New Thermal Scope, Hog & Coyote Control Vids

[Double Naught Spy]

After 5 years of hunting with various forms of night vision and two years using a small FLIR PS32 thermal spotting scope to help find hogs, I finally picked up a thermal rifle scope. I had actually purchased an ATN last year but had returned it because of a problem. In that time, FLIR dropped the price of the microbolometer that is used by several companies for their scopes, including Armasight, ATN, FLIR, IR Defense, etc. As a result I was able to actually get the next step up in resolution for the same amount that I paid last year for the ATN.

I purchased an Armasight Zeus 3x, 640x512 resolution, 75mm, 30hz. As with several other brands in comparable specs, it is pretty amazing what it can see. I have been using it for about 3 weeks now and have had 4 successful hunts. The DVR recording is actually fairly degraded from what you can see through the scope itself and the horizontal lines are not seen in the scope.

I hope you enjoy the vids...

My first hog with the new scope. It had been previously shot through the neck. I caught him under the feeder on the way out after I thought my hunt was over...
http://youtu.be/N73hReqkpmU

The next two vids took place the same night on different properties...

Coyote...
http://youtu.be/idzQOW_UrVM

Hog...
http://youtu.be/5YQotnc4EcU

This morning's hog, after a long night of only seeing deer, caught another one under the feeder on the way back to the truck...
http://youtu.be/dTFHUm9h4H0

 

[jmorris]

They are getting more affordable these days. Where did you buy yours and what did it cost?

 

[Double Naught Spy]

{sorry, I started monologuing and probably over answered}

Right now, this particular model lists for about $8600 and can be had for less than $8000. I got mine from a guy in Arkansas who run Night Combat Solutions, but vendors like Tyler at Ultimate Night Vision and Night Vision Warehouse (according to a buddy of mine who purchased the 5x, 336 resolution Zeus from them) says they can be negotiated with.

I think the real savings, proportionately, come in the mid-range 320/336 resolution units (pretty much the same thing) and are still really good. They are around $5-6000.

Hopefully here in about 6 weeks, I will get to take a look at a new offer from Pulsar (who makes the Digisights). They have a very budget-minded 1.9x, 384 resolution, 38mm lens APEX (model name) coming out. It will have a digital zoom (2x, giving you 3.8x effective zoom) and run just $3200. It should be a pretty nifty unit. It will be sufficient for most typical night hunting needs that are inside 200-300 yards, thought detection out to well beyond 1000.
http://www.pulsar-nv.com/press-room/press-releases/apex-xd50-thermal-scope/
http://www.ultimatenightvision.com/Pulsar-APEX-XD50A-Thermal-Riflescope-p/pl76426.htm

 

[wankerjake]

Sweet.

 

[jmorris]

Hopefully here in about 6 weeks, I will get to take a look at a new offer from Pulsar (who makes the Digisights). They have a very budget-minded 1.9x, 384 resolution, 38mm lens APEX (model name) coming out. It will have a digital zoom (2x, giving you 3.8x effective zoom) and run just $3200.

Be sure to post a review on it.