LRF/NV Scope upgrade quandary

[west_meon]

So, here is the problem: I have a thermal spotter without an LRF, and an Alpex gen 1 NV scope (so no LRF there either). Upgrading the thermal to an LRF version is way too expensive, but foxing on new ground is making an LRF quite necessary. It is up on the moors, so distance is difficult to judge at night and shooting range is rarely under 175m.
One option is to upgrade the Alpex to a 4k with LRF (£849) or look at the Arken Zulu with an LRF (£600), and sell the Gen 1 Alpex.
Another option is to get a standalone LRF to fit to the scope/rifle, but I am unsure how good these are or what to look for?

Has anyone got comparable knowledge of the new Alpex and the Zulu?

Is the screen definition noticeably better on the new Alpex than the old?

Or any other suggestion? I seem to be going round in circles on this. Not fussed about the ballistics calculator.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Sakoodin1]

I’ve had the alpex 4k lrf for about 10 days now. I had a change zero issue yesterday due to I think a firmware update ?? (I think that was the issue) but apart from that to which I’m hoping it’s resolved after re zeroing today it’s a good scope for the money. Im easily shooting stuff out to 300 yards at Night it’s accounted for half a dozen crafty dog foxes this last 7 days

 

[User00051]

I have a proposal for you Sir. We have new updated Firmware on our ATN X Sight 5 - and it is VERY good indeed. I compared it to the Zulus and Alpex the other day, and it is as good if not better than the Alpex, and certainly better than the Zulus - this is a personal impartial observation, not biased because of my company.

Proposal is - I will send you unit of X sight 5 5-25 LRF - if you like it and want to keep it, we will do you a great deal on retaining it (or you may return it - no obligations), but please so share your views and footage with the forum as with the new firmware it deserves a lot of recognition. We do realise that upon launch the firmware was not up to par, that's fixed!

If interested, PM me.

 

[kenbro]

I have a proposal for you Sir. We have new updated Firmware on our ATN X Sight 5 - and it is VERY good indeed. I compared it to the Zulus and Alpex the other day, and it is as good if not better than the Alpex, and certainly better than the Zulus - this is a personal impartial observation, not biased because of my company.

Proposal is - I will send you unit of X sight 5 5-25 LRF - if you like it and want to keep it, we will do you a great deal on retaining it (or you may return it - no obligations), but please so share your views and footage with the forum as with the new firmware it deserves a lot of recognition. We do realise that upon launch the firmware was not up to par, that's fixed!

If interested, PM me.

That’s an offer that would be hard to say no to!
Ken.

 

[Len the dog]

Bite the man's hand off.

 

[Pellet Pinger]

So, here is the problem: I have a thermal spotter without an LRF, and an Alpex gen 1 NV scope (so no LRF there either). Upgrading the thermal to an LRF version is way too expensive, but foxing on new ground is making an LRF quite necessary. It is up on the moors, so distance is difficult to judge at night and shooting range is rarely under 175m.
One option is to upgrade the Alpex to a 4k with LRF (£849) or look at the Arken Zulu with an LRF (£600), and sell the Gen 1 Alpex.
Another option is to get a standalone LRF to fit to the scope/rifle, but I am unsure how good these are or what to look for?

Has anyone got comparable knowledge of the new Alpex and the Zulu?

Is the screen definition noticeably better on the new Alpex than the old?

Or any other suggestion? I seem to be going round in circles on this. Not fussed about the ballistics calculator.

Thanks in advance for your help.

What thermal is it? an upgrade may not cost much more than the Alpex 4K and your money would be far better spent on a thermal with improved performance and LRF that you can use in any situation with any scope/rifle combination you pick out of the cabinet and you dont have to wave a rifle about to see how far your quarry is.

 

[kingstonandy]

I had the same problem, I upgraded my spotter and scope to LRF versions but I find I'm not using the laser on the thermal much, the Alpex 4k does the job well and the automatic bullet drop calculation has been spot on out to 270 yards so far.

 

[west_meon]

The thermal is an Axion 2 XQ35. Chopping that in and buying the LRF version will cost more than chopping in the old Alpex, and buying a 4k version, or a Zulu or A N Other. I have to add that apart from the need for the LRF, I am really happy with the Gen 1 Alpex. I tend not to need a LRF for most of my other shooting as the ranges are all well within distances, mainly woodland stalking.

 

[The Singing Stalker]

I would certainly look at the offer from ATN.

Alternatively, do you not have a mil dot reticle on the scope. I used to use a longbow and it was quite easy, basing the size of a fox about 3 foot I could tell if the fox was under 100 yards or under 200 yards. I didn’t shoot out beyond that.

 

[zerovarm]

Funny I have LRF on both the Thermal and obviously the Hik 4k and have found myself using the LRF on the scope more as of late. If we're talking foxes solely a few of the places I shoot they can cover 100 yards in no time so by the time you ping it with the thermal then move to the rifle distance has significantly increased/decreased. Not a massive requirement on a centrefire but useful all the same on occasion.

 

[zerovarm]

I have a proposal for you Sir. We have new updated Firmware on our ATN X Sight 5 - and it is VERY good indeed. I compared it to the Zulus and Alpex the other day, and it is as good if not better than the Alpex, and certainly better than the Zulus - this is a personal impartial observation, not biased because of my company.

Proposal is - I will send you unit of X sight 5 5-25 LRF - if you like it and want to keep it, we will do you a great deal on retaining it (or you may return it - no obligations), but please so share your views and footage with the forum as with the new firmware it deserves a lot of recognition. We do realise that upon launch the firmware was not up to par, that's fixed!

If interested, PM me.

That's a great gesture, fair play

 

[west_meon]

Funny I have LRF on both the Thermal and obviously the Hik 4k and have found myself using the LRF on the scope more as of late. If we're talking foxes solely a few of the places I shoot they can cover 100 yards in no time so by the time you ping it with the thermal then move to the rifle distance has significantly increased/decreased. Not a massive requirement on a centrefire but useful all the same on occasion.

The foxes on my ground do the same - appear from dense cover or dead ground as if by magic, and then travel fast. Currently I am relying on my son who has an LRF on his thermal to sing out the ranges, but on 'his' foxes he finds himself swapping from thermal to scope and back, often having to relocate the target in the scope, hence my preference for an LRF on the scope rather than on the thermal.

 

[BenBhoy]

I have a proposal for you Sir. We have new updated Firmware on our ATN X Sight 5 - and it is VERY good indeed. I compared it to the Zulus and Alpex the other day, and it is as good if not better than the Alpex, and certainly better than the Zulus - this is a personal impartial observation, not biased because of my company.

Proposal is - I will send you unit of X sight 5 5-25 LRF - if you like it and want to keep it, we will do you a great deal on retaining it (or you may return it - no obligations), but please so share your views and footage with the forum as with the new firmware it deserves a lot of recognition. We do realise that upon launch the firmware was not up to par, that's fixed!

If interested, PM me.

 

[west_meon]

Have PM'd ATN and will see where how we get on. Many thanks for the advice and suggestions, they have been a great help. I will give the mil dot reticle method a try too as this is obviously the free option, although the md ret on on the Alpex is a bit overpowering, unless it has changed at the last firmware update.

 

[Paul61]

Interesting comment about being 'as good if not better than the Alpex, and certainly better than the Zulus'... I've not got either but from what I've read the Alpex 4k and Zulus are on par image quality wise....

 

[west_meon]

I am still liaising with ATN ref the trial scope, but will be assessing it side by side with an Alpex A50T (Gen 1) and a Pulsar Digex C50, but not a Zulu initially, although I know someone who has one so may be able to tie in with them too.

Will report back here with the outcomes!

 

[sauer]

with alpex and the atn im assuming no inbuilt ir ?

so more ergonomics of having more weight and the mounting of IR .... the zulu is lighter than the alpex and inbuilt IR

havent had hands on atn x sight 5 yet ...


Paul

 

[mealiejimmy]

The X Sight 5 does not come with an IR and it weighs 1Kg, compared to 0.6Kg for the Zulus
By the time you fit an IR with adjustable mount, the X Sight is going to be more than 1.5Kg and getting on for three times the weight of the Zulus - not to mention the physical size and bulk of the ATN
I wish you well with your X Sight 5 when it comes, but to me the it sounds like ATN are desperate for sales

Cheers

Bruce

 

[BenBhoy]

but to me the it sounds like ATN are desperate for sales

Or sounds like they're simply trying to promote a product that they have confidence in. 10/10 for effort & @ATNUK deserves big pat on back for his product promotion sincere joining the forum. Whatever someone's thoughts on a any brand, plenty of companies could do worse than follow @ATNUK example of customer service & ease of contacting.

 

[LarryLightFoot]

Just to clarify the Alpex 4K LRF is 1176g without IR torch or IR mount, so no light weight either, so for a small low weight Option then it would be the Zulus but you have to run the app on your phone for the ballistic calculator to work. so more shat to be dealing with phone fully charged, a glaring screen etc, horses for courses and each to their own.
I think @ATNUK are doing what any sussed business would do after picking up the pieces from the disastrous last lot, by positive customer engagement and promotion . What business isn’t chasing sales ? They have been fantastic when dealing with them for servicing etc .