This looks awesome. We need more options and competition to get prices down. If I’ve learned anything from this video, Colt takes no bullshit from anyone.
The cheapest thermal in the game from a reputable company is going to be the AGM TS19. Anywhere from $850 to $950 for a 256 resolution thermal with a 1080 screen. It’s not a 384 resolution so it’s not as clear but that’s the thermal I hand to guests when they hunt with me. It does have recording, Picture in Picture, tons of color palates, and multiple reticle options.
@@thetexasrancher8208 I have the TS35 640 and 384 and they are awesome! Again as a price comparison they beat everyone out at price and quality. I’ve had pulsar’s for a long time and cost to gain on the AGM is phenomenal compared to other brands.
Or just buy 384x288 used... I got my for 350 bucks. And a saw two other 384 thermals for 450 bucks, but with 17uq pitch. This is not a image intensifier tube. No need to buy thermal new. Especially if it's like new..
I think Sightmark makes a decent product most of the time. I have to admit when the Wraith Mini Thermal was announced it had my attention. As soon as my local shop got one in stock I went to check it out. I was prepared to buy it. The owner of the shop is a friend of mine. He let me take the scope for a short time to try it out. I was impressed with the image quality but my positive feedback ends there. The display screen is so small I could barely read the information on the screen. The menu button is small and cumbersome. I can’t imagine accessing the menu’s while wearing gloves. In my opinion if you don’t care to see the screen and setup the menus once and leave it then it’s a great scope for 100-150 yards. I was all excited about it but after having it in my hands for a while I’d seen enough. Save your 2k and add another 1k to it and you’ll have plenty of 384 scopes to choose from at $3000 bucks. Tiny screen, battery door needs improvement, menu button needs improvement. Or if your just starting out with thermal just buy an AGM Rattler TS19 256 for $1000. Let that be your starter scope. See how you like night hunting and then go drop some cash on something better.
I almost got the wraith nod for helmet. Instead got agm pvs14 gen 2 plus green cause it's easier for my eyes. If I would've waited I have seen dual pvs 14 with the bridge for sub 6 grand. We live and we learn. Maybe I can get the wraith for hog hunting next year. Gotta get this house then a job there then we shall see how life goes for our family. God has been so good even in the dark in the pain and the hard times he has always provided for us and given us the best from the worst. God be with you all and stay safe and stay strong!
@@bassproshophat8999 I only did green cause I used them in the army so I know exactly what I'm gonna see. I say get what you believe would be best for your needs.
The monochromatic green is so much easier on the eyes as they are just built to pick up on it I love the g.p night vision I am currently waiting to get a w.p set up but still have some more saving to do how do you like the agm ?
I got no end of people scoffing at the sightmark rds i used to have on my shotgun, but to it's credit, it never stopped working. An unknown number of slugs and other full power loads and it kept on going.
I looked at this vs the AGM Rattler. Similar specs. Similar prices. I went with the AGM because the magnification is 1.5X giving a wider fov, slightly lower street price, plus it comes with an American Defense QD mount making it very versatile. It has exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend. Let me recommend using a .25" riser to put the eyepiece at a perfect height.
Thank you for this helpful comment. I'm also currently deciding on this unit or the AGM TS25-384 Rattler and I think the Rattler looks a bit more robust. It doesn't have as many color palettes but black/white is the most useful one anyway. I think I'll also go for the Rattler based on the flimsy battery lid on the Sightmark and I think I like the menu structure better on the Rattler. Besides, I really like that wider view of the Rattler. The Wraith Mini is very interesting though.
I was looking at this thermal, the AGM Rattler and Varmint, and ATN Thor LTV. I got a sweet deal on the Thor LTV, which is very much an introductory thermal with no bells or whistles. However, I am very pleased with it so far. Thank you for this video.
Thermal is s must-have. Not sure this is the answer, but you need some thermal unless you’re going to hide under an ir-resistant tarp at night. Too many people have this capability now.
Pros for this versus the AGM TS 384 offerings...., this records audio, external micro SD card, and a better menu than AGM. The AGM though comes with an ADM QD mount, is 4oz lighter, wifi hotspot to share the video live, and has a robust screwdown battery door. Everything else with performance is exactly the same.
*Offer a scaled-down version with no audio/video recording and improvements to the battery compartment as you suggested, drop the price to $1,500, and I'd buy one tomorrow.*
My dogs would've been swimming over to that paddle boat to say hi. SMDH Thanks for the review! Nice to see practical imaging versus the stills you see from most marketing literature/online ads.
I’d think that if you have a sling on your AR rifle or your AR pistol if it hits your chest or chest rig that the battery pack will open up and your screwed till you get more batteries
I live just South of Raleigh. With woodland and fields being lost to housing everywhere, a 200 yard capable thermal would be overkill other than in the swamps and maybe down the power lines. So, this might be just the thing for my area right above the Middle Creek flood plain. Nice review, as always. Also appreciate the emails with the daily deals. Thanks!
@@georgewhitworth9742 No disagreement with the 200 yd limit but I want to see what it is that I'm not attempting to engage. well before it comes into range.
Question, rated up to 308, were does that leave 12 gauge? Originally in my state, you could night hunt coyote only with buckshot. It has changed now, but for my location, buckshot would still be ideal.
Seeing the green color palette that looks like traditional night vision makes me wonder why they don't have a white phosphorus version. I think that's really nice to look at.
@twboegel2918 The green color looks *a lot* like green night vision. As, I'm sure, was their intention. WP is a beautiful blue/gray/white that I love to look at so I hope they make it in those colors. I'm aware thermal doesn't work the same as night vision, that doesn't mean they can't look similar.
I can't speak to the Sightmark. I have a Pulsar and had an AGM (wish I still did) that both provided varying shades / intensities of white (and others). I find it easier to locate a living object with white hot and the switch to the more pleasing black hot. I've not had the privilege of looking through a WP tube but have heard mostly great things ... can't recall the reason for the one that was less than positive.@@LifeisGood762
1999.99 before tax and shipping is the cheapest I have found. Where is a better place to find them cheaper? I am already used to the sightmark setup, but have been looking at the AGM.
This vs. the AGM rattler scope of the same resolution would be my question. They seem to be of similar price. This review of the sightmark leads me to believe it has a better sensor or something, as the footage Mike rolls in seems better than footage I've seen in Rattler reviews. The AGM comes with an ADM QD mount, out of the box, which to me is important as I would move the unit between multiple rifles.
I get the battery pack possibly is available, but it’s a pretty shitty marketing decision on Sightmark’s part to use a primary lithiums vs using one of the huge number of (traditional battery-shaped) rechargeable lithium-ion cells.
Good video Mike I’d like to see you cover more on the reticles. Hardly anyone covers if they have FFP/Scaleable reticles or not in the selection of reticles. Hope you cover that in future vids. Thanks for your time to cover all the 2A stuff you do. It’s greatly appreciated. 👍🏼❣️
The color palette @ 16:04 looks to me like it corrolates to the old Kodak E4 process color slide IR film. That may be why you were stymied by the "rainbow palette:" it's a legacy false-color assignment for Aulde Phartz(tm) like myself (well, not actually: for even aulderer phartizons than me!) for whom it would have familiarity to recommend it. If that *is* the case, it is frankly a pretty bizarre choice unless there are still some .mil or .gov types that would find it useful because of satisfying some long out of date purchasing requirement?
I feel like thermal technology developing and the pricing, is like watching when flat screen tvs first came out. I remember a 43" plasma was $15,000. Now you can pick up a 43" tv thats half the weight of that plasma for $100. Eventually people are going to have these $2,000 thermals that aren't worth $50. Look at the huge brick cell phones that people paid $500 for back in the early 90s. Perfect example. I'll wait a few more years when these are half the size, weight and half the price.
I heard u say it would work for 308. But I was told when I bought my SCAR 20, I was told that if I didn't buy at least a $12-1500 optic that the SCAR would destroy it. I will say that it does have kind of a slapping recoil impulse. Do you think this could handle that?
You can be the guinea pig! I broke a Vortex Viper PST twice with my Scar 17. Sold it then got a Nightforce NX8 then upgraded to a Schmidt Bender 3-20x50 Ultrashort.
Still waiting for a 640 thermal that’s affordable and I think many are anticipating the Holosun fusion optics. I’d prefer if they made a 1x that was smaller and lighter so can do dual duty as a scope and a monocular that accepts pvs14 j arm
Thermal scopes in general have big accuracy issue.. and it is big shift of zero due to temperature changes. When you sight in winter time, you can experience zero shift in summer as big as 5 inches at 100m. Means 2 inches shift is very normal... This is not so bad as long as you do not want to do long range hunting with it. In that case you experience huge inacuraccy at 300 yards and more.. I believe, this is doing all thermal scopes including the most expensive and people just do not notice....,they shoot mostly pigs(big target) and if they do sight in from time to time, than they do not realize, that sighting in is useless, since next day might be a weather change...it may be warmer or cooler and their expensive scope will shift zero again. I have second thermal, they both do it. Now I use different zero profiles to zero my rifle for different temperatures. When I want to hunt, I choose the profile which is close to current temperature...not ideal , but it is helping. Nobody would expect this from expensive scopes...
@@mirekslechta7161I have noticed a POI difference in my thermals. Didn’t know why. Now I will try shooting at different temps to see if that’s what causes it. Thanks. For reference it’s a Reap IR
@@Not-the-only-one Happy to read you like my post. If english was my native language I would be able to explain some more deatails ... I will try anyway :) I made a "stand" - a stiff metal platform with two weaver rails placed in a parallel way. I sighted in my termal scope(marked temperature) and put on that platform(with QD mount), than I put a thermal target 50m away(you can do 100m , but the distance does not matter) and I aimed through the thermal by moving whole platform so the thermal scope was aiming at that target. Than I attached an inexpensive rifle scope to another rail and I glued that rail by epoxy to that platform in a way, so that normal rifle scope was also aiming at another target, which is placed at the same hight as thermal target, but it is placed let say 6 inches left(provided that both scopes/rails have also 6 inches gap in between.... ) This is pain to do, but it is helpfull, , now I can check the zero without shooting. I never remove that ordinary rifle scope and I do not even touch that... Thermal is usualy showing zero shift if I check it during the same or very similar temperature. 5 degrees Celsius change will do very small but noticeable difference. 10 degrees Celsius temperature change will move the point of impact too much IMHO. Therefore I use 3 profiles , but not for different rifles, rather for different temperatures(I use 7 degrees Celsius steps in between my profiles) , You must bear in mind, if you bring your rifle from warm house, or car and you would like to zero it in outside, where the temperature would be different, than you realy need to keep it out for at least 15 or 20 minutes(while having your thermal switched on) so your thermal unit would get the temperature acording to it´s outside temperature. You should not place your thermal scope on direct sunlight(it would alter the temperature compare to the real air temperature). Now my accuracy with thermal scope is much better. Regards from Czech Republic.
@@mirekslechta7161 thank you very much for your detailed description. what do you use for a thermal target when sighting in? where I live we have temperature swings from 100 degrees Fahrenheit to -30. I’m going to run an experiment to see if temperature is what’s causing my poi shift.
@@Not-the-only-one No problem , I like to talk about shooting :) I use a piece of quality tesa aluminum tape on white cardboard, but in a day time, it is also posible to use just piece of black paper on a big sheet of white paper. I use thermal hog hunting. We hunt for hogs in night only and I usualy do not hunt in summer(grass is too tall). It means when hunting during the night only and when I exclude summer, than temperature spread is not very huge. What thermal do you use? I will be glad to know your results, this testing need some time, it is hard to test for lower temperatures during summer, it is better to wait for weather change, I do not recomend using fridge...
Whats your experience with higher end thermals Mike? I'm quite curious. I'm a big fan of milspec BAE stuff like the OASYS units and now POT units personally.
Thermal scopes in general have big accuracy issue.. and it is big shift of zero due to temperature changes. When you sight in winter time, you can experience zero shift in summer as big as 5 inches at 100m. Means 2 inches shift is very normal... This is not so bad as long as you do not want to do long range hunting with it. In that case you experience huge inacuraccy at 300 yards and more.. I believe, this is doing all thermal scopes including the most expensive and people just do not notice....,they shoot mostly pigs(big target) and if they do sight in from time to time, than they do not realize, that sighting in is useless, since next day might be a weather change...it may be warmer or cooler and their expensive scope will shift zero again. I have second thermal, they both do it. Now I use different zero profiles to zero my rifle for different temperatures. When I want to hunt, I choose the profile which is close to current temperature...not ideal , but it is helping. Nobody would expect this from expensive scopes...
Thermal scopes in general have big accuracy issue.. and it is big shift of zero due to temperature changes. When you sight in winter time, you can experience zero shift in summer as big as 5 inches at 100m. Means 2 inches shift is very normal... This is not so bad as long as you do not want to do long range hunting with it. In that case you experience huge inacuraccy at 300 yards and more.. I believe, this is doing all thermal scopes including the most expensive and people just do not notice....,they shoot mostly pigs(big target) and if they do sight in from time to time, than they do not realize, that sighting in is useless, since next day might be a weather change...it may be warmer or cooler and their expensive scope will shift zero again. I have second thermal, they both do it. Now I use different zero profiles to zero my rifle for different temperatures. When I want to hunt, I choose the profile which is close to current temperature...not ideal , but it is helping. Nobody would expect this from expensive scopes...
My guess is you could play those AVI video files on your Mac without converting if you used the VLC media player. It’s open source so it’s not as fancy looking as QuickTime but it’s very powerful!
VLC has lost functionality lately. It plays less codecs, I have to open and close the video about 3 times to get the video to even play, and it can no longer download youtube videos
I can also recommend VLC’s older versions (1.5-2years ago). Haven’t needed it so I haven’t downloaded it on the new PC. But the older versions are 👍🏼 That is a great review. Thank you.
just begging them to make this unit as a clip on instead of a standalone optic. tons of people want to run a thermal on their setup without removing optics etc. Don’t need recording, zeroing feature reticle options etc. without all that i’d still buy a unit like that over this at the same price
This looks awesome. We need more options and competition to get prices down. If I’ve learned anything from this video, Colt takes no bullshit from anyone.
The cheapest thermal in the game from a reputable company is going to be the AGM TS19. Anywhere from $850 to $950 for a 256 resolution thermal with a 1080 screen. It’s not a 384 resolution so it’s not as clear but that’s the thermal I hand to guests when they hunt with me. It does have recording, Picture in Picture, tons of color palates, and multiple reticle options.
I also have the TS19. It’s a great scope for for 1000 bucks. I love everything about the Rattler. I have plans to buy their 640 later this year.
@@thetexasrancher8208 I have the TS35 640 and 384 and they are awesome! Again as a price comparison they beat everyone out at price and quality. I’ve had pulsar’s for a long time and cost to gain on the AGM is phenomenal compared to other brands.
Thank you! This is what I was looking for
Or just buy 384x288 used... I got my for 350 bucks. And a saw two other 384 thermals for 450 bucks, but with 17uq pitch. This is not a image intensifier tube. No need to buy thermal new. Especially if it's like new..
@@aesthetic8780 Where does one buy used? I checked ebay and everything is MSRP :(
I use a wide rubber band around the battery case and across the door and have had no problems. Give it a try...
I think Sightmark makes a decent product most of the time. I have to admit when the Wraith Mini Thermal was announced it had my attention. As soon as my local shop got one in stock I went to check it out. I was prepared to buy it. The owner of the shop is a friend of mine. He let me take the scope for a short time to try it out. I was impressed with the image quality but my positive feedback ends there. The display screen is so small I could barely read the information on the screen. The menu button is small and cumbersome. I can’t imagine accessing the menu’s while wearing gloves. In my opinion if you don’t care to see the screen and setup the menus once and leave it then it’s a great scope for 100-150 yards. I was all excited about it but after having it in my hands for a while I’d seen enough. Save your 2k and add another 1k to it and you’ll have plenty of 384 scopes to choose from at $3000 bucks. Tiny screen, battery door needs improvement, menu button needs improvement. Or if your just starting out with thermal just buy an AGM Rattler TS19 256 for $1000. Let that be your starter scope. See how you like night hunting and then go drop some cash on something better.
Mind if I ask what thermal's you would recommend at the 3,000 dollar range.
It's on palmetto blk Friday sale for 500$
the battery door looks like it might unlock accidentally
@@locoseamonkey204 yes many of the reviews say the door opens accidentally a lot
Had 4k mini IR no issues over a year same battery door hunt regually with it in and out truck. Walking woods etc. @locoseamonkey204
I almost got the wraith nod for helmet. Instead got agm pvs14 gen 2 plus green cause it's easier for my eyes. If I would've waited I have seen dual pvs 14 with the bridge for sub 6 grand. We live and we learn. Maybe I can get the wraith for hog hunting next year. Gotta get this house then a job there then we shall see how life goes for our family. God has been so good even in the dark in the pain and the hard times he has always provided for us and given us the best from the worst. God be with you all and stay safe and stay strong!
I been debating on tnvc pvs 14 green phos or this if only we could Have them all 😡 lol
@@bassproshophat8999 I only did green cause I used them in the army so I know exactly what I'm gonna see. I say get what you believe would be best for your needs.
😊😊😊
The monochromatic green is so much easier on the eyes as they are just built to pick up on it I love the g.p night vision I am currently waiting to get a w.p set up but still have some more saving to do how do you like the agm ?
I have both NV and thermal. If iI had to choose between one, it would be thermal hands down.
I got no end of people scoffing at the sightmark rds i used to have on my shotgun, but to it's credit, it never stopped working. An unknown number of slugs and other full power loads and it kept on going.
A really informative review. Appreciate your work!
I looked at this vs the AGM Rattler. Similar specs. Similar prices. I went with the AGM because the magnification is 1.5X giving a wider fov, slightly lower street price, plus it comes with an American Defense QD mount making it very versatile. It has exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend. Let me recommend using a .25" riser to put the eyepiece at a perfect height.
Thank you for this helpful comment. I'm also currently deciding on this unit or the AGM TS25-384 Rattler and I think the Rattler looks a bit more robust. It doesn't have as many color palettes but black/white is the most useful one anyway. I think I'll also go for the Rattler based on the flimsy battery lid on the Sightmark and I think I like the menu structure better on the Rattler. Besides, I really like that wider view of the Rattler. The Wraith Mini is very interesting though.
Which would you do? Wraith thermal mini for 1499$ onsale atm , and or Ts35 agm rattler onsale for 2k..?
@@nathanw5747rattler
@@nathanw5747 wraith mini for less than 500 on PSA site right now for Easter sale
The rainbow one is obviously for recording for your Predator fan fiction indie film.
I was looking at this thermal, the AGM Rattler and Varmint, and ATN Thor LTV. I got a sweet deal on the Thor LTV, which is very much an introductory thermal with no bells or whistles. However, I am very pleased with it so far. Thank you for this video.
You're welcome 👍🏽
@@Mrgunsngear Does it work good at night? Can you see just as far at night as you can in the day?
@@wesleywilliams4989 Im 53 years old and wear bi-focals. I can't see poop! LOL.
Wonderful review of the scope! Keep up the good work.
Thanks for all your great reviews Mike.
How does this compare to the scopes from ATN?
Thermal is s must-have. Not sure this is the answer, but you need some thermal unless you’re going to hide under an ir-resistant tarp at night. Too many people have this capability now.
Pros for this versus the AGM TS 384 offerings...., this records audio, external micro SD card, and a better menu than AGM. The AGM though comes with an ADM QD mount, is 4oz lighter, wifi hotspot to share the video live, and has a robust screwdown battery door. Everything else with performance is exactly the same.
So which would be a better buy I can get the wraith atm for 1499 or the ts35 rattler for 2k !! Let me know I gotta order 1 tonight b4 the sale ends
Eye relief of the wraith is better which is a big plus imo
*Offer a scaled-down version with no audio/video recording and improvements to the battery compartment as you suggested, drop the price to $1,500, and I'd buy one tomorrow.*
Exactly. I don’t need to record.
Planned on buying one of these before thermal season here in Missouri good time hope it’s good
A 3x version with ACSS reticle, ACOG mount, and a non-derpy battery compartment would make this a best seller
That’s one angry cicada, at the end. Funny seeing the Rudolph nose on your pup; see how much heat escapes through their noses.
My dogs would've been swimming over to that paddle boat to say hi. SMDH Thanks for the review! Nice to see practical imaging versus the stills you see from most marketing literature/online ads.
Can this work on a clip on?
$499 on palmetto state armory 10/31/23. "Halloween sale" so not sure how long it'll be like that
Might be able to fix the battery door coming open by inserting a plastic wedge under the push lever.
Strap it.
Great detail. How does thermal see the reflections on the water?
I’d think that if you have a sling on your AR rifle or your AR pistol if it hits your chest or chest rig that the battery pack will open up and your screwed till you get more batteries
I live just South of Raleigh. With woodland and fields being lost to housing everywhere, a 200 yard capable thermal would be overkill other than in the swamps and maybe down the power lines. So, this might be just the thing for my area right above the Middle Creek flood plain.
Nice review, as always. Also appreciate the emails with the daily deals.
Thanks!
"With woodland and fields being lost to housing everywhere, a 200 yard capable thermal would be overkill"
... til the lights go out.
@@twboegel2918Which would still be overkill cause your best bet would be to not engage beyond 200 yards.
@@georgewhitworth9742 No disagreement with the 200 yd limit but I want to see what it is that I'm not attempting to engage. well before it comes into range.
I've been very interested in a budget thermal
same
Question, rated up to 308, were does that leave 12 gauge? Originally in my state, you could night hunt coyote only with buckshot. It has changed now, but for my location, buckshot would still be ideal.
Couldnt record a single shot at night?
How does it handle air rifles?
Seeing the green color palette that looks like traditional night vision makes me wonder why they don't have a white phosphorus version. I think that's really nice to look at.
It isn't going to look anything "like" traditional night vision. It's the color of "HOT"
Ya don't like it? Pick another color like ... white.
@twboegel2918 The green color looks *a lot* like green night vision. As, I'm sure, was their intention. WP is a beautiful blue/gray/white that I love to look at so I hope they make it in those colors. I'm aware thermal doesn't work the same as night vision, that doesn't mean they can't look similar.
I can't speak to the Sightmark. I have a Pulsar and had an AGM (wish I still did) that both provided varying shades / intensities of white (and others). I find it easier to locate a living object with white hot and the switch to the more pleasing black hot.
I've not had the privilege of looking through a WP tube but have heard mostly great things ... can't recall the reason for the one that was less than positive.@@LifeisGood762
Does changing the magnification affect the zero?
Why isn’t the battery pack rail mountable?
Great video Mike but for the wobbly table. (lol) I think PSA is running a sale on these this weekend (01/13/24) for $449.99 if it's the same one.
that's the night vision option rather than thermal
Will it survive a Scar 17?
Lost my front lens cap as well
What was the humidity during filming?
1999.99 before tax and shipping is the cheapest I have found. Where is a better place to find them cheaper? I am already used to the sightmark setup, but have been looking at the AGM.
These appear to be on Amazon right now for $800.
You’re seeing Wraith Night Vision scopes at that price, not the thermal.
What is it rated for?
I love my ATN 4x
This vs. the AGM rattler scope of the same resolution would be my question. They seem to be of similar price. This review of the sightmark leads me to believe it has a better sensor or something, as the footage Mike rolls in seems better than footage I've seen in Rattler reviews. The AGM comes with an ADM QD mount, out of the box, which to me is important as I would move the unit between multiple rifles.
The AGM has less eye relief which is a deal breaker for me. I like the design of the AGM better though
Getting the Iray RH25
On 10/13/24 PSA has these on clearance for $500.
How do you determine range? is that built in?
I get the battery pack possibly is available, but it’s a pretty shitty marketing decision on Sightmark’s part to use a primary lithiums vs using one of the huge number of (traditional battery-shaped) rechargeable lithium-ion cells.
Good video Mike
I’d like to see you cover more on the reticles. Hardly anyone covers if they have FFP/Scaleable reticles or not in the selection of reticles. Hope you cover that in future vids.
Thanks for your time to cover all the 2A stuff you do. It’s greatly appreciated. 👍🏼❣️
The color palette @ 16:04 looks to me like it corrolates to the old Kodak E4 process color slide IR film. That may be why you were stymied by the "rainbow palette:" it's a legacy false-color assignment for Aulde Phartz(tm) like myself (well, not actually: for even aulderer phartizons than me!) for whom it would have familiarity to recommend it. If that *is* the case, it is frankly a pretty bizarre choice unless there are still some .mil or .gov types that would find it useful because of satisfying some long out of date purchasing requirement?
What I was thinking.....
Great video very informative. Been wanting to go to texas for some night time wild hogs. But I'll be day hunting only.
does it have like rainbow hot?
very cool. Great review!
Does it have a built in rangefinder
I was just waiting for you to smoke the geese 🤣🤣
I feel like thermal technology developing and the pricing, is like watching when flat screen tvs first came out. I remember a 43" plasma was $15,000. Now you can pick up a 43" tv thats half the weight of that plasma for $100. Eventually people are going to have these $2,000 thermals that aren't worth $50. Look at the huge brick cell phones that people paid $500 for back in the early 90s. Perfect example. I'll wait a few more years when these are half the size, weight and half the price.
Thanks for the video. very helpful.
Did you not show all the reticles?
does it show full color in the daytime?
New to Thermal. all your footage is daytime.. is there any difference in resolution at night in the dark?
afraid of the dark ? Any night shot demos ?
How about some tape to deal with the battery cover issue. Seems simple enough.
Great review
Can I use rechargeable 3.7v cr123 batteries?
G=question please.... you say this thermal is good up to a .308. Does that me it is ok to use it on a .308? Thanks.
Indeed
I heard u say it would work for 308. But I was told when I bought my SCAR 20, I was told that if I didn't buy at least a $12-1500 optic that the SCAR would destroy it. I will say that it does have kind of a slapping recoil impulse. Do you think this could handle that?
You can be the guinea pig! I broke a Vortex Viper PST twice with my Scar 17. Sold it then got a Nightforce NX8 then upgraded to a Schmidt Bender 3-20x50 Ultrashort.
This is very true. A scar 17 will destroy even high quality thermals like a UTC Xii (about 24k) and I had on destroy my personally owned REAP IR.
Was is it made?
So I just got done installing this on my 6.5 went to turn it on and all see is green and then it shuts off and it does not stay on .
It looks like maybe I could jamb a little wedge under the battery door release and maybe gaff tape that in there
I’m looking for easy to learn on and a sight I can see up to 200-300 yards. Price is relative as if you can’t use it what’s the sense. Frustration?
I think the AGM rattler TS25 is going to get you similar results for probably cheaper
That would be the ts35 ! Which I'd a tad bit more expensive has the same 35mm lens
I like it, it actually looks practical
Is this model number Sm 18041?
Have any of these thermal optics caused you to question if daytime optics are becoming obsolete if cost isnt a factor?
Thank you 😊
Thanks, Mike!
This one or AGM Rattler TS25-384? Which one is better?
Can you pair the device with an external “screen” for hands free viewing?
Still waiting for a 640 thermal that’s affordable and I think many are anticipating the Holosun fusion optics.
I’d prefer if they made a 1x that was smaller and lighter so can do dual duty as a scope and a monocular that accepts pvs14 j arm
Thanks for the video
You're welcome 👍🏽
can u review their 4k?or r they the same? also confused as it was daylight but optic said 130am? grt review tho
Awesome tool for positive target ID in the dead of night
I'm not sure you understand what "positive ID" actually is.
I have a Burris BT35 Thermal and its very nice. You should do a review on one of them.
It's just a matter of time before they mount a thermal on the soldiers helmet that's integrated to a shoulder mounted weapon that automatically fires
Shhh; I'm working on that. And no it won't be going to the military.
*integrated to a drone mounted weapon that automatically fires 🫡
I’ve got the big 4X power NV Wraith. Not “bad”..but obviously an ‘entry-level’ product with an entry-level price. Meaning ‘C-h-i-n-a’…
Can you do a review on the Sig echo 3 thermal?
Would i be able to get better resolution/ engagement distance with night vision for less money? Trying to take out coyotes at up to 400
Bro... What in the world is that hat?! I need it!
Great review! Very thorough! I’m in the market for one. This will help!
Thermal scopes in general have big accuracy issue.. and it is big shift of zero due to temperature changes. When you sight in winter time, you can experience zero shift in summer as big as 5 inches at 100m. Means 2 inches shift is very normal... This is not so bad as long as you do not want to do long range hunting with it. In that case you experience huge inacuraccy at 300 yards and more.. I believe, this is doing all thermal scopes including the most expensive and people just do not notice....,they shoot mostly pigs(big target) and if they do sight in from time to time, than they do not realize, that sighting in is useless, since next day might be a weather change...it may be warmer or cooler and their expensive scope will shift zero again. I have second thermal, they both do it. Now I use different zero profiles to zero my rifle for different temperatures. When I want to hunt, I choose the profile which is close to current temperature...not ideal , but it is helping. Nobody would expect this from expensive scopes...
@@mirekslechta7161I have noticed a POI difference in my thermals. Didn’t know why. Now I will try shooting at different temps to see if that’s what causes it. Thanks.
For reference it’s a Reap IR
@@Not-the-only-one Happy to read you like my post. If english was my native language I would be able to explain some more deatails ... I will try anyway :) I made a "stand" - a stiff metal platform with two weaver rails placed in a parallel way. I sighted in my termal scope(marked temperature) and put on that platform(with QD mount), than I put a thermal target 50m away(you can do 100m , but the distance does not matter) and I aimed through the thermal by moving whole platform so the thermal scope was aiming at that target. Than I attached an inexpensive rifle scope to another rail and I glued that rail by epoxy to that platform in a way, so that normal rifle scope was also aiming at another target, which is placed at the same hight as thermal target, but it is placed let say 6 inches left(provided that both scopes/rails have also 6 inches gap in between.... ) This is pain to do, but it is helpfull, , now I can check the zero without shooting. I never remove that ordinary rifle scope and I do not even touch that... Thermal is usualy showing zero shift if I check it during the same or very similar temperature.
5 degrees Celsius change will do very small but noticeable difference. 10 degrees Celsius temperature change will move the point of impact too much IMHO. Therefore I use 3 profiles , but not for different rifles, rather for different temperatures(I use 7 degrees Celsius steps in between my profiles) , You must bear in mind, if you bring your rifle from warm house, or car and you would like to zero it in outside, where the temperature would be different, than you realy need to keep it out for at least 15 or 20 minutes(while having your thermal switched on) so your thermal unit would get the temperature acording to it´s outside temperature. You should not place your thermal scope on direct sunlight(it would alter the temperature compare to the real air temperature). Now my accuracy with thermal scope is much better. Regards from Czech Republic.
@@mirekslechta7161 thank you very much for your detailed description. what do you use for a thermal target when sighting in? where I live we have temperature swings from 100 degrees Fahrenheit to -30. I’m going to run an experiment to see if temperature is what’s causing my poi shift.
@@Not-the-only-one No problem , I like to talk about shooting :) I use a piece of quality tesa aluminum tape on white cardboard, but in a day time, it is also posible to use just piece of black paper on a big sheet of white paper. I use thermal hog hunting. We hunt for hogs in night only and I usualy do not hunt in summer(grass is too tall). It means when hunting during the night only and when I exclude summer, than temperature spread is not very huge. What thermal do you use? I will be glad to know your results, this testing need some time, it is hard to test for lower temperatures during summer, it is better to wait for weather change, I do not recomend using fridge...
Whats your experience with higher end thermals Mike? I'm quite curious. I'm a big fan of milspec BAE stuff like the OASYS units and now POT units personally.
Thank you Sir
I'm still using a leupold tracker 2 HD 🤣 time to upgrade this seems really nice to throw on a pcp rifle for pest control in the area
What were those dudes burying at 2 in the morning?
So this might be a dumb question as im a total newby to thermal and night vision. But with thermal you can run the scope in night or day?
Thermal scopes in general have big accuracy issue.. and it is big shift of zero due to temperature changes. When you sight in winter time, you can experience zero shift in summer as big as 5 inches at 100m. Means 2 inches shift is very normal... This is not so bad as long as you do not want to do long range hunting with it. In that case you experience huge inacuraccy at 300 yards and more.. I believe, this is doing all thermal scopes including the most expensive and people just do not notice....,they shoot mostly pigs(big target) and if they do sight in from time to time, than they do not realize, that sighting in is useless, since next day might be a weather change...it may be warmer or cooler and their expensive scope will shift zero again. I have second thermal, they both do it. Now I use different zero profiles to zero my rifle for different temperatures. When I want to hunt, I choose the profile which is close to current temperature...not ideal , but it is helping. Nobody would expect this from expensive scopes...
Any idea when you'll actually do some NIGHT testing of this thermal optic?!
I would like to see an actual side-by-side comparison of images from better scopes and see the difference in resolution.
$799 dollars on Amazon is alot better than what you said way better.great video have a great day.
$499 on PSA. Halloween sale so not sure how long it's going for
Those are NV prices, not thermal…
did the tweet site get hammered?
Sup brother!
I’m in need of that baja blast mag. Where can I get one of them?
Thermal scopes in general have big accuracy issue.. and it is big shift of zero due to temperature changes. When you sight in winter time, you can experience zero shift in summer as big as 5 inches at 100m. Means 2 inches shift is very normal... This is not so bad as long as you do not want to do long range hunting with it. In that case you experience huge inacuraccy at 300 yards and more.. I believe, this is doing all thermal scopes including the most expensive and people just do not notice....,they shoot mostly pigs(big target) and if they do sight in from time to time, than they do not realize, that sighting in is useless, since next day might be a weather change...it may be warmer or cooler and their expensive scope will shift zero again. I have second thermal, they both do it. Now I use different zero profiles to zero my rifle for different temperatures. When I want to hunt, I choose the profile which is close to current temperature...not ideal , but it is helping. Nobody would expect this from expensive scopes...
My guess is you could play those AVI video files on your Mac without converting if you used the VLC media player. It’s open source so it’s not as fancy looking as QuickTime but it’s very powerful!
VLC has lost functionality lately. It plays less codecs, I have to open and close the video about 3 times to get the video to even play, and it can no longer download youtube videos
I can also recommend VLC’s older versions (1.5-2years ago). Haven’t needed it so I haven’t downloaded it on the new PC. But the older versions are 👍🏼 That is a great review. Thank you.
just begging them to make this unit as a clip on instead of a standalone optic. tons of people want to run a thermal on their setup without removing optics etc. Don’t need recording, zeroing feature reticle options etc. without all that i’d still buy a unit like that over this at the same price