Thermal Optics Setup for Western Predator Hunting

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

Looking to get a thermal scope and scanner setup for hunting yotes and bobcats in the west. Public land, lots of different locations, big country. Looking at ~$2k for the scope and ~$2.5k for the monocular with LRF. Considering 384 resolution in the scope and 640 in the monocular. Max shot distance will be what is reasonable given the quality of the image and ID range, but 300 is preferable, 200 expected. I've read a lot of forum threads here and elsewhere, but given how fast tech is moving and all of the different price/resolution ranges the threads get outdated pretty quickly.

Below is what I've narrowed down the options to based on hours of scouring various optics dealers and youtube review. I've cross-referenced each manufacturer's website to eliminate any previous model versions from consideration (i.e. AGM Fuzion LRF monocular, now ReachIR LRF, Pulsar Talion XQ 35 now the XQ 35 PRO). Any thoughts on my rankings or additional suggestions? Thermals are a whole new world but I think I've captured the main players who have options in my price range.

Open to suggestions on the following:

- LRF in the optic vs monocular. Though process is that I'll be using the scanner to get into range rather than guessing and ranging with the optic on the weapon.

- Scope form factor. The AR style seems to be appropriate given I'll only be using on AR's, but if there are more benefits to the traditional scope form factor I'm not aware of.

- Hybrid scope/monocular (i.e. iRay SLIM H35). Not seeing a good option there with LRF and not sure how confident I am in the RTZ functionality, but it would be nice to be able to lend to a buddy for two shooters.

 

[SuperDUECE22]

You are correct, the tech is moving so fast in this space that its hard to keep up. With that being said I'd give Jason Roberston @ Outdoor Legacy Gear 877-350-1818. No affiliation with them I just know he is a straight shooter who will help in any way he can.

I've been in the thermal game now for about 5-6 years and the units you have selected will definitely work. I'm not a big fan of the Talion (pretty sure this is a 17-micron unit which I would avoid) or any of the cheaper pulsar units as they lack tremendously in higher humidity conditions.
Definitely stay away from that rattler v2 ts25-384 and the BOLT TL25 SE as that is only 2-16X and you're going to want something with a base mag of at least 3x if you're going to be expecting shots in the 200-yard range, remember every time you zoom you cut your resolution in half.

Of the scopes you listed id go with the rattler v2 ts35-384

I don't like the FH35R V2 LRF just because the IBP-2 battery packs are expensive

I have the ReachIR LRF and its a decent scanner, image quality is not out of this world for a 640 unit but its decent given the price. I really like that it utilizes 18650s which are a lot cheaper so you can have lots of spares which is huge because all these thermal units burn through batteries when you have them out in the cold. The button layout on this is also more friendly compared to the FH35R V2 LRF especially when wearing bigger gloves in the winter.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

You are correct, the tech is moving so fast in this space that its hard to keep up. With that being said I'd give Jason Roberston @ Outdoor Legacy Gear 877-350-1818. No affiliation with them I just know he is a straight shooter who will help in any way he can.

I've been in the thermal game now for about 5-6 years and the units you have selected will definitely work. I'm not a big fan of the Talion (pretty sure this is a 17-micron unit which I would avoid) or any of the cheaper pulsar units as they lack tremendously in higher humidity conditions.
Definitely stay away from that rattler v2 ts25-384 and the BOLT TL25 SE as that is only 2-16X and you're going to want something with a base mag of at least 3x if you're going to be expecting shots in the 200-yard range, remember every time you zoom you cut your resolution in half.

Of the scopes you listed id go with the rattler v2 ts35-384

I don't like the FH35R V2 LRF just because the IBP-2 battery packs are expensive

I have the ReachIR LRF and its a decent scanner, image quality is not out of this world for a 640 unit but its decent given the price. I really like that it utilizes 18650s which are a lot cheaper so you can have lots of spares which is huge because all these thermal units burn through batteries when you have them out in the cold. The button layout on this is also more friendly compared to the FH35R V2 LRF especially when wearing bigger gloves in the winter.

Thanks, I forgot to mention that I will definitely be giving Outdoor Legacy Gear a call along with a few other vendors. Hoping to have my preferences dialed so we can have an efficient/effective conversation. Watched a lot of their videos along with Feral Texas Outdoors and Fall River Shooters. Entering the analysis paralysis phase so it's time for the forum post and vendor phone call steps of my process! haha

Good point on the Talion, it is a 17um and <25mk unit. Youtube video makes the image look pretty comparable to the AGM TS35-384, but I understand the video export quality doesn't equal what you see in the scope. Something like a 40% reduction in quality. The Pulsar name and huge price cut on them might have influenced my ranking a bit too much.

 

[SuperDUECE22]

- LRF in the optic vs monocular. Though process is that I'll be using the scanner to get into range rather than guessing and ranging with the optic on the weapon.

this is what I do, I don't record hunts or mess with any of the buttons on my scope while hunting, always on base mag with PIP on. I am looking through my scanner 95% of time so usually I'll range some landmarks right away and then I can easily do more ranging later on during the stand if the need arises. And honestly once you get a bunch of experience under your belt you can just tell by the size of animal in the scope if its in range or not but right away the LRF is handy because your depth perception is all messed up.

Scope form factor. The AR style seems to be appropriate given I'll only be using on AR's, but if there are more benefits to the traditional scope form factor I'm not aware of.

Does not matter IMO.

- Hybrid scope/monocular (i.e. iRay SLIM H35). Not seeing a good option there with LRF and not sure how confident I am in the RTZ functionality, but it would be nice to be able to lend to a buddy for two shooters.

Wouldn't mess with it. Some guys i know swear by the RTZ but i never wanted to deal with it. I know some people have just bought another scope and they use that for scanning when SOLO and then they attach it to spare rifle for buddy but that gets dangerous having 2 guys without scanners spinning 360s around a tripod in the dark with loaded AR's. My opinion would be just get the dedicated scanner and pick up a cheap scope down the line for a buddy set-up.