Looking for advice.

I've got a 50S heading my way. I should have it by the end of the week. I've never used a thermal scope, only a photon and a thermal (pulsar 38S) monocular, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I'll let you know what I think about it in a few days.
 
I didn't feel I had used the Apex 50A enough to really be able to give a good analysis of what it's capabilities are, so I deferred to those who have some time in hunting situations with it. I do like what I have seen so far. As I said in a previous post, I'm puzzled as to why the 50S which was a lot more money, only has 4X and only black and white reticles while the 50A list price is a lot less but has 8x and colored reticles. Seems it should be the other way around. Also I like the sepia color that is available on the 50A, but that could be on the 50S as well.

I haven't shot beyond 100 yds., but it is quite accurate. Today I was using an ice cube in a small plastic bag as my target, and I exploded the ice cube twice and all 12 shots were within the 2x2 plastic bag.

I'm anxious to put it to work, but the weather here is either so hot that even at night it is like an oven or it is one thunderstorm after another every night it seems.

If as I've heard the new models with 17 micron pitch hit the market at the same price point as the current models, it should be a heck of a deal, but I just couldn't wait any longer.
 
A big advantage with the 50A is the PIP function. It gives you an 8x picture at the top of a the wide view of a 2x screen. That lets you make some long shots with really good bullet placement. At the same time you have the chance to see a second opportunity if it should come up. That has really paid off for me. The 50S has PIP too, but with only 4x max it would not be as handy I think.
 
I purchased the S on the recommendation of Tyler at Ultimate NV. He said the OLED screen is noticeably better than the LCD in the 50A. I have no idea if this is true or not, but since the price of the S is only $200 or so more, I decided to follow his advice. I do wonder if loss in magnification will be missed though. I should get a chance to test it out this weekend, and see for myself.
 
I went through the same thing with Tyler, but the 4X and black/white only reticles sent me to the 50A. I hope it works out well for you Doc. I was puzzled why they had such a drastic price drop on the 50S. Maybe they weren't selling as well. I think all the new XQ units will be OLED from what I've read.
 
10-4. My guess is they are trying to sell out the old model to make room for the new ones. This is one of those areas where the technology improves every 6-12 months, and you just have to decide when you want to jump in realizing that in 12-18 months, there is going to be something better, probably for the same or less $.
 
Just like computers, theres always something new coming out. I've done pretty good buying used thermals. A lot of people buy them but don't wind up using them much.
 
I think you're right about the clearance Doc. I hope you enjoy your 50S as much as I have my 50A. I think you will be very impressed with what you see at night. I really appreciate having mine and sometimes wish I had another one. You might get along with the 4X just fine. Depends on the range you shoot I reckon. You definitely will improve your hunting success. I got around the technology change factor in my mind by reminding myself that the leading edge is the bleeding edge sometimes and you can end up spending a lot of money on the latest and greatest when what you have works fine. I am very happy with what I have in my 50A and find it the best sight investment I've made in a while. I use it at least 4-5 times a week here on the farm.
 
I think the new 17 pitch XQ models are all spotters and NOT scopes. Their web-site can be a tad misleading by calling them scopes when in fact they have no reticle!
 
The scopes will be released after the monoculars are on the market, but they are coming. Europe gets them before we do. I think they just started releasing the monoculars the first of July over there. Might be a year or more before we get them here.
 
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Thanks for all the responses unfortunately I am still undecided between the Pulsar A and S model, decisions !!! Thinking over the magnification issue and the ability to change reticle colors.
 
Got my Pulsar Apex 50S mounted up and sighted in this weekend. Everything went pretty well. I got the scope, a quick detach mount, external battery, and mini DVR from Tyler. Got the mount on the scope, the scope on the rifle (300 BLK SBR), and then mounted the external battery, DVR, and remote switch for the DVR. Sight-in went pretty well. I used AL foil squares at 100 yards with Barnes Vortex Ammo for setting 1 and 208 AMAX sub sonics for setting 2. Hunted over a road kill deer the first night, and figured out how to work things in the dark for the most part. Made some adjustments to the external battery and DVR position, and hunted again last night. I was miserable hot and humid, didn't see anything other than some rabbits and a opossum, but all the gear worked well, and I am really impressed by the DVR record on/off switch. Very clean simple and effective. I did get to watch some deer and small animals through the scope, and they looked good at less than 100 yards. It seems like I had to hit the NUC bottom a lot, but it was stinkin hot and humid. I'm really looking forward to using this setup more. Seems like everything I need to be successful after dark!
 
From what I'm understanding the A model has 8X in the PIP where the S model has 4X in the PIP so if that's the case I'm thinking the better choice would be the A model. Would that be right or wrong ?
 
BB, I believe you are correct in the magnification of each scope. The problem is most people have only seen through one or the other rather than both and even then it would have to be basically at the same time under equal conditions. I don't think there is any doubt the S model has a somewhat better picture. One thing Tyler told me is that it is easier on the eyes, but I've found the sepia color on the A to be easy on the eyes. It doesn't do any good to look at video of the two because the video is the same. The OLED display will look different through the eyepiece only.

I opted for a not quite as sharp display but 8x PIP instead of a 4x PIP. As stated before I also wanted the color reticles rather than just black or white. Not really sure anyone can give you the answer you wish. I think either of them will be very useable. I'm satisfied with my A, but I never looked through an S, probably just as well that I didn't.
 
Originally Posted By: mdmorrowIf you're able always go oled, the picture is considerably better than lcd.

Not to mention LCD won't perform below 32 degrees fahrenheit . OLED is always a must for me being in Utah.
 
Tom, I've seen some videos of the freezing problems with the LCD screens, but also remember at least one where someone had the same problem with the OLED. I'm glad that as a very good hunter and also a Pulsar dealer that you will be able to give us your real world assessment of both screens. I for one will be looking forward to a hunter's comparison.

I did find this in the spec sheet for the 50A, which appears that it is supposed to work well below freezing. Operating Temp,°F/C°; 5 to 122 / -15 to +50 and the 50S shows the same Operating Temp,°F/C°; 5 to 122 / -15 to +50. So, I'm supposing that the spec sheet on one or both is incorrect.
 
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Originally Posted By: NGI_TOMOriginally Posted By: mdmorrowIf you're able always go oled, the picture is considerably better than lcd.

Not to mention LCD won't perform below 32 degrees fahrenheit . OLED is always a must for me being in Utah. hunted some pretty cold nights with hd19a no problems.
 
I think the major problem that was shown was the screen appeared to be partially frozen in the upper corner on one side or the other. Here is a thread concerning it.

The problem was first brought up by bleas on the A model. He had some pictures of the frozen screen, but they have been deleted.

Then in this thread Stubinwide has a similar problem with the OLED. He posted a video of the frozen screen, but is difficult to tell anything is wrong while he is looking at ground level. Maybe either one of those guys will give an update on what they have found since then.

http://www.predatormastersforums.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2940985
 
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