Modest cost (not >$3K) thermal for closer range varmints and small predators

S

sidpost

Member
I am thinking about 22LR for close to the house and out buildings (farm) or a 22 Magnum for a bit more range out in the open to ~50 yards. Target identification matters!

Targets include tree rats, mice/rats, opossums, raccoons, cats, and dogs. Poisonous snakes are on the hit list but, with a thermal, I don't expect much.

I have my eye on an AGM RATTLER V2 25-256 for $750 but, wonder if this would work very well for me.

TIA,
Sid

p.s. I ran on older FLIR 19mm unit a lot and now have a Trijicon IR Hunter Mk3-60mm so, longer range stuff with a good centerfire rifle is already covered well.
 
For context, I'm in rural Texas with animal hoarders and I am protecting livestock, and myself from druggies' "pet/guard dogs". I also have problems with all sorts of critters getting pushed out of poorly maintained pastures/woods by dogs running loose so, I encounter stuff in my barns and around my house where an AR-15 would do too much collateral damage and is a bit unwieldy compared to something like a Ruger 10/22.
 
DoubleLungRage said:
Did you make this same post a few weeks ago?
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Similar to the Night Hunting subforum in April but with a different primary application and some more thought on the subject.

The Infiray RL25 was recommended but at $2300 versus $750 for the AGM Rattler. Also, not a lot of responses but, good quality and helpful posts there.
 
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Is the AGM Rattler 256x192 sensor good enough for this application or is it a waste of money? Do I really need to spend >$2K to get something reasonable?
 
DoubleLungRage said:
I'd go with NV over thermal, but that's just me.
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Yes, looking at a PVS-14 which would help with the poisonous snakes but, thermal seems to be where most of the NV users are urging me to go.

A PVS-14 behind an Aimpoint is what a lot of folks are suggesting but, that is a ~$4k solution today. Light pollution is also a concern with a PVS-14. It would be nice for Astronomy nights though!

Thermal scanning and a NV scope is what a lot of longer range shooters suggest though I am looking for much closer in.
 
DoubleLungRage said:
My "issue" would be where you said that you needed absolute identification. That's why I said I would go with something like a RIX T20 or PARD DS35, PARD Night stalker.
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The RIX T20 with a 4.8 degree FOV and 8.4' at 100 yards is pretty tight.

Those two PARD options look like they could be winners using what appears to be digital camera technology. Solid recommendations for me! THANKS!
 
Just finished some YouTubes on the Pard NightStalker. Seems to be set up for more range than I would prefer but, at 4X native magnification with that much resolution should work out OK. The ~$1K retail price seems pretty good too. The IR flashlight and rangefinder add some bulk and tree limb catching or clothing snags but, livable with the functionality provided.

Definitely not what I expected to find today! Thanks! And, for target identification, worlds better than an AGM Rattler.

If they had something with a larger FOV and less native magnification, I'd probably have one on the way soon, pending some more review research. With 4K sensor resolution, a 1x or 2x native magnification with digital zoom seems like a better option for someone looking to use it on an air rifle or rimfire rifle.
 
I'm not sure how snakes would show up in a thermal. Snakes are usually the same temp or near the temp of the surrounding area.

For positive ID digital night vision would cheapest and best.
 
wildcat18 said:
I'm not sure how snakes would show up in a thermal. Snakes are usually the same temp or near the temp of the surrounding area.

For positive ID digital night vision would cheapest and best.
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Yep, reptiles will basically be the same temperature as their surroundings so a normal thermal won't show them at all or not very well.

The Pard NightStalker 4K at ~$820 MSRP seems like a solid choice. And with its CMOS sensor should provide much better target identification than any thermal of modest (<$3K) cost.
 
For the 22, you want lower magnification and good ID. 4x might be good for mice but you need more like 1-2x base mag. No need for range finder. Rattler form factor may be ackward on a 22. Got a rabbit @ 100 with my Rattler so they do OK - but it's a 4k$ unit. Pic is ATN OLT scanner (185 pixels?) - my shitzu @ 20 ft. Yup, shitzu - that's the resolution of the scanner. One problem I think for NV is you got a light for the scope to 'see' and the rodents will probably scatter -advantage IR. You can see farther with green than red, near IR light is probably no more than 50 yds best. The rabbit I got was by long ear and activity ID - at 16x.
EZVZ0018.JPG

This is daytime IR, same dog.
EZVZ0014.JPG
 
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popper43 said:
For the 22, you want lower magnification and good ID. 4x might be good for mice but you need more like 1-2x base mag. No need for range finder. Rattler form factor may be ackward on a 22. Got a rabbit @ 100 with my Rattler so they do OK - but it's a 4k$ unit. Pic is ATN OLT scanner (185 pixels?) - my shitzu @ 20 ft.
View attachment 10977
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That's a Shitzu? I would have said Pug.
 
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