Entry level thermal spotter and prices?
- Thread starter Effnjeff
- Start date
Not a fan of the Quantum Lite at all myself, but it comes down to money and needs, if the XQ30V picks up heat of a cow at 1000m it would only be 2 or 3 pixels in size, the image is very poor in comparison to all the full focus, proper germanium lens Helion/Quantum models..
Uncle Norm
Well-Known Member
Indeed so, however the Lite will pick up an identifiable image of Roe/Chinese Water Deer / Muntjac at 400+ yards, so plenty good enough for woodland/farmland stalking/spotting/counting purposes.
You could identify a CWD or muntjac at 400yds with a Quantum Lite XQ30V?? Sorry but I totally disagree, detect yes, identify no..
Uncle Norm
Well-Known Member
The CWD and Muntjac move so differently, particularly on the farmland that I know the difference. I agree that the image quality alone is not sufficient, however I watch both species a lot so know what I am looking at. I was watching Roe and CWD yesterday evening in sugar beet and I knew which was which. I'm sorry that you don't believe me but I have no reason or wish to mislead anyone. The Lite has proven much better than I expected.
Interesting from my testing of the lite on a few models, the composite lens is non focusable an image cannot be brought into sharp focus. Detection wise I could spot the heat off rabbits out to 200-230yds but I had no idea what they were... I could pickup a fox at 300yds but the image is poor and positive ID is out of the question. Also due to the lens they are affected badly with atmospheric conditions compared to the larger full fat versions..There the cheapest of the thermal range offered by Pulsar and the worst performer..... BUT like I said before for the money there's nothing to match them in the price range, I'd always recommend saving for a Helion XQ38F upwards though..
Uncle Norm
Well-Known Member
You make some fair points which is a credit to you as a respected retailer. It is important to be honest in appraising a product, so as to avoid raising unrealistic expectations.
I agree entirely about the limited performance in mist too.
I too am keen not to mislead any of our members, so this morning I was out, well before first light, on an area of open fen where we have Roe, Chinese Water Deer and Muntjac as well as cattle. I paid particular attention to the actual images, rather than what my experience told me.
The cattle were identifiable a long way off, simply because of their size and herd numbers. I saw only Chinese Water Deer and concluded that a positive identification could only be made at distance, when they moved. Until they moved, I could not tell which species.
I have concluded that a less experienced watcher, using the XQ30 V Lite, would be able to see the image, probably know it to be a small deer but not identify which species until much closer.
You make that point about the Helion, which once again is a fair one. However when one considers the Helion to be 61% (£850) more expensive, significantly improved performance is a reasonable expectation. The Lite does what I need at present and I remain very pleased with my purchase, despite the limitations described.
I have found the world revealed by the thermal imager fascinating. If I get really hooked, I may 'throw a fit' and trade up.
For your needs on larger animals it does what you require, so no need to change at all, thanks for the detailed reply..... yes your right NV and Thermal is certainly addictive ..
Bavarianbrit
Well-Known Member
I use a DD Optics spotter that cost me 899 Euros in the summer and am very happy with it, now they are asking for 1199 Euros, buggers.
I don't know about recently, but the US did not allow exporting of these sort of things with a fast refresh rate. I have a Pulsar HD50s with a 30Hz(I think) refresh rate. A friend was trying a Flir with a refresh rate that the US allowed to be exported. Panning around, my pulsar was just like looking through normal optics but the Flir could not keep up with the changing view. They might have now got over restrictions by having stuff sent direct from outside the US, but others would know more about that than me.
YorkshireJoe
Active Member
How’s your XQ38F Guesty? Keen to hear your thoughts as I’m in the same predicament on what to purchase
I was quite happy with it until I compared to a mate’s old Quantum XQ50, which in my opinion has a better image.
So I changed the over the XQ38 Accolade binoculars, and I’m now delighted. To my eye the binocular image is far superior, and they are much easier to use. However they are a lot more money.
Being picky, I find them a tad too bright even in the lowest setting, so I hope Pulsar will bring out a firmware update at some point.
FLIR still can't export anything from the USA with a refresh rate of more than 9Hz due to the ITAR regulations.
It appears they either manufacture the products in the USA or import them into the USA and then cannot export them from the USA because of ITAR
Pulsar are not affected by ITAR because they manufacture in Belarus and Latvia? ATN have their stuff manufactured in China and shipped directly to the country in which it will be sold, therefore bypassing the USA.
Cheers
Bruce
Neilmetters1966
Well-Known Member
They deffo worth the money and you can scan a field in second and useful for picking up your quarry
YorkshireJoe
Active Member
Thanks for the feedback! I to have had experience of the old XQ50, I was hoping your feedback would help me keep the cost down though
Just push the boat out and buy one of these, special SD rate.. 
Pulsar Accolade LRF XQ38 Thermal Binoculars
Pulsar Accolade LRF XQ38 Thermal Binoculars
Uncle Norm
Well-Known Member
We have to remember that they are not X-ray machines. Thermals need a 'line of sight' to the heat source. In woodland one may get a nose or bum protruding from behind trees but it certainly alerts you to something there. In thick cover (the dreaded rhododendrons) you would need to be fairly close to get a 'shimmer' of light where the heat source is broken up by the cover. Once again such a flickering shimmer is good enough to put you on the alert. Very beneficial when trying to locate a carcass.
Having now stalked red, roe and muntjac with my XQ30V for 5 months I can genuinely say that I’m VERY pleased with my “VFM” thermal solution - it does everything I need and more besides. When I invariably trade up, I also won’t feel that I have been “robbed” as I have with so many other electronic devices! It’s more than good enough for my stalking/vermin control purposes and candidly, if it does get dropped once too often, I’m not going to be as gutted as I might be with a Helios.
They are brilliant in woodland as long as there is a clear line of sight..
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