Pulsar quantum xd50s thermal spotter

Benji53

Well-Known Member
Who's got one for stalking and how do you find it want some feed back before I commit to buying one cheers
 
I got one about a month ago, mainly for foxing and rabbits but must admit I'm impressed. Look into a field at night and you can see the rabbits everywhere far more than I used to see with just the lamp!
Haven't tried it for stalking but when I first got it I could clearly see some horses in a field about a mile away!
 
If you have that available pennies - you won't regret it. Had one for about a year now. just need to get the drone set up on the 22 then I'm going to have some proper fun on the rabbits! on a stalking note - some ground I have its invaluable, other where I have less pressure and there is less deer pressure, to be honest it I'll have a quick scan when I'm heading onto the ground with the car then it gets left in the car when I'm out on foot.
It helps find the deer for you much quicker although you still have to get to a point which you are able to shoot it.
 
Just bear in mind that the XD series is being replaced with the XQ series. The XD series is very good indeed as has been said. If you believe the specs, the XQ38 is a slight upgrade on the XD50 - just worth thinking about before you buy - unless you're buying second hand of course.
 
I've just bought xq38 and it's very impressive not only for spotting but for then finding once shot. Get it bought, you won't regret it.
Bryn
 
The HD series was discontinued a while back and are nigh on impossible to find.
The XD series has just been discontinued and replaced by the XQ series.
I'd definitely go for the XQ - it has a better sensor which will give pretty much double the magnification of the XD series.
To put it another way the maximum detection range of an XQ38 is further than an XD50.

Cheers

Bruce
 
I had entertained the idea of getting one but I am a bit apprehensive about its IP rating, IPX4. How have you lads managed on wet outings. Also how does different weather conditions effect it's use?
 
You could wipe out a deer population very quickly with one.

Used illegally, there's no doubt it could be done - but you could say that about lamping deer as well.

When used within the law a thermal spotter is an invaluable piece of kit.
A gamekeeper pal of mine recently had some guests over from Denmark and, by using his thermal to spot roe deer in cover that could not be seen with binoculars, he was able to avoid bumping does and get his guests onto shootable bucks on every stalk morning and evening for 5 successive days.

Cheers

Bruce
 
I had entertained the idea of getting one but I am a bit apprehensive about its IP rating, IPX4. How have you lads managed on wet outings. Also how does different weather conditions effect it's use?

Never had any problems with it getting wet - keep it inside your jacket.
Weather conditions do affect performance - the higher the humidity the less range and clarity you'll get - but you'll still see stuff you would miss with binoculars
Cold, crisp days are best because the humidity is low and the temperature difference between the animal and the background is at it's greatest.

Cheers

Bruce
 
Thanks Bruce.
I was also looking at the ward wt37. Looks like it's good and sturdy, but also heavy. Would the XQ38 be the pick of the bunch at that price range?
I'm assuming that the 38 would be a more all rounder than the 50
 
Forum member Bewsher was doing group buys of them from Europe.
However, since Brexit and the drop in the value of the pound against the Euro, it's debatable if they are any cheaper from Europe than from UK suppliers
Scott Country are showing them as pre-order with delivery in July sometime.

Cheers

Bruce
 
Beware....
Once you get a thermal there is no going back.
Spotting will never be the the same and neither will time you can scan a 400x400metr field in less than 20 seconds and if there is nothing showing ..there is nothing there so you may as well go home
 
Have not used the latest but have been using HD38s for 3 years and have access to 50. They have transformed all aspects of shooting be it foxing at night or deer stalking. Last week was out with Sussex Fallow as he dropped by, found a few does but no bucks. One very long field of organic grass when scanned with bins was empty yet with the thermal we had a heat soucre about 20yds infront of us. Could be a fox or a fawn. It took a good 5 mins of very careful scrutiny with the Leicas to eventually find and identify a roe kid whoes mum we presumed was in the roe doe we had seen in the adjacent field. Once you have used one then indispensible. Its a pity they dont make one with a proper rangefinder in it. Dispense with the gizzmos and just get rangefinder as with thermal it can be very difficult to range esp on new ground. Current problem is that with the grass being so long its easy to spot quarry but then impossible to see it through a Drone or Photon due to the cover.

D
 
Have not used the latest but have been using HD38s for 3 years and have access to 50. They have transformed all aspects of shooting be it foxing at night or deer stalking. Last week was out with Sussex Fallow as he dropped by, found a few does but no bucks. One very long field of organic grass when scanned with bins was empty yet with the thermal we had a heat soucre about 20yds infront of us. Could be a fox or a fawn. It took a good 5 mins of very careful scrutiny with the Leicas to eventually find and identify a roe kid whoes mum we presumed was in the roe doe we had seen in the adjacent field. Once you have used one then indispensible. Its a pity they dont make one with a proper rangefinder in it. Dispense with the gizzmos and just get rangefinder as with thermal it can be very difficult to range esp on new ground. Current problem is that with the grass being so long its easy to spot quarry but then impossible to see it through a Drone or Photon due to the cover.

D
Cyres,What kind of investment for your set-up (minus the bins)
 
Unfortunately not mine as all belong to shooting buddy except bins. DP was about £1,000 38s was one of the very first one sold and I think about £2k. If things turn out OK in Jan 17 I will be buying the latests Pulsar thermal and may also invest in the latest photon with Black sun IR. Can't justfy a Drone as yet but having seen the mark 2 was very impressed. Also have access to lots of other goodies on the NV front. The go too kit is Pulsar thermal and custom built .204 with Drone covers 99% of all of our requirements.

D
 
Scott Country have stock of the XQ range now. I've had an XQ50 on test for a week and I have to say it is superb. They're stating a detection range of 1800m or so but I think it's much further than that from what I've seen.
The change in sensor has narrowed the field of view slightly from the XD50 but the upside is a much sharper image.
 
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