I have tried FLIR thermal binoculars. Nice but f'in huge. A monocular with the same specs would do you right and provide the same info at less cost and a whole lot less bulk.
Sounds like you really need both a PVS 14 and a handheld thermal spotter. If only one is possible at a time, you need to decide if the navigation (PVS 14) roll is more important than the spotter (thermal monocular) roll. For example, if the terrain you hunt is familiar ground, the thermal spotter would likely provide more utility, but if you hunt unfamiliar terrain often, the PVS 14 would likely provide more utility.
A spotter which can provide ID at longer ranges is going to be expensive. Given a fixed budget, IMO, it is better to spend more $'s on a good scope and less on a decent spotter. Spot with the spotter, and if more performance is needed for positive ID, use the scope. Cutting distance is one way to confirm ID with mediocre performance thermals, of course.
I think everyone who starts out with a thermal scopemquickly realizes how much utility is gained with a thermal spotter, you are not alone there!
JPK