Which one? Pulsar Trail XP38 vs. Armasight Zeus 640 3-24x75 30hz

Hey Guys

So apparently the Trail XP38 that I ordered is going to take its sweet time to ship my way. Anyone have any experience with the Armasight Zeus 640 3-24x75 30hz? The Pulsar has a 50hz core and seems like its newer technology but Im not an expert on either. While I am eager to get A thermal scope on my rifle and start hunting I do not want to rush into the situation with older technology from the start. Any help you guys can provide would be much appreciated!

I like the Trail for the following features:
Picture in Picture
Built in DVR
Wifi
Quick change battery pack
Different rifle profiles
Waterproof
Rated up to 373 H&H mag

I like the Armasight for the following reasons:
Stronger warranty/bigger brand backing it up
More color options
Greater field of view
Waterproof?
Caliber rating?
 

Jhop

LSB Active Member
SUS VENATOR CLUB
I like the Zeus 640 3-24x75mm 30 hz over the XP38 simply because of the native magnification.

Is it water proof? no.
Color options. Don't use anything other than black hot/white hot.
Caliber rating. .308, good enough for me. I'm not lugging around a big ass gun just to shoot it on 3x anyway.

I do like the XP38's: Built in recording and battery pack. If it only had the magnification.

Both scopes have multiple rifle profiles.
 

Wray

LSB Member
The frame rate of the 50hz is pleasing. The 30hz does show jerky motion on faster animals.

Are your distances pretty short? Just asking because the XP50 is a closer match to the Zeus 3x than the 38.
 

Brian Shaffer

Hog Hunter
SUS VENATOR CLUB
LoneStarBoars Supporter
The frame rate of the 50hz is pleasing. The 30hz does show jerky motion on faster animals.

Are your distances pretty short? Just asking because the XP50 is a closer match to the Zeus 3x than the 38.

I am not sure about jerky as I didn't notice that at all during the years when I was using the Zeus regularly, but I am certain that the 1.6x NATIVE magnification is nowhere near to be a "match" for the Zeus 3x. Granted, it is more than 1.2x, but the word "match" should not have been used, LOL. The XP38 has such miniscule native magnification compared to the Zeus that they are not comparable.
 

FrankT

Destin FL
LSB TURKEY BUZZARD PRESERVATION SOCIETY
LoneStarBoars Supporter
That Zeus is about the best you are going to get and a 640 unit and 30htz is faster than the human eye
 

Wray

LSB Member
I am not sure about jerky as I didn't notice that at all during the years when I was using the Zeus regularly, but I am certain that the 1.6x NATIVE magnification is nowhere near to be a "match" for the Zeus 3x. Granted, it is more than 1.2x, but the word "match" should not have been used, LOL. The XP38 has such miniscule native magnification compared to the Zeus that they are not comparable.


Didn't mean to offend your sensibilities. The differences in frame rate are noticeable. The second question was framed to ask the OP why he ordered the 38 when there was another model (closer) to the mag of the Zeus in the pulsar lineup.
 

hdfireman

Blackstone Arms
SUS VENATOR CLUB
Vendor
LoneStarBoars Supporter
Didn't mean to offend your sensibilities. The differences in frame rate are noticeable. The second question was framed to ask the OP why he ordered the 38 when there was another model (closer) to the mag of the Zeus in the pulsar lineup.
The XP50 isn't really closer, it's 1.6x.

OP, If you really want the on-board recording, pic in pic and wifi then go with the trail. My opinion the Zeus is a better hunting scope because of the native magnification. With the magnification the same on the 2 units the pulsar will have basically have half the resolution on the zeus.
 

Jhop

LSB Active Member
SUS VENATOR CLUB
The frame rate of the 50hz is pleasing. The 30hz does show jerky motion on faster animals.

Are your distances pretty short? Just asking because the XP50 is a closer match to the Zeus 3x than the 38.
Jerky on faster animals? Are you hunting gazelles and cheetahs at close distance? I've been driving down the road at 75mph looking at stuff with my Zeus 640 3-24x75mm with 30hz and never had any jerky........ other than beef jerky. Now with the 336 core you'll have some jerkiness if you get to moving real fast.
 
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I really appreciate everyone's input on this one. After doing some research the only real selling point for my intended use on the Zeus is the higher native magnification. As long as I can accurately identify pigs out to 250 yards then I will be fine as 250 is the max I really want to take a shot with the rifles I intend to put it on (308, 6.8 & 7.62x39). It seems like anyone who is serious about hunting at longer ranges goes with something from Trijicon like the IR Hunter series. Seeing as how I do not have the extra $4k to $5k I guess I will have wait until my next purchase. It seems like from what I have read the user interface on the Pulsar might be easier for a rookie and the customer service at Armasight/Flir may be suffering due to the merger. The on board DVR with no external devices to worry about along with the wireless options will make it easier for me to become Youtube Famous, Im calling you out TLM :)

Juan
 
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