Anyone with experience using thermal optics either a monocular or a scope.
What is the life expectancy of a thermal optic?
What are good brands?
Are there uses for the monoculars in trapping?
Any information on them would helpful.

Buddy is looking for one they are tough to find at a fair price now!

Trijicon Nvision Pulsar and Hogster are supposedly the best but they are the most expensive. Pulsar came out with a new low end scope last week called the XM30 for $2300 and it sold out in 1 day and one store had so many backorders that they are not taking any more.

Yes. I Have a Night vision scope and thermal hand held. Go to predator master .com. Section on night hunting. Night hunting is the best single type of hunting to put coyotes on the stretcher.I don’t even hunt in day time anymore. A real game changer. my NV and the hand held thermal is few years old and paid I paid huge money for them. technology has got so much better last 3 years and price has gone down a lot and better EQ now.
Best thermal rifle scope ( can also be used as a hand held unit is the Hogster 35 model ). Cousin bought one. Hunted 6 nights so far killed 4 coyotes. Can see and kill them to 300 yards. Plus this model videos your hunt. It’s a no brainer. Under $3000.00. I paid 6000.00 for my D760 NV 7 years ago. Hogster 35 is 3 times the Unit. Predator master forum has some great folks. They will guide you in the right direction. MD