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Posted: 4/23/2026 10:18:24 AM EDT
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My thoughts in the video. TL;DW version: if you plan to buy once/cry once, I would step up to the 386 class at least. However, if you’re on a budget, and/or plan to get another thermal in the future, I think a 256 makes a lot of sense and can be used as a scanner (like I primarily use this Rix Storm S1). What’s your take? |
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Resident poor and budget item enjoyer checking in. Hell yeah you should. I'm messing with some budget 256 units right now and they work just fine *in certain scenarios*. If you can only afford digital NV, then get that too over waiting until NEVER to get a $1500+ analog unit. Some capability > no capability. |
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I tried the budget option with NV, buying an ATN unit. IMO it wasn't much good past 80 yards, and the novelty wore off quickly because of it leaving me with a $700 scope I rarely use... If/when I go back to seeing in the dark (thermal), I'm going to take a lessen from my NV experience and start at 640. If I use these as an example, it's a big jump but not so big a few more months of savings wouldn't make it worth waiting IMO. AGM Rattler in 240 $1K AGM Rattler in 640 $2700 |
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Start with what the budget will allow. Save up if one needs to to get a higher resolution. Some thermal is better than no thermal. That having been said, my 256 Rattler is extremely capable and leagues better than nothing. Not perfect, but it probably does 80% of what a thermal needs to do. Super handy as a handheld (get it?  ) and it pairs well with a helmet-mounted PVS.
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Originally Posted By sublimeshooter: I tried the budget option with NV, buying an ATN unit. IMO it wasn't much good past 80 yards, and the novelty wore off quickly because of it leaving me with a $700 scope I rarely use... If/when I go back to seeing in the dark (thermal), I'm going to take a lessen from my NV experience and start at 640. If I use these as an example, it's a big jump but not so big a few more months of savings wouldn't make it worth waiting IMO. AGM Rattler in 240 $1K AGM Rattler in 640 $2700 I don’t think NV and thermal are exactly comparable here. There’s a huge leap from digital NV to a Gen3 WP PVS14, and you’ll definitely notice a huge difference. With thermal, as long as the unit works, even a 256 will pick up deer and humans out to 1000. Your ID range will be fairly short compared to the 640, but it’s extremely handy to have. |
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Originally Posted By the-answer-is-42: Resident poor and budget item enjoyer checking in. Hell yeah you should. I'm messing with some budget 256 units right now and they work just fine *in certain scenarios*. If you can only afford digital NV, then get that too over waiting until NEVER to get a $1500+ analog unit. Some capability > no capability. This is where I’m at. |
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Originally Posted By bluedog82: I don’t think NV and thermal are exactly comparable here. There’s a huge leap from digital NV to a Gen3 WP PVS14, and you’ll definitely notice a huge difference. With thermal, as long as the unit works, even a 256 will pick up deer and humans out to 1000. Your ID range will be fairly short compared to the 640, but it’s extremely handy to have. Cant disagree, and I'm admittedly ignorant to most NV and Thermal. I just try and not make the same mistakes twice. IDK what OP wants/needs but I know I'd want to be able to truly identify out to 300, and from what I've read a 256 is more like 150. |
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Originally Posted By bluedog82: This is where I’m at. To espouse a little more here and agree with your other post about NV vs thermal - budget thermal is way more advanced and more useful than budget NV. The use cases for a budget thermal for how good they are at the price point are much more handy to have. Budget NV (de facto digital NV) is competing against analog NV aka 'expensive NV' and it still doesnt come close. Budget thermal in my opinion is NOT competing against expensive thermal as they really all offer something different in each resolution class from 256 to 400 to 640. A short list of use cases for budget thermal; LEO/Rescue - Scanning for heat signatures such as a missing person, lost person, trapped person or conversely a hiding criminal. Hunting - Identifying game pre and post shot. Budget thermals especially the cheaper handheld monocular units can help easily identify downed game while tracking. Overwatch - Scanning surrounding for heat signatures when on post/watch in your favorite LARP EOTW fantasy of choice. Aiming - Within 100yds you can be reasonably accurate for subsistence hunting and clean hits with a 256 and within 200yds you can take shots for varmint control where shot placement maybe doesnt matter as much. When would you want to upgrade to a 640 or higher? When you need to reliably target ID over 300yds, when shot placement is key, or you need exact target ID of animals which may all be the same species but you need to discern features. |
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Originally Posted By sublimeshooter: Cant disagree, and I'm admittedly ignorant to most NV and Thermal. I just try and not make the same mistakes twice. IDK what OP wants/needs but I know I'd want to be able to truly identify out to 300, and from what I've read a 256 is more like 150. It’s my video; I’ve got 2 256s and a 384. It all depends what you plan to do with it! |
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Optics matter too. A 256 with a 2x base mag is going to be better than a 384 with a 1x base mag unless you get too close for the magnification to be a benefit. I’m over simplifying but you get the idea. Likewise a 2x 384 vs a 1x 640. There are a lot more variables than just sensor resolution. |
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This thread isn't helping my wallet Been looking at thermal all.day Ts19-256 for 659 before 20 shipping isn't bad but watching the ee as well |
1(800)kbi 4cat
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Qoute : FCSD - Hold up! I could have tip toed around here with just my hand covering my ass, instead of jamming my thumb in my asshole? Y'all motherfuckers need a user manual or something.
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Qoute : FCSD - Hold up! I could have tip toed around here with just my hand covering my ass, instead of jamming my thumb in my asshole? Y'all motherfuckers need a user manual or something.
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I have a 384 hogster and wouldn’t want any less of a sensor. As soon as you zoom the image goes to shit. Great as a scanner at 1.5x or whatever and that’s good for at least 300 yards. Also good for close ish shooting. If you realistically can’t save for a 380 or 640, get what you can get. Something is better than nothing. People overseas are stacking bodies with atn/agm stuff that is considered cheap in the realm of what we can get in the us. |
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Originally Posted By the-answer-is-42: Resident poor and budget item enjoyer checking in. Hell yeah you should. I'm messing with some budget 256 units right now and they work just fine *in certain scenarios*. If you can only afford digital NV, then get that too over waiting until NEVER to get a $1500+ analog unit. Some capability > no capability. Originally Posted By m200maker: Which units? @rock71 @m200maker @answer-is-42: Lost all my birds in the last 10 days Im declaring jihad on all predators around herel Foxes Coyotes People's fucking dogs who come around and kill my pets ( lost pookie last year and flea the kitten 2 weeks ago and 10 birds to 2 dogs The other 5 birds were I assume a fox Righy now i cant see past 50 yards hers cause of the brush and trees But have access to open areas nearby Here's what ive found price wise Attached File Attached File Attached File But the ts19-256 like before and save for a pvs14 like what I had in 2022 to 2024 Or jump on the 320 unit for the steal price instead of 1195.00 Decision |
1(800)kbi 4cat
Montani Semper Libre
Qoute : FCSD - Hold up! I could have tip toed around here with just my hand covering my ass, instead of jamming my thumb in my asshole? Y'all motherfuckers need a user manual or something.
Montani Semper Libre
Qoute : FCSD - Hold up! I could have tip toed around here with just my hand covering my ass, instead of jamming my thumb in my asshole? Y'all motherfuckers need a user manual or something.
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Originally Posted By kbi: @m200maker @answer-is-42: Lost all my birds in the last 10 days Im declaring jihad on all predators around herel Foxes Coyotes People's fucking dogs who come around and kill my pets ( lost pookie last year and flea the kitten 2 weeks ago and 10 birds to 2 dogs The other 5 birds were I assume a fox Righy now i cant see past 50 yards hers cause of the brush and trees But have access to open areas nearby Here's what ive found price wise https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/77256/9396_jpg-3755121.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/77256/9398_jpg-3755122.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/77256/9400_jpg-3755123.JPG But the ts19-256 like before and save for a pvs14 like what I had in 2022 to 2024 Or jump on the 320 unit for the steal price instead of 1195.00 Decision 320 seems like a no-brainer here. |
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Cane tl work on my day off Manager She has me wrapped  Couldn't find my debit or branch card thus morning Last saw it on my bed at 4am And im sick Shivering Cough sore throat Mfr Going home and looking again The 320 is what I want Maybe over kill but the price is way belowmsrp And I can use it on my longer range sticks Attached File Attached File Attached File The woods are all green now Heavy brush |
1(800)kbi 4cat
Montani Semper Libre
Qoute : FCSD - Hold up! I could have tip toed around here with just my hand covering my ass, instead of jamming my thumb in my asshole? Y'all motherfuckers need a user manual or something.
Montani Semper Libre
Qoute : FCSD - Hold up! I could have tip toed around here with just my hand covering my ass, instead of jamming my thumb in my asshole? Y'all motherfuckers need a user manual or something.
 DNT Hydra HS219 building from 25yds to a mile out and color pallettes |
1(800)kbi 4cat
Montani Semper Libre
Qoute : FCSD - Hold up! I could have tip toed around here with just my hand covering my ass, instead of jamming my thumb in my asshole? Y'all motherfuckers need a user manual or something.
Montani Semper Libre
Qoute : FCSD - Hold up! I could have tip toed around here with just my hand covering my ass, instead of jamming my thumb in my asshole? Y'all motherfuckers need a user manual or something.
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Very solid performance. |
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Originally Posted By bluedog82: Very solid performance. @bluedog82 Thanks Im happy with the purchase Only wish there was a manual with how to mount the qdm150 mount instead of searching youtube May have to get another one of these later on though Only a few host I can use it on Aero 18" .308 with 3-12 My remington 16" upper with 1-4x M4 16" 11.5 remington And Ap5 Need a mount for it Gonna get old switching from one to another maybe a 384 next time  DNT hydra HS219 . Racoon at 50yds i need to get rid of after it went after one of the outside cats  Playing with the dnt hydra hs219 watching one of the ferals o feed |
1(800)kbi 4cat
Montani Semper Libre
Qoute : FCSD - Hold up! I could have tip toed around here with just my hand covering my ass, instead of jamming my thumb in my asshole? Y'all motherfuckers need a user manual or something.
Montani Semper Libre
Qoute : FCSD - Hold up! I could have tip toed around here with just my hand covering my ass, instead of jamming my thumb in my asshole? Y'all motherfuckers need a user manual or something.
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Originally Posted By kbi: @m200maker @answer-is-42: Lost all my birds in the last 10 days Im declaring jihad on all predators around herel Foxes Coyotes People's fucking dogs who come around and kill my pets ( lost pookie last year and flea the kitten 2 weeks ago and 10 birds to 2 dogs The other 5 birds were I assume a fox Righy now i cant see past 50 yards hers cause of the brush and trees But have access to open areas nearby Here's what ive found price wise https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/77256/9396_jpg-3755121.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/77256/9398_jpg-3755122.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/77256/9400_jpg-3755123.JPG But the ts19-256 like before and save for a pvs14 like what I had in 2022 to 2024 Or jump on the 320 unit for the steal price instead of 1195.00 Decision What year were those prices from? |
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I have the AGM Rattler-C V2 19-256 Clip-On and like it. I can pick out foxes, deer, and bears from my back deck that I wouldn't be able to see otherwise. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By 03RN: What year were those prices from? @O3RN About 5 minutes into the past 😆 https://gun.deals/catalog/313126/agm-thermal-weapon-sights#deals Attached File And the ts25-320 https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/agm%20thermal?page=2&result_type=product Attached File Attached File |
1(800)kbi 4cat
Montani Semper Libre
Qoute : FCSD - Hold up! I could have tip toed around here with just my hand covering my ass, instead of jamming my thumb in my asshole? Y'all motherfuckers need a user manual or something.
Montani Semper Libre
Qoute : FCSD - Hold up! I could have tip toed around here with just my hand covering my ass, instead of jamming my thumb in my asshole? Y'all motherfuckers need a user manual or something.
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Originally Posted By kbi: @O3RN About 5 minutes into the past 😆 https://gun.deals/catalog/313126/agm-thermal-weapon-sights#deals https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/77256/10092_jpg-3775203.JPG And the ts25-320 https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/agm%20thermal?page=2&result_type=product https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/77256/10094_jpg-3775204.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/77256/10096_jpg-3775205.JPG Originally Posted By kbi: Originally Posted By 03RN: What year were those prices from? @O3RN About 5 minutes into the past 😆 https://gun.deals/catalog/313126/agm-thermal-weapon-sights#deals https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/77256/10092_jpg-3775203.JPG And the ts25-320 https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/agm%20thermal?page=2&result_type=product https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/77256/10094_jpg-3775204.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/77256/10096_jpg-3775205.JPG Great prices. I thought I hunted down the best deal on mine. 
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 DNT HS219 hydra firmware update and new palletes |
1(800)kbi 4cat
Montani Semper Libre
Qoute : FCSD - Hold up! I could have tip toed around here with just my hand covering my ass, instead of jamming my thumb in my asshole? Y'all motherfuckers need a user manual or something.
Montani Semper Libre
Qoute : FCSD - Hold up! I could have tip toed around here with just my hand covering my ass, instead of jamming my thumb in my asshole? Y'all motherfuckers need a user manual or something.
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Dang Op. you hunted some deals! I picked up a rattler v2 25-320 this month. Happy so far! Attached File |
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Originally Posted By lugert: Dang Op. you hunted some deals! I picked up a rattler v2 25-320 this month. Happy so far! https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/312111/IMG_7610_jpeg-3804391.JPG Nice yote! |
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