Thoughts on Thermal spotters

[VSS]

VSS;
I don’t think you lose many ops. Faffing about between T and binos because you wouldn’t know anything was there in the first place if you didn’t have the T….
Ken.

Thinking of one episode in particular, when a few more minutes of standing still and quiet glassing with the binos would have undoubtedly spotted the group of deer, but using the thermal had got me into the habit of having a quick scan around and moving on.
There's no doubt that you can cover more ground more quickly with the thermal (and as I'm constantly reminded by the pro stalker in the family I "stalk too slow"), but is going slow always a bad thing? Recreational stalkers are always harping on about how it's the stalk and the quality of the day that's important, not numbers in the chiller, and perhaps something is lost in the routine use of thermal?

 

[Flash G 74]

Hello, Another Thermal to add in the list is the New ATN Blazer Hunter Monoculars, Models 335 and 635 with or without LRF, Check out on here as there were some Special Deals for SD members, There have been a few good reviews if you do a search , Good luck

 

[kenbro]

“Thoughts on Thermal spotters”.​

First thought - will I see more quarry?
Answer - Yup.
Second thought - best get one then.
Third thought - best thing I ever bought…

Think the burdook has to be the best,
KB

 

[kenbro]

Thinking of one episode in particular, when a few more minutes of standing still and quiet glassing with the binos would have undoubtedly spotted the group of deer, but using the thermal had got me into the habit of having a quick scan around and moving on.
There's no doubt that you can cover more ground more quickly with the thermal (and as I'm constantly reminded by the pro stalker in the family I "stalk too slow"), but is going slow always a bad thing? Recreational stalkers are always harping on about how it's the stalk and the quality of the day that's important, not numbers in the chiller, and perhaps something is lost in the routine use of thermal?

Agree with the above, but,
If like me you don’t live in a target rich (Few short years ago we could go out each night for a week or more and not see a deer nor a fox, let alone get a shot off.) area and you pay by the stalk and you still don’t see deer of get a shot you begin to look at things a bit differently than ‘That was a nice walk, never mind I saw nothing, there’s always another time.’
Yea, another time, another 4 or 500 mile round drive with B&B and another chance of a blank.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve not been on many 3 day trips where I’ve blanked but it has happened.
It’s definitely not as nice as living near your stalking any thinking, I’ll come back tomorrow.
I’ve got a Pulsar 23 (That’s nearly as old as me!) but I’ve never taken it deer stalking.
Ken

 

[nun_hunter]

My little bit of advice would be to ask yourself what you need to see. Are you looking for deer in the dark before dawn and so they may be whole animals to see in an open field from far away so you know where to head to. Or, are you looking for a tiny flash of heat in thick woodland during daylight. This will dictate the FOV and sensitivity you require.

I noticed over the recent cold snap just how good my Pulsar can be with a much clearer image with the cold dry air compared the usual high humidity I'm used to. The quality of the image in less than ideal conditions is important as we don't get the same low temperatures and dry air like a lot of Europe does. The images you see online and on the adverts are most likely taken in these ideal conditions.

 

[Mungo]

Interested to hear people’s thoughts on the use of thermal spotters and the what people actually believe you need to pay to get a good spotter?

Do we think the use of a thermal is a must? Do people think they de skill the stalk?
Are they a game changer?

And what price point do people think spotters become good?

At what point do they become a luxury, and features become more than just a simple spotter?

Very interest to hear people thoughts?

It really depends on what you want out of a stalk.

At one extreme, if you’re contracted or required to reduce numbers, then you take any tool or trick you can get to help. And then, thermals are absolutely essential.

At the other extreme, if you’re stalking is purely recreational, the process of tuning your perception to the environment is a fundamental part of the experience. Then, a thermal really detracts from it.

If you’re a recreational stalker, but have limited time and want to improve the chance of actually putting something in the freezer, then they’re very useful indeed. But they totally change the experience.

There’s no question that over reliance on it reduces your ability to spot them without it, and you do find yourself becoming reliant on one. They are extremely addictive.

It’s really like the bait versus fly dichotomy in trout fishing. If you just want fish to eat in the most efficient way, use bait. If you want an all consuming experience with lower odds of success but possibly greater satisfaction, use a fly.

 

[WW.]

Also, don't expect it to show ultra high resolution images like with a scope. Unless the animal is close or you spend megabucks, the tech isn't there yet. It'll help you see things but it's not wildlife documentary level if you're wanting to see things a long way off as most of them use digital zoom which just pixelates although landscapes look cool.

Here are some shots from my Infiray Eye III 3+. l, don't seem to be able to upload videos which is a shame. Distances are guesstimates as no rangefinder currently thus vulnerable to my ineptness.

Mouse at 1.5-2m. Stalked up to it using the thermal.


Fox at ~40-50 yards, viewed from car window by roadside.


Deer at maybe 150-200 yards, same field as fox but different night.



Deer at maybe 300-400 yards


Basically, it will allow you to see more in low light or in cover which is handy for seeing what's about. You can then use this to practice stalking up to things as you'll see more things to sneak up on so get more practice and get better at that element of things. It will not necessarily make you better at spotting stuff in the first place. That takes hard work.

I was checking some of my bees earlier and some wazzock hare coursers had broken into the field and disturbed everything (although looks like they got bogged down so gave up and went back) so no deer or fox to see on thermal. However, I was able to track the deer paths plus spot some droppings and previously I've found fur from them leaping the fence. Personally I found the tracking aspect more rewarding than using the thermal, which I think makes me more reliant on tech and less reliant on my senses.

 

[6.5swede]

A friend has went back to glass only to reconnect with his skills.

He also said he missed blanking a day or two.

If you have deer you’ll find them with a thermal.

The more I understand about thermals the more I think they are an asset, but developing your glassing skills and becoming proficient without shouldn’t go unnoticed and both skills will compliment each other

 

[Munty_Hunter]

One point often not covered, I genuinely think my vision in my right eye is suffering after years of thermal use 3-5 times a week.

I now struggle to see target and reticle at the same time with my right eye in anything but perfect light.

I’m only 43 and everything still pin sharp with my left eye; to the extent I am using my club time to learn to shoot left handed!

You have a very valid point but I've used thermal spotters and digital scopes of various types for 18 years and don't have any issue. I've always used them on low brightness settings. Some units are better than others for this and I think it's something overlooked at purchase point. I remember lots of people suffering with headaches and fatigue with the old pulsar quantums.

 

[Keith Edmunds]

Hello, Another Thermal to add in the list is the New ATN Blazer Hunter Monoculars, Models 335 and 635 with or without LRF, Check out on here as there were some Special Deals for SD members, There have been a few good reviews if you do a search , Good luck

Not only are the BlazeHunter units very good - the response and service from the team is excellent - a rare thing in this day and age.

 

[finnbear270]

Eye / vision damage from optical equipment has to be a non runner, How many claims would have gone in from Military / Police/ Security personnel, Sporting users, I don't see any warning stickers on their use, excepting a warning for Darwin applicants looking down the wrong end of a strong LED or Laser.

 

[25 Sharps]

Eye / vision damage from optical equipment has to be a non runner, How many claims would have gone in from Military / Police/ Security personnel, Sporting users, I don't see any warning stickers on their use, excepting a warning for Darwin applicants looking down the wrong end of a strong LED or Laser.

Possibly but the issue is very apparent, I can’t use one of the tunnel ranges at my club, yet my left eye is fine.

Could be a coincidence, will probably never know!

 

[Jagged77]

Not only are the BlazeHunter units very good - the response and service from the team is excellent - a rare thing in this day and age.

ATN go above and beyond. Their customer service is up there with the best.

As for the BlazeHunter, it has to be on any shortlist for sub £2k monocular. I want to have another outing and get some good stills and vids before I do a review but it gets nothing but praise from me.

 

[Flash G 74]

ATN go above and beyond. Their customer service is up there with the best.

As for the BlazeHunter, it has to be on any shortlist for sub £2k monocular. I want to have another outing and get some good stills and vids before I do a review but it gets nothing but praise from me.

Look forward to your Review

 

[ndsblack]

Interested to hear people’s thoughts on the use of thermal spotters and the what people actually believe you need to pay to get a good spotter?

Do we think the use of a thermal is a must? Do people think they de skill the stalk?
Are they a game changer?

And what price point do people think spotters become good?

At what point do they become a luxury, and features become more than just a simple spotter?

Very interest to hear people thoughts?

Hi,
I was going to put a thermal scope on the rifle, but decided against it as it would basically show a clear spot through thick undergrowth or hedges, but in real time they could cause a deflection so not a clean kill.
I opted for a thermal spotter as so easy it swing around the fields and easily identify potential targets, then I would take the shot using the DNT Zulus 520lrf if no obstruction as the NV gives a better depth of vision in my opinion.

 

[WEE-BUCK]

Depends what you want to do with it. get a rough idea of how many deer are on the ground/ be able to stalk into a group of deer before first light? or do you want to see in more detail. how long a battery life do you need? i would advise that you go to a local RFD and try out whats available. like optics some folk love one brand but cant work with another.

 

[Flash G 74]

ATN go above and beyond. Their customer service is up there with the best.

As for the BlazeHunter, it has to be on any shortlist for sub £2k monocular. I want to have another outing and get some good stills and vids before I do a review but it gets nothing but praise from me.

Hello, I just had mail from another chap who purchased the 635 , Just on the basic settings and low mag he found excellent,

 

[Cyres]

Totally indispensable item. I never go out without mine. Transformed squirrel, rat and fox control. I even take it on country walks. Find deer with it then observe with bins. Mate says god send when stalking on clearfell
Even with a thermal you will miss stuff in very thick cover.
D

 

[Bordenhunter]

You won’t ever go back !

 

[Flash G 74]

ATN go above and beyond. Their customer service is up there with the best.

As for the BlazeHunter, it has to be on any shortlist for sub £2k monocular. I want to have another outing and get some good stills and vids before I do a review but it gets nothing but praise from me.

Hello, How long are you getting on one Battery as my friends 635 is only doing around 2 Hours