Rico Alpha thermal

[varminter .223]

Stumbled across the Rico Alpha 640 thermal scope on Night Crew this morning. Can't find much on the web. Anyone know about them? Supposed to be the same as that Mk1 with a few upgrades.

 

[G Anderson]

From what I was told, the Alpha will be in "coyote tan" color and will have a few minor upgrades...some being an extra battery and focus ring knob...at $1k more than the Mk1.
I would compare this scenario to the Thermion 2 XP50 and then for $1k more you could go to the Thermion XG50...not sure the upgrades are worth the extra coin. I was ready to take the plunge for the XG50 but there was just not enough there to warrant the extra 1k...I will be upgrading to the Thermion2 XP50 later this year...it is still the same cost as the Thermion XP50 I currently have. I am going to probably purchase a Super Hogster as a back up in the event my scanner or scope were to take a crap during the season...at least I could still hunt while whatever unit was out for repairs or replacement.

At some time they are going to have the Alpha LRF...at about 2k more than the Mk1.
The Rico's operate very similar to the Pulsars as far as the controls go, so the learning curve would be minimal going from Pulsar to Mk1.
Having said all of this, it is hard to beat the Super Hogster and the Phenom scanner from a price standpoint...you can basically have both Bering units for just a little more than the Mk1 at $6k...the Alpha is $7k and the Alpha LRF will be $8k

This is information shared with me and I am not knocking any brand or anything like that. I am somewhat considering a Mk1 myself...but the $6k price tag has me on the fence...but it sure looks impressive. Too many thermals out there that are really nice units...makes it hard to choose.

 

[skinney]

The Alpha mod has an extra battery 180.00
It also has the ADM RQD 200.00
Rugged Coyote Tan housing with upgraded menu buttons price ???
It also has the upgraded throw lever style focus price ???
It also has better onboard audio recording hardware Price ???

IF each of those upgrades were close to 200.00 then that's where your extra G is coming from.

 

[Zback]

Any update on any of these scopes?

 

[irkburgles]

Originally Posted By: ZbackAny update on any of these scopes?

I'm also looking for an update. i know iRay probably isn't ready to say anything official, but something in the ballpark would be nice.

 

[Gman757]

I have texted Tyler Adair at Ultimate Nightvision several times with no reply. I suppose there has been some type of unforeseen delay with bringing the Alpha to market.

I think Bearing Optics and the Alpha / Rico line all are using the iRay core. I don't know if there is any difference in the software for the units but I can tell you I have a Bearing Optics Phenom 640/12 micron scanner and it can hold its own against the Trijicon units.

I think when Bearing releases a 640/12 micron scope it will be a major player in the thermal scope market. I have been waiting and wondering about the Alpha but if Bearing gets a 640 scope out that is on par with the Phenom scanner the Alpha will have to play catch-up.