Thermal scope contrast and brightness ?

spotstalkshoot

spotstalkshoot

Well-known member
Just setup my thermal scope, with the new snow cover what setting combinations do you use.
Example: High contrast, High brightness, Black hot, white reticle
I totally locked in on the first coyote I saw, didn't play with fine tuning the adjustment. Shot the coyote. Afterwards I looked thru the scope at a large tree that was about the same distance as coyote. I could see the bark texture, realized I can probably "cleanup" the image on live critters with the contrast/brightness???
 
I don’t think there is a simple answer. Thermal conditions change as a night goes on. Just after sunset anything that soaks up heat will be warmer but cool off. Your early settings can need to be changed as everything cools off. Humidity can change during a night so you need to make adjustments. For me black hot or white hot is a personal preference but some conditions will make one look better. I like to shoot with white hot, my scopes seem to show better definition on white hot. It pays to know your scope well so in a few seconds you can have it looking good.
 

I don’t have any preset ideas in my mind that I go to depending on conditions. Rather, I just adjust brightness and contrast to what looks good at the moment and go with that. I have noticed though that when panning the scope toward the horizon where there’s more ambient light, the view gets brighter, and when down into the field it gets darker. I take that into consideration and try to find a medium.
 
This totally varies depending on brand/model and then as others have said can vary based on conditions. Some models require tweaking almost every time out, while others stay pretty consistent.
 

I think Kirsch is right about the adjustments. Here is an example with my AGM Rattler.



The Rattler seems more affected (at times) than my Pulsar Apex, but I also wonder if the lower magnification of the AGM contributes to the horizon brightness.
 
I have been waiting for a backup battery to arrive, so my time behind the scope has been limited. I played with having more gray scale(not a thermal setting, just an optical appearance from my black and white photography days) the other night. Went back to fewer shades of gray. Told some friends about the thermal, they are all wanting to put out bait/blinds and have me out. I need to get a mini dvr, then I won't care if they shoot, if I can watch it.
 
With the 3 hogsters I have owned I did not have to adjust it ever from contrast on 3 and brightness on 2 in the scanner and 3 on the gun.
I have now had a thermion xg50 for a month and just found out last night that it is not as forgiving as the hogsters. Just for sh*ts and giggles I got into the menu after my last set last night and found that I can really clean up the background with the contrast and brightness. Have been running it at 0 bright and 2 contrast but found for the conditions last night it became GREAT on 2 brightness and 6 contrast. I felt critters were always good at the 0 and 2 settings.
I will be checking it in different conditions going forward.
 
Originally Posted By: jmeddyWith the 3 hogsters I have owned I did not have to adjust it ever from contrast on 3 and brightness on 2 in the scanner and 3 on the gun.
I have now had a thermion xg50 for a month and just found out last night that it is not as forgiving as the hogsters. Just for sh*ts and giggles I got into the menu after my last set last night and found that I can really clean up the background with the contrast and brightness. Have been running it at 0 bright and 2 contrast but found for the conditions last night it became GREAT on 2 brightness and 6 contrast. I felt critters were always good at the 0 and 2 settings.
I will be checking it in different conditions going forward.
Thanks for the adjustment tips. I just ordered the same scope today, if you have anymore tips feel free to share or send me a message. Thanks
 


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