Best compact thermal monocular?

[NorHunt]

Important to understand and remember, it is JUST a SPOTTER...
I use a Hikmicro FQ35.

 

[Sheamus]

I was extremely disappointed early last year after taking a delivery of a Pulsar XQ Axion2 pro.
I must say the only thing I like about it is the size.
The thing that ****es me off the most every time I look through it is how small the viewing screen size is.
Compared to other units I have used.
If I'd of looked through an Axion 2 unit prior to purchase I'd of never have brought it.
Loads of better units out there on the market.

 

[Emilio]

I changed from a hik spotter to a nocpix.
I find the menu and and buttons fine once you get used to them.
The ballistic functions are great for anyone using a scope with an adjustable elevation turret.

The functions are fine, but for me just not intuitive. I like things simple, so I range with my bino's and use a turret for adjustment, no need for anything additional.
With that in mind I ended up buying a Keiler-1, which again for me is very simple and intuitive in use for a nice price (if bought in Germany). It isn't the end all of end alls when it comes to picture quality, but that's where my bino's come in. Locating wildlife works fine with the Keiler-1 and that is what i use it for.

 

[ca11um]

That's where your good old fashioned binos come in ......

Bit difficult in the dark with a night license/foxing trying to use binos and work a lamp....

 

[palo]

Important to understand and remember, it is JUST a SPOTTER...
I use a Hikmicro FQ35.

Yes thats true but some are better than others and if you have the money you may as well get the best.
Your hik is one of the better ones.

 

[NorHunt]

Yes thats true but some are better than others and if you have the money you may as well get the best.
Your hik is one of the better ones.

If I could choose to buy a new one today, I would have bought a FQ 25.
Only reason is to get a bigger FOV...

 

[sauer]

Bit difficult in the dark with a night license/foxing trying to use binos and work a lamp....

was in reply to comment about red deer and highland cows...and avoiding a long stalk in

Most folk I'd wager on here don't have night licences and are hobby / non professional stalkers

I'm not that stupid to suggest using binoculars at night


Paul

 

[75]

That's where your good old fashioned binos come in ......

Not right good before it's light.

 

[75]

was in reply to comment about red deer and highland cows...and avoiding a long stalk in

Most folk I'd wager on here don't have night licences and are hobby / non professional stalkers

I'm not that stupid to suggest using binoculars at night


Paul

And I'm not that stupid to suggest I wouldn't use binoculars in the daytime.

 

[sauer]

And I'm not that stupid to suggest I wouldn't use binoculars in the daytime.

Never said you were but not knowing your situation and going by comments on here many have given up carrying binoculars.
Again.. I don't know your situation

And if not much good before light then your one of the few rather than the many who are using night licenses to shoot deer maybe ?


Paul.

 

[paulbshooting]

Recently got a HIK Condor 2.0 in 35mm and very impressed. Always a pulsar user before but the one handed operation and ergonomics much better than my Helion 2 pro

 

[dlz90]

It really depends on what you feel is most important to you size or performance.

I have an axion XG35 compact it's tiny and performance more than good enough for everything I need for hunting.

I can easily identify deer at considerable distance, the screen is also big enough it's like a letterbox display wider than it is deep if you understand what I mean better than the xq pro series.

I have used it alongside side pulsar xp50 pros and while it's not going to beat these units it's more than good enough with it 640/480 sensor.

I am a hunter first and foremost I just want something to get the job done and the 35 compact does the job for me in spades, you can stick it in a breast pocket you barely know it's there when you need it it's great, battery lasts for ages and built like a tiny tank which will last for years.

D

 

[dlz90]

Interesting evening just in, was out with a couple of friends we had an axion xq35 an axion XG35 compact and an xp50pro just to compare them for the craic.

Ok from the getgo the helion xp50pro was without a doubt the winner but was it ?

Yes it had the biggest display the best image for sure but in a true hunting situation eemm does it really matter..?

The axions are more than good enough xq35 has without a doubt the best battery life and way more than acceptable image quality for id purposes in most situations for hunting.

What is the best compact thermal ? What is the best thermal in general ?

Honestly is there any such thing as the best in every situation ?

Honestly I don't think so, they without a doubt will all get the job done.

Just thought I'd share this it was interesting evening for sure, ok we only had pulsar units to compare, but no matter just be happy with what you have.

In the every changing world of this tech you'd never be happy, with best always coming next week

Pick what you want stick with it go hunting content yourself enjoy..

D

 

[sy247]

I've got an Axion XQ30 Pro. My thought process was I wanted to go with something that was light, small and well built with good battery life from a reputable manufacturer.

I didn't want to spend a fortune because technology advances so quickly. I just need to be able to identify a heat source and then ID it with my binos.

It will be interesting to see what a similar entry level or mid range unit costs and performs like in 5 years time!

 

[Motard]

This is the most

Interesting evening just in, was out with a couple of friends we had an axion xq35 an axion XG35 compact and an xp50pro just to compare them for the craic.

Ok from the getgo the helion xp50pro was without a doubt the winner but was it ?

Yes it had the biggest display the best image for sure but in a true hunting situation eemm does it really matter..?

The axions are more than good enough xq35 has without a doubt the best battery life and way more than acceptable image quality for id purposes in most situations for hunting.

What is the best compact thermal ? What is the best thermal in general ?

Honestly is there any such thing as the best in every situation ?

Honestly I don't think so, they without a doubt will all get the job done.

Just thought I'd share this it was interesting evening for sure, ok we only had pulsar units to compare, but no matter just be happy with what you have.

In the every changing world of this tech you'd never be happy, with best always coming next week

Pick what you want stick with it go hunting content yourself enjoy..

D

this is by far the most honest and smart state I have read since times about thermals. I have e trusty xq35 since four years now aside with the new habrock 4k with a more than basic sensor..My hunting pall has the newer upgradable Telos withevthe best sensor and widest lens of the line..I bet many would bash me but I still think that my two "poorman's" spotters (both would cost less than the Telos alone) are the better choise and a confirmation come from the fact that so often I not only find but also identify quarries before him.Both my Hick and Pulsar are fast and reliable in higlining any animal nearby.then its times to dee, and eventually shot)with optical channel or scope.

 

[dlz90]

You got it right there.

In my opinion and from what I observed this evening you definitely don't need to spend x no of pounds on the latest best thing definitely not.

Yes the more we go forward the better the image I'm most situations is that a good thing well I suppose it is on to a point.

It's like this what's most important to "you" the best of the the,

This is the most
this is by far the most honest and smart state I have read since times about thermals. I have e trusty xq35 since four years now aside with the new habrock 4k with a more than basic sensor..My hunting pall has the newer upgradable Telos withevthe best sensor and widest lens of the line..I bet many would bash me but I still think that my two "poorman's" spotters (both would cost less than the Telos alone) are the better choise and a confirmation come from the fact that so often I not only find but also identify quarries before him.Both my Hick and Pulsar are fast and reliable in higlining any animal nearby.then its times to dee, and eventually shot)with optical channel or scope.

Thanks mate but In the reality of most everything people say we need the latest greatest thing, when in actually we don't.

Go hunting you have gear that's far superior to our ancestors that came before us.

You're either a Hunter or you aren't

D

 

[Foxyboy43]

You got it right there.

In my opinion and from what I observed this evening you definitely don't need to spend x no of pounds on the latest best thing definitely not.

Yes the more we go forward the better the image I'm most situations is that a good thing well I suppose it is on to a point.

It's like this what's most important to "you" the best of the the,

Thanks mate but In the reality of most everything people say we need the latest greatest thing, when in actually we don't.

Go hunting you have gear that's far superior to our ancestors that came before us.

You're either a Hunter or you aren't

D

Spot on (!) - any reasonable quality thermal will indicate quarry at distance - many further than you would ever dream of shooting, in my own case I can see sheep well over a kilometre away from my back door BUT it takes bins to identify what they are.
Sooo if you can afford it spend whatever you wish and be happy….

 

[Motard]

Agree /. Had the game-keeper of a land where I stalk hogs buy the low-cost entry-level habrock 25. He (as me too) cann't be more happy from performances expecially for night stalking. Although thermal channel is so limited in basic Hikmicro you will always know there is something at the range for shooting & then easily check what it is by owrsonal experience if not from swapping to the optical channel. Just to explain: have a look at the pic. It was still daytime but I had jet the Talion thermal on the rifle because pigs normally get out grom thebthick way after dark. Instead they yet were all in tall grass. Spotted some siluettes withe the Hancock shot this one else if it was barely stealth for nude eye.

 

[cornflake]

Pulsar telos, expensive but can’t fault it. Can also upgrade sensor etc as time goes on if needed. I have the xl50 and have yet to try anything as clear.