Any suggestions on a scope for varmint hunting? Don't want to break the bank.

I have the Xsight2 and really like it. No issues spotting rabbits at 75-100 yards. Anything thermal worth looking at starts at 2k and goes up from there. We've been spotting with thermal and shooting with night vision since it's easier to identify than thermal.

I bought the x sight 2 last year and it is pretty cool but I actually prefer my XLR 250 over night vision. The x sight works pretty good at night but I despise it as a day scope.

Paging skelso......

One of the many things I have learned from OB... "break the bank" has vastly different meaning to many here...

Less than $1K, look at digital night vision. I sell ATN, Sightmark and Pulsar. I am partial to Sightmark Photon because it has a better night picture and less gadgets to drain battery life. That said, the current XT model is being replaced by the RT model after the first of the year and it includes some of those gadgets like onboard recording and wifi streaming. It does also add the option to use external power source. The Puksar will be similar picture quality to Sightmark but with more range. I personally dont think they are worth the extra money. No matter what digital you choose, I recommend an external IR source.

At close to $2k you can get into entry level thermal. FLIR and Pulsar both have models in this category. The Pulsar has a better picture, the FLIR has more options.

Upper $2 - 3K you can get into nice mid grade thermal like the Pulsar Apex line.

$8- 9K will get you intoa Trijicon scope, the best thermal currently available on the civilian market.

$32K will get you on the wait list for a new scope soon to hit the market...

So... just how big is the piggy bank we're breaking?

If you are in BCS area, shoot me an e-mail (shawn@kelsoarms.com) I would be happy to meet up and let you look through some options in field conditions.

If thermal is in your budget, I have an extra Apex XQ38 coming in on an order that I can a sweet deal on.

Lex-tex said:

---

Any suggestions on a scope for varmint hunting? Don't want to break the bank.

---

Shawn's your man. But you should define your budget.

skelso said:

---

If thermal is in your budget, I have an extra Apex XQ38 coming in on an order that I can a sweet deal on.

---

What will your price be on this, I have been thinking about picking up one in the under 3k range??

I usually retail the Apex XQ38 for $2499.99. Black Friday deal was $2099.99. I can sell this one for the Black Friday price.

It's a solid scope. The change from 25 micron to 17 micron sensor and increase in base magnification gives it a much better picture than its predecessor the Apex XD38.

Only issue with this one is I don't have it in my possession yet. The US distributor for Pulsar is backordered. I'm hoping to have the rest of my units on order here before Christmas but can't guarantee it.

From doing a quick search I think I am more interested in the trail line, any deals on those to be had??

Tx-Ag2010 said:

---

I bought the x sight 2 last year and it is pretty cool but I actually prefer my XLR 250 over night vision. The x sight works pretty good at night but I despise it as a day scope.

---

What kind of range is this effective?

ATX_AG_08 said:

---

Tx-Ag2010 said:

---

I bought the x sight 2 last year and it is pretty cool but I actually prefer my XLR 250 over night vision. The x sight works pretty good at night but I despise it as a day scope.

---

What kind of range is this effective?

---

I don't have a ton of long shots on our property but out to 200 yards it is pretty damn effective. The manufacturer says its good to 250y.

I ordered their newest light (XLR750) during their black friday sale and am curious to test it out. It is supposed to be good to 750 yards with a focusable beam.

Thanks for the info. I have a X sight as well but I've been looking into green lights for another setup.

you know what, count me in for that extra one at that price. I'll PM you.

or just give me your contact info...

Shawn@kelsoarms.Com
9792559895 - cell

what are your thoughts on the ATN THOR HD? Maybe you arent a retailer, but the review I have seen have been really good for a entry level thermal....

I sell them to folks who have made up their mind that is what they want. As a retailer, they have beyter margins than most so I make more when I sell them but I don't recommend them. ATN has historically had horrible customer service. The core they use is more susceptible to damage from recoil than others. I'm also not a fan of their firmware, it does not produce as crisp an image as Pulsar, Flir/Armasight, or Trijicon/IR Defense.

Don't get me wrong, not everyone has issues with their devices but those who do can tell you nightmarish stories about getting it resolved.

So, is the general consensus that thermal is better, if you can afford it?

I get that night vision gives you better ID as a whole, but watching some videos, the thermal ID is pretty darn good, and for what I want (mainly hog hunting), thermal seems to have tons of advantages - especially finding hogs in brush, grass, etc.

Fightin TX Aggie said:

---

So, is the general consensus that thermal is better, if you can afford it?

I get that night vision gives you better ID as a whole, but watching some videos, the thermal ID is pretty darn good, and for what I want (mainly hog hunting), thermal seems to have tons of advantages - especially finding hogs in brush, grass, etc.

---

I've never hunted with thermal, but I have hunted with NV. In the military, I have quite a bit of experience with both.

I would absolutely go with thermal. Night vision just lets you see in the dark and not really anything else. Thermal really makes things pop out. When it is a pitch black night with no stars and it is overcast, night vision will look like a bunch of green sparkles on a black screen because there isn't enough light to magnify.

A drawback of thermals is that they can't see through a dense fog.

I think that NV would be cool for a helmet mounted observing optic, but if you're looking for a weapon mounted "shoot through" optic, I would go with a thermal. You can ID targets 10x easier.

The problem lies in convincing the Missus that the price of that thermal optic is worth it!

Thermal. The difference is incredible.

We got an irdefense mkII when they first came out and had to send it back early on because it locked up. They installed latest program and it is flawless since. Have shot a lot of pigs in East Texas out to 150 yds or so. My cousin's ATN doesn't come close to it.

Fightin TX Aggie said:

---

The problem lies in convincing the Missus that the price of that thermal optic is worth it!

---

I can make the receipt say whatever you want...