pulsar helion experience?

[fisherman983]

anyone here have any experience with the pulsar hellion xp50
looking at buying one to use as a scouting/locating tool for deer and predators.

 

[scrmblr1982cj8]

Message Double Naught Spy. He gets to play with lots of the thermals.

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

I've got one. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have.

 

[fisherman983]

I've got one. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have.

How far have you been able to detect deer size game? What kind of terrain do you use it in?

A buddy of mine has the atn thor 5-50x100, and we've used it to locate deer on the oregon coast well past 1000 yards.. being as how that's the only thermal I've ever seen, used or been around. I'm curious how it compares to the helion.
The thor is quite a bit bigger and heavier. I'd li ike to get something as good or comparable at a cheaper price if bbn possible.
Not sure how well the lesser power and objective will compare to the larger thor.

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

It is rated to detect heat out to 2000 yards. I've located deer and hogs well past 1000 yards and have no doubts about the 2000 yard claims. I've detected yearling sized cattle out past a mile. With the helion, you can see field mice on the ground at 500-600 yards. Now, can I definitively say that you're looking at a deer/hog/cow at a mile? No. With a lot of experience, I still need to be within 500-600 yards to positively ID before I even think about shooting. My terrain is relatively flat. A 100 foot elevation change is extreme.

I use the helion xp50 as a handheld unit to scan and identify. It's pretty high resolution and pretty expensive. For my rifle scope, I went with the trail xp38. It saved me about $500 or so over the xp50 scope. I figured I didn't need the bigger scope if I already identified everything with the handheld. Don't try to save money by just buying a rifle scope. Scannin with a rifle is a pain.

 

[fisherman983]

No plans to use it as a rifle scope. Will be handheld to scan and locate targets only.
Will be using it in brushy/hilly terrein.
Only animals that will be present are deer/elk/predators.
Will be been using it in early morning and evenings just after sunrise and before sunset and during daytime when conditions allow.

Basically I need something that will clearly identify heat signatures with wide field of view and ability to detect clearly to at least 1000 yes. Will identify with my binos after heat signature is located.

 

[fisherman983]

The thor has a massive fov over the helion. I can get the helion right now for $3600 but the thor is $5k.