Anyone tried a Sig Echo3 Thermal?

[Rob]

I'm looking for a thermal sight... Night vision isn't working in my hunting area. I have no problem spotting & identifying coyotes with my FLIR handheld but, when I transition to my rifle & NV scope I'm hindered by some adjacent property security lights in one direction and by my IR light illuminating some small branches and tall weeds between muzzle and target in another direction.
As I type this, it sounds like a terrible shooting situation but, I assure you that these shots are safe!

I am able to buy the Sig Echo 3 (either magnification) wholesale but, have never seen/used one in person.
Google/YouTube are reviews are positive but really focus on how basic it is. Basic doesn't bother me as I'm only going to use it for basic shooting inside 80 yards.

Anyone seen/tried the Sig Echo Thermal???

 

[georgel]

I'm currently running a Pulsar. The SIG looks interesting. If you get one, keep us posted. I just realized I have access to favorable pricing for those too.

They are also currently on sale by SIG...

ECHO3

The most innovative, direct view thermal sight in the world.

www.sigsauer.com

 

[surrealone]

Even on sale that seems spendy for a 320 unit...

 

[Jeremy43]

I run the pulsar proton fxq30 and I love it I've gotten a few this year already

 

[Rob]

I run the pulsar proton fxq30 and I love it I've gotten a few this year already

Just ordered the FQX30 from CameraLand.
Thanks for bringing them to my attention!

 

[Jeremy43]

No worries I love mine

 

[surrealone]

Just ordered the FQX30 from CameraLand.
Thanks for bringing them to my attention!

Out of curiosity, what influenced you to go the clip-on route given that you have a hand-held scanner?

 

[Rob]

I have been using a day rifle and a separate night rifle.
I only have one 22 suppressor so, constantly swapping or, having to swap quickly in the dark when the prairie poodles start singing was causing me to miss opportunities. I'm hoping the clip on will be fast transition.
Ill (probably) still use the hand held if I'm actually hunting but 90% of the time, I'm laying in bed when I hear them. They (yotes) come from 1 of 2 directions and the dogs have already showed me where to start looking.

 

[georgel]

I have my Pulsar Thermion on a QD mount so that I can move it from rifle to rifle. Zero seems to hold, though I haven't measured it and hard tested it on paper. Zeroing a thermal is a challenge in itself, because you need a thermal target rather than a visual one. I've been using aluminum stick on dots that I splash water on. But, they still reach ambient temp fairly quick. Tried heating with a lighter, but the paper burns, and gets hot.... Heavier targets that maintain heat, well you hit them and they're gone.
Multiple zero options on my scope allow a different zero for each rifle. So, I mount it on a rifle and select zero #1, 2, 3, etc. I mark each rifle's scope mount for placement. This is one reason I suggest getting a rifle scope form factor.

 

[Studentofthegun]

I have my Pulsar Thermion on a QD mount so that I can move it from rifle to rifle. Zero seems to hold, though I haven't measured it and hard tested it on paper. Zeroing a thermal is a challenge in itself, because you need a thermal target rather than a visual one. I've been using aluminum stick on dots that I splash water on. But, they still reach ambient temp fairly quick. Tried heating with a lighter, but the paper burns, and gets hot.... Heavier targets that maintain heat, well you hit them and they're gone.
Multiple zero options on my scope allow a different zero for each rifle. So, I mount it on a rifle and select zero #1, 2, 3, etc. I mark each rifle's scope mount for placement. This is one reason I suggest getting a rifle scope form factor.

Try one of those small Hot Hands packets. Just get a bag of them from Walmart and staple them on the target. Or get the Hot Hands boot toe warmers. They have adhesive on one side and you can just slap it on there.

 

[georgel]

Try one of those small Hot Hands packets. Just get a bag of them from Walmart and staple them on the target. Or get the Hot Hands boot toe warmers. They have adhesive on one side and you can just slap it on there.

I've thought about something like that. Figured the were a bit big, but I didn't know about the toe warmers.
I've also thought about putting a torch to a 4"piece of AR500. Centering it with the sight and checking the impact marks for group.

 

[surrealone]

 

[georgel]

I thought about something similar. I saw one vid that discussed the different emissivity of various products, like tape, paper, cardboard, etc. I found some 1" adhesive aluminum dots I've been playing with. I just need to spend some time experimenting. I know there's a "cheap" way of doing it the way I want. Just gotta find the right combo.

 

[surrealone]

I thought about something similar. I saw one vid that discussed the different emissivity of various products, like tape, paper, cardboard, etc. I found some 1" adhesive aluminum dots I've been playing with. I just need to spend some time experimenting. I know there's a "cheap" way of doing it the way I want. Just gotta find the right combo.

I happen to have 3M foil tape left over from some HVAC work, so I'm set for when I buy a Thor4 this spring. If I didn't I'd likely be kinda grumpy, as that stuff's spendy...

 

[georgel]

I happen to have 3M foil tape left over from some HVAC work, so I'm set for when I buy a Thor4 this spring. If I didn't I'd likely be kinda grumpy, as that stuff's spendy...

If I might suggest looking a Pulsar over the ATN. A Thor is what I returned to Optics Planet, although it wasn't a 4. It had been returned and wouldn't read the memory card. Which started my falling out with Optics Planet. The Pulsar is a much better scope and worth the investment in my opinion.

 

[surrealone]

If I might suggest looking a Pulsar over the ATN. A Thor is what I returned to Optics Planet, although it wasn't a 4. It had been returned and wouldn't read the memory card. Which started my falling out with Optics Planet. The Pulsar is a much better scope and worth the investment in my opinion.

After our DM convo I started doing more digging and came up with too many ATN housing complaints for my liking. After reassessment, I find myself reasonably impressed by Bering Optics' offerings and will likely go in the Super Yoter R direction such that I have 640 res.

It's more than I had planned to spend, but buy once, cry once...

 

[Rob]

Update-
I ordered a Pulsar in January from Camera Land.
With at "conservative " shipping estimate of "you should have it by valentine's"
I kept in touch with Doug who gave updates.
As of mid March, CL had only received a small portion of what they were expecting so, I cancelled.
This was an impulse purchase so, it wasn't hard to cancel it.
Doug at CameraLand was great to work with.
He just couldn't get product.
No hard feelings and still recommend.