Thermal Scopes.

[BRTreedogs]

You don't know anything about me. I haven't said anything in this thread about where I hunt, because it doesn't matter because these rules are not arbitrary.

I've engaged in this discussion because hopefully anybody who is on the fence about this can read through and make the right decision. In the real world, the conversation would be more like:
"You're breaking a primary rule of gun safety."
"Yeah but it's okay because..."
"No."
Full stop, conversation ends there.

 

[omicron1792]

By your logic no one can thermal hunt without a spotter and rifle mounted scope.

I have both and it’s a better way to hunt. But most get into the game with just a rifle mount to start.

 

[1000yards]

By your logic no one can thermal hunt without a spotter and rifle mounted scope.

I have both and it’s a better way to hunt. But most get into the game with just a rifle mount to start.

Yes exactly. I appreciate you following the logic there, but that's exactly what I said in my first reply:

You're going to need factor a spotter into your budget as well. I know what you're thinking, but there's nothing safe about using your rifle scope as a spotter.

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

Well this thread took a turn.

If anyone has any thermal questions feel free to shoot me a PM. Gotten quite a few folks off of here into thermals and answered questions for a lot more!

 

[Cschoonover90]

Yeah....this has probably been covered more than a million times ....BUT....
I'm just now trying to get into the "thermal" thing.
#1) I'm a "po boy"! I don't have the coins to drop $1500 plus just for kicks and giggles!
#2) I live in rural Oklahoma! Pigs snd 'yotes abound! There is a small creek across our property, but all wildlife traffic is after dark!

I'm not afraid or scared of those critters, but it sure would be nice to thin the numbers! Might even help to increase the deer/turkey numbers!

Found an ATN ThOR 4, used for +/- $600. Soorry, but I'm a bit skeptical about dropping $600 on a "used" scope! ....especially a thermal scope!

I "think" , for that much money ($1k+), I'd want something with a factory warranty! Just my OFS* kicking in.

I also was raised with the mindset of "good and cheap" don't belong in the same sentence!

I see some AGM (?) products that run close to the thousand dollar range.
Is AGM worth the money?


*OFS - Old Fart Syndrome

My coworker has the AGM. Outs the older version but it’s well worth the $1K.

 

[1000yards]

I'm sorry if I ruffled some feathers and derailed the thread, but I stand by what I said.

To actually answer OPs question. When it comes to thermals in that price range that I have used and still (sort of) recommend:

AGM Rattler V2 19-256. It's one of the cheapest thermal scopes you can get. I haven't had any significant issues besides every now and then taking it out of sleep mode can be finicky. It's good out to 100 yards, usable to 150 yards, and if the humidity is low you can push it past that.

For a spotter, the Taipan V2 15-384. No issues so far. The field of view is great, but the range is not. I take it everywhere I go but if I hunt anywhere other than this dense thick swamp then I'll also bring something with more range.

The two guys I night hunt with both use higher-end Pulsar equipment for scopes, monoculars, and binoculars. That high end stuff is great to look through, and probably very helpful out West. But in this swamp, that extra cost doesn't translate into more dead hogs. Best of luck!