Thermal Recommendations?

My Pulsar Apex 50 quit holding zero recently and can't be repaired so I'm looking for a new thermal in the less than $4500 price range. I haven't been following the newest stuff for the last 4 years. Most of my shots are inside 100 yards so I don''t need a lot of magnification. Any opinions?

Bering Optics Super Hogster - 35mm 12 micron 2.9x mag (nearly the same as your Apex50) . 4 year transferable warranty

I'm not sure if you care much about all the bells and whistles like video recording, battery packs etc but if you want a really nice optic and would like to stick with Pulsar, I'd go for the Thermion XQ38 2.5x for $3,299. If you wanted to spend a little more you could get the Thermion XP50 2x for $4,999 and it's a top of the line 640 resolution scope that has some amazing image quality. But if you'd like to stay down below that, I'd go with the XQ38.

The Bering Optics Hogsters that Pig Popper mentioned have great image quality and are going to be more similar in style to your Apex. PP mentioned the Super Hogster 3x and it really is a great optic for $3,120.

Between the Pulsars and the Berings I think it comes down to the style of scope you want and how much you do or don't want to stick with Pulsar.

I like both of those options. I am tired of all the clutter on my gun stock from the battery and MDVR so I have to decide how much it's worth to me to get all that in a scope. I'm also a little concerned about the POI failures on Pulsar products. Thanks for the input!

Thermion XP50 2xI, just got one of these from the owners, outdoor is spot on about the image quality. still learning the fine tune side of it but zeroed one of the owners and it was pretty easy to get a 1" or so group at 100yds, 300 aac/suppressed with sub sonic loads.

they also have trijicons, some of the upper end and the thermion is a better all round to me, a heck of a lot easier to zero and picture quality matches a couple of the 7-8k $ trijicons.

if you go that rte, spend the extra 100.00 on the large capacity spare battery, well worth it. I also use a 20,000mah battery with 6' usb when in the blind.

Trijicon Reap IR and be done.

Huey Outdoors. Texas Lawman on here. Look at his videos on you tube.

You can't go wrong with either the Pulsar XQ50 Thermion or Trail, I've had excellent luck with both

I didn’t know Todd was on here. Been watching his stuff over the last few years. Great content.

They have fixed that with the new model Trails, it’s was never an issue on other models. I had an Apex that was flawless until I wore out the power switch, sent to Pulsar and they offered me an upgrade to the Trail 2 XQ50LRF at a stupid cheap price so that’s what I have now and have had zero issues with it. I’m now debating on getting another Trail 2 XQ50LRF or a Thermion for a second rifle.

I want to buy a Pulsar Thermion XQ50 for xmas!...and can spare the $$$ to do it. However, I currently have a Sightmark Photon RT 4.5S and have called in some fox, bobcat, but no pigs or Yotes, in the past year, which I am really after. Hard to justify spending the extra $$ to upgrade and I know it is a better scope. Will I see more or shoot more with thermal? With my external IR I can see about 300 yards and comfortably shoot to 200 yards which is plenty for my range. Will Thermal make that big of a difference and is it worth the upgrade? I can always use my current set up as a loaner! For those of you that have made the jump, let met know if it makes that big of a difference?

I've got a very healthy amount of hours on a Bering Optics Hogster-R, 25mm version. I am extremely happy that I didn't go down the Pulsar road when I made my decision.... if nothing else I just couldn't get down with the too high native magnification ranges. I'll take FOV please. Anywho, I've been really happy with this optic and I'd buy it again in a heartbeat for $2,300. The Super Hogster looks amazing, but in my opinion you really have to dig to find a way the extra $1k is going to help you shoot more hogs. Also, this is just my anecdotal observation, but the Super may suck down primary batteries a lot faster. I get excellent run time on Streamlight 123's in my Hogster-R. If you don't want to run an external battery that might be something to consider.

What’s your run time on those CR123’s? I’ve been extremely happy with 2 things on my Pulsar, the 8hour battery life and LRF.

I never have paid close enough attention to tell you exactly, but if it's not too cold outside they'll come close to making it for two separate night hunts, 3-4 hours each. LRF is really nice for sure.

Do you recall any specific event that caused it, drop/fall, etc? I have the same which I got from Sightmark when my original XD-50A had a video out problem still under warranty and they didn't have the parts to fix, so they did the exchange. I thought that was outstanding customer service, so I'm a customer for life.

Charlie

Where is the best place to buy a Thermion XQ38 2.5 ??

what is the difference between Thermion XQ50 and the XM50 ?

Throckmorton Hunter

You should contact a dealer to get those questions answered

Or read the specs.

Oh, come on now. Are you suggesting that he turn in his Man Card?

He said specs, not instruction manual....

ours came from grabagun, owners are buds with the owner. check there first.

Owners are buds with the owner? Owner of Pulsar?

You will see way more with the thermal vs. the NV even with the best IR light available. With NV there is a lot of wash from the IR, with thermal you see heat. It was a game changer for me. I do still run both, but only when I invite a buddy to tag along.

ATN Thor 4-384-4.5-18x (thermal) on AR10 in 308
ATN X-sight 4k Pro 3-14x (day/night) on AR15 in 6.5 Grendel

Bering Optics Super Hogster - 35mm - I watched several videos and reviews and seems to have very good image quality for $3200 and I like the 4 year warranty. Anyone know of a good source to purchase one? Trying to give business to THF folks when possible.

https://outdoorlegacygear.com/colle...ermal-rifle-scope?variant=32380718383178

I’m looking to purchase a super Hogster, best I can tell is anywhere from 2-6 week wait.

Shows in stock .... what am I missing ?

https://www.nightvisionoutfitters.com/products/bering-optics-super-hogster-35mm

Hopefully this doesn't distract from the conversation too much...but is it generally possible to just use a thermal monocular to spot heat signatures, but then use a standard rifle scope to actually shoot them?

Lots do that.

But rather than a standard scope, either a night vision scope, or thermal scope is preferred.

They are back ordered, 2-4 weeks.

I hear Burris will have some out next month..
I should be getting one in to test

Burris have a thermal ? Do tell ......

The XP50 is sweet I had a FLIR 536 that I was really impressed with when it worked. After a year I got a refund and It's past time to bite the bullet , That pulsar is in the hunt for being the creedmoor's new best friend.

I am new to thermal but recently bought two units. A hogster 25 and a super hogster that just came in yesterday. I got the 25 originally because I am impatient and it was in stock and we wanted to go hog hunting right away. I like them both but the super is much better with the larger lens and higher magnification. My eyes aren’t the best and the added magnification of the super is well worth it. I mounted it on an Rock River AR-10 after we opened presents today and went out to sight it in this afternoon. First shot was about 14” right and perfect elevation. I dialed the recticle to match and the second shot was a bullseye. Fired two more rounds to confirm and had a 3/4” group. I had no idea the AR-10 shot this well. I have owned it 12 years and this was the first time I shot it.

You and I did the same thing yesterday!

Sighted in the new Super Hogster at 100 yards. Diamondback AR10 .308.

6 shots total. Here's the last two...

That is some awesome marksmanship at 100 yards!! I'm thinking of getting an AR10 in .308...have been doing a good amount of research online. Really want to do my part to reduce the wild hog population here in Texas. Do not have any place to shoot so I may try the public hunting lottery, but that would likely mean I have to hunt with a shotgun. Have a semi auto 12 gauge smoothbore and just ordered 50 rounds of rifled slugs. Have not shot it yet but have heard slugs they are good out to 100 yards....just need to put in some practice.

Jason....you shouldn’t have clicked the link...when someone posts ATN without any censored stuff afterwards, you know it’s a BS post

The man has a good point there

Touche!!!