Night Vision Is there anyone out there who has done comparison reviews of Thermal Optics?

[Zemperfi1971]

Hi,
I know there's a good article written by the folks at LONESTARBOARS but it has been a number of years and there have been alot of advances in tech and equipment. Anyone doing another comparison soon? Any way we can set up for one?
What do you guys think?

 

[wigwamitus]

We do comparisons all the time here ... but based on specific requestors use cases ...

At a high level the under $10k game these days is pretty simple:

On the low end: Pulsar

On the high end: Trijicon

I would pass on the ATNs for sure ... and I would also pass on the FLIR/Armasights.

==
The Trails are the new model Pulsars and have fancy battery packs and internal video. The older Apex models and nice and simple, get the job done and cost less.
The 640 Trail 50mm has more resolution close in .. but with only 1.6x optical magnification, competes with its less expensive brother the 384 resolution 50mm with 3.1 optical magnification.

==
Trijicon has the Mk3 35mm and 60mm ... the 60mm is 4.5 optical magnification and is a great long distance spotter, if you need that capability.

The older mk2 19mm and 35mm are also around and offer the lowest price option to get in to the OASYS cores.

There are also several joystick housing models:

19mm Patrol ... a good spotter and can be mounted side by side with a pvs-14 on your head. Can be a 1x weapons sight.

35mm Reap ... also a good spotter and a good 2.5x weapons sight.

60mm PatrolXR ... the best thermal spotter we can buy ... but cannot be head mounted or used as a rifle scope.

The OASYS cores offer the best image we can get under $10k and maybe period. But the Pulsar cores are not so far behind in terms of image clarity, perhaps 80% to 90% as clear as the OASYS cores depending on distance and conditions.

Hard to go wrong with either Pulsar or Trijicon depending on your budget and image clarity proclivity.

==
If you have specific questions ask away !!

 

[wigwamitus]

I would add the over $10k market ... are mostly the military thermals. They include the BAE OASYS units as well as LWTS and others. And some of those units are available for under $10k as used units ... but all are over $10k MSRP.

So really three markets:

Under $10k Pulsar (budget thermals)

Under $10k Trijicon (nice thermals)

Over $10k Military Thermals

 

[Zemperfi1971]

Thanks for the quick replies, anyone put those military thermals side by side with the commercial stuff to compare? I understand that even using the same cores, depending on designs the devices clarity and rate of refresh can still differ.
I am entering retirement and have worked on the logistics side of contract work. I own quite a few thermals of the mil. Contracting type but not familiar with the commercial at all. Will probably have to read up.

 

[wigwamitus]

Yes, for instance BAE OASYS Core beside Trijicon OASYS core (same core ... different lenses) ... the BAE wins ... but that comes at a cost ... the SKEET IR list price is double that of the IR Patrol. The primary advantages of the SKEET are the built in laser and the size and weight. But is that worth twice the cost?

The newer military stuff (from this decade) definitely beats the civilian stuff on image and toughness ... but how much do you want to pay?
For a guy wanting to reduce the threats from predators and pests ... and get some exercise outdoors at night ... the Pulsars absolutely get the job done.

Again, ask away with any specific questions!

Here is the pulsar website:

http://www.pulsar-nv.com/products/

==
And here is the trijicon eletro optics (new name for IRD)

http://www.trijiconeo.com/products/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwo_Ho-r02wIVB7bACh0HIwjJEAAYASABEgJkW_D_BwE

 

[OzTRG]

Wigwamitus nails it again. Gotta say his advice has helped me over the years in making decisions regarding Ng and thermal purchases. His write ups on practice etc show a logical and methodical approach that inspires confide in his evidence based approach. Can’t go wrong with his advice.

 

[plong]

Wigwamitus nails it again. Gotta say his advice has helped me over the years in making decisions regarding Ng and thermal purchases. His write ups on practice etc show a logical and methodical approach that inspires confide in his evidence based approach. Can’t go wrong with his advice.

+1, +100!