Thermal Optics Setup for Predators

[pickardjw]

Looking to get a thermal scope and scanner setup for hunting yotes and bobcats in the west. Public land, lots of different locations, big country. Looking at ~$2k for the scope and ~$2.5k for the monocular with LRF. Considering 384 resolution in the scope and 640 in the monocular. Max shot distance will be what is reasonable given the quality of the image and ID range, but 300 is preferable, 200 expected. I've read a lot of forum threads here and elsewhere, but given how fast tech is moving and all of the different price/resolution ranges the threads get outdated pretty quickly.

Below is what I've narrowed down the options to based on hours of scouring various optics dealers and youtube review. I've cross-referenced each manufacturer's website to eliminate any previous model versions from consideration (i.e. AGM Fuzion LRF monocular, now ReachIR LRF, Pulsar Talion XQ 35 now the XQ 35 PRO). Any thoughts on my rankings or additional suggestions? Thermals are a whole new world but I think I've captured the main players who have options in my price range.

Open to suggestions on the following:

- LRF in the optic vs monocular. Though process is that I'll be using the scanner to get into range rather than guessing and ranging with the optic on the weapon.

- Scope form factor. The AR style seems to be appropriate given I'll only be using on AR's, but if there are more benefits to the traditional scope form factor I'm not aware of.

- Hybrid scope/monocular (i.e. iRay SLIM H35). Not seeing a good option there with LRF and not sure how confident I am in the RTZ functionality, but it would be nice to be able to lend to a buddy for two shooters.

[pickardjw]

Side note: are there any dealers in WA to consider for an in-person look? I'm in Tacoma, don't mind a bit of a drive. I see Palmer Ordinance in Seabeck, they appear to have AGM, Pulsar, iRay and a few other brands. Thermal Dispatch in Chehalis appears to carry iRay, but not sure if they have a storefront, also limited on brands.

Edit: Looks like Cabelas carries AGM, Pulsar and a few others as well.

[teanawayslayer]

In that price range I would not expect to much in that budget. You get into the 5-6k for each optic and you’ll be happier

[birdshooter1189]

I know a guy in silverdale who is a sales rep for Nightvisionoutfitters.com. 

I run a 384 scope with 3.5x base mag.  Pulsar Trail 2 XQ50 LRF. I recommend not going less than 3.0x base mag if you are getting a 384 scope.  I'd heavily consider the Pulsar thermion 2 XQ50 pro for $3k. 

I know someone with a Pulsar thermion (traditional style scope) on an AR10 suppressed.  It works great.

I use a Pulsar axion xq38 LRF scanner. (384).  With LRF in both my scope and my scanner. I nearly never use the LRF on the scanner.  Maybe partly because the image quality on my scope is about 2x better than my scanner.  I typically use the scanner to scan around looking for potential targets. As soon as I see something questionable, I switch to the scope to have a clearer look.  Or, if I 100% ID a coyote in the scanner, I jump onto the scope to get lined up. It's at this time, if I have time, I'll range them.  My scope also has a balistic calculator and impact reticle, so if I were to take a long poke, this can be a nice feature.

[pickardjw]

Picked up the scope and scanner from FedEx last night. Had to test the scanner out. Pretty impressed so far, excited to get out this weekend.

I settled on the Nocpix Vista H35R scanner and AGM Rattler V2 35-384. Outdoor Legacy was great to work with.

Never noticed how often the NUC occurs when watching review videos. Seems like it's pretty frequent when you first power up the units but gets less frequent once you're in consistent use/conditions.

https://youtube.com/shorts/wn2TdWVpK2A

[Blacktail Sniper]

NUC??

[pickardjw]

NUC??

Non-uniformity correction (NUC) adjusts for minor detector drift that occurs as the scene and environment change. Basically, the camera's own heat can interfere with its temperature readings. To improve accuracy, the camera measures the IR radiation from its own optics and then adjusts the image based on those readings. NUC adjusts gain and offset for each pixel, producing a higher quality, more accurate image.

During a NUC, the camera shutter comes down between optic and detector, making a clicking sound and freezing the image stream momentarily. The shutter acts as a flat reference source for the detector to calibrate itself to and thermally stabilize.

Basically, the image freezes for a second or two. Not a big deal in the scanner but if it occurs with the scope while you’re taking a follow up or running shot it would throw you off quite a bit.

[birdshooter1189]

Mine nuc more frequently when i first start them up, or when temperature changes occur (walking from inside the house to outside, getting out of a warm truck to make a stand....).  Once the temperature stabilizes they don't nuc as often. I set my scope to manual nuc after missing a couple shots because my scope nuc'd at an in-opportune time.