Great shooting! Please let us know what your thoughts are on the Thermal. I've been debating buying one. Just what to know the clarity, ranging, field of view, how the adjustments work...ect. Thanks
Thermal scopes and scanners are at another level for night time hunting. If you could afford it, get one. For example: I was tracking the family of raccoons a couple weeks ago with the thermal scope and when they got with in range, I turned on my Sightmark. I ended up turned around and couldn't find them even though they were only 35 yards. Any branch or bush that gets in the way will be light up from the IR that the screen will not show anything pass it. I turned to my thermal scope and saw the group moved 10 yards to the right and by then, they saw/heard me and made a run for it. That shot could've easy been made if I had the thermal mounted on the cricket but right now I'm using it as a scanner. Later on I am looking at getting a handheld thermal scanner and this will make things a lot easier.
I just came in from walking around outside and did a little test. I know its not scientific but this gives you a good idea. With thermal, you see every thing that has difference in temp to their surroundings. I haven't seen it yet but it makes sense but the closer the surroundings are to your target, the more you can't see them. Right now the outside temperature is 32 degrees and anything that has larger delta in temp will be seen. I just did a test by taking a piss in different spots as I walked backwards because I don't want to step in my own pee. When I looked at my work, I chuckled because I could easily see my path. I figured pee and blood are about the same temp.
For clarity, ranging, field of view and adjustments:
Clarity - For my scope, its ok. Its like looking at an old black and white TV but not as clear. The screen looks like looking through a thin bed sheet is the best I can explain it. You see horizontal lines but not many.
Ranging - I know the distances for my markers so I know how far everything is. If I were in an area I didn't know, it might be a little hard but after a while you can get a good idea how far everything is. The scope I have doesn't have any kind of ranging.
Field of view is really good at the lowest setting which is 2x but when you zoom in which is digital, the screen becomes very pixelated.
The only adjustments I've done to this scope is changing from white-hot to back-hot
