Thermal Clip On

[JimS]

Has anyone got any experience of a Thermal Clip On like the Hikmicro Thunder for example?

The reason i ask is i would like to get a handheld thermal spotter for deer and the like but would also like to go foxing. a clip on that can be used on a scope for foxes but also converted to a handheld spotter for different deer seems like it might be a good investment appreciating it will inevitably be a compromise in some areas such as size and weight.

I had a look at the Hikmicro stand at the Thunder 2.0 but the salesman there was quite dismissive of the multi use conversion kits and pointed me to the handheld spotters that were a lot cheaper.

Thanks for the input in advance!

 

[Eric the Red]

Have a look at Clive Ward's T-Ceptor Pro front add on - comes with a monocular eyepiece

 

[JimS]

Have a look at Clive Ward's T-Ceptor Pro front add on - comes with a monocular eyepiece

Thanks Eric, I think that might be a little over budget. Looks like a cracking bit of kit though.

 

[MattW]

Hi

At the shooting show on Saturday I purchased a Night Pearl seer 50 add on/ spotting scope.

Having debated this for a very long time, I had an evening out last night with it, firstly as a spotter for stalking and then I clipped onto the scope and straight out fox shooting.

I am very pleased with it so far I will purchase the extra battery pack but simple no re-zero and away to go in seconds as long as you have the correct scope adapter.
Detection +1000 yards could clearly identify fox and rabbits at 400 yards

Good luck with your choice but I would recommend that you have a look at Night Pearl instead of just the normal run of the mill.

 

[JimS]

Hi

At the shooting show on Saturday I purchased a Night Pearl seer 50 add on/ spotting scope.

Having debated this for a very long time, I had an evening out last night with it, firstly as a spotter for stalking and then I clipped onto the scope and straight out fox shooting.

I am very pleased with it so far I will purchase the extra battery pack but simple no re-zero and away to go in seconds as long as you have the correct scope adapter.
Detection +1000 yards could clearly identify fox and rabbits at 400 yards

Good luck with your choice but I would recommend that you have a look at Night Pearl instead of just the normal run of the mill.

Thanks Matt, does it require an eyepiece to use it as a spotter?

 

[Tazz]

Have a look at Clive Ward's T-Ceptor Pro front add on - comes with a monocular eyepiece

Or drop him an Email and wait 3 months for him to reply, ( In the event he does)

 

[MattW]

Hi Jim

Yes it comes with an attachment that just screws onto the front all inside the box and included with it.
Early days for me but very much impressed!
As stated just need to get the additional battery pack then happy days!

 

[JimS]

Hi Jim

Yes it comes with an attachment that just screws onto the front all inside the box and included with it.
Early days for me but very much impressed!
As stated just need to get the additional battery pack then happy days!

Thanks for the info Matt.

 

[JimS]

I am still flicking back and forth between a sight/ clip on and just investing in a good hand held monocular. Anyone got experience with the Hikmicro Lynx range? Watched a video comparing them all from Optics Warehouse and some of the more budget models look to be a false economy?

 

[JimS]

Looking at the Pulsar Axion XM30F vs the Hikmicro Lynx Pro 25mm at a similar price point the Hikmicro seems to have slightly better specs.

 

[rob_suffolk]

My understanding is the LYNX range is their entry level units, and they have just released new models etc. All depends on budget and what your wanting to get out of it... If you expect to pay around £1k for a spotter then yes you will see "something" is there, but not necessarily able to ID it.

There have been people selling the HikMicro TQ50 (gen1) at a good price and they are a good all round unit etc.
All comes down to budget I'm afraid.

 

[Tazz]

I am still flicking back and forth between a sight/ clip on and just investing in a good hand held monocular. Anyone got experience with the Hikmicro Lynx range? Watched a video comparing them all from Optics Warehouse and some of the more budget models look to be a false economy?

The danger with having just a Thermal scope or front clip on and no hand held spotter is you are effectively swinging the rifle around to do the spotting, not a great “ safety look”. Pulsar do the Krypton that acts as both a front end clip on and doubles as a spotter, gen 1 models being sold cheap as replacement gen 2 £1K cheaper and with better features. I have the Gen 1 good bit of kit may be worth looking for second hand one

 

[rob_suffolk]

I agree with Tazz, although a lot of clip ons can be used as spotters and clip-ons, in reality its a bit of a faff... you see a fox 400m through spotter mode and have time on your side then no drama but when you see one 50-100m away and faffing about to get clip on attached etc, just to find its done a runner.
Personally, if budget is a thing - stick to decent NV scope or NV attachment and buy best thermal spotter you can afford.

 

[JimS]

The danger with having just a Thermal scope or front clip on and no hand held spotter is you are effectively swinging the rifle around to do the spotting, not a great “ safety look”. Pulsar do the Krypton that acts as both a front end clip on and doubles as a spotter, gen 1 models being sold cheap as replacement gen 2 £1K cheaper and with better features. I have the Gen 1 good bit of kit may be worth looking for second hand one

Hi Tazz, yes I agree wouldn’t want to be spotting by pointing my rifle but figured the clip on Hikmicro Thunder offered a hand held spotter mode to go deer stalking and then clip on mode for foxing.

Looking at pricing vs performance I suspect as good an entry level hand held as I get afford might be best.

 

[JimS]

I agree with Tazz, although a lot of clip ons can be used as spotters and clip-ons, in reality its a bit of a faff... you see a fox 400m through spotter mode and have time on your side then no drama but when you see one 50-100m away and faffing about to get clip on attached etc, just to find its done a runner.
Personally, if budget is a thing - stick to decent NV scope or NV attachment and buy best thermal spotter you can afford.

Thanks Rob, as above; that’s the way I’m leaning for now. I was hoping to get one unit that could cover a couple of different scenarios to save some cash.

 

[rob_suffolk]

New Alpex looks good (dont have one) for foxing with LRF / Ballistics and that with older helion or new Lynx/Falcon I don't think you'd be going far wrong ?

 

[DVS1]

I had a look through the Infiray Mate Mah50 at the BSS and would happily use one on the front of the day scope. 10x and yes there's pixilated view but nothing bad and very usable up to 14x

 

[JimS]

New Alpex looks good (dont have one) for foxing with LRF / Ballistics and that with older helion or new Lynx/Falcon I don't think you'd be going far wrong ?

Thanks Rob.

 

[JimS]

I had a look through the Infiray Mate Mah50 at the BSS and would happily use one on the front of the day scope. 10x and yes there's pixilated view but nothing bad and very usable up to 14x

I’ll have a look, as I said I suspect a handheld monocular will be more than enough to get going now with an eye on upgrading/ adding a sight in the future. Thank you.

 

[DVS1]

I’ll have a look, as I said I suspect a handheld monocular will be more than enough to get going now with an eye on upgrading/ adding a sight in the future. Thank you.

No worries mate, I use a Pard in conjunction with the thermal spotter and can't really justify the cost of a thermal scope or add on...plus I like twiddling my knobs