Thread: Thermal scopes and binoculars

I was looking at the LEUPOLD LTO-TRACKER 2 THERMAL VIEWER with great interest and wondered if anyone has thermal optics and what their experience is? Ultimately I'm interested in finding a needle in a haystack and realise you can spend $10k easily on this kind of gear, such as the Pulsar accolade xp50 lrf thermal binoculars.

Never bought one, never used one just interested to know what others have found?

They are a poachers dream as they can check if it is worth sneaking over the farmland from afar...excellent for checking if anyone is hiding waiting for them before crossing property...a real pissoff if snapped by DoC or police as they confiscate and "destroy" them...I have a couple of mates that own them and use them, usually on private land but not always...no good saying it is wanted for possums or rabbits as who the hell spends that sort of serious coin unless they after deer.

Have a look at the Guide thermal spotters. A couple of us on here have them and happy with performance. Good value.

The LTO is absolutely rubbish after the lock down go in to a guncity retailer and try a few side by side and make your own mind up.
I went in with the intention of buying a pulsar Axion key, after trying several different products I settled on a guide track IR 50mm as it was the best bang for buck trade off.
It had a lot of functionality only included in the pulsar thermion price bracket but nearly $2k cheaper.
You really do need to compare them side by side to get an idea of what's good and what's not.

I have the xp50 accolade lrf binos they are worth every cent they are amazing can pick up heat signatures well over 2k away and lrf I have had out over 800m

I have a FLIR Scout 32 I would sell as it kind of takes the excitement out of a hunt you just sweep the area move on.

I rate my gcsi I got off owl optics best bit is the 7 year warranty

I have also heard the LTO is rubbish. Look for a second hand pulsar

The guide Isn't bad, especially at dawn and dusk. You do get alot of thermal clutter once the sun warms everything up and it can be hard to distinguish what a hotspot is unless it moves.

Originally Posted by mawzer308

The guide Isn't bad, especially at dawn and dusk. You do get alot of thermal clutter once the sun warms everything up and it can be hard to distinguish what a hotspot is unless it moves.

True. Last time I was out trying to shoot a pig at 4am, I came across a large, perfectly humanoid shape just standing there staring at me. I shit my pants. It was a tree

Originally Posted by Padox

I have the xp50 accolade lrf binos they are worth every cent they are amazing can pick up heat signatures well over 2k away and lrf I have had out over 800m

I have these also. Spotted 11 deer in 1 large slip that several people said there werent any there.

Originally Posted by xtightg

I have a FLIR Scout 32 I would sell as it kind of takes the excitement out of a hunt you just sweep the area move on.

I have picked up where animals have been lying on the ground and had just moved off when they knew we were there.

Also picked up blood trails and blood from shot possums in trees.

Still think it takes the excitement and expectation out of hunting for me the chase and the unexpected is the best part.

Originally Posted by DavidGunn

They are a poachers dream as they can check if it is worth sneaking over the farmland from afar...excellent for checking if anyone is hiding waiting for them before crossing property...a real pissoff if snapped by DoC or police as they confiscate and "destroy" them...I have a couple of mates that own them and use them, usually on private land but not always...no good saying it is wanted for possums or rabbits as who the hell spends that sort of serious coin unless they after deer.

They are more used and beneficial to Farmers watching/catching poachers
Every farmer should have one - exc for pest control etc

Ppl stand out miles away in them even in the scrub no hiding from them

Originally Posted by Padox

Ppl stand out miles away in them even in the scrub no hiding from them

I have read 1000m with the Accolade LRF and that was a XQ50
But 800m is always and that extra bit depends on moisture in air I am guessing