Thermal scopes with a 384x288 sensor vs high end stuff with a 640x512 sensor

[Zetter]

I am thinking of getting thermal scope for foxing and rabbiting.

I currently have a spotter with a decent sensor one of the old HIK Gryphon 50L with the 640x521 sensor. Would I be ok with a thermal scope with the lower sensor resolution based on the fact I am doing all my ID and spotting with the spotter and taking the shot with the scope. Apart from a clearer image on the scope would there be much advantage on the high sensor resolution.
Just thinking about cost really as the better sensor is a major uplift in price vs the lower resolution sensors.

 

[Mike1979]

Why not go digital/NV? Spot with thermal and shoot with NV...a much better option and a lot cheaper IMO.

 

[BenBhoy]

I am thinking of getting thermal scope for foxing and rabbiting.

I currently have a spotter with a decent sensor one of the old HIK Gryphon 50L with the 640x521 sensor. Would I be ok with a thermal scope with the lower sensor resolution based on the fact I am doing all my ID and spotting with the spotter and taking the shot with the scope. Apart from a clearer image on the scope would there be much advantage on the high sensor resolution.
Just thinking about cost really as the better sensor is a major uplift in price vs the lower resolution sensors.

Why not give an idea of some of the scopes your thinking of & then the thermal guys might be able to give an idea of what you can expect

 

[Tim1989]

Why not go digital/NV? Spot with thermal and shoot with NV...a much better option and a lot cheaper IMO.

cheaper but definitely not better

 

[Tim1989]

depending on distance your shooting, get a 2nd hand senopex a7 will id further than most 640 scopes and they are cheap to buy 2nd hand

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Better sensor is definitely the way to go. The difference in quality is very large.

 

[Mike1979]

cheaper but definitely not better

Not sure I would agree there mate. I have a Pulsar XM50 scope on the .17 HMR , an Alpex on the .243 and a Z6I on the Creed. Each has its merits and whilst I like thermal scopes ID and cover are easier to spot with NV. Horses for courses and we are all different

 

[Zetter]

I was looking at the Nocpix bolt L35 at the moment due to the form factor. I currently have an Alpex 4K which I am looking to put on my .243 for general use but I was thinking of a thermal with LRF/ Ballistics for my .17 Hornet which I use for my bunny gun/ mooching around fox rifle.

 

[Freeforester]

You’d be better served with a lower spec sensor spotter for sensible pick up range, but using a higher spec sensor on the rifle, but this being said the difference at rabitting ranges doesn’t justify the increased cost, you’d kill a lot to HMR range with a decent second hand Pulsar Trail xq50, which arent so expensive as they once were.

That is if you’re indeed determined to go thermal spotting and then thermal shooting, which as already has been suggested, might not be the best. Then again, there’s a lot in favour of a Vastlite minima Bow at £80 if you’re sensible range shooting.

 

[One on top of two]

I have gone full thermal for my foxing. Good nv is fine but you cant play in the fog and mist.
my only advice would be buy the best sensor you can afford if your wanting longer distancing for foxing and whatnot.
I think i would be hard pressed to go back to NV. There are no real world benefits for my shooting.

 

[Blackwood Outdoors]

Remember this... Detection range is king for long distance..

Sensor doesn't really matter that much for long range. Pixel pitch and Focal Length does..

 

[Motard]

As just said from Blackwood I'd look more at the pixel pitch numbers and the opticsl magnification specs thsn at the sensor himself. Then if you are shooting in mists and fog also one older 17nm 380 x 288 pixel can pic up a heat signature better than a 640 x 530 one. May be this is the reason why many factorys still bear them?. You will see a tad whorst but pic up quarries better. And you cannot shoot what you don't see.

 

[Zetter]

Ok so looking at for example the Nocpix bolt L35 pixel pitch is 12um which seems to be the same pixel pitch as on the ace variants but you are sacrificing a bit of focal length.

Bear in mind the spotter I am using is a gryphon GQ50L currently which does give good detail.