Thermal scopes

[haftime]

My home state (PA) just voted to allowed thermal scopes for fur bearers. I would love to hear suggestions and any advice on what to look for.

 

[Joel Russo]

I use a Trijicon MK III 35, and it's about the best I've found for the money. I started with the lower end stuff, kept buying and selling, until I decided to spend the money on a good thermal.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

Woah - that is a "serious business" looking rife - NICE.
Why not post the specs rather than just tease us? LOL

 

[Joel Russo]

Terminus Zeus action, 6 Creedmoor, Trijicon MK III.

 

[haftime]

I use a Trijicon MK III 35, and it's about the best I've found for the money. I started with the lower end stuff, kept buying and selling, until I decided to spend the money on a good thermal.
View attachment 216688

What kind of effective yardage can you get with the Trijicon? I am used to shortage red/green lights.

 

[Joel Russo]

I've taken coyote and fox out to 300 yards. We typically shoot between 75-200 yards.
Here's a cell phone pic through the ocular of deer at around 1k.

 

[Reemty J]

great thinking on an example Joel, thanks........gives us pilgrims an idea...

 

[Ohlongarm]

great thinking on an example Joel, thanks........gives us pilgrims an idea...

While thermal is nice,I swapped out a 4000$ thermal,for an 1800$ night vision digital,works better for my application.

 

[haftime]

While thermal is nice,I swapped out a 4000$ thermal,for an 1800$ night vision digital,works better for my application.

Could you elaborate?

 

[Joel Russo]

While thermal is nice,I swapped out a 4000$ thermal,for an 1800$ night vision digital,works better for my application.

I ran NV for a bit, but found that the thermal offered better and quicker target acquisition.

 

[Flintlock shooter]

I have hunted with thermal for 6 years now. There are a lot of good ones out there so you just have to do your research and figure out which one you can afford. My best advice is that you will get what you pay for.
I personally use the IR Hunter MK III. I started with the MK II and had it upgraded to MK III long before Trigicon bought out IR Defense. The HALO LR is also a good choice.

 

[NeedForSpeed]

While thermal is nice,I swapped out a 4000$ thermal,for an 1800$ night vision digital,works better for my application.

im looking at getting into this and ive been looking at Thermal scopes between 4500 and 6000 dollars so im curious why you prefer the cheaper IR night vision How is that better? What is your application?

 

[Ohlongarm]

im looking at getting into this and ive been looking at Thermal scopes between 4500 and 6000 dollars so im curious why you prefer the cheaper IR night vision How is that better? What is your application?

I had the Pulsar Thermion about $4000,didn't care for the images, bought it from Sightmark in Texas, on LE discount, two week trial period. Returned it and got the Pulsar Digex about $1700 and change, clearer images, better animal Id,I shoot over bait, and call a fair amount, my kill on yotes averages 40 to 60 yearly, my pictures posted here will verify. My shots would be stretching it at 300 yards for sure especially at night when coyotes rarely get shot over 100 yards in my state. At 300 yards I can identify a rabbit, and my unit has the invisible IR,all in all it's a winner for me.Farthest coyote shot at night for me was about 115 yards, while thermal has some advantages, like detecting heat signature behind brush and trees I don't find it beneficial to my application. I scan with a coyote light, and take the shot with the NV, when eyes are detected, over bait it's point and shoot.Digital night vision is what I have all images black and white ,and can be used in daylight in a pinch.

 

[6.5x300 WBY]

Check out. Lone Star Boars. On YouTube he does everything thermal and knows his stuff. Hours of viewing pleasure and info. If NJ. Ever allowed thermal I would be on this too. Good luck