best thermal under 2200??

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - best thermal under 2200??

Posted: 10/10/2017 8:16:12 PM EDT

Alright, lets say you want a thermal (first purchased) and you can get away with spending $2200 or less. Thats my situation and I'm doing some research. I will use it on my ar15 and scar17. I don't predator or hog hunt right now and likely won't ever enough to justify more than my budget (a few times/year). I just want a thermal scope I can play around with as a monocular as well as mount on my gun to hunt at less than 300yd. I've narrowed down to FLIR PTS233, Pulsar core RXQ30, Predator 336 2-8x25 60hz (on sale). Im confident other people asking the same thing and also understand there may not be a simple answer as to what the best value is. I don't want the cheapest, I just want the best value in my price range. From what I can tell the answer to my question changes with time due to new technology as well as old tech going on sale. I see the FLIR may take some time to get and if it's the best I don't mind waiting. I've read all the reviews of each scope but want to know if this was your budget, what would you buy?

I'm a new member and hopefully I'm not breaking any posting rules I just don't know enough about the technology and don't have anywhere to go test out each unit.

Thanks in advance.

Posted: 10/10/2017 8:31:20 PM EDT

[#1]

Looks like you're in the right place! Welcome to the forum!

I know exactly jack about thermal, but I'm soon to be in the market similar to your budget. In for some useful advice.

Posted: 10/10/2017 10:09:01 PM EDT

[#2]

tagged

Posted: 10/10/2017 11:44:14 PM EDT

[#3]

Hey ranger1202! Welcome to arfcom! You're on the right track. If I were to buy a thermal for use as a handheld and a weapon sight, I personally would choose the Pulsar Core RXQ30V. It works well as both. It's the only one that you mentioned that I would want to use as a handheld. I realize it doesn't have all the bells and whistles as the others but all those features add weight and size. From what you described, you probably don't need and wouldn't use all the bells and whistles anyway. Hope this helps. I'm a big fan of all the Pulsar Thermals.

Posted: 10/11/2017 8:17:01 AM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
Hey ranger1202! Welcome to arfcom! You're on the right track. If I were to buy a thermal for use as a handheld and a weapon sight, I personally would choose the Pulsar Core RXQ30V. It works well as both. It's the only one that you mentioned that I would want to use as a handheld. I realize it doesn't have all the bells and whistles as the others but all those features add weight and size. From what you described, you probably don't need and wouldn't use all the bells and whistles anyway. Hope this helps. I'm a big fan of all the Pulsar Thermals.

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Tom, thanks for the response. I started looking a few months ago and the pulsar core rxq30v was the one I had decided on until I saw the deeply discounted predator 336 and then the new PTS233. What held me up was not wanting to be behind the technology curve if 12 micron was that much better and the new standard and could be had for 400 or so more dollars. You're right, I definitely don't need and wouldn't use all the bells and whistles. I'm looking for the best image quality I can get for my money. I know you know your stuff and really appreciate your expertise. I'll definitely be purchasing from your company.

I think what hurts the rxq30v is the lack of video out. Not because I need it, but because the video reviews online are shot from behind the scope and understandably can't be the quality you actually see through the scope. Correct me if I'm wrong. For example, the pulsar trail xq30 is around $900 more and the image quality appears significantly better online than the core rxq30v. Would you say the image quality of the rxq30v is closer to the trail xq30 than it appears online?

Thanks again.

Posted: 10/11/2017 8:20:50 AM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
Tom, thanks for the response. I started looking a few months ago and the pulsar core rxq30v was the one I had decided on until I saw the deeply discounted predator 336 and then the new PTS233. What held me up was not wanting to be behind the technology curve if 12 micron was that much better and the new standard and could be had for 400 or so more dollars. You're right, I definitely don't need and wouldn't use all the bells and whistles. I'm looking for the best image quality I can get for my money. I know you know your stuff and really appreciate your expertise. I'll definitely be purchasing from your company.

I think what hurts the rxq30v is the lack of video out. Not because I need it, but because the video reviews online are shot from behind the scope and understandably can't be the quality you actually see through the scope. Correct me if I'm wrong. For example, the pulsar trail xq30 is around $900 more and the image quality appears significantly better online than the core rxq30v. Would you say the image quality of the rxq30v is closer to the trail xq30 than it appears online?

Thanks again.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Hey ranger1202! Welcome to arfcom! You're on the right track. If I were to buy a thermal for use as a handheld and a weapon sight, I personally would choose the Pulsar Core RXQ30V. It works well as both. It's the only one that you mentioned that I would want to use as a handheld. I realize it doesn't have all the bells and whistles as the others but all those features add weight and size. From what you described, you probably don't need and wouldn't use all the bells and whistles anyway. Hope this helps. I'm a big fan of all the Pulsar Thermals.

Tom, thanks for the response. I started looking a few months ago and the pulsar core rxq30v was the one I had decided on until I saw the deeply discounted predator 336 and then the new PTS233. What held me up was not wanting to be behind the technology curve if 12 micron was that much better and the new standard and could be had for 400 or so more dollars. You're right, I definitely don't need and wouldn't use all the bells and whistles. I'm looking for the best image quality I can get for my money. I know you know your stuff and really appreciate your expertise. I'll definitely be purchasing from your company.

I think what hurts the rxq30v is the lack of video out. Not because I need it, but because the video reviews online are shot from behind the scope and understandably can't be the quality you actually see through the scope. Correct me if I'm wrong. For example, the pulsar trail xq30 is around $900 more and the image quality appears significantly better online than the core rxq30v. Would you say the image quality of the rxq30v is closer to the trail xq30 than it appears online?

Thanks again.

I second what Tom says.

Posted: 10/11/2017 9:01:43 AM EDT

[#6]

I have the sightmark photon for shooting and pulsar ld19 for scanning with thermal.
My hunting partner just got the pulsar rxq30v and it’s great.

If i had it to do over I’d start with the pulsar RXQ30v (as mentioned) and skip all the other trial and error. I’m actually thinking about selling my stuff and going that route anyways, but trying to decide if it’s worth taking the loss at this point.

Posted: 10/11/2017 12:44:46 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted: Would you say the image quality of the rxq30v is closer to the trail xq30 than it appears online?

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Unquestionably. Get the RXQ30V. I've killed a pile of critters with it.

Posted: 10/11/2017 9:02:28 PM EDT

[#8]

If you can bump your budget to $2,500 check out the APEX XQ38 it will smoke an RXQ30V and has many more of the features that most hunters end up wanting like video out, external power, manual focus, black hot/white hot, and a few others. I would wait and save the extra $300 if at all possible you won't regret it.

Posted: 10/11/2017 11:15:32 PM EDT

[#9]

The Apex is a great thermal weapon sight but the OP wants something that works well as a handheld monocular as well and the Apex is too big to accomplish both tasks well in my opinion.

OP, in regards to resolution, yes the Trail XQ30 and the Core RXQ30V are very similar. Other than the sapphire green OLED display. The FLIR PTS233 is the best 320x240 resolution, but the Pulsar's are slightly higher 384x288 resolution. Call or PM me when you have more questions. Thanks

Posted: 10/12/2017 2:19:15 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
Alright, lets say you want a thermal (first purchased) and you can get away with spending $2200 or less. Thats my situation and I'm doing some research. I will use it on my ar15 and scar17. I don't predator or hog hunt right now and likely won't ever enough to justify more than my budget (a few times/year). I just want a thermal scope I can play around with as a monocular as well as mount on my gun to hunt at less than 300yd. I've narrowed down to FLIR PTS233, Pulsar core RXQ30, Predator 336 2-8x25 60hz (on sale). Im confident other people asking the same thing and also understand there may not be a simple answer as to what the best value is. I don't want the cheapest, I just want the best value in my price range. From what I can tell the answer to my question changes with time due to new technology as well as old tech going on sale. I see the FLIR may take some time to get and if it's the best I don't mind waiting. I've read all the reviews of each scope but want to know if this was your budget, what would you buy?

I'm a new member and hopefully I'm not breaking any posting rules I just don't know enough about the technology and don't have anywhere to go test out each unit.

Thanks in advance.

View Quote

These folks rent gear for evaluation purposes.

ETA: I see Tyler has already posted in the thread.

Posted: 10/12/2017 10:48:19 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
If you can bump your budget to $2,500 check out the APEX XQ38 it will smoke an RXQ30V and has many more of the features that most hunters end up wanting like video out, external power, manual focus, black hot/white hot, and a few others. I would wait and save the extra $300 if at all possible you won't regret it.

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1) The XQ38 is $835 more than the RXQ30V, by the time you add the scope ($2499), the recorder ($200), and the cable that should already come with the recorder ($35).
2) The RXQ30V has external power.

Posted: 10/12/2017 10:58:03 AM EDT

[#12]

OST. I'm getting into the NV/Thermal market as well and know absolutely nothing.

Posted: 10/12/2017 11:23:31 AM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
OST. I'm getting into the NV/Thermal market as well and know absolutely nothing.

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Gotta ask with the name- are you a grappler?

Posted: 10/12/2017 11:53:11 AM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:

1) The XQ38 is $835 more than the RXQ30V, by the time you add the scope ($2499), the recorder ($200), and the cable that should already come with the recorder ($35).
2) The RXQ30V has external power.

View Quote

We include the MDVR and cable(or a DLOC-PTM) for free with the APEX XQ38

The DLOC-PTM makes the unit smaller and lighter. This is what makes it easier to use as a monocular and take it on and off a rifle while maintaining your zero. After having hunted extensively with both I would say the XQ38 is most definitely worth the upgrade IF your budget allows. If not, then the RXQ30V is the only option. Just my $.02

Posted: 10/12/2017 12:11:10 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:

We include the MDVR and cable(or a DLOC-PTM) for free with the APEX XQ38

The DLOC-PTM makes the unit smaller and lighter. This is what makes it easier to use as a monocular and take it on and off a rifle while maintaining your zero. After having hunted extensively with both I would say the XQ38 is most definitely worth the upgrade IF your budget allows. If not, then the RXQ30V is the only option. Just my $.02

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I am a simple caveman, and my knowledge of facts is limited to what a retailer posts on their website. Your website says nothing about a free DVR. Since you have stated the DLOC-PTM is what makes it easier to use the XQ38 as a monocular, the OP would still need to purchase the DVR and cable.

The XQ38 is great, especially if the user needs a LRF. However, the RXQ30V works just fine with the included mount, which I have used on 3 different guns with 100% return-to-zero repeatability.

Posted: 10/12/2017 12:44:34 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:

Gotta ask with the name- are you a grappler?

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LOL ... of sorts. I'm a martial artist and practice BJJ among other things.

The name comes from the mythical snake dragon that is revered in Thailand, where I was born.

Posted: 10/13/2017 5:22:50 PM EDT

[#17]

The Apex XQ38 system seems like a great deal for the money

Posted: 10/23/2017 9:38:36 AM EDT

[#18]

Bought the Pulsar Core RXQ30V a few weeks back. I’ve taken it hog hunting several times now. In short, for the money, it’s amazing. The video quality is far superior than the review videos online would have you believe.

Posted: 10/23/2017 10:14:58 AM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
Bought the Pulsar Core RXQ30V a few weeks back. I’ve taken it hog hunting several times now. In short, for the money, it’s amazing. The video quality is far superior than the review videos online would have you believe.

View Quote

Glad you took the leap and picked up a thermal!

Posted: 10/23/2017 9:30:36 PM EDT

[#20]

I have a RXQ30V and every video clip posted of it in action does this sight a huge disservice. The image is very crisp and clear. I previously owned a Apex xd38a and I think the image on the CORE is even better.

Posted: 10/24/2017 12:02:57 AM EDT

[#21]

We would agree. Even our video doesn't do it justice and ours is much better than most out there. Great sight for the money! We're impressed and we aren't impressed easily.

Posted: 10/24/2017 12:56:11 AM EDT

[#22]

I just cant get over the green. From the online videos I see I much prefer the grey scale. That feels more natural to me.

Posted: 10/24/2017 10:39:02 AM EDT

[#23]

My hog hammer!

I wasn't crazy about the green display either until I used it and frankly there really isn't anything negative about it, in fact it probably is a little easier on my eyes than the other thermals I used. I don't care for the mount but I do have the new smaller single point attachment mount on order from Pulsar.

Posted: 10/24/2017 4:33:45 PM EDT

[#24]

SEXY!

Quote History

Quoted:
My hog hammer!

http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p475/96vettex/20171024_073556_zpszzclqo74.jpg

I wasn't crazy about the green display either until I used it and frankly there really isn't anything negative about it, in fact it probably is a little easier on my eyes than the other thermals I used. I don't care for the mount but I do have the new smaller single point attachment mount on order from Pulsar.

View Quote

Posted: 10/24/2017 6:52:10 PM EDT

[#25]

What did they charge for the single point mount? I've been unable to find it on their website..

Quote History

Quoted:
My hog hammer!

http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p475/96vettex/20171024_073556_zpszzclqo74.jpg

I wasn't crazy about the green display either until I used it and frankly there really isn't anything negative about it, in fact it probably is a little easier on my eyes than the other thermals I used. I don't care for the mount but I do have the new smaller single point attachment mount on order from Pulsar.

View Quote