Thermal Imagers - alternatives to Pulsar

[Rob P]

I ordered one of the new Axion XM30S units (and paid a £500 deposit) at the start of November, 4 months ago.
No fault of the retailer or of the importer (Thomas Jacks), but I'm still waiting...
Every month I'm told that deliveries are expected 'this month'. I've been told that a delivery is expected 'in March', but the retailer has been told that they are likely to receive only a fraction of the number that they ordered, and therefore there's a very strong possibility that I still won't get my Axion this month, even if deliveries do finally start.
I've considered getting a Helion instead (and was offered a very good deal on an XQ38F by the retailer who is selling me the Axion), but I wanted a unit that would fit in my jacket pocket.
I contacted Pulsar last month and was basically told that it wasn't their problem. If I treated my customers like that then I'd be out of business in a matter of weeks
I'm now reluctant to give Pulsar my business, but there doesn't seem to be any other comparable options (in terms of price, size and capabilities) out there.
Any suggestions?

 

[morrisman]

I've got a Flir breach that is miniscule which fits in my inside pocket. Certainly good enough for me with rechargables. I've also got a XQ38 which is in a different league. Depends what you want it for.

 

[Rob P]

I'll be using it for deer in dense woodland, but also longer range work (like spotting my wayward young Lab when she's done a runner after a deer!)

 

[hedge hunter]

Sad too treat people like that. Especially when they are about too spend a fair lump of there hard earned money. Come on be fair people. It's not nice too take the money and then let the customer sit waiting. They want too get out and enjoy what they have paid for.keep looking for a xq38f you will find one they are fantastic spotters for the money atb steve

 

[R. Macleod & Son]

If you need any prices on a XQ38 Helion rob just let us know. The XM30S just seems to keep getting delayed

 

[slider]

Xeye are an alternative. Thermal

 

[Uncle f]

So I was speaking to these guys at the shooting show last month. Al there kit looked good. German company but not sure where the kit is made? There called Liemke. Very approachable and you can buy direct at present and they have stock. Prices are in euros
www.liemke.com

 

[Uncle f]

To add there Keiler 26 chap told me would be there helion xq38f equivalent

 

[Flash9919]

If you’ve been offered an xq38 for a song take it, for the money it’s impossible (I have no doubt one or two...but that’s it! will disagree) to beat. Granted it’s not really pocket sized but chuck it on a strap around your neck and you’ll be sorted.

 

[The Singing Stalker]

So I was speaking to these guys at the shooting show last month. Al there kit looked good. German company but not sure where the kit is made? There called Liemke. Very approachable and you can buy direct at present and they have stock. Prices are in euros
www.liemke.com

The problem with them if the unit breaks then you have to send it to Germany. And that can cost. I also had a look at their products and went with the Xeye. I wanted the pulsar but not waiting any longer. Now i am comparing my Xeye E3plus against my 6 year old unit. Great improvement, again i am not looking for big mag. In woodland you want low mag. This starts with 2x mag I think. Image Very good. When you double that 2x2 it is usable, 2x4, just don't bother, waste of time. Field of view excellent, very happy.
Battery lasts long enough for me and if i need to recharge i have a small power pack, basically an 18650 in a carton and i can connect that. Again, very happy.
I haven’t had a chance to try it in damp icky conditions so it may not be as good as others but it is still going to be a huge improvement on what i had.

I would imaging that all these are made in the same factory as the body’s are identical. much to identical to be luck by my mind. Early days for me but, I’m happy so far and i have looked through the pulsars as well when out in the field. Just have to figure out how to get the phone to show the video, but that is just a phone call.

 

[Girl_with_a_gun]

If you need any prices on a XQ38 Helion rob just let us know. The XM30S just seems to keep getting delayed

These guys are great for customer service!

 

[Freeforester]

I ordered one of the new Axion XM30S units (and paid a £500 deposit) at the start of November, 4 months ago.
No fault of the retailer or of the importer (Thomas Jacks), but I'm still waiting...
Every month I'm told that deliveries are expected 'this month'. I've been told that a delivery is expected 'in March', but the retailer has been told that they are likely to receive only a fraction of the number that they ordered, and therefore there's a very strong possibility that I still won't get my Axion this month, even if deliveries do finally start.
I've considered getting a Helion instead (and was offered a very good deal on an XQ38F by the retailer who is selling me the Axion), but I wanted a unit that would fit in my jacket pocket.
I contacted Pulsar last month and was basically told that it wasn't their problem. If I treated my customers like that then I'd be out of business in a matter of weeks
I'm now reluctant to give Pulsar my business, but there doesn't seem to be any other comparable options (in terms of price, size and capabilities) out there.
Any suggestions?

You'd surely be able to insist on having your money back from the shop if you feel your patience is at an end, but the word in the wind is that they're only a fortnight or so away now?

Be a shame to throw the baby out with the bath water, imv. You've managed all this while without it, a fortnight or so more will soon be forgotten once the toy arrives! Btw, I don't think it'll be as good as the xq38, might you consider altering your jacket pocket to permit the latter in?

 

[Rob P]

Thanks for all the advice, folks - I’m heading towards getting a Helion instead...

 

[Uncle f]

I think that’s the best move bud

 

[Blackwood Outdoors]

Honest go with a Helion, if you buy one of the others, expect to get poor resale value if you ever sell it and there just not at the same level as a Helion. Try them all in the field, check image, menu use, features, ergonomics, battery life , etc

 

[hedge hunter]

Thanks for all the advice, folks - I’m heading towards getting a Helion instead...

Go for it rob you wont regret it

 

[Dama Dama 6.5]

Zeiss are launching a thermal spotter today, might be worth a look?

ZEISS Thermal Imaging | Register here!

www.zeiss.co.uk

 

[Sika98k]

I’ve no dog in the fight but a mate bought an Xeye and we went out one evening to compare his against my XQ38f. I was pleasantly surprised. The Xeye is pretty good, in fact damned good. Mind you since then I have done the firmware upgrade on my XQ38f so things might be equal now. It was superior to my mind prior to that.

 

[hedge hunter]

I not up graded mine heard that many times how its spoiled the image. Theres not that much in it is there.i can spot mice and small birds in trees etc.more than good enough for me.deer and foxs can be seen a fair way away.so Steve's happy

 

[Freeforester]

Can any of the x eye users indicate the run time of the inner battery before it needs recharging?

This aspect seems to be only vaguely addressed, I have to admit it is the main offputting aspect of these units from my point of view, the unquantified run time, and how they are replaced, the costs and down time associated, etc. I think they would have been more widely accepted than up till now had the battery been an easy drop-in affair.