Thermal/NV optic choice ?

[shoots100]

With all the types and prices of thermal and night vision optics available to hunters these days I was wondering what Predator hunters are using as their primary and backup optics.
Not looking for brands, just the type of optic.
SJC

 

[bohunr]

i steadily progressed from red light, to night vision to thermal

 

[hunt0168]

Well I progressed from hunting only at night with snow and a bright moon, to hunting at night with red lights, then digital night vision and now thermal. For coyotes, I cannot see going back towards where I started for any reason other than wanting to frustrate myself! But honestly, If I had the desire to get after fox again, I would go back to using red lights without much hesitation. It's slightly more challenging than thermal, but still loved watching those glowing bouncing eyes headed towards the call!

 

[DoubleLungRage]

IMO if you want a one and done then go with a dedicated thermal. You don't have to spend $5,000-$6,000 on an expensive 640 or 1280 to go out and have fun and kill critters. You can get a good quality 384 for less than half of that and go out and have a good time.

With that said, if I know I'm going to be hunting open areas/fields I still like to take my NV out.

 

[retrieverman]

I hunted pigs at night for 25 years with a green light and killed a bunch, and I used night vision for a short time. I’m now using a Pulsar thermal and like it a lot.

 

[IndexFinger]

I assume Pole is asking what 'shoot with' use on the rifle ?

Rifle shoot only with gen3 NV . two NV units . clip-on, and with dedicated NV scope .
Scan and range with 640 therm . Foot travel using pvs14.
.

 

[Don_P]

I have both, dedicated nightvision (AGM Spectrum 4k) and dedicated thermal (AGM 640 Rattler)

I'll decide which rifle to bring depending on the visibility conditions the night I'm going to hunt.

 

[Infidel 762]

Do you like to eat Rib Eye or Vienna sausage?