Scanner Suggestions

R

randry

New member
I currently have a Trail XP38. That is my only thermal optic. I have been using it to both scan and shoot. It has worked ok. However, the coyotes that pop out at 50-150 yards usually end up being atleast partially spooked as I go to mount to the scope.

I picked up a pulsar quantum xq23v to scan with. I understand this isn’t a higher quality unit but I just needed something for inside 300. However, it won’t even do that well. I can’t even tell a deer is a deer at 300. On top of that the unit is defective so it’s getting sent back.

So I guess I’m just gonna have to pony up and get something nicer. Looking at the pulsar helions. Will the xq models satisfy my needs? Or will the xp be necessary? Really need a scanner for out to say 500 yards. Thanks.
 
You really have to look at FOV and zoom. The XQ line has a narrow field of view and higher zoom at least on the higher end. I would probably recommend either the XQ30, XP38, XP28 or maybe the XP50. To scan, you don't want a narrow field of view as you will be constantly moving as you are scanning for animals. I personally like a wide FOV for a scanner and a closer zoom for my scope, so I use the Helion XP38 for scanning.

Helion XP50: $3999: 2.5x-20 (640 core)
Helion XP38: $3799: 1.9x-15.2 (640 core)
Helion XP28: $3449: 1.4x-11.2(640 core)
Helion XQ50: $3299: 4.1x-16.4 (384 core)
Helion XQ38: $2999: 3.1x-12.4 (384 core)
Helion XQ30: $2499: 2.5x-10 (384 core)
 
Hey randry, is the scanner really that bad? I have been reading reviews and all that for the pulsar quantum xq23v, I was almost ready to pull the trigger but now I am questioning it. A lot of money to spend if you can't id at 300 yards.
 
Originally Posted By: Hoythunter1230Hey randry, is the scanner really that bad? I have been reading reviews and all that for the pulsar quantum xq23v, I was almost ready to pull the trigger but now I am questioning it. A lot of money to spend if you can't id at 300 yards.

I was definitely unimpressed with that unit. I couldn't even tell deer were deer at 300 yards, they were just hot blobs on what looked like a washed screen. I pulled out my xp38 and could ID a deer at 2x the distance easily. Very different units yes but IMO there is no way your gonna ID a coyote at any more than 150 yards. Spot yes, ID no. When i took the unit out and looked at some deer in the field all I could say is Wow, that looks awful. But, my unit is no doubt defective, it does not power on 95% of the time I try it so maybe its just a bad unit. I would personally avoid it.
 
Thanks for the honest reply randry, there goes all the cabelas points I was going to use. haha, well I guess its time to start that search over again, maybe get lucky and find a 19a
 
(IMO) invest your money in a high end thermal scope. All I need a scanner for is to spot that white or black spot. Put the scanner down pick up high end scope, ID , & take the shot. After some experience you will be able to ID with that cheaper scanner. By the way xd & hd scanners are discontinued by PULSAR.
 
Originally Posted By: old cat(IMO) invest your money in a high end thermal scope. All I need a scanner for is to spot that white or black spot. Put the scanner down pick up high end scope, ID , & take the shot. After some experience you will be able to ID with that cheaper scanner. By the way xd & hd scanners are discontinued by PULSAR. i agree/disagree...i think it all has to do with what u are hunting, how you are hunting and what terrain you hunt in. I do alot of hunting from my truck, driving farm roads and feed roads looking for hogs. Personally i use my scanner a bunch and i mean a bunch. Its so much more convenient to continue to glass with the scanner then to have to pick my gun up and stick it out the window every time I need to try to ID an animal.

On the other side of the coin though when I'm doing my coyote hunting I am normally standing with my rifle on a tripod and glassing with the scanner. And I agree with you that in this type of situation a higher in scope is definitely better than a high-end scanner
 
Originally Posted By: Kevinfarmer3456
old cat said:
(IMO) invest your money in a high end thermal scope. All I need a scanner for is to spot that white or black spot. Put the scanner down pick up high end scope, ID , & take the shot. After some experience you will be able to ID with that cheaper scanner. By the way xd & hd scanners are discontinued by PULSAR. i agree/disagree...i think it all has to do with what u are hunting, how you are hunting and what terrain you hunt in. I do alot of hunting from my truck, driving farm roads and feed roads looking for hogs. Personally i use my scanner a bunch and i mean a bunch. Its so much more convenient to continue to glass with the scanner then to have to pick my gun up and stick it out the window every time I need to try to ID an animal.

On the other side of the coin though when I'm doing my coyote hunting I am normally standing with my rifle on a tripod and glassing with the scanner. And I agree with you that in this type of situation a higher in scope is definitely better than a high-end scanner
Click to expand...
 
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Originally Posted By: old cat(IMO) invest your money in a high end thermal scope. All I need a scanner for is to spot that white or black spot. Put the scanner down pick up high end scope, ID , & take the shot. After some experience you will be able to ID with that cheaper scanner. By the way xd & hd scanners are discontinued by PULSAR.
If a person is looking through their scanner 95% of the time, a case can be made for why not have as good or a better image in the scanner? Most people who have a nice high end thermal scope, end up getting a different scanner. I have owned 2 mid-range thermal scopes, Pulsar XQ38 (384 core) and Flir PTS536 (320 core). I also own a Pulsar Helion XP38 (640) monocular. I have never went from the scanner to the gun and thought man I wish the scope had a better image. However, before getting the Helion XP38, I had a lower end scanner in comparison to the scope, and I upgraded quickly.
 
Originally Posted By: DarknightWhat are you guys' thoughts on the helion xq 28? I didn't see what fov is on that particular unit.
2.3 to 9.2x zoom, here is the info from the Pulsar site. XQ28
 
Originally Posted By: randryOriginally Posted By: Hoythunter1230Hey randry, is the scanner really that bad? I have been reading reviews and all that for the pulsar quantum xq23v, I was almost ready to pull the trigger but now I am questioning it. A lot of money to spend if you can't id at 300 yards.

I was definitely unimpressed with that unit. I couldn't even tell deer were deer at 300 yards, they were just hot blobs on what looked like a washed screen. I pulled out my xp38 and could ID a deer at 2x the distance easily. Very different units yes but IMO there is no way your gonna ID a coyote at any more than 150 yards. Spot yes, ID no. When i took the unit out and looked at some deer in the field all I could say is Wow, that looks awful. But, my unit is no doubt defective, it does not power on 95% of the time I try it so maybe its just a bad unit. I would personally avoid it.

I have an XQ23V and I have to say that there must have been something wrong with the unit you purchased. While the xq23v is not at the top of the scale it does good enough to get the job done and I don't have ANY problem telling the difference between a deer and coyote at 300 yards plus...I have seen coons and cats at that distance and after watching them could determine what they were. We see a lot of deer when out hunting and it is not a problem at all identifying them versus a coyote. I have thought of upgrading my xq23v scanner...but only to get one that takes the same battery pack as my Trail thermal.
 
Thanks Korey. I never knew there was a Helion xq19f until you sent me that. For coyote, I like wide fov first. I have the hd19a but would like a little longer detection range but don't want to give up the wide fov of the hd19a.
 
Originally Posted By: DarknightThanks Korey. I never knew there was a Helion xq19f until you sent me that. For coyote, I like wide fov first. I have the hd19a but would like a little longer detection range but don't want to give up the wide fov of the hd19a.
I am not sure if the Helion XQ28 is new or not available in North America, but I don't see it on Pulsar's NA home page. I haven't heard of a XQ19 either. Tom at Night Goggles would know a lot more about what is available and maybe what is being released in the future.
 


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