rangey Posted August 30, 2021 Report Share Posted August 30, 2021 I have been shooting foxes with various night vision units for years now, and using a thermal spotter for 18 months. The thermal spotter along with nv is a very good combo but always fancied going totally thermal. Took the plunge and bought a thermion xq50. Mounted this on my 22.250 and set about getting it zeroed. I thought it would be a pain to zero but set up in 3 shots, 100yd target was black with a 1 inch piece of silver foil with the target angled back. 200yd target 3 inch steel gong with a blow torch to heat it up.. Perfect.. Following 2 nights resulted in 5 fox and 16 rabbits.. No problem with I'd, and furthest fox was 240yds.definately worth the expense.. I will still keep the digital nv and set that up on the 223..gets a bit expensive blowing up rabbits with the 22.250. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangey Posted September 10, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2021 Well, after a lot of nights out with this setup I can say the thermion xq50 is an awesome bit of kit, can't see me going back to nv after using this. Thought their might be a problem with ID but it's easy to pick out rabbits at 400yds plus. No mistaking fox for badger or munty, easy to tell as soon as they move. I suppose using thermal spotter for a while helps with I'd. Want one on the 223 as well now.. Lol Might try switching between the 2 and see how it holds zero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted September 10, 2021 Report Share Posted September 10, 2021 That’s interesting, everyone seems to suggest your original set up. I’m back in the dark ages with a red lamp! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangey Posted September 10, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2021 Everyone has their own opinions on thermal scopes and I always thought that proper I'd would be a problem with a thermal scope, but after a couple of weeks shooting almost every night with it in my opinion I'd is not a problem at all... Can't beat a bit of lamping and still use the lamp when out with someone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted September 11, 2021 Report Share Posted September 11, 2021 I can’t afford the leap to thermal spotter and nv riflescope (the ideal combination). A cheap thermal scope may be affordable next year, would you recommend it? The XQ50 is 4x my budget mind! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rewulf Posted September 11, 2021 Report Share Posted September 11, 2021 3 hours ago, WalkedUp said: I can’t afford the leap to thermal spotter and nv riflescope (the ideal combination). A cheap thermal scope may be affordable next year, would you recommend it? The XQ50 is 4x my budget mind! It really depends on what range, and what your e looking for to shoot at at night. Thermal scopes CAN go out to 300 yards , but you need to spend some decent money for that, where as a cheap thermal spotter , then drop back to lamp/NV for the shot is the cheaper option. A cheap thermal scope will not give you the clarity for a positive ID beyond 150 yards , maybe less if its humid or foggy. Also swinging the gun round all over the place to spot is never good. A thermal spotter for around the £1000 mark and £300 worth of Pard 007 , will get you into the 21 st century ! Plenty will disagree with me , but 9/10 cats prefer , thermal to spot , digital nv to shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangey Posted September 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2021 5 hours ago, WalkedUp said: I can’t afford the leap to thermal spotter and nv riflescope (the ideal combination). A cheap thermal scope may be affordable next year, would you recommend it? The XQ50 is 4x my budget mind! I would put your money into a thermal spotter before thermal scope. It won't spook whatever you're shooting at,just need to put your lamp on the target and pull the trigger, no waving about all over the place with the lamp. You would be surprised what you don't see with a lamp scanning. We have scanned fields with a lamp and said nothing in it then used the thermal spotter to find six rabbits sat in same field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewh100 Posted November 7, 2021 Report Share Posted November 7, 2021 ii have both, spotter is the qx38 and mx50 scope my mate as thermal spotter but Digex NV scope which can be better on damp nights wen the thermal becomes a bit grainy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangey Posted November 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2021 I still have the 223 set up with nv but it's never been out the cabinet since getting the thermal. I will more than likely keep the thermal on the 22.250 and go with lamp and scope on the 223..just enjoy a bit of lamping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerry78 Posted November 12, 2021 Report Share Posted November 12, 2021 Interesting post but I’m old school just still use a lamp But glad you’re enjoying the thermal 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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