Looking for recommendations on thermal scopes that aren’t the price of a down payment on a truck. Realistically thinking $2500 or under. What’s everyone running and what’s the pros and cons?
I have run a couple pulsars on guided hunts and man they spoiled me but $5K is way out of budget

I have three only one of which I bought new and all work just fine the Oneleaf MR1000 is probably the best and the most expensive, the one I have is running about 1700 or so I also have a GoYoJo that I recently got from a pawn shop for cheap about half of what it runs new it’s a 640-35 that is now on my 17hmr for coon hunting the last is a AGM rattler 25-384 it also works just fine

You haven’t said what you want it for what you need to do is think about what you plan on using it for, how far you plan on using it and how long,

My advice is by a reputable brand with the fastest refresh rate and largest objective then look it up on YouTube and see what reviews there are about it, the faster the refresh rate the less lag when your moving it scanning or following game

Are there better you bet and some of my friends have them but the ones who have work just fine for what I use them for even when hunting with those friends I don’t feel at a disadvantage would I take one of there if offered, well probably but I don’t really see the need for it but they are nice

Thanks for the info. My use would be Fox and coon calling sub 100 yards, and possibly some hog hunting. Would more than likely be mounted on a centerfire 22cal either a bolt gun or AR

Don’t be afraid to look at used units. Lots of guys buying high end and finding out after a year it isn’t what they thought and trying to recoup some of their money.

Agreed, you might check out facebook marketplace I got my AGm from there and it looked new in box for about 2/3 new and any I have would do you just fine (my opinion) if your reading descriptions don’t pay any attention to the so called detection range they might be able to detect something at that range under ideal conditions but it will be just a heat blob at best

Most of the lower end units like mine should do you just fine for what your looking to use it for, the Oneleaf I have will easily detect and show a canine out to about 500 yards but at the distance you will see a canine shaped form but not be able to tell if it’s a dog/coyote or fox and won’t till about 300 or so, the GoYoJo I have is perhaps a bit clearer but it’s relatively new to me so I can’t really tell you how it will do beyond a couple hundred yards as I haven’t had it out except to do so testing around the place with it

I would say any of the ones I have would do you just fine even the AGM I have which is probably the cheapest, the one I have I think runs under a 1000 new and probably about 2/3s that off Amazon, if I was going to pick one though I would pick the GoYoJo and the only reason would be its scope shaped IE like an actual rifle scope and is a bit easier to setup and use, again my opinion

Good luck, I have to warn you it can be addictive

As much as I have been wanting a thermal rifle scope I believe i would be beter off with a nice hand held for scanning.. I wont want to be lying a rifle up all the time to scan that will get old fast. Plus I would bee pointing a rifle all over the place . I wont be spending much time on the rifle compared to scanning is the reasoning to my thinking. And a scanner would be more useful . Even finding a blood trail.

I started thinking I wanted a more expensive unit on a rifle and cheap scanner due to budget. But flopped that thought since I will kilely want what is nicer to be what im looking through the most. But I have neither due to budget. Every time I think i am about ready to go shopping life happens and something comes up.

Call midwest thermal optics and talk to Kurt. Give him your budget and how you want to use the scope. My guess is a Rix 384 either leap or storm would suit you well.

My government issued scope ran around 8 grand. Nothing I can afford!!

I have one I have kicked around selling. Bought it mounted it and never even sighted it in. They are very cool to look at stuff out in the pasture.

I generally use a pair of IR binoculars to scan the area I’m hunting and they work well for that but sometimes the thermal get deployed just to make sure I’m seeing what I think I’m seeing, truthfully IR optics have come a long way and in my opinion in many ways are better then the thermal and a lot cheaper, I have a couple besides the binoculars and they were my first introduction to night vision with the old sight mark wraith

Many people use a IR on the gun and a thermal for scanning or viceversa

Looks like some good info.I`m looking at getting one myself.

This^^^

I'm not one of those people, but I should have been. A good IR scope on the gun with a good IR light and a handheld thermal scanner is a great setup.

I have an AGM 35-384 Rattler V2 on the rifle and a Rix K3 handheld. Both of these are thermal. No complaints at all but a good IR scope is a great option and cheaper.

The thing with thermal is it shows you the heat signature of your target but it does not show what obstructions may be between you and your target. That is where IR comes in that shows you the target you located with the thermal and the various sticks and such between you and your target.

Been carrying my RixK3 handheld monocular with me to the deer stand to see deer as I approach in pre-dawn and to see them b4 I climb down in the evening so I can slip in & out & quietly away.

Some states it is not legal to possess a thermal device while deer hunting....but is legal in Georgia.

I have a thor 4 it was $2700?? I like it. No way id spend 8-10k

There are some good scopes out there for 2,500. They will be the 380 versions. Noxpic has the RICO2 L42 on sale now. I think you could find a few 380 scopes for that 2,500 price.