Thermal imager for deer

[buckonabike]

I'm another new stalker looking for a budget option that works. I'm only interested in deer, so would like to know what makes to look at, how important the resolution is. I'd like to keep it around £500 but I'm conscious the market average is well above that.

I see Nightmaster has

Pixfra Mite 2 M207 35mK
Pixfra Mite 2 M210 35mK

Are these adequate?
Is there a minimum spec needed for identifying species and sex?

 

[Polar Lynx]

An imager or spotter will detect things but will not always fix identifaction. To this you would need a good bino glas scope or a digital device or an expensive thermal. You have to decide distance you would most often look at and then decide on budget. For detection there is no need for super resolution. Mk is not strong issue. Untrustly figures and all ok thermals will enable detection.

 

[buckonabike]

Thanks for this. In practice I'm not going to be shooting at very long range, i.e. no more than 90m. If I'm unsure I will not take the shot and I expect to get better at identification as I go. I will aim to go on guided stalks until I feel confident enough. High seat on my friend's land usually means the deer are 50-70m away and there's good clear sightlines.

 

[Cyres]

My advice would be is that you need to go to the Stalking Show at Stafford next month and look through as many thermals as possible. The Pifra range is very good. You might need to spend closer to £750 but that will give you a serious bit of kit.
D

 

[mealiejimmy]

I'm another new stalker looking for a budget option that works. I'm only interested in deer, so would like to know what makes to look at, how important the resolution is. I'd like to keep it around £500 but I'm conscious the market average is well above that.

I see Nightmaster has

Pixfra Mite 2 M207 35mK
Pixfra Mite 2 M210 35mK

Are these adequate?
Is there a minimum spec needed for identifying species and sex?

No, neither of these thermal will let you sex deer at any sort of range
Sexing deer is sometimes not possible even with the most expensive thermals

Cheers

Bruce

 

[Malxwal]

No, neither of these thermal will let you sex deer at any sort of range
Sexing deer is sometimes not possible even with the most expensive thermals

Cheers

Bruce

Not strictly true Bruce. With a good thermal (well over £500 even used), you can see body heat in growing antler, and sometimes see antler as colder when it's no longer got blood circulating.
That's not to say they identify as male......

 

[mealiejimmy]

Malc,
Yes deer are easily sexed when they are growing antlers but when the antler is hard or when they have been shed it ain't so easy - that's why I said "sometimes"

Cheers

Bruce

 

[Sandy25]

I'm another new stalker looking for a budget option that works. I'm only interested in deer, so would like to know what makes to look at, how important the resolution is. I'd like to keep it around £500 but I'm conscious the market average is well above that.

I see Nightmaster has

Pixfra Mite 2 M207 35mK
Pixfra Mite 2 M210 35mK

Are these adequate?
Is there a minimum spec needed for identifying species and sex?

If you are prepared to take a bit of a risk, have a look for 2nd hand thermal imagers on the classifieds on the site, or places like R Mcleod, Optics Warehouse, Blackwood outdoors etc. Saw one on there in the last couple of days but cant remember price or model. You will be able to get a much better imager for the money, only downside is that you wont get a warranty.

ATB,

Sandy

 

[Sandy25]

Here's one:

Sold: - ATN thermal monocular

ATN OTS-XLT 160 2.5-10x Purchased directly from ATN UK last November and used a couple of times. Unit is in full working order and in excellent condition (as new pretty much). £255 delivered

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

 

[mealiejimmy]

Here's one:

Sold: - ATN thermal monocular

ATN OTS-XLT 160 2.5-10x Purchased directly from ATN UK last November and used a couple of times. Unit is in full working order and in excellent condition (as new pretty much). £255 delivered

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

No, No and no again - don't waste you money

Cheers

Bruce

 

[Donkey Basher]

Here's one:

Sold: - ATN thermal monocular

ATN OTS-XLT 160 2.5-10x Purchased directly from ATN UK last November and used a couple of times. Unit is in full working order and in excellent condition (as new pretty much). £255 delivered

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

All that’ll let you see is a hot blob, it’s got a 160 sensor, you’ll struggle to tell the difference between a hare, a muntjac or a roe unless you can see them with the naked eye.

You really need to be looking for a unit with a 384 or bigger sensor tbh. Then it’s a matter of spending the time using it & ‘learning’ how to interpret what you’re seeing.

 

[Sandy25]

All that’ll let you see is a hot blob, it’s got a 160 sensor, you’ll struggle to tell the difference between a hare, a muntjac or a roe unless you can see them with the naked eye.

You really need to be looking for a unit with a 384 or bigger sensor tbh. Then it’s a matter of spending the time using it & ‘learning’ how to interpret what you’re seeing.

Yeah, but if you are using good binos and glass to ID, it will give you an idea that there is a heat signature present. I have an Axion that will identify heat signatures, but can’t ID with it.

Just to give the OP an idea of the stuff out there really if he doesn’t want to spend mega bucks that all

 

[Donkey Basher]

Yeah, but if you are using good binos and glass to ID, it will give you an idea that there is a heat signature present. I have an Axion that will identify heat signatures, but can’t ID with it.

Just to give the OP an idea of the stuff out there really if he doesn’t want to spend mega bucks that all

Sorry fella but I was in the same position as the OP was last year & bought a low spec unit with a 160 sensor thinking it’d be fine for finding heat sources. My primary intended use was to make sure I wasn’t ‘bumping’ deer getting into seats in the dark mornings & finding shot deer after last light. Not being able to tell if I was going to bump a hare at 20 yards or a muntjac at 40 yards was a bit of a surprise. Worst of all was when I nearly walked straight into a hedge one morning because the thermal simply didn’t show it up! I sent the unit back & spent sub £1k on a unit that is streets ahead by comparison - I never did get to try it on shot animals but based on using the replacement unit I somehow think it’d have struggled big time!

I still use binos for ID if the light is there but in the gloom you’d be surprised how soon you learn how to interpret the image you’re seeing.

Anyway just my thoughts on the matter, it’s down to the OP to take or leave

 

[sauer]

Stretch budget another £300
& op would get my pulsar helion xq38f with 2x batteries and owned from new
And he able to tell deer from rabbit from hare etc

 

[Blackwood Outdoors]

Super tight budget check these out, although I would personally advise 384px resolution and 15mm as a base minimum...

Budget Thermal Imaging

Discover low cost and entry-level thermal imaging for hunting, wildlife, and security. Budget-friendly options offer clear detection and intuitive controls.

www.blackwoodoutdoors.co.uk

NocPix Lumi P13 Thermal Monocular

The compact NocPix Lumi P13 thermal monocular features a 12 micron 256x192 resolution <18mk sensor.

www.blackwoodoutdoors.co.uk

HikMicro Lynx LE10 3.0 Thermal Monocular

Experience the HikMicro Lynx LE10 3.0 — compact, powerful, and precise thermal monocular delivering 500m detection and exceptional image clarity.

www.blackwoodoutdoors.co.uk

Pixfra Mile 2 M215 Thermal Imaging Monocular

The Pixfra Mile M215 features a 12 micron 256px resolution 35mk netD sensor and F1.0 15mm lens system.

www.blackwoodoutdoors.co.uk

 

[Malxwal]

Malc,
Yes deer are easily sexed when they are growing antlers but when the antler is hard or when they have been shed it ain't so easy - that's why I said "sometimes"

Cheers

Bruce

My apologies Bruce, skim reading then going off half cocked....

 

[Colonel]

The biggest problem with using a thermal scope is that you can not see always see branches in front of the deer. I personally would get a day night scope instead and a thermal spotter. A good day night scope would enable you to take shoots almost up to final hour