Originally Posted By: DoubleUpBottom line, if you're going to zoom to shoot anyway, then I just don't see the advantage of the 640 core at 2x zoomed to 4x over a 384 core at 3.5x native. I'm shooting an old Apex XQ50, with 2.8x native and I don't believe the Thermion XP50 would allow me to kill one more coyote than I can kill with what I have. I couldn't agree more. This is what I tell people all the time. This is why I ask people looking for thermals, what are you hunting, what is your budget, what is your terrain, and what is your typical range of shots.
This topic is similar to the question people ask me all the time of why I am not using a Trijicon if their image is so great. Their image is fantastic as the BAE core is a great core. If people wish to spend 7-10K on a thermal, I am happy for them. But in the words of Double up, I don't believe that a Trijicon would have allowed me to kill one more coyote last year than what I did. The image would probably have been crisper at times. It comes down to WANT vs NEED, so it is great there are options.
Now if you are having accuracy issues, or positive id issues, or dependability issues, etc then my comments change. There is nothing worse than a thermal or any aiming device you can not depend on.
Double up, nice job on the comparison video. I could make a strong case for the image on your XQ50 actually showed more detail. It definitely did on the heat differences of the coyote. In fairness, it appears your hunting partner has his contrast settings too high.
Eventually even higher res thermals like 1280x960 thermals will be available. It doesn't mean they will be better. The images will probably be crisper and sharper but it doesn't mean people will kill more coyotes with them, especially if it changes the mag, fov, etc to something that doesn't work as well. Great discussion everyone.