Thermal Recommendations

PrairiePredator

PrairiePredator

New member
I'm in the market for my first thermal scope. I have used a handful that belong to friends and have decided to get in the game. Budget is $6k or less. Already have a handheld scanner. Needs to meet the following requirements: 4+ hour battery life in the cold (0-10 F), LRF good to 800 yards, 640 sensor, good customer service, at least 2-8x magnification, removable and rechargeable batteries, video recording, and sensitivity to pick up heat signatures at 1000 yards+. What do the experienced folks have to say about what's out there?
 
i have a bering optics super yoter. for your budget there are better ones out there. as far as battery life find one that allows the use of something like the JL metal works battery pack, you can get 12 or more hours out of that. its what i use and never worry about battery life.

the bering optics super yoter is a darn good thermal for around 3 to 3,500 but no range finder.

i guess the main point here was the extended battery pack :)
 
I bought an Iray Rico G 640 LRF last year & am more than pleased.

Here's a video I did with it the night I got it, taken out the truck window.

Fence post is 100 yards
Bottom of the hill is 400 yards
Top of the hill is 550 yards
Far treeline is 1050 yards
Far treeline to the right is 1550 yards

 
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Spurchaser said:
Didn’t see the yardages, but dang it man that joker was clear and those cows were out there!!
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They were listed on YT, but I added them on the post.

Fence post is 100 yards
Bottom of the hill is 400 yards
Top of the hill is 550 yards
Far treeline is 1050 yards
Far treeline to the right is 1550 yards
 
No mention of Pulsar and the Thermion 2 LRF XP50 Pro, and that is one that I have been looking at. I have a buddy that can get me one at wholesale, although, I have some buddies that are down on Pulsar. Anyone have a good reason to stay away from them?
 
Just my opinion. I know there are several others that will do the same end result but the iray rico rh50r mk2.. I have had pulsar xp series and still use a pulsar xp helion scanner because of the battery life I can get from one battery but the image quality is night and day difference in my iray scope compared to the pulsar along with the lrf thats alot smaller in size
 
I was wanting a Pulsar until I looked through an iRay. Now it may have been the way the guy had his Pulsar set up, but after looking through both I went with the iRay for my initial purchase.
I bought a “cheaper” AGM as a backup and was using it as a scanner. To be honest I hated it. It just wasn’t as clear as the iRay. I ended up buying a SFAR and decided to put the AGM on it. Before taking it hunting I spent a night or two using it in my yard and got that scope dialed in as good as the iRay. It was my fault for not learning it after I purchased it. It’s actually my go to rifle and scope.
Both those thermals are 640’s which was the “best” at the time.
I would imagine time spent with a Pulsar would produce the same results.
 
I have a newer model Iray 640 and it's been a blast. One of the best things has been battery life. I can go out a couple of nights on one battery. I belive newer models from other brands have good battery too, but I've been super happy with the IRay
 
PrairiePredator said:
No mention of Pulsar and the Thermion 2 LRF XP50 Pro, and that is one that I have been looking at. I have a buddy that can get me one at wholesale, although, I have some buddies that are down on Pulsar. Anyone have a good reason to stay away from them?
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There a are a bunch of decent brands/products out there and I'm sure you will be happy with most. I use a Thermion 2 XG50 LRF and like the 3x base magnification. I like the way Pulsars operate compared to other brands in the same relative price range. The 2x base magnification Thermion 2 LRF XP50 Pro has a better image than the XG on less than ideal thermal nights and similar on good thermal nights. I'd say the XP is just as good or better image quality than the other brands out there. Pulsar now has a 5 year warranty too and the Pulsar units just feel much nicer and higher quality in my opinion. And if you can get a Pulsar at a good deal, that's what I'd go with.
 
PrairiePredator said:
No mention of Pulsar and the Thermion 2 LRF XP50 Pro, and that is one that I have been looking at. I have a buddy that can get me one at wholesale, although, I have some buddies that are down on Pulsar. Anyone have a good reason to stay away from them?
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If I could get Pulsar at wholesale, I wouldn't be looking any further. The Thermion line is good stuff. Super easy and intuitive to use. Solid units that are as close to bombproof in the thermal world as it gets.
 
I just bought the Iray TH50c V2 and I’m pretty happy with it. It doesn’t have a LRF but does have one available. I have a scanner that has LRF. I would look at the Iray RH50R that has a LRF and is your price range. The picture quality on my TH50c v2 is outstanding and the RH50R will be the same. I previously had a Pulsar XG50 (discontinued model) and the picture quality on the Iray is much better. Also Iray has a 5 yr warranty like other brands, but it also has a 5 day guaranteed turnaround on warranty repairs or replacement. As of now, no other manufacturer offers this.
 
I have an Iray Rico G LRF 640. My local gun store carries thermals and they had this one on the shelf. When I finished my schooling last December I went ahead and got myself a nice gift. Part of the reason that I got it was because I saw @alf post some videos using it last season and I was sold. The LRF works really well and in my opinion is a must have. I struggle to judge distance in the day let alone in the dark.
 
Lazer32 said:
I have an Iray Rico G LRF 640. My local gun store carries thermals and they had this one on the shelf. When I finished my schooling last December I went ahead and got myself a nice gift. Part of the reason that I got it was because I saw @alf post some videos using it last season and I was sold. The LRF works really well and in my opinion is a must have. I struggle to judge distance in the day let alone in the dark.
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Glad I could help you spend your money...ha ha.

I would dearly love to have the new Iray Rico Mk2 640 LRF. But, I really don't want to take a big bath on my Rico G, & not sure I want their expensive proprietary batteries, as I'm set up with 5 of the 26650 batteries for my G.
 
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