Thermal Imaging Monocular Recommendation

tonytoc11

I'm considering getting a thermal imaging monocular. I have around a €1000 budget, but I'm a bit baffled by all the brands and models available in this price range and the functionality of each.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a handheld thermal in this price range?

Grizzly 45

HIK Micro Cheetah would be in that price braket. Seems to be a good brand and unit form what Ive read of them.

Vizzy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122722575#Comment_122722575

Don't think that the HIK Micro Cheetah is a thermal monocular.

HIK Micro are a great make though, as are Pulsar.

My advice to the OP is to look for a second hand unit ( something like a Pulsar Axiom 30), should easily pick one up for their budget.

tonytoc11

Thanks for the responses. There are a few new Infiray, Hikmicro, Pixfra and Zeiss thermals in that price range.

Just wondering if people have them and if they'd recommend them or bite the bullet and go for a Pulsar if they had their time over?

RossiFan08

One thing to keep an eye on is the magnification of the unit. I find anything over 2.5 makes it difficult to scan tight areas like foresty or a quick scan over a field.

.243

id hang off for now,it coming into winter there's gonna be some demo nights held for try before you buy in some dealers,theres always deals to be had at these

tikka646

Whatever you may choose I wouldn't buy a thermal with a non removable battery, especially if you end up buying second hand.

Richard308

second on the battery. Non use for a few months during off season and battery can be dead.

Grizzly 45

Don't think that the HIK Micro Cheetah is a thermal monocular.

HIK Micro are a great make though, as are Pulsar.

Correct .Freudian slip on my part .Should have been the Thunder.Was looking at them the day before.

tonytoc11

Thanks for the responses. Attending a demo evening is a good point. I did a search and noticed that I just missed one in Knocknagoshel.

Mississippi.

A pulsar one on this evening outside Omagh

keith s

Some of the points already made above, but I wrote this last year for a question on thermal spotters

In terms of what makes something a good unit, the ability to detect differences in temperature is something I looked for. This is generally measured by the "NETD" (Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference) which uses "MK" (milli Kelvin) units. The lower the MK value the more it can detect smaller changes in temperature (lower NETD = better).

Depending on where you plan to use the unit (large open feilds or in a tight forest) pay attention to the minimum magnification. On my unit it starts at 3.5,which is great for open feilds, but too zoomed in, in forestry (still usable but 1.5 or 2 would be a lot better for this environment).

Thermal is a fast pasted technology, so it can be hard to keep up with the latest and greatest units. But when I was looking to get one I looked at features I really wanted (range finder, was a must for example).

When you do buy one, a few months later something better will come out. I think it is Hikmicro who have a blended NV and thermal + range finder unit (in the time since i posted this they have brought out x3 binoculars and the 4k one is probably closest to your budget and looks like a class bit of kit).

To try help you out with a decision, make a list of must have + nice to have based on your budget:

NETD /mk vaule: The lower the better.

Min Zoom: Depends where you will most use the unit.

Features: Range finder, WiFi, NV.

Also, removable batterys are (in my opinion), better than a built in one, because you can carry spares instead of having to plug the unit in.

Hope this helps