Night Vision First Thermal Scope

[Rerun7]

I’ve done a lot of research online but would like to get opinions from you guys because it’s hard to sift through everything out there.

I’m getting ready to make my first thermal scope purchase. My budget is around $3k and primary use will be hog / coyote hunting. Most shots will be within 100 yards in the woods but I do have some open fields so I’d like to have the ability to shoot and ID further than that if possible.

I’m intrigued with the new PTS233 but wondering if I should just save up and get to the next level. Is the extra $1k worth it in performance or will it be really close in that similar price range.

If you could buy something today for around $3k what would you choose and why?

 

[texasleftychef]

I was in the same exact boat as you about a month ago. I went with the PTS233 but also considered the Reap-IR and the Pulsar xp trails too. So my options were about 2k 5k or 7k. And while I don’t have hands on experience with the other models the Flir has met my needs thus far. I’m able to see critters pretty far out there and I think fairly easy to ID at 100 yards. Maybe not a coyote from a dog but still pretty good and I’m still learning. Definitely a pig from a deer at some distance.

What I have learned in the month or six weeks that I have had the scope is I wished I had a hands free scanner or at minimum a dedicated scanner. It’s not awesome bringing the rifle up all the time to scan and see what’s out there. If I had to do it again or in the future, I think I would go with something like a Flir Breach and the helmet setup and a thermal scope with higher magnification to ID. The Breach appears to be pretty awesome for what it does but also limited too and I don’t think you are IDing much past 100 yards.

Obviously the second setup is more expensive and if you could only swing one I wouldn’t hesitate on the PTS233. Once you get past it I think you are realistically getting into 3k and 5k more investment. Also grumblings on the other site about known problems with the pulsars not holding zero. Can not confirm or deny this and probably doesn’t affect all units but still something to consider before dropping 5k.

 

[wigwamitus]

The trails will give better resolution at greater distances than the low end fixed focus units like the PTS233.

For around $3k, if I was buying new today, I'd look at the XQ38 ...

https://www.nightvisionguys.com/thermal-rifle-scopes/pulsar-trail-xq38-thermal-riflescope-2-8x38

 

[Rerun7]

The XQ38 is one of the others I’ve been looking at. Wasn’t sure if the resolution is $1k better or if it would be so close that I could get the 233 + a dedicated upper to keep it on.

In regards to the handheld I agree. I’ve got a scout iii that I use for scanning.

 

[Rerun7]

Any thoughts on the Apex xq38 vs the Trail xq38?

Seems like the biggest difference is the internal recording and WiFi bells and whistles. Am I missing anything else?

After watching tons of videos I think I’m going to pony up the extra and go with the xq38. Just trying to decide between the apex and trail now.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I'd put the $3K aside and wait for a deal on something good. IMO nothing in that price range new is worth owning. I bet eventually a IRD/Trijicon MKII will pop up around or just over your budget.

It's twice your budget but Euro Optic still has some REAP-IR's on closeout for $6600. Jason may even do better if you call assuming that they aren't already losing money at that price. It would be buy once cry once and you'd never thirst for more.

 

[Rerun7]

Yeah, I wish I could pony that up but I’m realistically going to get to use this about 15-20 times a year so just can’t justify putting more than about $3k into it. Plus, most of my hunting areas are confined to a couple hundred yards so I don’t think I’d ever get to really use the extra capability something like the reap-ir offers. They look amazing though!