Thread: Spotting scope vs thermal handheld?

Given the nature of the questions, I think your best bet is to get out hunting and try both out. They are both handy for their own purposes, but how you'll end up using them, and their strengths/weaknesses are quite different. Jumping in without understanding them is a recipe for wasting money.

If you're new to hunting, hold off on buying either and get out hunting a bit, get a feel for what you like, and take the opportunity to learn from others (and their mistakes) before dumping more money into more gear.

Spotting Scopes:
Pros:
- Great for open country
- Some can be used for general glassing (depending on quality, field of view, magnification etc) while others are better for scrutinizing specific animals.
- Work any time there's enough light to see (don't require batteries).
- Last forever if they don't get abused

Cons:
- Generally at least bulkier if not heavier.
- Can't be used at night or in very low light.
- Most of the time you'll use your binoculars, but seems like once you're used to having a spotting scope you miss not having it.

Thermal optics
Pros:
- Can spot animals you would miss otherwise (big emphasis on can... these aren't magical).
- Allows you to observe animals at night time (Remember to follow DOC policy if on public land etc).

Cons:
- Battery powered.
- Very expensive - the two biggest costs in thermal devices are the lenses and the sensor. As you go up in size and quality, so do your costs. As you go up in size, so does image quality.
- Much harder to use if there's direct sunlight, or there has been much direct sunlight in the last several hours. Even small changes in ground temperature can make the ground and animals appear as almost the same temperature, basically making the thermal useless until the ground cools down.
- Electronic, so prone to failure. Unlike mechanical optics, these have a lifespan. You can refurbish some of them for a price if the company is willing to, but generally if they fail outside of warranty that's your problem, which is annoying given their price point.
- Require a certain degree of tech savvy (or willingness to read and learn) to choose the right thermal and use them effectively. You don't need a degree in thermography, but if you don't understand them, you won't get as much value out of them. You'll probably also get sold on useless marketing by whoever is selling it. If you aren't willing to read and understand how optics size, sensor size, NETD, and pixel pitch work and interact, you're probably going to be sold a marketing story and not the device that's best for you.
- Some people can't get used to them no matter how much they try. Seems like they usually find this out after buying them.


They're both excellent tools, but it's worth understanding what their strengths and weaknesses are, and the best way to do that is try them in the real world. If you don't know anyone with them, your local NZDA will have people who can point you in the right direction.