Thermal scope, anyone tried one?

[Tyla 3,179]

Pulsar thermion scope, any experiences?

[Wolfdog91 6,257]

these guys have tested them pretty extensively

 

 

 

[si brown 8,486]

My mate uses an xq38 and it’s mint and that’s the base model... I’ve seen stuff through my thermal spotter and can’t find it with my n/v he’s passed his rifle over with the thermal on and it’s down instantly no messin about, I’d happily shoot fox’s at 300yard cos there’s no mistaking what your looking at. 

[BenBhoy 4,706]

8 hours ago, si brown said:

I’ve seen stuff through my thermal spotter and can’t find it with my n/v

Snap mate! f***ing annoying, swapping between the two cos can't see it with scope

[David.evans 5,323]

Thermion xq50 

sits on my 223 , and is fantastic, I use pip on x7 for the shot , and up to now I’ve not missed , the clarity of the picture is superb 

 

[shovel leaner 7,648]

A mate of mine has the Xq50 on his .223 and he loves it I’ve been out with it and was hoping for a shot at a fox , but it didn’t happen. But I saw hares and deer and the quality of picture was superb. I really liked the little square picture that shows the target at increased magnification alongside the main scope image , that was really useful I thought . 
             I think that they are the way to go if your pockets are deep enough.

[David.evans 5,323]

I’ve not tried or looked thro any of the others , but was well informed that the xq50 was the best of the bunch at that price 

but ad SL has said they ant cheap but brilliant 

 

[ianm 2,594]

Although i use thermal for spotting i am not too keen on them as a scope especially after the incident i had.

I was foxing one night with a mate, i had just met up with him and we where driving down a long concrete road to the farm. Either side of this four hundred yard long road are very low hedges. I scanned the right side as i was driving slowly. There was a fox mooching about two hundred yards along a hedge that runs at ninety degrees  to the one i was driving along. I stopped the Jimny and got my rifle set up on the top. I had a minutes delay as i couldn't find the magazine. Once everything was set i scanned again to make sure the fox was still there. It had moved closer and was sat in the hedge looking over towards us. I found it quickly in the Drone and then i could see what i was looking at wasn't a fox but the farmers sheepdog. Had i been using a thermal scope i would of shot it and the farmer would of been a dog light. The actual fox i had first seen was in the next field and i shot it a few minutes later.

Hence why i am wary of thermal scopes. Better to be 100% sure than risk shooting someones dog.  

There was also a case where two blokes where shooting a golf course using all thermal. One of them spotted a fox in the rough margins adjacent to some houses. The other bloke shot it and it turned out to be a whippet having a pee from one of the houses. They both lost their FACs and rightly so.   

Edited May 6, 2021 by ianm

[David.evans 5,323]

Watching the movement of a fox for a few minutes before taking the shot would tell you difference between the too , or should do anyway 

but I totally agree, if unsure keep your finger of the trigger just be 110% sure 

is the only way forward and I must say after using the xq38 to spot and the xq50 to shoot after a while I can tell the difference at range between a fox and a badger let’s say , never seen a dog mind but yes just make sure 

and if I’m not the safety catch stays on 

[FOXHUNTER 5,020]

I bet there has been more accidents occur with thermal than is reported. You have to have plenty restraint , unless you are 100% and can clearly identify your quarry you must refrain from shooting. Plenty idiots out there shooting as it is without throwing  thermal in the mix.

[David.evans 5,323]

But the idiots would never admit any wrong doing , ( weren’t me guv) I swear 

 

[shovel leaner 7,648]

Thermal can’t be blamed for stupid shooting and wrong identification . It’s been happening for years on the lamp . A guy I know of who ( I won’t call him a keeper) used to run a shoot , regularly shot at eyes and killed quite a few sheep , which were then thrown into the river . We used to call his rifle “ the mutton gun”. 

[BenBhoy 4,706]

Anyone using the pard sa range of thermal? How do they compare with thermions? 

 

Edited May 7, 2021 by BenBhoy

[David.evans 5,323]

Save your money Ben 

[BenBhoy 4,706]

Used one Dave, no good?