Originally Posted By: soupFolks,
I had a fantastic conversation with Korey. What a gentleman to take time from his weekend to speak with me. It's really an eye opener to find out what you don't know!!! I think for my situation I'm going to start with a thermal scanner. I'm going to be hunting in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. I can use a rifle or shotgun in PA and the season is 24/7.
In NJ I can use a rifle up to 24 calibers in the daytime but shotguns only at night and the size shot is regulated. And the season is regulated.
I've got a "coyote Brand " light and in conjunction with the scanner maybe I'll get a shot or 2,
Anyone that can pass on any and all information I'd appreciate.
Semper Fidelis
Soup
Soup, I agree totally with Korey, a scanner is a must have and if I was starting it would definitely be my first purchase. One tip is make sure the animal is in range before turning on the light and try to not illuminate the ground in front of the animal, keep the halo above the animal just illuminating it with the bottom edge.
You never stated what your budjet is, that helps us help you with a choice. IMO get a 640, if you can't swing one financially wait and save until you can! Night hunters spend 98% or the time looking through it and about 2% shooting. A 640 isn't needed to kill coyotes (its definitely nicer) and if your trying to save money, spend less on the scope.
I've owned/used a lot of different scanners and I prefer scanners that are 640 resolution, 2x to 2.5x base mag (nice FOV) and has a removable battery, not a fan of ANYTHING that has internal batteries. Should an internal battery go bad you have to send the unit in to have the manufacturer replace it AND if there is a model change they might not support it anymore. I learned that the hard way with a Chinese scanner not long ago. Another challenge is internal batteries won't go all night, not even close so most guys running them have external battery packs connected to the USB port for extended run time. That means more weight, more connections to fail and cords to get snagged or go bad. Save yourself grief in the long run and just get a scanner that you can swap out the battery!
I currently own 2 different 640 scanners and both are outstanding IMO. I'll give you my pics depending on budjet.
Best scanner on the market IMO is the Nvision NOX 35. Its a scope or scanner, small size, runs off common 18650 batteries, 5 year warranty, American owned, designed and made with American made thermal sensor technology. It has the best image of anything I've ever looked through, period. Super rugged, only downside is it ain't cheap!
Second pick is the Pulsar Helion XP50 Pro 2. It runs off removable battery packs, has the second best image I've seen and is a great scanner. Lithuanian owned company and European thermal sensors, serviced in the US. Veterans and first responder can get this for about $3600, no tax and free shipping, I can recommend a few different dealers. At that price its really hard to beat for what you get.
Pulsar has been around a long time and also carries 384 resolution if that's your budjet and NO CHINA!!
Another brand you might consider is Armasite. They are back in the game since Flir bought them out and let them go. They are American made and supposedly use American made thermal sensors.
Flir makes some scanners as well, I think a couple guys here has had good luck and they are American made.
Last but not least is Trijicon. They make an outstanding product, American stuff. Same price and BAE sensors that Nvision uses but for whatever reason the Nvision products provides a better image and more bells and whistles.
Recently myself and several of my buddies have had GREAT experiences dealing with Casey at Nuggets Night Vision as well as Cameron at Thermal Optics Plus. They've had the best prices I've found, you should give both of them a call. I'm not affiliated in any way with either and either is good to go.