First, I am not saying there isn't an issue with the scope on the YouTube video causing the shooter to miss. However, the Youtube Video test is flawed. I have recorded videos of several thermals and found the same thing. The issue isn't the image in the eyepiece of the scope is delayed. There can be slight variations in the recording (whether faster or slower). The crosshair is on the exact same spot when the shot breaks, but two different devices recording the same event can get slightly out of synch.
Instead of using a phone and recording the same event from two devices do the following. Start recording on a thermal device and wait 5 minutes or however long you want. Then have someone stand in front of you (of course do not have your scope mounted to a weapon). Have them do the Vikings "Skol" chant in front of you. This way you can hear when the hands clap together over their head. Watch through the eyepiece. I re-read Decoyed's post and it sounds like he is doing the test I am recommending. In my opinion, the YouTube video is not a valid test, but Decoyed's should be.
The YouTube video is showing a difference in the recorded result from two different devices. The fact that two recordings are not in-synch doesn't change the accuracy of the image "live" in the eyepiece. I am not saying the out-of-sync recording can't be considered a bug, but a different issue.
I start my recording before I start a coyote stand. There are times it is running for as long as 60 minutes before I turn it off. If there was a delay that kept getting longer, it would be very evident as you move the gun, you would see a lag, and this does not happen at least on the thermals I own. DoubleUp shoots a lot of coyotes on the move. If there was a lag, he would miss most of them. On the following video, there is no way I would kill this coyote if there was a delay in the live image and what I see through the eyepiece. [MEDIA=youtube]a3R2lQbUm8Q[/MEDIA]
Also, almost all the hogs the shooter missed on that video were not moving. The shooter could very well have an issue, but in my opinion, he is pointing out a different issue, and it is not the root of his problem.
There are some thermals which have slow refresh rates like 9Hz vs 50 or 60Hz. You will see more lag on devices like 9Hz. Even the Bering Hogster Stimulus compared to for instance a Yoter, you can notice the 30Hz vs 50Hz. At 50Hz, I don't notice it. The 9Hz lag could be enough to miss really fast-moving animals potentially but not like the examples on the YouTube video.
One last comment, keep in mind you are not looking at a "live image" even if it seems to be. What I mean is an electronic (digital) scope has to process the image. There is a lot that happens until the image is presented to your eye. It is not a glass scope. It is amazing to me that thermal scopes typically have very little lag and then we throw recording, and other features in the mix taxing the processor. I am not making excuses, but the fact is a person is seeing a processed digital image. Lots of running hogs and coyotes shot every day/night with electronic devices.
