GTA

Support Equipment For PCP/HPA/CO2 and springers ,rams => Optics, Range estimation & related subjects => Topic started by: Back_Roads on December 26, 2022, 10:51:51 PM

Title: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: Back_Roads on December 26, 2022, 10:51:51 PM
 Recently got an AGN thermal monocular as a spotting scope and 101 other uses. This is one, I found it can be paired up with these parts and bingo you have a thermal close range pesting optic.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CRZZXDL?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CRZZXDL?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/165282497759 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/165282497759)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096JFJHN8/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3? (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096JFJHN8/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?)

(https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/MGalleryItem.php?id=8748)

 It was hard to get my phone to ffocous, at first it seems to be a narrower FOV, but one can move their eye around and see all of the screen, with no paralax shift on the dot.
 Things like pest will show you where to aim with their heat signiture being hotest on their critical infrastructure  ;) 8)
(https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/MGalleryItem.php?id=8747)
Title: Re: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: Back_Roads on December 26, 2022, 11:23:37 PM
 Shoot I meant to put this in the Optics Gate LOL Either it was a flyer or I pulled that shot  ;) :o ;D
Title: Re: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: A.K.A. Tommy Boy on December 26, 2022, 11:26:57 PM
Nice Night Shooting Set Up James ! ;)

We all pull a few shots once in a while.  ;D


Best Wishes - Tom
Title: Re: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: Tater on December 27, 2022, 04:04:21 AM
Moved to the Optics Gate.
Title: Re: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58) on December 27, 2022, 08:38:33 AM
BRILLIANT!  Pretty clever set-up you got there James!
Title: Re: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: Spacebus on December 27, 2022, 09:14:31 AM
Does it work arranged the opposite way using the spotting scope as a "magnifier" of sorts?
Title: Re: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: Back_Roads on December 27, 2022, 09:29:17 AM
 Thermal will not see through glass, but rather reflects heat signatures from the glass. You still get the magnification the monocular has.
Title: Re: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: customcutter on December 28, 2022, 11:23:12 AM
Cool set-up James!  How far can you see a rat sized object for pesting?  Also how far can you see a coyote sized object for monocular use and then switch to my gun mounted thermal on the rifle when calling yotes?
Title: Re: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: Back_Roads on December 29, 2022, 08:58:51 AM
Cool set-up James!  How far can you see a rat sized object for pesting?  Also how far can you see a coyote sized object for monocular use and then switch to my gun mounted thermal on the rifle when calling yotes?

 I was able to see HOSP on a brush pile at 20 yards clear enough to be a target. I would say 75 yards for a positive ID and targeting on a Yote. I also have the Thor LT and that will get you to 100 + with a better choice of reticles, they run about 350 more than the ATG monocular. I took some pics with the AGN of the HOSP I need to down load to show soon.
Title: Re: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: customcutter on December 29, 2022, 09:17:02 AM
Cool set-up James!  How far can you see a rat sized object for pesting?  Also how far can you see a coyote sized object for monocular use and then switch to my gun mounted thermal on the rifle when calling yotes?

 I was able to see HOSP on a brush pile at 20 yards clear enough to be a target. I would say 75 yards for a positive ID and targeting on a Yote. I also have the Thor LT and that will get you to 100 + with a better choice of reticles, they run about 350 more than the ATG monocular. I took some pics with the AGN of the HOSP I need to down load to show soon.

Thanks James,  I have an Armasight Zeus 3-24X75 thermal with QD mount that goes on my AR.  I was wondering about using this for a monocular instead of panning a field with the weapon when calling yotes.  Could you make out a heat source at 150-200 yds, then switch to the AR?
Title: Re: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: Back_Roads on December 29, 2022, 09:28:47 AM
Cool set-up James!  How far can you see a rat sized object for pesting?  Also how far can you see a coyote sized object for monocular use and then switch to my gun mounted thermal on the rifle when calling yotes?

 I was able to see HOSP on a brush pile at 20 yards clear enough to be a target. I would say 75 yards for a positive ID and targeting on a Yote. I also have the Thor LT and that will get you to 100 + with a better choice of reticles, they run about 350 more than the ATG monocular. I took some pics with the AGN of the HOSP I need to down load to show soon.

Thanks James,  I have an Armasight Zeus 3-24X75 thermal with QD mount that goes on my AR.  I was wondering about using this for a monocular instead of panning a field with the weapon when calling yotes.  Could you make out a heat source at 150-200 yds, then switch to the AR?
Yes It will let you see heat in motion past that even, but would let you know when to get the better optic on target.
Title: Re: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: customcutter on December 29, 2022, 07:54:10 PM
Thanks James.  If/When I recover from Christmas season, I might check it out.  Like I said I don't like looking for targets with the thermal on the weapon. ;D  I want to do more predator control this year so that might be a good piece of equipment to add.
Title: Re: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: Back_Roads on December 29, 2022, 08:09:51 PM
 The AGN has worked perfectly even in the extremes of cold, so far I am impressed with its function at the "entry level" price.
 Reminds me lets see some pics, or it didn't happen LOL BRB...  ;D
OK I pushed the right button at the wrong time now I am learning the functions in Russian LMBO  ;D
 Here is the manual many functions for sure.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/lit_files/607716.pdf (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/lit_files/607716.pdf)
Title: Re: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: Back_Roads on December 31, 2022, 09:15:36 PM
Recently got an AGN thermal monocular as a spotting scope and 101 other uses. This is one, I found it can be paired up with these parts and bingo you have a thermal close range pesting optic.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CRZZXDL?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CRZZXDL?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/165282497759 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/165282497759)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096JFJHN8/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3? (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096JFJHN8/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?)

(https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/MGalleryItem.php?id=8748)

 It was hard to get my phone to ffocous, at first it seems to be a narrower FOV, but one can move their eye around and see all of the screen, with no paralax shift on the dot.
 Things like pest will show you where to aim with their heat signiture being hotest on their critical infrastructure  ;) 8)
(https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/MGalleryItem.php?id=8747)

 OK back to this experiment, I call it a temporary fail, as the mount for the monocular has some movement and it causes another poi on the screen similar enough to parallax to call it that. If I could lock in the Monocular square and solid to the rail and dot sight this would work.
 I also had thought that sighting in the dot then mounting the thermal would be a quick easy sight in, but once the thermal is mounted the aim of the dot on the screen vs POI are different enough to matter. So sight in with everything mounted is necessary.
 My recommendation for a thermal gun sight would be the Thor LT, or AGM Rattler series. But the AGM ASP-MICRO TM160 is a great spotting system and very happy with it as a backup to my other NV systems.
https://www.agmglobalvision.com/thermal-imaging/thermal-monoculars/agm-asp-micro-tm160 (https://www.agmglobalvision.com/thermal-imaging/thermal-monoculars/agm-asp-micro-tm160)
Title: Re: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: customcutter on January 01, 2023, 02:48:15 PM
James, thanks for the update. 

I was wondering how solid that was going to be with only a single 1/4x20 mount.  I wonder if you could install a second 1/4x20 nut using JB Weld or something, then also use a second Picatinny rail mount?  It might be solid enough to overcome the "parallax" issue.
Title: Re: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: Back_Roads on January 04, 2023, 09:47:55 PM
 Yup I have a ew options ordered will make something work when parts get here from china,  ???cheap and a base to work with.
 Meantime the 3000 xxx nv scope made it here, not as plasticky as I expected  8)
Title: Re: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: Back_Roads on January 20, 2023, 03:57:40 PM
Recently got an AGN thermal monocular as a spotting scope and 101 other uses. This is one, I found it can be paired up with these parts and bingo you have a thermal close range pesting optic.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CRZZXDL?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CRZZXDL?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/165282497759 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/165282497759)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096JFJHN8/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3? (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096JFJHN8/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?)

(https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/MGalleryItem.php?id=8748)

 It was hard to get my phone to ffocous, at first it seems to be a narrower FOV, but one can move their eye around and see all of the screen, with no paralax shift on the dot.
 Things like pest will show you where to aim with their heat signiture being hotest on their critical infrastructure  ;) 8)
(https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/MGalleryItem.php?id=8747)

 My special 1/4 - 20 screws made it here today, I swapped them over , had to find a lower riser mount to bring the dot sight down to center, so this setup brings me lower to the bore. Bit tired from being a bit sick, but will get to sight in and testing over the weekend.
(https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/MGalleryItem.php?id=8764)
Title: Re: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: Back_Roads on January 21, 2023, 10:35:25 AM
 I just came across this video when cleaning up my youtube play mixes of everything I have tossed in the watch later files. It explains what issues I was and will have with this style setup, but it can be made to work just have to be a permanent setup for the most part but can be switched to normal optics with some sight in work.

https://youtu.be/XI0ecUodzyI?list=PLASJo4rBxMIk6BNY6V_tZahlmptN6qBlk
Title: Re: Thermal on the Cheap !
Post by: Back_Roads on December 03, 2024, 11:41:46 PM
 I found out the THOR LT is about as cheap as one wants to get. But I was tempted by some of the Alibaba Express    thermal offerings, when I was looking for a IR NV setup just the other day.
 THOR on my Webley Nemesis X  8)
(https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/gallery/17377-181124170653.jpeg)