Close range thermal suggestion

smilner01

smilner01

New member
I am thinking of getting a thermal scope to use while pig hunting and maybe critter calling. I am going to mount it on a 38/357 suppressed rifle that I realistically keep to a 100 yard or less shot. What thermal on the lower end of the price spectrum will give good FOV and ID at close ranges?
 
FLIR PTS233: Good choice based on requirements. 1.5x base mag. Price around $2,200 and includes a good mount, video recording, color reticles and palettes.

Pulsar Core RXQ30: Another option in a similar price range. It has a 1.6x base mag. It was discontinued late this year, but Pulsar announced at Shot Show they are bringing it back without a green tinted screen. $1,900. It does not have recording and some of the other bells and whistles of the Flir but does have Picture in Picture.

Other Considerations:
Pulsar Trail XQ30 $2,799
Pulsar Trail XQ38 $3,299
Pulsar Trail XP38 $4,499
Pulsar Trail XP50 $4,999

I didn't list the Pulsar Apex line because they are being discontinued. I don't think the new Pulsar Thermions will fit your request because the lower end model such as the XM30 is going to be 3x base mag so limited FOV. You described the Pulsar XP38 and XP50 with the exception of lower-end of the spectrum for price. They are more in the mid-high end of the range. They will provide a nice FOV with great ID. Keep in mind, Trijicons and some others can be around 9-10K.

Sorry for the long answer but throwing other options out there to compare. I still believe based on what you requested the Flir PTS233 or the Pulsar Core RXQ30 are the best options for you. Give Tom from Night Goggles a call after Shot Show, and he will be able to help you out. Tom Austin PROGRAMS DIRECTOR 909-312-5424 X531
 
I had looked at the armasight predator that is about like that flir, but after your post and some looking the Flir has an updated core that looks to be more powerful even though it is smaller in micron size ( not sure exactly what that is though) I understand resolution and refresh rate, but with the microns, would it just depend on the technology on the chip itself?
 
For what its worth i have a flir pts233 and love it. Have made kills on coyotes out to 200 yards and misses also but all in all fits the bill for me. Im running battery packs also with no issue.
 
Originally Posted By: smilner01I had looked at the armasight predator that is about like that flir, but after your post and some looking the Flir has an updated core that looks to be more powerful even though it is smaller in micron size ( not sure exactly what that is though) I understand resolution and refresh rate, but with the microns, would it just depend on the technology on the chip itself? Typically the smaller the micron count, the better without getting into thermal technology too deep. The Flir PTS233 as you mentioned is a more current version of the Predator. It includes video recording, new 12 micron Boson core, Automatic shot recording and more. It should fit your needs well.
 
Originally Posted By: smilner01Kirsch if I need the zoom, will the PIP of the pulsar be a clearer image that the zoom of the FLIR? PIP is a zoomed image of the center of a Pulsar scope. Going to 2x on a Flir should be about the same as a Pulsar with base mag of 1.6 and the PIP at 3.2 (2x). The benefit of the PIP is being able to see both in the same frame with a wide FOV but a zoomed in reticle in the PIP.
 
On the FlirPTS233, I am seeing some dealers list it as a 30hz refresh rate and some as 60... I read that the new ones are 60, is there a model # difference that you know of?
 
Originally Posted By: smilner01On the FlirPTS233, I am seeing some dealers list it as a 30hz refresh rate and some as 60... I read that the new ones are 60, is there a model # difference that you know of? Flir website confirms 60Hz.
 
Originally Posted By: smilner01On the FlirPTS233, I am seeing some dealers list it as a 30hz refresh rate and some as 60... I read that the new ones are 60, is there a model # difference that you know of?

You don’t need 60hz unless you plan to shoot them from a helicopter. 30hz is plenty fast and won’t drain batteries as quickly as 60hz..
 
I used to use the trail xq30 and had great luck with it. 100 yards is an easy shot with it. My farthest shot was 236 yards. The PIP does help with the farther shots.
 
Originally Posted By: rustybucketWho has the pts233 in stock? My brother is wanting one and everyone is out of stock.

Try hueyoutdoors.com
 
Most thermal dealers are at Shot Show right now, so you may not get anything shipping until they get back. I also want to comment on the "shopping around" comment. There is nothing wrong with shopping around. However, price is only one factor and many companies will match or do what they can to match other dealer prices.

Service with a thermal is so important. I don't care if you buy Trijicon, Flir, Pulsar, ATN, or any other thermal brand. The question isn't if you will ever need service, it is when will it need servicing. These are high-end, sensitive pieces of electronics subjected to brutal conditions. When you need servicing, or warranty issues, is your dealer going to help you with this process? I am not talking about fixing it themselves, I am talking about taking care of the buyers, having contacts at the thermal companies, helping out their customers through the process, and more.
 
Originally Posted By: Rookietjx2Originally Posted By: rustybucketWho has the pts233 in stock? My brother is wanting one and everyone is out of stock.

Try hueyoutdoors.com

Todd is out of'em. Only people who have them in stock is nightvision4less and nightvisionguys. I wish hueyoutdoors, nightgoggles or kenzie's had them in stock. Friend of mine did a group buy of 6 from kenzie's when they first came out and kenzie's got them to us ASAP, and as far as I know we were some of the very few, first people to get them. As best as I could tell from the forums and interwebz.
 
My guess is flir has contracts with the us government and i just seen today they were awarded another huge contract.
Nightvisionuniverse might have some flir pts233 in stock.
 


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