chevy1562004
Active Member
Evening all, I have a pulsar Trail XP50 apart from ballistics and lrf is it worth changing to a Hik or Nocpix. Has anyone done this and if so was it worth the change in your opinion?
Pulsar Trail XP50 is it worth changing.
- Thread starter chevy1562004
- Start date
Have you got plenty of money?
Do you want a better image quality?
Do you want lrf?
Then yes.
Otherwise,,,,,, no.
Do you want a better image quality?
Do you want lrf?
Then yes.
Otherwise,,,,,, no.
I'm still using my Trail XP50. I shoot very familiar ground, use flat-shooting cartridges, and keep ranges under 250 m, so I've never actually needed LRF or trajectory compensation, nor have I ever had trouble telling what I was looking at... but there are some very nice thermal scopes about nowadays...
chevy1562004
Active Member
Thanks both, I think I really need to weight up wether I really need to upgrade to the one of the newer scopes or I’m spending money for the sake of it. Yes it’s nicer to have a better image and money isn’t any issues but i guess to make it worth replacing I would really need to go for one of the higher spec sensor models. @Mr. Gain have you compared the image to any of the newer scopes on the market with the 640 sensors?
In answer to your question, I don't think the images in newer models with comparable 50 mm lenses and 640 sensors are better.
My impression is that the Chinese brands rely heavily on AI image processing. This gives the appearance of a better image, but more of the image you are seeing is an invention of the algorithm.
What current scopes typically offer is LRF with integrated ballistics (which is useful in some scenarios, but by no means all), a full set of colour palettes (most of which you won't use because they are designed for industrial applications), and a day-scope-like form factor with a 30 mm main tube (which makes it much easier to achive workable ergonomics with a regular, non-adjustable rifle stock). I don't find I need any of these things badly enough to prioritise them in my current shooting budget (!)
I also think that digital riflescopes are so good nowadays that it's a real question whether one needs to shoot in thermal at all, especially when foxing. "Spot with thermal, shoot with digital" has always been sensible advice, but holds more truth now than ever. (N.B., this doesn't stop thermal riflescopes from being huge fun - I enjoy using thermal more than digital, but that enjoyment has a substantial cost.)
Because I have the Trail, I appreciate being able to switch more or less seamlessly from a thermal spotter to thermal scope. The similarity of the images saves a small amount of time, which is sometimes important.
That said, thermal gives me a lot less detail and reduced precision compared with digital NV. In fact, I most often use a day scope with a Krypton front add-on, as I like the precision it gives me when foxing (fine reticle), and find it a great combination for squirrel shooting (sometimes shooting in one mode, sometimes in the other, depending on target visbility), and for following up deer that have decided to fall over in woodland (shot with the dayscope and - if necessary - dispatched with thermal). It is also versatile, being immediately usable on rifles for deer, foxes and vermin.
The above are just my impressions/habits, not advice. My advice would be, if you have an itch, scratch it. Life is short.
My impression is that the Chinese brands rely heavily on AI image processing. This gives the appearance of a better image, but more of the image you are seeing is an invention of the algorithm.
What current scopes typically offer is LRF with integrated ballistics (which is useful in some scenarios, but by no means all), a full set of colour palettes (most of which you won't use because they are designed for industrial applications), and a day-scope-like form factor with a 30 mm main tube (which makes it much easier to achive workable ergonomics with a regular, non-adjustable rifle stock). I don't find I need any of these things badly enough to prioritise them in my current shooting budget (!)
I also think that digital riflescopes are so good nowadays that it's a real question whether one needs to shoot in thermal at all, especially when foxing. "Spot with thermal, shoot with digital" has always been sensible advice, but holds more truth now than ever. (N.B., this doesn't stop thermal riflescopes from being huge fun - I enjoy using thermal more than digital, but that enjoyment has a substantial cost.)
Because I have the Trail, I appreciate being able to switch more or less seamlessly from a thermal spotter to thermal scope. The similarity of the images saves a small amount of time, which is sometimes important.
That said, thermal gives me a lot less detail and reduced precision compared with digital NV. In fact, I most often use a day scope with a Krypton front add-on, as I like the precision it gives me when foxing (fine reticle), and find it a great combination for squirrel shooting (sometimes shooting in one mode, sometimes in the other, depending on target visbility), and for following up deer that have decided to fall over in woodland (shot with the dayscope and - if necessary - dispatched with thermal). It is also versatile, being immediately usable on rifles for deer, foxes and vermin.
The above are just my impressions/habits, not advice. My advice would be, if you have an itch, scratch it. Life is short.
chevy1562004
Active Member
@Mr. Gain Thank you for taking the time and effort to write a great reply to my query. There’s a lot of great info in there and it definitely gives food for thought with regards to thermal and new digital scopes. I have the elusive Nocpix nite on order but I’m slowing losing my patience with the constant delays in its never ending release to the consumer. I think you’re right,life is too short and the fact I probably just want a shiny new thermal with LRF and a ballistic program is my only real reason to change scopes.
Thanks again for a brilliant reply
Thanks again for a brilliant reply
Norfolk Deer Search
Well-Known Member
Sell it buy good glass, I’m of the opinion thermal and digital scopes should be banned!
Cave dwelling and bog snorkling should be banned as well ... technophobeSell it buy good glass, I’m of the opinion thermal and digital scopes should be banned!
Norfolk Deer Search
Well-Known Member
Cave dwelling and bog snorkling should be banned as well ... technophobe
Have you ever used good top end glass?
You carry on with your desperation to pull the trigger night license crew with your Ning nang makka ding dang made in chinky land scope!
Cheeky sod...I have a Swarovski Z6I on the Creed most of the time and have had the scope for 13 years...so yes mate I know what top end glass is ta.
Have you ever used a digital or thermal scope?
Norfolk Deer Search
Well-Known Member
Yep I have, I’ve used the top end pulsars before hik was ever invented and I wouldn’t **** on any of them if they were on fire, I can even go back over 20 years to when archer NV came on the scene so yes I’m better educated than most!Cheeky sod...I have a Swarovski Z6I on the Creed most of the time and have had the scope for 13 years...so yes mate I know what top end glass is ta.
Have you ever used a digital or thermal scope?
I can go back to shooting In the dark a lot longer than you me old cocker!
You must be back at work and not under the cosh
Yep I have, I’ve used the top end pulsars before hik was ever invented and I wouldn’t **** on any of them if they were on fire, I can even go back over 20 years to when archer NV came on the scene so yes I’m better educated than most!
I can go back to shooting In the dark a lot longer than you me old cocker!
You must be back at work and not under the cosh
Aye....you know me mate. Back at work for a rest lol. Cant resist pulling your leg mate ... sorry
the prowler
Well-Known Member
Nocpix definitely good. Does it kill more than a pulsar! No.
Dunno about the other stuff but I think the res in the HIK is a bit ****. It does the job, looking forward to lowlight success.
I am not a glass snob at all but I had hoped for better. 28x feels pointless 14x is ok I guess but really the only res I feel is good is 7x but I normally want to be at 12x ish. It’s all fine if you are happy putting it in an area but I would prefer finer resolution. Aim small shoot small sort of thing.
It’s £800, it will hopefully get me shots at last light that i would not otherwise take so that is a big win.
It’s a big lump as well.
That’s all very subjective and personal of course.
I am not a glass snob at all but I had hoped for better. 28x feels pointless 14x is ok I guess but really the only res I feel is good is 7x but I normally want to be at 12x ish. It’s all fine if you are happy putting it in an area but I would prefer finer resolution. Aim small shoot small sort of thing.
It’s £800, it will hopefully get me shots at last light that i would not otherwise take so that is a big win.
It’s a big lump as well.
That’s all very subjective and personal of course.
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