Thread: Thermals. Whats the point of no return.

Its an interesting one...we are just coming to grips with a Helion ZQ38F and I'm not yet convinced its a keeper.
Its a hell of a luxury but it seems incredible effective for finding deer in the steep scrubby country we hunt.
My worry is that it is so effective that it takes something away from the hunting. I can scan a huge amount of country quickly that would take constant glassing to pick apart.
In the right conditions, if the thermal doesn't show an animal then there is no animal there, and we seem end up with a lot of time on our hands.
I think the act of looking is a massive part of the hunting experience and why we have such unique eyesight, its not quite the some predatory experience thru the Helion (for me).
But I can tell you where the deer are in the country we haunt that's for sure.

Originally Posted by Fisherman

Its an interesting one...we are just coming to grips with a Helion ZQ38F and I'm not yet convinced its a keeper.
Its a hell of a luxury but it seems incredible effective for finding deer in the steep scrubby country we hunt.
My worry is that it is so effective that it takes something away from the hunting. I can scan a huge amount of country quickly that would take constant glassing to pick apart.
In the right conditions, if the thermal doesn't show an animal then there is no animal there, and we seem end up with a lot of time on our hands.
I think the act of looking is a massive part of the hunting experience and why we have such unique eyesight, its not quite the some predatory experience thru the Helion (for me).
But I can tell you where the deer are in the country we haunt that's for sure.

I've had a loan of the Helion XP50 and found the same. It takes a bit of getting used to but once mastered these things are pretty awesome at defining game is some pretty shitty country. I've decided though, its not for me, as I just cant justify the expense based on the amount I hunt.
Getting to the OP's question; I find its a bit like optic's, you gotta pay the money to get the good results. Yes the XP50 is pretty much up there in terms of quality and I was advised by a person who uses this gear professionally that there's a big difference between entry and top shelf. Entry level could give you an impression that doesn't really equate to the potential of thermal vision, so see if you can try a few before you take the plunge.

Originally Posted by Mathias

I've had a loan of the Helion XP50 and found the same. It takes a bit of getting used to but once mastered these things are pretty awesome at defining game is some pretty shitty country. I've decided though, its not for me, as I just cant justify the expense based on the amount I hunt.
Getting to the OP's question; I find its a bit like optic's, you gotta pay the money to get the good results. Yes the XP50 is pretty much up there in terms of quality and I was advised by a person who uses this gear professionally that there's a big difference between entry and top shelf. Entry level could give you an impression that doesn't really equate to the potential of thermal vision, so see if you can try a few before you take the plunge.

I would love to have been able to try them all...my impression is that the XQ38 is pretty adequate (I said ZQ above...getting old) I was massively tempted by the new Axion 30s for convenience but got sick of waiting. The other thing that pushed me up spec was I heard that the axions are a bit harder to use with glasses, as it is I prefer to use this with my glasses off, you have to push in a little with them on to get the full picture.