I recently dipped my toe into the world of thermal optics. With good core resolution, it is an absolute game changer.

The detection range and overall image quality is absolutely stunning.

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The detection range and overall image quality is absolutely stunning.

What make/model did you get?

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Originally posted by KSGM:

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The detection range and overall image quality is absolutely stunning.

What make/model did you get?

AGM Rattler TS50-640

Coyotes went after my neighbors dogs last night, the dogs barely made it into the garage. They have some home security cameras and caught it on video.

I went over tonight and helped the situation.

https://youtu.be/UYH-FPr85QU

Seeing the warm blood spurting is neat. Well done!

Nice shot, right in the heart. Does that one have different modes, or is it just white hot?

Thermal is a game changer for sure. On my bucket list is hunting hogs at night with my friend. Thermal, even for spotting, would make a massive difference.

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Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
Nice shot, right in the heart. Does that one have different modes, or is it just white hot?

Thermal is a game changer for sure. On my bucket list is hunting hogs at night with my friend. Thermal, even for spotting, would make a massive difference.

It has white hot, black hot, red hot (which is basically white hot but really hot things like a coyote will be vivid red), and fusion which is a red/fuschia gradient.

They all work fine but I prefer white hot as the overall image is darker and it is less detrimental to night vision while out of the scope.

Wasn't a problem last night, there was a full moon although it was a bit cloudy. I was in the shade of a building with some security lights illuminating a lot of the terrain behind me which evidently made it impossible for the coyotes to see me.

A pack has been on the loose my way and made the news. Attacked some sheep and the sheepdog managed to kill eight while getting the hell kicked out of him.

Heard them yapping this weekend and set out to lure some in.

The moon makes them leery and I only wasted one as the others scattered when his bones blew out his asshole.

I gotta remember to hit the record button this time. It was every bit as entertaining as yours.

Oh, that makes sense about the white hot.

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Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
A pack has been on the loose my way and made the news. Attacked some sheep and the sheepdog managed to kill eight while getting the hell kicked out of him.

Heard them yapping this weekend and set out to lure some in.

The moon makes them leery and I only wasted one as the others scattered when his bones blew out his asshole.

I gotta remember to hit the record button this time. It was every bit as entertaining as yours.

That's a damn impressive sheepdog!!!

Sounds like you put in some good effective work as well.

Guess that coyote had not heard the admonition that after 1am it's nothing but dangerous trouble.

Anyone getting one of the Autel drones that B&H is closing out? Mighty tempting.

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Originally posted by abnmacv:
Guess that coyote had not heard the admonition that after 1am it's nothing but dangerous trouble.

Funny enough, that time is incorrect. It was more like 10pm but I haven't taken the time to set the correct time in the optic.

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Originally posted by Voshterkoff:
Anyone getting one of the Autel drones that B&H is closing out? Mighty tempting.

I thought about it but after splurging on the thermal scope I didn't think it was prudent right now. That was a HECK of a deal on those though.

I did some target shooting last night. I set out to make circumstances more trying, to find limitations of me and my equipment; I succeeded. I created a small structure, so that targets could be placed within it, in extreme shadow, forcing me to employ an illuminator, in order to identify and engage. I installed vegetation between me and the targetry, to maximize the potential of laser and illuminator interruption. I used some reduced-size silhouettes, to simulate further engagements, and necessitate more stable shooting positions. I stenciled body armor on certain targets, to require good identification and altered engagement tactics. I put some targets behind cover, to require precision shots that would need attention paid to proper holds at close range. All the targets were brown or green, against a backdrop of dirt and green sandbags. Long story short: it was not confidence inspiring. One reduced-size target escaped completely unscathed, after myself and two friends ran the course.

I ran passive when/where I could, but the circumstances and lighting conditions more often required illumination and laser aiming. But then the vegetation was problematic, which almost always required moving away from a position that gave you cover and stability, in favor of target visibility and a clear sight line. There were no obvious take-aways other than more reps are necessary. You hear folks talk about dynamic lighting in urban environments presenting challenges, when using NVG. Given my experiences lately, I think I'd prefer those lighting conditions, with the hard edges and clear sight lines of urban scenarios, to the "blurrier" environment of vegetation. In urban settings, it seems if one technique doesn't work, the other will; not so cut and dry in the woods. I dunno. My actual shooting experience in urban settings is limited, as I don't have access to a sophisticated training facility, but I have been able to move around and through urban-like settings, and it seems easier to work through, than the woods.

Equipment lessons-learned were the Crye Nightcap is indeed awesome. Wore it for about ninety minutes straight, and it was comfy as can be. Also, I appreciated the TNVC/Unity TAPS switch I have on a gun that I didn't use last night. My light and laser have independent switches on the rifle I used last night. They are placed about as good as they can be, but it's still difficult to engage/release both items simultaneously, consistently; especially in quirky positions.

The coyotes are thick around here.

I watched no less than 6 of them all within 800 yards of my house tonight.

One of them came to the call.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2yxaD4jxwU

Got two small bits I was thinking were going to be game-changers; jury's still out though. They are the Noisefighters AX14 Pro PVS14 articulating arm and a Norotos dovetail conversion, for my RhinoII mount. The dovetail is considered the standard interface nowadays, and the AX14 is pitched as the slickest arm you can get for the PVS14. My weak point is likely the RhinoII, but I don't have the funds for a $400 Wilcox or Norotos contemporary dovetail mount. Long story short: the AX14 allows you to swing the monocular above your sight line, while keeping the main mount deployed forward. The swing has proven handy, in my use so far, which has been limited to driving the Mule to check on the chickens, and walking in and out of the barns. I haven't shot with it yet. It's nice to not have a unicorn horn, when you don't have the monocular in front of your eye. Cons are four: The weight is thrown a bit awkward, when the monocular is rolled above your eye; the unicorn horn is super bad, if you don't roll before you flip the main mount up; there's no locking feature, on the pivot point of the arm that is seldom used; and, if using a converted RhinoII, you almost run out of vertical and forward adjustment, due to the geometry of the arm. Only one of these is a true complaint, as the others are consequences of my particular setup, with the RhinoII and Nightcap. I'll ad more info, when I have used it more.