Entry level thermal spotter and prices?

[Effnjeff]

I'm thinking hard about taking the plunge to a thermal spotter.
I have very limited experience of thermal, but was thinking Pulsar seems a good bet and the somewhere down near entry level to keep the price halfway sane.
I have found the XQ30V for £1200 online, which is about the sort of money I want to spend. Does anyone know if this unit would be any good for that, or maybe give any reasons why it might be better to go for the next model up, the Helion XQ28F at around £1750.
I would be using it for scanning for fox and deer and some ratting too.
Finally, does anyone know of any scorching Black Friday deals?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Uncle Norm]

I have had the XQ30V for several months and am completely satisfied with it. For example I can see a squirrel at the best part of 200 yards. Deer are very easy to see at considerable distances. Very good for locating a carcass in cover too. Try the search on here and you will find lots on this model.
It certainly does everything I want and in fact exceeded my expectations and the manufacturer's claims.
I have looked through the Helion and it is definitely clearer, but not enough to make me cough up the extra cash.

 

[Cottis]

I too am thinking about this. I have decided that the XQ38F seems to be the one that would suit my application the most.

I would be interested to know for example if it would "see" squirrels/magpies in a leafless tree at around 260yds. I know it will see foxes at ranges that are useful for me but I have one particular tree that I can shoot in to safely with massive backstop behind it due to an even larger hill 260yds away that I can shoot down from. The oak is huge and full of squirrels and magpies and the .22CF is itching to reduce the greys. Maggies are easier to spot but the squirrels are tough and blend in. I can see a thermal being brilliant for this and the numbers of greys are becoming huge. We want shot of them.

It seems that a variety of Trade members on here suggest trying them, so I will soon be ringing around to see who can help me out. Optics Warehouse also are doing 10% off thermal for their black friday deals and I expect other retailers are doing similar. I imagine a ring round would realise the best price.

If anyone can advise on the 260yd squirrel question that would be great

 

[bluesako]

i was in the same boat as you guesty, and pondered on what to buy, so i tried a fair few of the pulsars, and ended up with a xq38 f, so my advise is try them for yourself and the decide which one you prefer. bs.

 

[Effnjeff]

Thanks very much for the info.
I would much rather not spend the extra money for the Helion, but am wondering if it is noticeably better or can do useful things the cheaper model cannot do.

 

[Effnjeff]

One thing I have noticed with the models with larger objective lenses (the more expensive ones) is that they have a higher minimum magnification, which must correlate to a narrower field of view.
Does this prove to be a problem in the field?

 

[devon deer stalker]

I would go for the Helion XQ38F, it's a superb thermal, I have looked through the 50 but I had trouble justifying the cost of the 38 let alone the 50, and too be honest there isn't a lot choose between them, at least I can book it down as an expense on my tax return!
As for price, for some reason no retailer will give you a 'true' price on an open forum, you need to contact them individually and eventually they come down by quite a bit!
Cheers
Richard

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I use a DD Optics spotter which works well for me that cost 899 Euros. They are now on the net for 849 Euros. Mine I dropped from 4m height and it still works fine so I am well pleased.

 

[Orion]

If you can find a good used Quantum XQ38 it might be an option, and we’ll within your budget.

Doesn’t have all the bells and recording and wi-fi whistles of the later units, but it’s a rock solid performer and IMHO just about the right balance of mag and fov. Ergonomics suit my mitts as well.

IIRC it’s been reported that the display graphics are also easier on the eye than the Helion as well.

 

[Effnjeff]

Thanks all for the advice.
After a bit of ferreting about online I found a decent deal on an XQ38F. It was a bit more that I wanted to spend, but I can't be sensible all the time can I?

 

[Mickeydredd]

How much was it?

 

[Effnjeff]

Give him a bell, you might be pleasantly surprised.

 

[David E]

Give him a bell, you might be pleasantly surprised.

Hi,

Can i ask where you bought yours ? Thinking about the same, have an offer on a used one but maybe for a little extra I have a new one


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[Effnjeff]

Sorry, I thought I had already mentioned.
I bought mine from Blackwood Outdoors for a bit less than the advertised price.

 

[Freeforester]

I too am thinking about this. I have decided that the XQ38F seems to be the one that would suit my application the most.

I would be interested to know for example if it would "see" squirrels/magpies in a leafless tree at around 260yds. I know it will see foxes at ranges that are useful for me but I have one particular tree that I can shoot in to safely with massive backstop behind it due to an even larger hill 260yds away that I can shoot down from. The oak is huge and full of squirrels and magpies and the .22CF is itching to reduce the greys. Maggies are easier to spot but the squirrels are tough and blend in. I can see a thermal being brilliant for this and the numbers of greys are becoming huge. We want shot of them.

It seems that a variety of Trade members on here suggest trying them, so I will soon be ringing around to see who can help me out. Optics Warehouse also are doing 10% off thermal for their black friday deals and I expect other retailers are doing similar. I imagine a ring round would realise the best price.

If anyone can advise on the 260yd squirrel question that would be great

You'll have no bother in seeing them in the tree with a '38

 

[Cottis]

You'll have no bother in seeing them in the tree with a '38

Good man, thanks for that.

 

[25 Sharps]

Look at the Flir unit in the sales section mate. Same unit I've used for 3 years now and it's cracking, yes there are better, newer units out there but it will do all you need it to. Can vouch for the seller too as he's my shooting buddy. If you want any more info give me a shout, or you can come down for the night and try mine out with me onbthe bunnies and we can swap that powder finally!

 

[25 Sharps]

Should have read the whole thread, hope the new units a good'n mate

 

[Effnjeff]

 

[JackD032]

I can highly recommend Blackwood Outdoors run by a chap on here. Bought my XQ38F from him recently for a good price. Absolutely made up with it, I was picking up dead rabbit carcasses in the pitch dark hours after they had been shot using black hot.