Dedicated Thermal scope or Add on?

[Beej]

Good evening All,

What are peoples thoughts on reliability of a dedicated Thermal scope V a Thermal Add On.
My current setup is a thermal spotter with a Hikmicro Alpex 4K scope, however i am not enjoying the weight of the Alpex and its unbalanced bulk with the LRF unit sitting on top.

I have heard from various people saying an Add On setup has too many variables that can go wrong, and at the same time its a bulky solution compared to a dedicated Thermal.

Best wishes & Happy hunting, fishing, shooting

B

 

[Tim1989]

depends what you want it for really, if going on a night time fox only gun then go dedicated.

if going on a stalking rifle then make it a all round rifle with a add on

 

[Beej]

depends what you want it for really, if going on a night time fox only gun then go dedicated.

if going on a stalking rifle then make it a all round rifle with a add on

Thanks Tim, ideally i would want to swap it between my .204 for foxes and the 6.5 x 55 barrel for stalking.

 

[Tazz]

I have a Swarovski Z8 on my 27 for stalking and a z6 on my 243. I opted for the Pulsar Krypton front add on, I upgraded to the Smartclip adaptor and it’s much better than the Pulsar option of circular shims. I consider I get the best of both worlds, great day glass and a Thermal for pre dawn post dusk especially in the woods. Happy to shoot it out to 150 yds on chest shots. I also carry a pulsar Axion 2 spotter

 

[Tim1989]

Thanks Tim, ideally i would want to swap it between my .204 for foxes and the 6.5 x 55 barrel for stalking.

I've got the hikmicro thunder 3.0 front add on, it's been spot on perfect return to zero , I will use it on 3 different rifles

have shot a fox at 310yards no problem with the thunder 3.0


I also have a dedicated thermal scope (senopex) on a .223

 

[Tim1989]

if you get a add on then get a rusan mar adapter and buy a separate scope attachment for each rifle so then you never have to take it off

 

[Beej]

if you get a add on then get a rusan mar adapter and buy a separate scope attachment for each rifle so then you never have to take it off

Thanks Tim, thats excellent advice. I will have a look at those items

 

[Tim1989]

just buy one of these for each rifle

 

[jthyttin]

I have heard from various people saying an Add On setup has too many variables that can go wrong, and at the same time its a bulky solution compared to a dedicated Thermal.

The ergonomics are also quite awful, since the add-on (clip-on) is located in the far end of your dayscope. And the adjustment you mostly need, focus, is usually located in the far end of clip-on.

You probly will get by if using sticks or shooting from highseat / doe box. But any solution that doesn't support the rifle in front of balance point, you will soon get miserable.

 

[mealiejimmy]

If weight is an issue for you then going back to a glass scope with a thermal front add-on is not going to solve that problem
If you are happy with night vision (as opposed to thermal) and want a lightweight all in one ready to go set up, just buy a DNT Zulus 520LRF
For £600 you get a scope weighing 600 grams all up that has 5-20 magnification, onboard laser IR, LRF and ballistic calculator

Cheers

Bruce

 

[Beej]

The ergonomics are also quite awful, since the add-on (clip-on) is located in the far end of your dayscope. And the adjustment you mostly need, focus, is usually located in the far end of clip-on.

You probly will get by if using sticks or shooting from highseat / doe box. But any solution that doesn't support the rifle in front of balance point, you will soon get miserable.

Thanks very much, definitely worth considering

 

[Beej]

If weight is an issue for you then going back to a glass scope with a thermal front add-on is not going to solve that problem
If you are happy with night vision (as opposed to thermal) and want a lightweight all in one ready to go set up, just buy a DNT Zulus 520LRF
For £600 you get a scope weighing 600 grams all up that has 5-20 magnification, onboard laser IR, LRF and ballistic calculator

Cheers

Bruce

Thanks Bruce
That is a very light solution indeed.