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Posted: 9/1/2014 2:53:12 PM EDT
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this has been a bumpy road, trying to decide which thermal device to buy. I will be using it for detection while hunting hogs and coyotes, and general wildlife viewing. As usual, I tried to go the cheapest route, and ordered a flir one. About the time the flir one shipped, the therm app was announced here on the forum. I returned the flir one (never used it) and ordered a therm app. Well, my therm app got detained by FDA on some BS gov technicality and I am currently getting a refund.
OK, I am now starting to think I should pony up some more cash and get something with better performance. I have seen that flir offers a reman ps-24 for $1600 and have seen new ones for about $1800. I have heard mixed feedback on this product. Some people seem to love it, and some don't. Looks like the ps-32 is about a thousand more. Is it worth that much more? Do you guys know of any other good options? I have kind of come to the conclusion that these phone mounted units will not be well suited for my purpose. Thanks in advance |
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What is your real budget? I would stick with the 320 resolution at the minimum to really assist what you're seeing out there. I feel the PS32 is good for general detection capabilities. I like the X-320 out of the bunch with extra capabilities but once again if general detection is what you're after, the PS32 works for it's intended purposes. Wearing it around your neck for easy manipulation is great, as it only weighs 12 ounces.
We have some very special pricing for ARFCOM members, so PM us if we can assist further. Edit, we knew from the start these FLIR Ones were giving folks the wrong idea of capabilities with all those fancy marketing pictures etc. It's a shame many folks spent their monies and expected much more performance. 
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this has been a bumpy road, trying to decide which thermal device to buy. I will be using it for detection while hunting hogs and coyotes, and general wildlife viewing. As usual, I tried to go the cheapest route, and ordered a flir one. About the time the flir one shipped, the therm app was announced here on the forum. I returned the flir one (never used it) and ordered a therm app. Well, my therm app got detained by FDA on some BS gov technicality and I am currently getting a refund. OK, I am now starting to think I should pony up some more cash and get something with better performance. I have seen that flir offers a reman ps-24 for $1600 and have seen new ones for about $1800. I have heard mixed feedback on this product. Some people seem to love it, and some don't. Looks like the ps-32 is about a thousand more. Is it worth that much more? Do you guys know of any other good options? I have kind of come to the conclusion that these phone mounted units will not be well suited for my purpose. Thanks in advance I'm not sure what area of Tejas you are in but if you are anywhere near Canton TX the ARFCOM store is a new entity and with a bit of communication I'm sure you could get the Industry Sponsors who run shop there to bring some thermal monoculars for you to try out... I used the FLIR PS versions and I just couldn't connect with the small screen on the units, I mean TINY. Best I could do to ID rabbit from racoon from possum was 50 yards and coyote from calf from hog maybe 75 yards. Stepping up in refresh rate and screen size will make the unit more useful in my opinion. I haven't used the X320 so I can't tell you about that one. The Pulsar Quantum series are very good units for price/performance, they have a good sized screen on them which takes my ID capability estimates about to almost double the stated ranges. The native magnificiation of the HD38s is 2.1x which also is a good reason for the performance gain. Last point I'll make is you can leave the Pulsar out in the rain and not have to worry about it being junk in the morning, you can drop the X320 in the river and locate it 15 minutes later and so long as the video port door is shut you're good. These smartphone TIs..... I wonder if they are even weatherproof and if a storm is inbound I don't want to have to quit the hunt just because the phone or system isn't weather resistant. HTXH |
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I can only relay my personal experience, which is considerably less extensive than some, but more extensive than most.
Skip the FLIR PS line. I know many people just LOVE their PS and think it's the greatest thing ever conceived by man. Maybe if you got one you'd be on that bandwagon, too -- maybe not. The resolution is low, the display is dogmeat, and the refresh makes everything go "Mr. Roboto." Get an L3 x320 or a Pulsar HD19s. I like that the Pulsar has a higher-resolution imager, and overall it has about 40% more resolution (or pixels, anyway). I don't own one, but I have been using one for a few days and it's THE one I'd go with if I were on a budget. The x320 is nice too, and you can get it from TNVC and it's US-made. I think the Pulsar is a little nicer, and has a little better image and display, but it's not hugely better. So, if you're a US-made fan who likes to buy from TNVC, you can't go wrong with the x320. |
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Quoted: I can only relay my personal experience, which is considerably less extensive than some, but more extensive than most. Skip the FLIR PS line. I know many people just LOVE their PS and think it's the greatest thing ever conceived by man. Maybe if you got one you'd be on that bandwagon, too -- maybe not. The resolution is low, the display is dogmeat, and the refresh makes everything go "Mr. Roboto." Get and L3 x320 or a Pulsar HD19s. I like that the Pulsar has a higher-resolution imager, and overall it has about 40% more resolution (or pixels, anyway). I don't own one, but I have been using one for a few days and it's THE one I'd go with if I were on a budget. The x320 is nice too, and you can get it from TNVC and it's US-made. I think the Pulsar is a little nicer, and has a little better image and display, but it's not hugely better. So, if you're a US-made fan who likes to buy from TNVC, you can't go wrong with the x320. How's the size of the display screen on the HD19s vs the X320?
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How's the size of the display screen on the HD19s vs the X320? Quoted:
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I can only relay my personal experience, which is considerably less extensive than some, but more extensive than most. Skip the FLIR PS line. I know many people just LOVE their PS and think it's the greatest thing ever conceived by man. Maybe if you got one you'd be on that bandwagon, too -- maybe not. The resolution is low, the display is dogmeat, and the refresh makes everything go "Mr. Roboto." Get and L3 x320 or a Pulsar HD19s. I like that the Pulsar has a higher-resolution imager, and overall it has about 40% more resolution (or pixels, anyway). I don't own one, but I have been using one for a few days and it's THE one I'd go with if I were on a budget. The x320 is nice too, and you can get it from TNVC and it's US-made. I think the Pulsar is a little nicer, and has a little better image and display, but it's not hugely better. So, if you're a US-made fan who likes to buy from TNVC, you can't go wrong with the x320. How's the size of the display screen on the HD19s vs the X320? Unfortunately, I haven't had them together at the same time. But the HD19s display is more pleasing to my eye -- I think. 
The image is a little more crisp, to my eye. |
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I'm not sure what area of Tejas you are in but if you are anywhere near Canton TX the ARFCOM store is a new entity and with a bit of communication I'm sure you could get the Industry Sponsors who run shop there to bring some thermal monoculars for you to try out... HTXH This is good advice. I had been on the fence about thermal. Visited the store and an Arf night vision Meet and Greet. Helped me decide that I really DID need more than just my PVS 22. I now own an ATN ThoR 336. I can see footsteps on carpetted floors from just the friction of people waling over it. The rafters in my ceiling are visible, along with the nails for their thermal property as well. Watched an owl in a tree at 500yds last night. Thermal has made some leaps in the last three years. The new units are very impressive. TRG |
| Just got word that there is an HD19A in the works for $2k. Its similar to the HD19s, but with a 640x480 LCD screen which gives you a little less mag and the screen is smaller. The HD19s is where its at for 3k and under, and now I am thinking the HD19A is where its gonna be at for $2k and under. |
| I have not used the Pulsar unit but have used and owned many FLIR units. Based on the specs I've seen, one caveat with the Pulsar is that it does not have InstAlert (red hot mode). For the type of hunting I do in areas with trees or brush, I use InstAlert exclusively and it works much better than white or black hot for picking up animals. In wide open fields or close up, it doesn't make as much difference. Also, generally speaking, I don't expect to ID much with entry level thermals. |
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For detection the flir units do the job, for ID they do not do the job very well.
You need a unit with a adjustable focus to get the best image possible. Several units are out there the L3 units and the pulsars both have adjustable focus, and for just around $1k a 3x lens can be added for better ID. The armasight units have the best video I have seen to date posted on youtube, I have not had one in hand yet. Here is link to the zeus 5 75mm video Zeus 5 75mm hogs @ 70-80yds at night Here is a link to the zeus 3 75mm video Zeus 3 75mm hog around 100yds You tube search for w1000-9 videos on you tube, the unit has top detection range. It's image quality not as good as the armasight units in my opinion. All these units are just over $5K, so I don't know what price range you are looking into. Hope you find one that does the job for you. |
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Quoted: This is good advice. I had been on the fence about thermal. Visited the store and an Arf night vision Meet and Greet. Helped me decide that I really DID need more than just my PVS 22. I now own an ATN ThoR 336. I can see footsteps on carpetted floors from just the friction of people waling over it. The rafters in my ceiling are visible, along with the nails for their thermal property as well. Watched an owl in a tree at 500yds last night. Thermal has made some leaps in the last three years. The new units are very impressive. TRG Quoted: Quoted: I'm not sure what area of Tejas you are in but if you are anywhere near Canton TX the ARFCOM store is a new entity and with a bit of communication I'm sure you could get the Industry Sponsors who run shop there to bring some thermal monoculars for you to try out... HTXH This is good advice. I had been on the fence about thermal. Visited the store and an Arf night vision Meet and Greet. Helped me decide that I really DID need more than just my PVS 22. I now own an ATN ThoR 336. I can see footsteps on carpetted floors from just the friction of people waling over it. The rafters in my ceiling are visible, along with the nails for their thermal property as well. Watched an owl in a tree at 500yds last night. Thermal has made some leaps in the last three years. The new units are very impressive. TRG |
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With a PVS-22 in play, how are you utilizing the Thor? Handheld or on a separate rifle? Quoted:
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I'm not sure what area of Tejas you are in but if you are anywhere near Canton TX the ARFCOM store is a new entity and with a bit of communication I'm sure you could get the Industry Sponsors who run shop there to bring some thermal monoculars for you to try out... HTXH This is good advice. I had been on the fence about thermal. Visited the store and an Arf night vision Meet and Greet. Helped me decide that I really DID need more than just my PVS 22. I now own an ATN ThoR 336. I can see footsteps on carpetted floors from just the friction of people waling over it. The rafters in my ceiling are visible, along with the nails for their thermal property as well. Watched an owl in a tree at 500yds last night. Thermal has made some leaps in the last three years. The new units are very impressive. TRG My 'plan' is Thor for detection. PVS 22 for discrimination. TRG |
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Thanks to everyone for suggestions, I live 450 miles from Canton, too far for me but would be nice to try before buying. I have seen that some companies do rentals and that may be what I need to do. This is the exact kind of information I was looking for. The pulsar units seem to be a popular unit with good quality for the $. The new hd19a at the 2k range is appealing. Lots of different things to consider, I like the red hot screen option for quick and easy detection, I prefer made in USA, but it's not a deal killer The x320. looks like a nice option.
It seems like the thermal offerings are really expanding. I think I need to do some more research, take my time and make one final purchase that will best suit my needs. Thanks again |
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I have not used the Pulsar unit but have used and owned many FLIR units. Based on the specs I've seen, one caveat with the Pulsar is that it does not have InstAlert (red hot mode). For the type of hunting I do in areas with trees or brush, I use InstAlert exclusively and it works much better than white or black hot for picking up animals. In wide open fields or close up, it doesn't make as much difference. Also, generally speaking, I don't expect to ID much with entry level thermals. For the type of hunting I do in thick cover and swamps with limited sight distance, I would NOT get a thermal without InstaAlert, makes it so much easier to scan for detection it is NOT funny, plus makes finding downed hogs in thick brush much easier. My FLIR PS-32s are just for detection and they work great for that, my FLIR LS64 are for detection and ID and they work excellent for that! Don't expect a FLIRONE to be your elcheapo answer for cheap themal hunting gear with a 60X80 core and a tiny lens.... 
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Quoted: I have not used the Pulsar unit but have used and owned many FLIR units. Based on the specs I've seen, one caveat with the Pulsar is that it does not have InstAlert (red hot mode). For the type of hunting I do in areas with trees or brush, I use InstAlert exclusively and it works much better than white or black hot for picking up animals. In wide open fields or close up, it doesn't make as much difference. Also, generally speaking, I don't expect to ID much with entry level thermals.  |
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