Deciding on a thermal scope

JPK

LSB Active Member
Though Taco thinks he is the only hunter here on LSB, except maybe TLM, the areas we hunt ranges from flat land with tight, small fields, or in the woods to wide open vistas, or moderate size fields to rolling hills with 1/2 mile-mile or more visibility.

Don't focus on lens size, (which is not given, you are reading focal length numbers.) Even 19mm willl do you right in the right unit. See for example, Terry's post regarding the Patrol, which is 19mm. The Patrol makes a great 0-150yd scope, except it is a pita to sight in.

I have tried thermals from 1.25x or so to 3x native. I have NEVER wanted more than 2.5x with a 640 unit, and find the 2x native fine with the XD50S. With more native magnification comes smaller FOV. I'll take FOV.

But, the day scopes on my rifles are all vairiables with low magnification on the low end. 1x4, 1.5x8, 2x7, 2.5x10.... If you are one of those guys who thinks a 6x18 is a good deer scope, your opinion might be different. But remember, the only view you have at night when you re looking through your scope is through your thermal, even if you have a PVS 14 or 15.

JPK
 

Taco

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Lol bro come on let it go. I'm sorry I made fun of Pulsar. Let's be friends?
 

JPK

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Guy, it isn't Pulsars vs any thing, it is your incessant shoving of your opinion down anyone's throat. Evidenced, for example, by trying to compare lower end scopes vs top of the other line scopes to try to make your point.

I am fairly immune to your **** because I just don't give a **** about your opinion, though I do give it a little weight. Little weight because your are the only F'er who has had an issue with EVERY scope you have owned. WTF.

JPK
 

DarkNight

LSB Member
I currently use a 4x night vision scope & there are times it's not enough magnification for me, this is where I like the idea of zoom capability of the thermal. I wonder how small a coyote will appear in a 2x thermal at 100 yds, about the same size as it would be with a 2x day scope?
I'm on the predator masters forum as well & hear about night vision being better for positive ID compared to thermal, chances of shooting someone's dog, etc, etc.
Just curious on you guys experience/opinion on that. The more I look at these units, the more the Zeus seems to fit the bill though.
 
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djones

Guest
i too have used a 4x nv scope. i've often wished for more magnification, but i was shooting at ranges farther than i had any business doing under nighttime circumstances. i use the 2x zoom on the thermal, but like the native 3x for running shots at practical ranges.

tapco,
the jpkidd and i are forming the anti takko coalition. you'd better straighten up and start saying nice things about my buttstock!
 

Ratdog68

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I, (for one) have NO opinion regarding your butt (stock, or otherwise). :eek:
 

Taco

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JPK let's not be cross. You seem like a cool dude come on ese let's bury the hatchet. If my scope goes tits up I call it like I see it. Taco is honest if anything and he/I don't tolerate substandard gear or S customer service.

DJ I swear to god if you put a skeletonized pistol grip on that lwrc I will search every center pivot Diesel engine shack until I find your hovel and I will kill you.
 

BDubbs

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Lmao, not The Hell Hound!!! I'm afraid he'd just eat the bus and you'd be stuck with the aggravating little bastard hanging off your ankle bones during your treks across the corn fields in pursuit of the elusive dirt clods! However, he does dearly love tacos! Lol
 

BDubbs

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There's some fantastic info in this thread and it can all be overwhelming trying to decide what the best option might be, that's why I say to hell with it and just mix a drink and go out with my janky little 4x ATN and try to obtain enough pig meat to keep Gus fed and therefore save the human race from his feeding frenzies!
 

Ratdog68

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Ratdog, count me in. I have no opinion about DJ's buttocks, except it doesn't seem to be as lightweight as he claims.
Is that an implication that it's a little dingle-berry heavy?
 
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djones

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DJ I swear to god...
when i came back and noticed this i realized it didn't register the first time. this is not a 'holier than thou' post nor am i casting stones, but i think that might be a rules violation. joking or not, i don't think Mr. BIG approves of that. i'm no expert, but perhaps snake may come back and make a ruling.
 

Ratdog68

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JPK let's not be cross. You seem like a cool dude come on ese let's bury the hatchet. If my scope goes tits up I call it like I see it. Taco is honest if anything and he/I don't tolerate substandard gear or S customer service.

DJ I swear to god if you put a skeletonized pistol grip on that lwrc I will search every center pivot Diesel engine shack until I find your hovel and I will kill you.

I'd suggest keeping the banter a little more civil than this. Even if you are just kidding, the tone can't be gathered from word only.
 

Ratdog68

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Maybe a bannable offense.
Some of your previous comments to DJones come across as adversarial in tone, not as friendly banter. As such, your remark on the skeletonized grip is sounding more aggressive/threatening. If that's not your intent, an emoji to imply humor would help.
 

Taco

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Totally kidding. I mess with DJ all the time. Sorry for taking it a bit too far. I was boozing it up a bit and lost my filter. Sorry guys.
 
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RattlesnakeDan

San Antonio Texas
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when i came back and noticed this i realized it didn't register the first time. this is not a 'holier than thou' post nor am i casting stones, but i think that might be a rules violation. joking or not, i don't think Mr. BIG approves of that. i'm no expert, but perhaps snake may come back and make a ruling.
Seeing how it is a small case "g"...it means nothing. It also means that he probably doesn't have a ride to your place to cill you because little "g" guys usually break down a lot.
 

RattlesnakeDan

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Totally kidding. I mess with DJ all the time. Sorry to send a chill down your spines. Wow.
Besides, skelotonized stuff is cool because you can shove stuff in the empty spaces and use duct tape to keep them there. lol
 
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