New "Reveal XR" from seek thermal imaging - opinions

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sanibel686

Well-Known Member
Guys I came across this when searching around on thermal imaging stuff. This company has a small range of thermal imagers and started out making iphone add-ons. This new unit is aimed at our market (stalking) and is projected to be released in the spring.

It has an alleged range of 1100 feet and is going to retail for just $445. whaddya think?

 
Crunching the numbers the guy quotes on the video shows that the actual resolution of the sensor is approx 200 x 160 pixels.
That's much worse than the "standard" 384 x 288 pixels used in the Pulsar and Guide thermals
The sensors in the Pulsar and Guide thermals have more than 3 times as many pixels as the Seek XR - and the more pixels you have the sharper the image will be
The field of view numbers he quoted imply that the lens only has a focal length of about 10mm - the Pulsar and Guide thermal commonly used for our purposes have at least a 38mm lens and preferably a 50mm lens
In other words the Seek XR does not have any magnification
Finally, although he doesn't say it, the refresh rate on any of these exported to the UK will be limited to 9Hz which makes the video extremely jerky.
All in all I wouldn't bother with it - save your pennies for a "real" thermal

Cheers

Bruce
 
Granted it's not going to be a good as the pulsar and guide thermals but it's a lot cheaper....
Im wondering if it would actually be any good in practice, maybe for finding shot munties in brambles etc?
 
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Yeh, it might be useful for close range seeking of fallen animals, but as a confirmed user of Flir, I think it has a distinct disadvantage! When viewing through a monocular type you have a good idea of the direction and distance to your animal, you can see trees etc in woodland in your thermal and by relating this view to reality you get a good idea of the animals position in/through vegetation etc. I think it would be more difficult to relate a small screen view to reality. Hope this is helpful
I completely endorse Bruce's comments about pixels, range and refresh rate. I think it would be a waste of money. Cheers Jerry
 
I've just ordered one to try it out. If its no good it can go back! ill give you an update when it arrives

Dave
 
Having looked at the one advertised in optic warehouse it appears to be a higher spec than the one in the video! Any body else have any opinions?
I would be interested in Sabian 223's report on how he gets on with it. If it can see heat out to 275m then it could come in handy looking for a shot animal that runs into cover.
 
That's the main reason for being interested in the unit. I've ordered it from optics warehouse and it's the fastframe 30hz version. Everything else in this category is less than 9hz. If I can detect a heat source out to 300 yard thats great but I imagine it will mainly be within 100-200 yards. I work as an insulation / renewables inspector so it should come in handy for work also! I'll keep you all posted.
 
I took a look at these at the Northern Show at the weekend. Thomas Jacks, Scott Country and Nightmaster had them.

As has been said, they are not a substitute for a £3K thermal monocular (who knew?), but they do seem to have some potential for finding shot game, and even for spotting the presence of rabbits, squirrels, rats etc. within the range of an air rifle.

The units have a flashlight built in so that you can avoid obstacles and confirm the nature of a heat source with white light (unfortunately there's no option to switch to red light). The units seen at the show were the 9 Hz version but TJ's at least will be importing only the FastFrame version. I'm told this is unlikely to make 30Hz (more likely the high 20s).

I believe they can also display the temperature of a target, which might help when deciding when to stop shooting and let the barrel cool down!
 
.243Hunter said:
To be honest, I'd keep your money for a better a unit, these are pretty poor..
Click to expand...

Have you actually got one or had one and used it ?
For short range downed game finding the read up makes it appear ideal, particularly if you don't own or have access to a dog.
It is certainly something I would be looking at as soon as they become more readily available here in UK.
 
EMcC said:
Have you actually got one or had one and used it ?
For short range downed game finding the read up makes it appear ideal, particularly if you don't own or have access to a dog.
It is certainly something I would be looking at as soon as they become more readily available here in UK.
Click to expand...

I've tried one. Like I say they would be ok for picking game up..but not much else, its entirely up to you what you buy.
 
"Normal " thermal .....2.5-3k. And anything out to hundreds of yards
This .....400quid ....this .....dunnoe but if can help carcass retrieval & can see 100ft or so thru light cover then it could be a useful tool .
If folk are trying to compare one to the other they shouldn't .

If it does help carcass retrieval then certainly a help for those that no access to or unable to keep a dog

Paul
 
My unit came yesterday. I haven't been able to get out with it in a stalking scenario yet but i'm going to get out later on the Roe Bucks and put it to use. All i have managed to do so far is chase the dog around the park which could pick him up at 100 yards no problem (small Cocker spaniel) . Ill put a full review up as soon as i've used it properly. I will however be taking it to work today so should be able to pick up on what sort of distance it can get detect. As stated above, these are cheap units and are mainly going to be used for tracking which i think people will find invaluable if they down have access to a dog straight away. If they do pick deer up in cover (particularly woodland stalking) out to 200-250 yards even if its just a heat source blob i still think for £400 you're getting plenty for your money.

Ill keep you all posted
 
Quick analysis - stopped off at a park, chap walking his staffy dog around 220 yards away in an open field. Could pick him out easily but couldn't pick out the dog. Now they were on the side of a hill with the sun directly on them both. Couldn't pick out a pigeon at 50 yards.

More to follow
 
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