Pulsar v ATN Thermal Spotters and Rifle Scopes

[Lamp_Shy 21]

So I've decided to take the plunge and buy a thermal scope. I've a few decisions to make; buy a spotter and stick with the Photon for shooting, or buy a thermal rifle scope. Ideally Id get two thermals but can't afford both!

Also, both Pulsar and ATN make good scopes, but I'm undecided. My budget's around £2,500, & would welcome any pros and cons from either make. 

The key features for me are;

1. Detection range

2. Clarity

3. Warranty - 3 years

4. Maximum waterproofing

5. Customer care/after sales. 

6. Must be Picatinny rail mounted.

I like the ATN 384 4.5-18 and the Pulsar XQ50 

Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated. 

 

Cheers

 

 

[IanB 0]

3 hours ago, Lamp_Shy said:

So I've decided to take the plunge and buy a thermal scope. I've a few decisions to make; buy a spotter and stick with the Photon for shooting, or buy a thermal rifle scope. Ideally Id get two thermals but can't afford both!

Also, both Pulsar and ATN make good scopes, but I'm undecided. My budget's around £2,500, & would welcome any pros and cons from either make. 

The key features for me are;

1. Detection range

2. Clarity

3. Warranty - 3 years

4. Maximum waterproofing

5. Customer care/after sales. 

6. Must be Picatinny rail mounted.

I like the ATN 384 4.5-18 and the Pulsar XQ50 

Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated. 

 

Cheers

 

 

All on the Pulsar models are good and have different benefits but...

If I could only have one model as an allrounder, it would probably be a Trail XQ50 based on the below.

Your getting a 50mm lens with a 2.7x optical magnification that gives a great field of view for scanning along with the benefits of a larger lens...i.e it performs better in poor weather and gives better detail.

The Trail model is a not much bigger than a Helion , so if use a neck strap fitted with a weaver rail you can use it as a spotter no problem at all and it brings all the above benefits... plus you can fit it to a rifle scope when needed for ratting/rabbiting/foxing..

For the money its the best choice from the Trail range IMO , the Apex XQ50 offers similar performance with a slightly different image hue, its more black and white, a smidgen more magnification and has a video out connection instead of wifi, along with inbuilt 1000m rangefinder..

These are the two to go for, in terms of bang for buck ..

[Lamp_Shy 21]

Thanks Ian, can the Trail fit on a Picatinny rail, with QR Mounts? 

 

Cheers

[IanB 0]

Yes straight on.

[Lamp_Shy 21]

Don't suppose anyone has video footage or links to a video showing say a fox at 200 Yds etc? There's an awful lot of videos online, but nothing with specific measurements or distances?

[Cliff Ray 185]

Pick what distance and I will go and record it as soon as the rain stops. I can't guarantee a fox, but I should be able to persuade my neighbours whippet to pose for you

[Lamp_Shy 21]

200 Yds would be great, I don't really shoot beyond that  cheers

[Cliff Ray 185]

Okay, tonight I would need SCUBA kit to go outside, but it is forecast to be better tomorrow

 

[Lamp_Shy 21]

Don't suppose anyone has aNY of these thermal units in West Scotland?

[Cliff Ray 185]

This is what I could get in 10 minutes this morning as I have masses to do before heating to the shooing show. It's jerky as I was also using a rangefinder at the same time, plus it was freezing cold and I was on the way to a squash match so really inappropriately dressed.

Shot with the an 384 4.5-18x scope, handheld so I didn't get arrested.

 

http://www.opticalsolutions.uk/footage/labrador at 206m.MOV

http://www.opticalsolutions.uk/footage/golf at 94m.MOV

http://www.opticalsolutions.uk/footage/golf at 274m.MOV

http://www.opticalsolutions.uk/footage/golf at 471m.MOV

 

Edited February 15, 2018 by Cliff Ray
mistake in link

[Cliff Ray 185]

Not that I know of in West Scotland, but if you are close to Glasgow you can fly to Southend and I will meet you there for a demo.

 

[Lamp_Shy 21]

Alas, I'm afraid that's too far, but thanks :-)

[Lamp_Shy 21]

After some digging, I've compiled key features for comparison. It should be pretty accurate as its lifted from the manufacturers websites, it may help others. I've omitted all the WIFI and video stuff, as its not really important to me. As you can see, its difficult to make a direct comparison in certain areas:

If anyone has other information, post it and I'll update:

Thoughts?

 

[Rabid 1,936]

On 15/02/2018 at 14:10, Cliff Ray said:

This is what I could get in 10 minutes this morning as I have masses to do before heating to the shooing show. It's jerky as I was also using a rangefinder at the same time, plus it was freezing cold and I was on the way to a squash match so really inappropriately dressed.

Shot with the an 384 4.5-18x scope, handheld so I didn't get arrested.

 

http://www.opticalsolutions.uk/footage/labrador at 206m.MOV

http://www.opticalsolutions.uk/footage/golf at 94m.MOV

http://www.opticalsolutions.uk/footage/golf at 274m.MOV

http://www.opticalsolutions.uk/footage/golf at 471m.MOV

 

You have golfers out on the course at quarter past midnight ?

What range were they taken at cliff

[Cliff Ray 185]

Woops, forgot to reset the time and date. They are taken just after 9am, but obviously light doesn't make any difference to a thermal scope.

The distances are in the file name, but in order they were 206m, 94m, 274m and 471m