Which AGM Global Vision Thermal is Right for You?
For a night hunter, moving up from digital night vision or old school green or red lights for night hunting to thermal imaging can be likened to walking from a dimly lit room into full sunshine. Thermal scopes highlight the heat signature of objects and are a great step forward from previous methods of night hunting. But with the technology comes the challenge of choosing which scope or monocular best suits your needs and budget. If cost is not a factor, units with higher processors that provide resolution from 384 up to 640 are available. Volumes can be written detailing the technical aspects of thermal scopes and monocular scopes, but here I will give you what I think is enough ‘working knowledge’ to get you started on your search for the just right unit to suit your needs. I have hunted hogs using both the AGM Global Vision Taipan monocular and the Rattler and Adder thermal scopes a great deal. It is also perfectly suited for hunting coyotes and other nighttime game animals.
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The thermal imaging monocular and rifle scopes are capable of working without light, and even during the day. The essence of the technology lies in the registration of thermal signatures of objects. Each object has a temperature, and those objects whose temperature exceeds absolute zero are displayed by the device and provide the operator with a contrasting picture in which visualization occurs due to different shades of colors. At the same time, the quality of observation by thermal imaging devices does not depend on lighting, the time of day, the object’s camouflage, or weather conditions.
So, which one is right for you?
AGM Global Vision Rattler Thermal Riflescope
AGM Rattler Review:
I’ve used the Rattler a great deal for hog hunting. Because of its ease of operation (especially in the dark), quality image and ruggedness, it’s my ‘go to’ thermal scope for hunting hogs at night. The Rattler has an onboard video camera and also takes still shots. Like all thermal scopes, the Rattler is available in a wide range of options from the economical priced (ranges from $999-$1399) TS 19-256 up to the TS 50-640 that costs $3,795. With such a wide range in cost, the options and questions can be mind boggling. Let’s look at what you need for your night hunting and which unit will meet your needs. If you plan to shoot hogs coming into a feeder at night at ranges of up to about 100 yards, the TS 19-256 will certainly get the job done by clearly identifying the porkers (or predators) but a step up to, say the TS 25-384 will increase the clarity and extend your shooting range a bit farther. If you plan to be shooting running hogs or predators out past 200 yards, the higher end units like such as the Rattler TS 35-640 ($2,995) or the Rattler TS 50-640 ($3795) will be a better fit. Think of it like this; with a TS 19-256 unit you can certainly identify and shoot hogs at 100 yards but with a TS 50-640 you can make out the bristles on the hog’s neck at this range. You must decide if you really need the improved clarity and if you are willing to pay extra to own it. All the AGM Global Vision thermal scopes come with an American Defense mount which precisely locks the scopes to the rail, making it easy to switch scopes to different rifles. Of course, the scope must be first sighted in on each rifle and the settings saved in the onboard memory when changing from rifle to rifle.
AGM Global Vision Taipan Thermal Monocular
AGM Taipan Review:
A thermal monocular is literally worth its weight in gold when sitting out in a stand over a corn feeder or scanning a field looking for wild hogs or scanning your predator hunting grounds. Rather than put a rifle up to your shoulder and look through the thermal scope, you simply put the monocular up to your eye and scan the area. When you spot a hog or predator you intend to target, set the monocular aside and shoulder your weapon and make the shot. The AGM Taipan thermal monocular has become synonymous with two words: Reliability and Simplicity. The Taipan TM10-256 is a great mid-level thermal monocular for anyone wanting to experience the capabilities of thermal imaging. Equipped with a highly advanced 12-micron 256×192 resolution thermal sensor and a 720×540 LCOS display, it’s a great tool for hunters, campers and general outdoors enthusiasts who want or need to detect the presence of other animals or people in complete darkness. The range of uses include blood-tracking for hunters which aids in game retrieval, enhancing safety and awareness for hikers and camp sites, and general nighttime curiosity. The Taipan TM10-256 still comes equipped with many of the most popular software features that experienced thermal users have come to desire: up to 8 hours of battery life from an internal rechargeable battery, Wi-Fi hotspot, AGM Connect app compatibility for exporting and sharing images and videos, 1-8X magnification, 8GB of internal storage with no need for a memory card and a 3 Year Transferable Warranty.
AGM Global Vision Adder Thermal Riflescope
AGM Adder Review:
AGM Global Adder thermal rifle scope has the appearance of a conventional rifle scope and is a bit heavier than the Rattler but also offers a sharper image and higher base magnifications. The longer scope also provides better eye relief than the Rattler when used on bolt action guns. If your shots are often 200 yards and farther, this scope warrants a good hard look. With two internal rechargeable batteries that allow between 14 and 16 hours run time, there is really no need for an external battery. With a higher base magnification (3X to 4X), the scopes allow quick, sharp target acquisition at greater distances. The onboard camera records both video and still shots, sound is also recorded which is a great feature for those that like to archive every detail of their hunts.
I hunt with a bolt action rifle and use my thermal scopes mostly for night hunting wild hogs. I’ve been asked which unit I prefer and it’s honestly a toss-up. I love the crystal-clear image of my Adder on the longer shots but there is something about the compact design of the Rattler that makes me load it in the truck more often when heading out to collect fresh pork. I use an external battery with my Rattler but love the option of having more than enough battery life for a full night of hunting with my Adder. AGM Global vision gives the hunter a vast array of options and unless you have a buddy or someone to walk you through the shopping process, I advise spending some time on the website and watching the videos with each scope that show clarity at different yardages. If you intend to only shoot hogs coming into a feeder at distances inside about 150 yards, the TS19 256 Rattler will certainly get the job done. But, if your goal is to shoot multiple running hogs on a big field at greater distances, I advise you look into a thermal with more resolution, the choice of a higher end Rattler or Adder will be a personal one only you can make.
If this review didn’t provide enough for your liking I strongly suggest before making your purchase, you visit www.agmglobal.com and there spend time watching the videos that will give you a very good idea of what to expect from each unit you might be interested in.
