ExCavTanker
New Member
So, after much research and video watching my Dad and I jumped on the thermal train. Based on the terrain and distances we'll typically hunt, we chose the Armasight Zeus 640 2-16x42 (30hz). I used to think our suppressors were the crack of the firearms world (and they are) but thermal is right there with them. Using handwarmers I had the rifle sighted in at 100yds, seeing the rifle still shoot 1/2" groups with the thermal was a very pleasant surprise, but shooting 1 " at 200 in pitch black, priceless.
After the shooting was done and the rifle put away, I took the thermal and walked to the end of my Dad's driveway and started to scan the field across the road, sweeping from right to left. I had barely started when suddenly five deer appeard in the thermal (based on their location I know that spot was about 150yds away) and even after watching all the great hunting vids I was BLOWN AWAY!
I am soooo glad we went with the 640 over a 320 chip, and that our first foray into night hunting beyond red lights was to go straight to thermal. Yes, logitics will be a challenge during actual hunting using it as a monocular then using the QD to attach to the rifle but we'll have to make do until we add a thermal moncular to the stable.
Now for the negative, these things eat CR123 batteries faster than a fat kid on a Snickers bar. As a test I left the unit on the whole time and with the temps in the mid sixties we got just under two hours of run time, at winter hunting temps of 10-20 deg, the Anker battery pack with the UNV custom cable will be madatory.
I'd like to thank Todd for his video on how to set up an Armasight Zues, it's that kind of info that the owner's manual doesn't even address and wringing every last bit of performance out of these pricy items is what's it all about. To be honest in case the owners of Armasight are reading this, Todd basically sold us the Armasight scope with his awesome hunting vids and set up info as well as detailing the new firmware which performed amazingly on the whitetail deer.
For you thermal pros this experience is old hat but for those of you on the fence about thermal, if it's legal to hunt with in your State, the juice is DEFINITELY worth the squeeze.
After the shooting was done and the rifle put away, I took the thermal and walked to the end of my Dad's driveway and started to scan the field across the road, sweeping from right to left. I had barely started when suddenly five deer appeard in the thermal (based on their location I know that spot was about 150yds away) and even after watching all the great hunting vids I was BLOWN AWAY!
I am soooo glad we went with the 640 over a 320 chip, and that our first foray into night hunting beyond red lights was to go straight to thermal. Yes, logitics will be a challenge during actual hunting using it as a monocular then using the QD to attach to the rifle but we'll have to make do until we add a thermal moncular to the stable.
Now for the negative, these things eat CR123 batteries faster than a fat kid on a Snickers bar. As a test I left the unit on the whole time and with the temps in the mid sixties we got just under two hours of run time, at winter hunting temps of 10-20 deg, the Anker battery pack with the UNV custom cable will be madatory.
I'd like to thank Todd for his video on how to set up an Armasight Zues, it's that kind of info that the owner's manual doesn't even address and wringing every last bit of performance out of these pricy items is what's it all about. To be honest in case the owners of Armasight are reading this, Todd basically sold us the Armasight scope with his awesome hunting vids and set up info as well as detailing the new firmware which performed amazingly on the whitetail deer.
For you thermal pros this experience is old hat but for those of you on the fence about thermal, if it's legal to hunt with in your State, the juice is DEFINITELY worth the squeeze.
and I can't wait to call one in for him to drop the hammer on with the thermal. I'm hopeful that this scope gives us that edge that we've needed on these tough Eastern coyotes, and I'm confident it will.
