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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.
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 :DQuote:
Originally Posted by mawzer308
I have these also. Spotted 11 deer in 1 large slip that several people said there werent any there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Padox
I have picked up where animals have been lying on the ground and had just moved off when they knew we were there.Quote:
Originally Posted by xtightg
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.
They are more used and beneficial to Farmers watching/catching poachersQuote:
Originally Posted by DavidGunn
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
I have read 1000m with the Accolade LRF and that was a XQ50Quote:
Originally Posted by Padox
But 800m is always and that extra bit depends on moisture in air I am guessing
Are you saying if Doc or police see someone using one, they will confiscate and destroy? I have never heard of this, can you elaborate? I am under the impression that it is legal to use thermal imagine/bino/scope.Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidGunn
I am not sure why people cannot just use it for rabbit and possums. Not everyone has access to deer. Plenty of people want to shoot at night and want the thermal advantage, and would be quite happy just be shooting pests.
5~10k to spend on a hobby is not crazy. Many petrolheads in their 20s spend a couple tens of thousands on their cars while working ordinary jobs.
I got my Guide for pigs on private land with rabbits/possums in the back of my mind. I didn't think $2k was outrageous, but it's all relative. If you're on your arse, $2k is a lot of money.
I have had all the Pulsar hand held's at some stage over last 3-4 yearsQuote:
Originally Posted by MB
I now have gone back to the XQ30 V Lite - which I got off Trade Me (2 years old) $2200
It locates all I need - and yes better clarity be nicer - but at least double the money - no
The reason is I have the Apex XD75 rifle mount scope too and its is real clear definition and that is 4K worth - so I only need the hand held to locate an animal which it still does out to 1000 m on clear air.
Then follow through with rifle scope
So both for less than a new XP38 makes more sense to me ?