Thread: Thermal scopes - best bang for your buck?

Originally Posted by Trout

Buy second hand,dont take the big hit of the first owner buying new.

If you do that your already setting yourself up to use older technology, plus thermal optics degrade over time. I say purchase a good quality piece of kit new, get good use out of it and accept the price hit when you sell it as part of the cost of owning thermal.

Hmm trouble is lot of guys buy new.Use gear 3or 4 times a year.Then relise it's a lot of money outlay not getting much use.

Originally Posted by chainsaw

That sounds very interesting- any specifics that can be shared. Drop me a PM if that works,

The scopes are Sytongs new PM03 in 35mm and 50mm. They have the same sensor as the more expnsive models - 384x288, 12 micron, sub 25 NETD. Thats pretty much where the better thermals are speced on todays market but these are much more affordable being $2599 and $2999 respectively. A HIK Micro Thunder TH25 is 17 Micron sub 35mk NETD, lower specs and $1000 more.

We also have something for the tinkerers coming, build yourself a thermal that can be used on a gun, software development kit etc for around $700.

Seems from comments that Sytong & PARD are getting good raps. Anyone done a head to head comparison on these handhelds?

For me the biggest thing is the after sales service / repairs.

Its no good having the best gear if when it breaks (its electronic remember) it take months and cost megabucks to repair.

Most dealers are very good at promises I have found but quick to pass the buck to the importer/service company, or flee if necessary leaving you holding the results.

I see this from both sides to having worked for an equipment importer for over 20 years.

Fraser can fix a few issues otherwise they only have to go to oz as they have a technician there

Originally Posted by mikee

For me the biggest thing is the after sales service / repairs.

Its no good having the best gear if when it breaks (its electronic remember) it take months and cost megabucks to repair.

Most dealers are very good at promises I have found but quick to pass the buck to the importer/service company, or flee if necessary leaving you holding the results.

I see this from both sides to having worked for an equipment importer for over 20 years.

We have an arrangement with our brands where we replace if it cant be fixed here in NZ. But in saying that the return rate on Sytong is extremely low. Well below the most reliable scope brands sold here.

I had a problem with a thermal monocular ranger finder.Sent it back to 55six,Ken just loaned me a replacement till my monocular came back from factory in China 6 weeks later.Good hassel free service,no bull shit excuses.
55six provide good service and warranty on gear.

Originally Posted by 55six

We also have something for the tinkerers coming, build yourself a thermal that can be used on a gun, software development kit etc for around $700.

THAT sounds interesting!

Originally Posted by mikee

For me the biggest thing is the after sales service / repairs.

Its no good having the best gear if when it breaks (its electronic remember) it take months and cost megabucks to repair.

Most dealers are very good at promises I have found but quick to pass the buck to the importer/service company, or flee if necessary leaving you holding the results.

I see this from both sides to having worked for an equipment importer for over 20 years.

I had an issue with my conotech thermal scope, got in touch with 55six and tried a couple of fixes on my end. That didn't work out, so Ken asked for the unit back, within a days a brand new one showed up on the courier.
Having a reliable product is good, but supplier willing to stand behind their product is also good!

Don't buy a second hand pulsar unless it is still under warranty. We do a lot of night work and virtually every single pulsar we have had dealings with has had to be sent back, usually within two years. The turn around is months and you have no loan model.
We also have infiray, conotech, night tech, sytong and hik gear.
Conotech and sytong have had an absolute thrashing and everything has held up fine so far.
Got one infiray sent away to get repaired at the moment and it has already been a month with no word.

Thanks @TLB that’s real handy to know, especially when you’re giving the gear a solid work out

Originally Posted by 300CALMAN

THAT sounds interesting!

Plugs into your cell phone.

Some footage here of deer from 125m to 500m: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWl8QD5atXI

Originally Posted by Trout

Hmm trouble is lot of guys buy new.Use gear 3or 4 times a year.Then relise it's a lot of money outlay not getting much use.

Yeah agree, IMO if you are putting that much coin into thermals (new), you need to use it persistently to make it worthwhile. For me anyway. Which is why I don't own one.

Originally Posted by 55six

Plugs into your cell phone.

Some footage here of deer from 125m to 500m: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWl8QD5atXI

Attachment 226036

Is that available for sale now looks really interesting to give a go