Anyone have a recommendation for a decent handheld thermal in the $600ish range. Mostly for scanning/scouting and goofing around. I'm not a big thermal hunter. TIA

Not sure there's much at all in that range. I'm an AGM fan. Their lowest Taipan v2 hansheld is right at $1000 that's a 384 resolution, it would be a great one to have.

Or, you could get Rattler v2 that could double as a scope or handheld for $800-1000 for the 256 resolution models. I haven't seen them but reviews are good. I might pick one up eventually.

I don't recommend any in that price range due to the inferior sensors used to hit the price point (exteemely low res, Low reactivity, and slow refresh rate. If I had to pick one of the options, I would pick the AGM Taipan V2 256.

You'll be much happier with a 384 core unit.

If interested, I have a dealer demo Pulsar Axion XQ 30 Pro I would sell for $1200. It probably has 2 - 3 hrs use on it.

https://pulsarnv.com/products/axion-xq30-pro

What do you think about the RIX K3 ?

RIX is one of the manufacturers I don't sell. Not because I have anything against them, but because I am too busy to take on a new manufacturer and product lines. They are fairly well received in the industry. I don't have any time behind the eye piece of any of their optics so I can only speak to specs.

For the monocular you asked about, the core is a 384 that's 12 micron, which is good for the price point but it's coupled with a 15mm objective which is going to choke it. It's also 1 - 4X so wider FOV but identification at range will suffer. You can zoom in but be aware it's all digital zoom so it's going to get too grainy to be usable at 100yd.

If I were buying, I would save up until I had a little more to spend and go with something with a larger objective and higher magnification.

1) absolutely listen to Skelso

2) I have a 384 AGM and two guys I hunt with have the similar model in 256. I can spot stuff way before and way farther than they can.

I'd say their range is maybe 150 yards where mine is probably 300 or slightly more. I'm not counting hairs at that distance but I'm telling if it's a pig or deer which is mostly all I care about.

I have multiple thermal monos and while the Rix K3 isn't the best, I paid $400 on Amazon for mine on sale and it was definitely the best value. I think they are closer to $800 now
And I would still say they are a viable option but others are better as you get into the $1000 and up range. I have a couple of ATNs and I like them both. Blazeseeker 325 is a good value unit imo. But I'm definitely not an expert. Just bought them last year.

I agree with you in that IF the RIX could be purchased for $500 or less, it's a good value. At 8 - 9 hundred dollars, one would be better off to save a few hundred more and get something with a better lens.

I've been using and selling this technolgy for about 10 years.. In my opinion, the most difficult target IDs, especially for new thermal users, are the difference between a Coyote and a deer and the difference between a calf and a pig. Get either of those wrong and the consequences quickly outweigh the cost savings on budget thermal.

I might take that demo off your hands, but I'll have to save up some more funds first !

Are there any models out there with built in rangefinder? Nothing wrong with mine but really could use a rangefinder and don't have it on my Bering or AGM handheld. I'm thinking upgrading monocular would be cheaper than scope but need rangefinder.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Are there any models out there with built in rangefinder? Nothing wrong with mine but really could use a rangefinder and don't have it on my Bering or AGM handheld. I'm thinking upgrading monocular would be cheaper than scope but need rangefinder.

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Pulsar has multiple models with range finders but they have pulsar prices.

Bering has the Crisp LRF. I've got a demo version and can't say I'd recommend it. The 384 sensor sucks in moderately poor weather. I've gotten a good lase out to 880meters though.

I'd recommend iRay or Rix.

Yeah I wouldn't have bought it for the high price. At the time I wanted a quick and cheap option. After I used it a bit, I spent more money bought two better units (both ATN models).

Then I bought a thermal red dot for my Henry X 357 as well.
Of course as soon as I spent the money on that, I haven't seen a thing at night LOL

I've got the Bering scope on a rifle. Gets the job done but not nearly as good as my buddies pulsar 640 with RF. Trying to be cheap and not buy a new scope but really need the rangefinder.

Would it we worth looking at a scope on a quick detach mount to double as a scope and monocular ? Up the budget to $1500 or so? Or is that not feasible?

nealan said:

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Would it we worth looking at a scope on a quick detach mount to double as a scope and monocular ? Up the budget to $1500 or so? Or is that not feasible?

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I'm a novice but I would think that would be tough to stay zero'd

The Nocpix Slim L35 and H35 both come with QD mounts. You can buy the adapters and switch them between rifles as well

nealan said:

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I might take that demo off your hands, but I'll have to save up some more funds first !

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Shoot me an email - outdoors at kelsoarms dot com if I can help with whatever you decide to purchase.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Are there any models out there with built in rangefinder? Nothing wrong with mine but really could use a rangefinder and don't have it on my Bering or AGM handheld. I'm thinking upgrading monocular would be cheaper than scope but need rangefinder.

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Several manufacturers offer them. Which is best depends on your needs and who is running specials at the time of purchase. If you are happy with your scope, it makes better financial sense to buy a mono w/ LRF than swap the scope. Depending what resolution scope you have, you may want to go up or down on resolution on the mono.

Happy to help narrow the search if you give me more details about what you have now, how you use it most often predators or pigs / moderate to thick cover vs wide open hay or grain fields.

ag94whoop said:

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Yeah I wouldn't have bought it for the high price. At the time I wanted a quick and cheap option. After I used it a bit, I spent more money bought two better units (both ATN models).

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You just proved my point about inexpensive thermal. Multiple purchases quickly outweigh a single purchase of better quality...

Do yourself a favor, never look through a 1024 core. Although I've always been plenty happy with a 384 core scope for myself, after I sold my first 1024 core, I had to have one!

nealan said:

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Would it we worth looking at a scope on a quick detach mount to double as a scope and monocular ? Up the budget to $1500 or so? Or is that not feasible?

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I run this way often. I also swap between analog scope for day hunting and thermal at night. No issue with repeatable zero. However, you're going to need a budget closer to $3K to get into a quality scope.

nealan said:

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Would it we worth looking at a scope on a quick detach mount to double as a scope and monocular ? Up the budget to $1500 or so? Or is that not feasible?

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I have my pulsar talion(purchased from Skelso) on a Bobro QD mount that holds zero not only on and off my main predator rig, but between other rifles, as well.

I appreciate it! I'll save your email!

Use my AGM Rattler 384 for this purpose. I have only mounted it a handful of times but primarily use it for scouting as a handheld. Works really well but above your listed price point.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Are there any models out there with built in rangefinder? Nothing wrong with mine but really could use a rangefinder and don't have it on my Bering or AGM handheld. I'm thinking upgrading monocular would be cheaper than scope but need rangefinder.

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Agm ReachIR has the range finder built in the monocular. I love mine.

A small scope with a QD mount can be a great do-it-all option. My buddy uses a Rattler v2 384 that way all the time and it holds zero very well. If you hunt enough, you'll need a monocular but otherwise it's very functional.

What Skelso said about the different resolutions is dead on. I first started looking at 384 and was blown away by the quality of the image until I saw 640. I've never seen 1280. But 384 is very good and functional especially in East Texas where you're likely looking at hogs under 200 yards. And if they're farther away, just move.

Thermal is fun but addicting and $$$. I just shot my first coyote last night.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Are there any models out there with built in rangefinder? Nothing wrong with mine but really could use a rangefinder and don't have it on my Bering or AGM handheld. I'm thinking upgrading monocular would be cheaper than scope but need rangefinder.

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If I were going to get a scanner I'd get an Iray Finder FH35R

640 res, 35mm lens, rangefinder

I assume you mean the V2 since the original has been discontinued?

Curious why you pick that one?

Have you spent any time with that model? Qhat others have you used that you are comparing it against?

skelso said:

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I assume you mean the V2 since the original has been discontinued?

Curious why you pick that one?

Have you spent any time with that model? Qhat others have you used that you are comparing it against?

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Yeah, the v2.

It's the only scanner I've used aside from a few friends' 256 scanners. A friend of mine has one, and I use it frequently when we hunt. I think the picture quality is good, the rangefinder is useful (wish I would have gotten a scope w/ a LRF), and it seems like a good unit for the $.

This is from that unit