Night Vision Recommendations for Thermal Spotter with Simple Controls

[MtnGhost]

Wanted to see if I can get some feedback from the goons on this.

I have a friend looking for a decent and reliable thermal spotter. Most important requirements being:

- Simple to operate (intuitive / ergonomic on/off button)
- Simple and intuitive controls layout (zoom being most critical.. color modes being less important)
- Durable and reliable
- Decent core specs and optics
- Good battery life is a plus
- Average range would be inside 200y (ident)

Any thoughts?

 

[Hecouldgoalltheway]

I use a Burris 50mm with a 400 processor. The picture quality is almost identical to my 640 rifle scope. They can be picked up for around $1100 new. It also has an internal battery that recharges with a USB cable. When the humidity is below 90% i can pick up animals as far as I can see. Well beyond a mile. The controls are pretty darn simple too.

 

[thaifighter]

I've always preferred thermal binoculars myself. Much easier on the eyes if you are out for hours at a time after dark...

 

[BurtG]

Skeet l

Or accolade LRF

 

[Rerun7]

Budget?

 

[ggmanning]

I just switched to an AGM range finding LRF 35-640 from a LE Patrol I have used for a good while. It's been an impressive little unit.
Simonsza1 on here has good pricing if you pm him for AGM stuff.

 

[Rerun7]

Since we have no idea on budget then get a skeet or a Nox18 for less $.

Whatever he gets, if he can afford helmet mount, it’s a way better solution.

And you said identify at 200. Is that identify between a hog or coyote or does that mean identify the neighbors dog vs a stray dog or the neighbor vs a trespasser?

Thermal is not great for the last two use cases above.

I run a helmet mounted nox and no issues identifying animal types past 200yds.

 

[BurtG]

Since we have no idea on budget then get a skeet or a Nox18 for less $.

F that.

Recon V

The zoom range is awesome. From close up to 2000+

 

[MtnGhost]

Since we have no idea on budget then get a skeet or a Nox18 for less $.

Closer to a Pulsar budget (I also have a NOX18).

This is for a female friend of mine who has critters in and around her backyard. Usually trying to break into her chicken houses. I honestly think something like a Leuopold LTO HD Tracker 2 would work for her, but the specs on those aren't great (I still have one of those as well).

 

[Hecouldgoalltheway]

Closer to a Pulsar budget (I also have a NOX18).

This is for a female friend of mine who has critters in and around her backyard. Usually trying to break into her chicken houses. I honestly think something like a Leuopold LTO HD Tracker 2 would work for her, but the specs on those aren't great (I still have one of those as well).

Ah, a female with critters in and around her backyard.

Where have I heard this before?

 

[MtnGhost]

Where have I heard this before?

IDK, but if it involves Flip in any way I don't want to know lol

 

[Rerun7]

Oh yeah, I had one of those trackers and it was pretty useless.

I bought a couple of cheap thermals for my kids to use or for loaners so my expensive stuff can stay with me.

AGM Rattler and a DNT Hydra. Haven’t had issues with either and both small enough to throw in a pocket plus you can use them as stand alone optics on a rifle. The DNT has a surprisingly good image for the price.