Thermal/NV Add on

[Sandy25]

Afternoon all,

We manage a large estate with lots of Fallow and muntjac, but they are always off the ground and into the neighborouing ground (whihc we cannot shoot over) by first light. Had a guest out the other day who had a thermal on his rifle, and he had 2 fallow down in less than a minute on the open fields. The rest of group stood there and more could have been taken, but the larder was already full!

It got me thinking, as so much of the time when we are out we see many deer during legal hours, but it is always too dark to shoot, and the high numbers warrant a heavy cull. I have a very good glass scope which i want to keep on the rifle so have been looking at Thermal add ons over the past few weeks, and have seen a few by pulsar, leica, hik Micro and Zeiss.

I wondered what peoples advice was:

NV or Thermal?

2nd Hand or new?

Anyone used a Zeiss DTC 4/50, any footage and what are their thoughts?

Any thermal add ons that i should stay away from?



Many thanks in advance for all the advice,

Sandy

 

[mealiejimmy]

Take the very good glass cope off your rifle and sell it
Use some of the money you get for it to buy a DNT Zulus HD 520 LRF (around £550-£600)
Have a **** up with whatever money is left and then (when you sober up) go and shoot as many deer as you want at any time of day or night
That'll be a lot cheaper, a lot less hassle, and a lot less worry about an expensive thermal front add-on not holding zero when you come to use it

Cheers

Bruce

 

[Dari]

Take the very good glass cope off your rifle and sell it
Use some of the money you get for it to buy a DNT Zulus HD 520 LRF (around £550-£600)
Have a **** up with whatever money is left and then (when you sober up) go and shoot as many deer as you want at any time of day or night
That'll be a lot cheaper, a lot less hassle, and a lot less worry about an expensive thermal front add-on not holding zero when you come to use it

Cheers

Bruce

Just be avare, that any time there will be fog, you will not see anything with digital nightvision.
While having quality thermal add on, like HIKMICRO Thunder, you will be able to shoot also in foggy conditions.
Use thermal front add on with quality adapter, like rusan or smartclip and you will newer have zero issues.
I would be more concerned about selecting propper animal in the heard, since thermal picture is far less detailed than digital nightvision.
I have tested several thermal add ons (pulsar, hikmicro, ThermTec, Guide) and newer ever had any kind of zero issues. Of course after initial set up and zeroing.

Leica and Zeiss are too expensive for what they offer.
You will not go wrong with Pulsar Krypton 2.0 XG50 or HIKMICRO THUNDER 3.0 TQ50 or TQ35 if distances are within 200m.

Cheers

 

[Sandy25]

Just be avare, that any time there will be fog, you will not see anything with digital nightvision.
While having quality thermal add on, like HIKMICRO Thunder, you will be able to shoot also in foggy conditions.
Use thermal front add on with quality adapter, like rusan or smartclip and you will newer have zero issues.
I would be more concerned about selecting propper animal in the heard, since thermal picture is far less detailed than digital nightvision.
I have tested several thermal add ons (pulsar, hikmicro, ThermTec, Guide) and newer ever had any kind of zero issues. Of course after initial set up and zeroing.

Leica and Zeiss are too expensive for what they offer.
You will not go wrong with Pulsar Krypton 2.0 XG50 or HIKMICRO THUNDER 3.0 TQ50 or TQ35 if distances are within 200m.

Cheers

Ok, thank you very much! will definitely be shooting within 200m so wont be an issue.

will keep looking around and see what i can find

Cheers,

Sandy

 

[Tazz]

I have Swarovski Z8 on my 270 a few years ago I bought the Pulsar Krypton thermal front add on it helps in that first hour before/after sunrise/sunset. It is an add on and I have had no issues with holding zero, I am confident with it out to 120 yds. I have the version 1 model the newer 2 is smaller, better sensor and a bit more user friendly plus circa £1K cheaper. To me this is the best compromise, quality glass for good light and then a quick add on for dark

 

[Tim1989]

I've got the thunder 3.0, perfect return to zero

 

[Blackwood Outdoors]

I've got the thunder 3.0, perfect return to zero

My friend has one in Australia , said it return to zero every time and he trusts it more than a lot of the tubed stuff..

 

[Tim1989]

My friend has one in Australia , said it return to zero every time and he trusts it more than a lot of the tubed stuff..

yea very impressed with mine , this is 3 shots at 100yards taking the thermal off and back on after every shot , 3 shots touching 1/4 moa group

 

[Blackwood Outdoors]

yea very impressed with mine , this is 3 shots at 100yards taking the thermal off and back on after every shot , 3 shots touching 1/4 moa group

Yeh all the new front mounted units are much more solid now.. Krypton 2, Mate and Thunder 3.0...

 

[Rural Management Services]

Alpex 4K is a good fallow control tool.

 

[Munty_Hunter]

Don't sacrifice the enjoyment of having a nice clear clear glass scope for 'normal' daytime use, it's a big part of the enjoyment for me. Meanwhile I have for years used a thermal scope for first and last light culling. Add on units either ruin eye relief or are a constant irritation as an objective mount as they aren't as accurate as a dedicated scope.
£1300 will buy you an extremely good thermtec scope. Just ensure you have good quality rings and bases.

 

[Tim1989]

Don't sacrifice the enjoyment of having a nice clear clear glass scope for 'normal' daytime use, it's a big part of the enjoyment for me. Meanwhile I have for years used a thermal scope for first and last light culling. Add on units either ruin eye relief or are a constant irritation as an objective mount as they aren't as accurate as a dedicated scope.
£1300 will buy you an extremely good thermtec scope. Just ensure you have good quality rings and bases.

absolutely nothing wrong with the accuracy and return to zero with mine , it's a perfect set up , and i also use dedicated thermal scopes

 

[SussexSteve]

I have the thermtec hunt 650. Before that I had the zeiss. Both capable units and no need to compromise on good glass for the other 90% of the time

 

[MattW]

I have a Night Pearl Seer thermal add on and love it!
Paired with a Schmidt and Bender 2.5x12x56
It’s just a great combo, only downside side is reaching out in front of the unit to focus.
Can easily identify animals out to long distances and rifle always retains its zero.
Takes seconds to change rifles as long as you have the correct size mount for the scope.
You’re not far from me if you’re wanting to have a look?….

 

[Sandy25]

I have a Night Pearl Seer thermal add on and love it!
Paired with a Schmidt and Bender 2.5x12x56
It’s just a great combo, only downside side is reaching out in front of the unit to focus.
Can easily identify animals out to long distances and rifle always retains its zero.
Takes seconds to change rifles as long as you have the correct size mount for the scope.
You’re not far from me if you’re wanting to have a look?….

Thank you for that, haven’t heard of that make before but will check them out

Cheers,

Sandy

 

[Polar Lynx]

I'd say with glas binos you may miss seeing some animals out there. With thermals, whatever mark or price level, no risk of not seeing anything living within 200 m. With NNV you more or less need to have a glare from an animal eye to detect but then again this means they have become aware of you.

 

[Sandy25]

Morning all,

Wondered if anyone on here had experience of using the Pard 007 rear add on for deer control? How do you rate it?

Also how does it affect head position - would be going on a .308 so don't know if a front add on like the cheetah may be more appropriate?

Again, would be great to hear feedback from those that have used the Cheetah as well

Many thanks,

Sandy

 

[nf-fuse]

Morning all,

Wondered if anyone on here had experience of using the Pard 007 rear add on for deer control? How do you rate it?

Also how does it affect head position - would be going on a .308 so don't know if a front add on like the cheetah may be more appropriate?

Again, would be great to hear feedback from those that have used the Cheetah as well

Many thanks,

Sandy

I think with pard add ons it really depends on the model.

First off it does 'work ' I'm the sense it provides NV.

The big problem is that it's absolutely wrecks your eye relief if it isn't one of the really expensive compact models. The cheap ones (007v) it is like adding 50mm to the eye relief. For me it's just completely unworkable.

I like say you can get ones that seem a bit shorter but they cost the same as a zulus or equivalent.

I would question shooting it off a 308. On my 223 it wasn't an issue with the scope banging your eye but could be on bigger calibres

 

[Sandy25]

I think with pard add ons it really depends on the model.

First off it does 'work ' I'm the sense it provides NV.

The big problem is that it's absolutely wrecks your eye relief if it isn't one of the really expensive compact models. The cheap ones (007v) it is like adding 50mm to the eye relief. For me it's just completely unworkable.

I like say you can get ones that seem a bit shorter but they cost the same as a zulus or equivalent.

ok, cheers, think that pretty much answers my question, so thanks for that!

will continue looking around, and see what pops up either NV or thermal then

 

[wytonpjs]

Using a Thunder 3 TQ50 - very impressed! Had an Alpex but loathed using the inferior cameras in the day hence back to glass (Z6i) with the clip-on. No return to zero issues. It's probably taken 10 of the last 12 deer I've shot in that end of day golden hour. Just took and passed the DMQ Night Shooting Course shooting test with it without issue.