Thinking About a Thermal Monocular – Worth It for the Kaimai's?

Hey team, I’ve been thinking about picking up a thermal monocular and wanted to get some opinions on whether they’re worth it for hunting the Kaimai ranges. I’m in the Kaimais more frequently, so bush performance is my main priority, but I also hunt the Whanganui tops from time to time—so a bit of flexibility would be nice.

From what I’ve read, smaller objective lenses seem to be better for bush hunting due to the wider field of view, but I’m wondering if they’d still be useful for spotting at longer distances when I’m on the open tops.

Would love to hear from anyone using thermals in similar terrain—are they actually a game-changer in the bush? And if so, what models would you recommend?

Cheers!

I have the little NOCPIX one, works mint in the bush. Have tested it from home and can see cattle in a farm at about 1100M

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Originally Posted by Liquidasset

I have the little NOCPIX one, works mint in the bush. Have tested it from home and can see cattle in a farm at about 1100M

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What objective size do you have? I've seen that a few people online recommend smaller lenses but seeing as I hunt bush and tops I'm not sure what one is the preferred choice

Sent from my SM-G780F using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by TakaRat

What objective size do you have? I've seen that a few people online recommend smaller lenses but seeing as I hunt bush and tops I'm not sure what one is the preferred choice

Sent from my SM-G780F using Tapatalk

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INFIRAY FH35 V2 35mm objective,wide fov and pick up deer out to 2k on 4x mag.Range finder works out to 1200yds on a good clear night,PnP,vid and photos.You never regret buy it.WIFI to yr phone.Good for close up encounters in the bush with a wide fov.

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Originally Posted by TakaRat

What objective size do you have? I've seen that a few people online recommend smaller lenses but seeing as I hunt bush and tops I'm not sure what one is the preferred choice

Sent from my SM-G780F using Tapatalk

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Not really sure sorry, it’s the NOCPIX P13, if your ever in Rotorua your welcome to come have a play with it. Haven’t had much of a chance to play with it yet, but it’s been handy to track a shot deer and taken it for a walk at night in the redwoods to check out the possum and wallaby nightlife haha. Picks them up really well through the tight bush

So the million dollar question.... What's the cheapest worthwhile usable unit out there???? I see a $999 jobbie rated to 400meters. Right up to $10,000 for ?? Gold plated and carries animal out for you??

A 640x512 sensor with a 35mm lens is pretty a much a do everything formula for nz hunting. Sytongs new brand Falcon has a model with LRF that we will be retailing for $3199. From what I have seen the image is exceptional for the price. We have a sample landing in a couple of days.

Yeah. You gotta pay some coin. There seems to be a direct relationship between price and performance. $2,500 - $3000 seems to be the sweet spot for something all-round.

Dip too much under that and you will be disappointed. Pay over that for a Sytong and you will be grinning from ear to ear like I do - but you may not need it.

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Originally Posted by 55six

A 640x512 sensor with a 35mm lens is pretty a much a do everything formula for nz hunting. Sytongs new brand Falcon has a model with LRF that we will be retailing for $3199. From what I have seen the image is exceptional for the price. We have a sample landing in a couple of days.

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Im pretty keen on one of these Ken and will be in touch. Let us know when they are out please.

Does the new model have pip and also can you view video recordings in the field?

We managed to negotiate an even better price for NZ at $2899. I'll know more functionality details next week.

As above I have the P13 NOCPIX, $1299 and can confirm it picks up deer out to 1350m easily although it’s only rated to about 800m. Also will pick up a rabbit at 250.

Hi TakaRat - I've got an older Pulsar HD38S that you can borrow to play around in the Kaimais, I'm based in Rotorua, send me a message!

If you are thinking you want to use it for spotting in the bush, this is not what you want. Not only do they not work great in the bush, any heat signature you pick up will be impossible to identify due to trees/bush blocking the full shape of the object.

On tops, slips and clearings the thermal is a game changer. If I were to buy again I would get the wider FOV. Being able to see more than a k away is meaningless when you need to rely on your legs to cross valleys and climb ridges.

They work just fine in the bush if you don’t go on a bright sunny day.

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Originally Posted by goodseltzer

If you are thinking you want to use it for spotting in the bush, this is not what you want. Not only do they not work great in the bush, any heat signature you pick up will be impossible to identify due to trees/bush blocking the full shape of the object.

On tops, slips and clearings the thermal is a game changer. If I were to buy again I would get the wider FOV. Being able to see more than a k away is meaningless when you need to rely on your legs to cross valleys and climb ridges.

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Thermals dont work well in the bush during daylight ?? Did i read that right ?

They seem to work amazing so long as you dont point them right at a big warm stone bluff. They are farking amazing for picking up stuff in thick bush during daylight i have found unless its hot sunny day in February. As usual, identify your target beyond all doubt before going bang. So its fine to use a thermal spotting scope in even thick stuff.