty new here I’d like to say 2 things. .....
1. I’m not affiliated in any way with anybody selling the stuff. So my answers are unbiased and based on my experiences.
2. I hunt pigs in Texas 3-4 nights a week. So I use the stuff more than most folks I think

The best image through the eye piece is ird/trijicon. If you compare any other to it, assuming same lens size /price range. Period. This is why they sell for a premium. ....Anybody that tells you any different, is most likely trying to sell you another brand.

Pulsar provides an excellent product, at way more affordable price . They are not junk. If I were to start all over. I’d buy all pulsar stuff. The image will not be as good as IRD, but they are still very good equipment. Mine get used side by side with my IRD

Armasight I don’t use anymore. My personal experience since they were bought by flir, has been less then spectacular. Used they’re stuff and liked the higher end. Low end left a lot to be desired in my personal opinion.
 
Sorry didn’t answer fully. Hit submit too soon.

The pulsar xp38/50 will both get job done at 250. And xq will too. But you’ll be using the animals movement, in part to get that Id. IRD will do all of the above, just with a better image. We kill plenty of coyotes, but there target of opportunity, while killing pigs. We never actually go after them intentionally. That’s the reason I’m here ultimately, to learn to actually set up, call ect. Hope this helps. If you want some pictures through the eyepiece of any mentioned here, send me pm with phone number. I’ll be glad to text them to you
 
Thank you! That does help! I am kinda torn between the pulsar and the Trijicons. Most of my shots are under 150 but I have had several dogs hang up out at at 200-250. I probably won’t be ready till buy for a few more months since I over research thinks before I pull the trigger. Thank you for the input!
 
Trijicon’s are fantastic. They also offer a upgrade program. You can upgrade your equipment without having to try and sell your used stuff. I believe this is a huge advantage they have over the competition.
 
Just decide what’s most important, image quality, or bonus features (rechargeable battery, recording etc) and go from there . Native mag will be important if your shooting 200+ on regular basis. My mk2s are 35 mm because it fits me best . If I was shooting 200+ on regular basis I’d want mk3 60mm which is 4.5x I think . The pulsar 50 is 1.8 I think, so even at 2x , your under 4x. Not sure if that’s good enough or not. I’m a pig killer. That’s up close, I’d personally want more if shooting smaller targets at range . I’d say come use my stuff and see what you like , but I see you’re in NY . That’s a ways from here
 
You will find the 1.6 native mag on the Trail xp50 is all that is needed with pip up to 12.8x. We have killed coyote aroumd 320 yards with them. Fov is a big deal imo
 
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Originally Posted By: varminter .223You will find the 1.6 native mag on the Trail xp50 is all that is needed with pip up to 12.8x. We have killed coyote aroumd 320 yards with them. Fov is a big deal imo


If you are primarily going to use the scope for calling the above is your answer. It is hard to grasp how important that FOV is when calling fast moving coyotes, multiple targets, and running animals leaving after a shot. The advantage of the Pulsar is the PIP which allows you to have a magnified window at the top for making a longer standing shot while still maintaining the big FOV on the main screen.

I don't have an XP50 Trail model which is obviously the Cadillac for Pulsar. I do have a one year old Apex XD50A. It has 2x native mag. and 8x in the PIP. Here are a couple of videos at coyotes killed over 200 yds. Hope it helps you decide, but remember the 640 XP model is much better than my 384 XD model.

This one was at 221 yds. laser ranged.



This one was at 265 yds. also laser ranged.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odeUc0mA-Gc&t=60s
 
I agree. FOV seems to best the last consideration in a lot of cases. It should be the first. You can't shoot what you can't find in the scope.
 
Make sure you go for a company that has good customer service as well. If you ever have to have a repair done to your scope I know of one company that is not (F)un to deal with!
 
Originally Posted By: bobfoxMake sure you go for a company that has good customer service as well. If you ever have to have a repair done to your scope I know of one company that is not (F)un to deal with!


What company is that?


Please don't say Optics Planet.
 
Originally Posted By: wardogoOriginally Posted By: bobfoxMake sure you go for a company that has good customer service as well. If you ever have to have a repair done to your scope I know of one company that is not (F)un to deal with!


What company is that?


Please don't say Optics Planet.

I think the (F) is a dead giveaway...and its not Ford.
 
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Originally Posted By: Uncle JimboOriginally Posted By: wardogoOriginally Posted By: bobfoxMake sure you go for a company that has good customer service as well. If you ever have to have a repair done to your scope I know of one company that is not (F)un to deal with!


What company is that?


Please don't say Optics Planet.

I think the (F) is a dead giveaway...and its not Ford.


lol, no clue who that is. But then again I'm just getting into thermals.
 
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