thermal 'monocular'

[Mobuck]

I hope I made a good choice.
I have a 'night vision' scope that works well enough for actually aiming the rifle. The downside is: scanning for critters with a 10# rifle/scope isn't easy plus looking through the nightvision scope sort of leaves the user blind until eyes re-adjust. I've used Son's thermal scope as a handheld a couple of times and it was great although the narrow field of view was restrictive.
Midway had a pretty attractive sale price on Burris thermal monocular and I blew my allowance. Danged email box is full of sale ads lately.

 

[the_leper_colony]

Funny how much stuff I discover I "need" after going through my 'in box' or browsing on GunBroker. For some reason, it seems like I'm more likely to buy something in the afternoon or evening, and maybe thinking more clearly in the morning (YMMV), so I tell myself, "No bidding on GunBroker auctions after lunch!"

Hopefully that monocular will work out just right for you!

As always FWIW, IMHO, YMMV, etc...

 

[Mobuck]

I think this one has a 'record' feature which could be an advantage when discussing crop damage with MDC. Could also be useful for search and rescue or looking for Bigfoot.
See what I did there? Now it's both a farm tool and a community safety resource.

 

[contender]

"Now it's both a farm tool and a community safety"

Tax write-off.

 

[Mobuck]

^^exactly

 

[Taterman]

Please tell us how you like it and the range it works. I'd love to have one to look off the deck at night and see what's lurking around.

 

[Mobuck]

Description says this unit has a range of 500 yards. Not sure what level of clarity that will be but even a colored blob will allow me to get lined up with my NV scope. Also not expecting it to equal Son's $2500 thermal rifle scope that shows larger animals @ 1/2 mile and clearly differentiates deer from coyotes @ 400 yards.
I showed the ad to Son and I think he's going to buy one, too.

 

[Mobuck]

I received the unit last night but was too tired to open the package. Opened this morning and noted the eyecup is not compatible with eyeglasses. Checked with BURRIS for an option. Immediate response--no option for use with glasses. OOPS on my part as I had not considered that nor was it mentioned in description.
I just texted Son offering it to him if he had not already ordered one.

 

[contender]

I wonder if there is a way to add a shield or anything to allow for the use of them with glasses? I use a neoprene sun shield on my binos & another pair has a folded rubber eye shield.
Just musing out loud here.

 

[Mobuck]

I dunno. I did mess around last night and discovered that my uncorrected vision isn't such a big deal as I expected considering the somewhat fuzzy image(s) coming through the thermal.
Not going to give up yet but still feel there should have been some sort of warning about the no glasses thing.

 

[Mobuck]

"Please tell us how you like it and the range it works. I'd love to have one to look off the deck at night and see what's lurking around."
I could easily see house cats @ 100 yards and cows @ 250 yards. Heavy foliage obscured a lot of areas and it was impossible to see beyond the green leaves.

 

[krw]

My experience w Thermal's is you get what you pay for. Kinda like .5moa rifle vs 2moa rifle. Huge diff between $1K an $5k Thermal. I have several Buddy's that $8-9k Night hunting rigs. I just aint that mad at Coyote's and Pig's. IF I had pigs on my Farm that would be different

 

[375hh1973]

Contact lenses ?

 

[Killer Bee]

this one? -67% now that's a sale price!

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1029559499?pid=146946

midway's description title is illusive, BTH V3. well is it BTH19 or BTH35? further down objective listed as 19mm.

so is it the BTH19 V3 you bought?

I have an older night vision scope that I recently added a super bright ir illuminator to boost range. so far it's still meh.

looked at thermal scopes but they also have their drawbacks.

thinking about a dual mode or clip-on system but really need more research. watching videos of 2 guys with 10lbs of complimentary gear doesn't seem appealing to me. like to find something compact lightweight with integrated technology, not dependent on second man.

but still interested in inexpensive sample of thermal so this looks like a possibility for trials before spending big bucks.

please let us know what you got and how it works. thank you!

 

[Mobuck]

The box says this is: BTH19 V3. The image certainly isn't as crisp/clear as Son's $2500 thermal rifle scope but I guess it's good enough for scanning open fields while night calling. I haven't had time to actually take it out in full dark away from the house as we're really busy right now.
I was looking at a 'clip on' thermal to add to my calling rifle but those seemed pretty pricy and the adaptors are scope specific so not capable of multi-scope interchange.
At the Midway sale price, I don't think I was cheated but as with many widgets, it may not be exactly what one expected. It's bigger/heavier than expected plus the controls aren't as 'user friendly' as I'd hoped. That part may improve if/when I get more familiar with it's use OR might be easier to navigate for those users more familiar with ICON language.

 

[Fox Mike]

Perhaps I don't understand but; what need is a 'night vision' scope if you are only allowed to hunt during the day?

 

[Killer Bee]

Perhaps I don't understand but; what need is a 'night vision' scope if you are only allowed to hunt during the day?

in the Show-Me state;

https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/coyote/coyote-regulations

Night Vision and Thermal Imagery​

You may not possess night vision or thermal imagery equipment while carrying a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife, except:

• Hunters may use night vision, infrared, or thermal imagery equipment to hunt coyotes from Jan. 1–April 19, 2026, and May 11–Sept. 30, 2026
• For the purposes of killing feral swine by landowners or their authorized representatives on the landowner’s property
• With written authorization of an agent of the department