Game Finder Inc Heat Seekers & Thermal Imagers

RockB · 03-15-2008, 06:23 PM

How well do these things work?

Game Finder Inc Heat Seekers & Thermal Imagers

EviL · 03-15-2008, 07:40 PM

probably not as good as a well placed shot.

RockB · 03-16-2008, 07:53 AM

Thinking more of post SHTF scanning for two legged varmints.

Arkiemike · 03-30-2008, 08:12 PM

They rely on a tempurature difference between the target and surrounding area. If it is 90 degrees out there, a "target" might not show up.

ezearln · 03-31-2008, 11:53 AM

The outdoor channel recently had a show on where there were using them thermal imager scopes and such to hunt pigs in near total darkness. Clarity and images were pretty darn good. Couldn't say what they cost though bet they would be real handy in about any SHTF situ.

wunhunglo · 03-31-2008, 12:10 PM

Most of them work fine as long as the batteries last.
I find that a pair of decent binoculars or telescope works just as good, sometimes better and you don't have to worry about batteries.

Of course, I'm almost what some might call an old fart nowadays, a relic of a bygone era before GPS, thermal imagers & game-boys.

elmer fudd · 03-31-2008, 12:21 PM

probobly not as good as a good blood hound

ezearln · 03-31-2008, 12:24 PM

Yep but unless you got a bloodhound with a crosshair reticle in his mouth and him mounted to yer rifle so's you can stare up his bung hole to get a good sight picture I seriously doubt the critter will be much help in your night hunting. LOL

elmer fudd · 03-31-2008, 12:32 PM

true but there are ways you can keep them quite. "bunghole" LOL and i dont have any i have just heard they work realy realy well

GlockMeister · 03-31-2008, 12:51 PM

Thermal imaging devices generally sell for in the thousands, not the hundreds. Here's a few examples...
SWFA Thermal Sights ATN Thermal Sights ATN Thermovision Thermosights

SWFA Thermal Sights ATN Thermal Sights ATN OTIS7 Thermal Goggles

Those in the link you left, from what I saw are just "HEAT SEEKERS" and I truly believe arkiemike is right in that they won't work very good in the heat. Maybe in the snow, where an animals body heat will radiate above that of the air and ground, but, that's if you can get relatively close to get a reading. I don't think those pick up for very far. If that's the case, the animal or shall I say potential meal has now been spooked. lol

Another thing I'd point out, depending on whatever post SHTF scenario it is, animals themselves may be looking for food, not offer much in the area of nutrition and that's if they are even any good to eat, again, depending ob the worst case scenario. Better off putting that cash instead into water,water treatment and MRE's. Hunting will always be able to be done, as long as the food source is worth eating.

How much hunting is done now without the aid of thermal or heat seeking imaging devices? Then to, will you have batteries to operate them. Batteries may be better used for flashlights, emergency radios and other more important things. All of course are strictly only MHO...

just_a_car · 03-31-2008, 05:07 PM

I'm going to +1 GM's post and add that the "heat seekers" that are in that first link are just expensive "camo" versions of this non-contact thermometer for automotive and kitchen use: Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Alton Brown on "Good Eats" (Food Network) uses one to check temps of food and cooking surfaces. You can also use it to check exhaust pipes to see if you have one that's colder than the others and is thus, a cylinder that's not firing or not burning correctly.

03-15-2008, 06:23 PM	#1
RockB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 199	Game Finder Inc Heat Seekers & Thermal Imagers How well do these things work? Game Finder Inc Heat Seekers & Thermal Imagers

03-31-2008, 11:53 AM	#5
ezearln Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 3,175	The outdoor channel recently had a show on where there were using them thermal imager scopes and such to hunt pigs in near total darkness. Clarity and images were pretty darn good. Couldn't say what they cost though bet they would be real handy in about any SHTF situ. __________________ "You can have my Freedom when I'm done with it!"

03-31-2008, 12:21 PM	#7
elmer fudd Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: pheasant country USA! Posts: 1,941	probobly not as good as a good blood hound __________________ spur hard, shoot straight, party hardy!

03-31-2008, 12:24 PM	#8
ezearln Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 3,175	Yep but unless you got a bloodhound with a crosshair reticle in his mouth and him mounted to yer rifle so's you can stare up his bung hole to get a good sight picture I seriously doubt the critter will be much help in your night hunting. LOL __________________ "You can have my Freedom when I'm done with it!"

03-31-2008, 12:32 PM	#9
elmer fudd Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: pheasant country USA! Posts: 1,941	true but there are ways you can keep them quite. "bunghole" LOL and i dont have any i have just heard they work realy realy well __________________ spur hard, shoot straight, party hardy!

03-15-2008, 07:40 PM	#2
EviL Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: In the Boonies Posts: 107	probably not as good as a well placed shot.

03-16-2008, 07:53 AM	#3
RockB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 199	Thinking more of post SHTF scanning for two legged varmints.

03-30-2008, 08:12 PM	#4
Arkiemike Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SW Arkansas Posts: 64	They rely on a tempurature difference between the target and surrounding area. If it is 90 degrees out there, a "target" might not show up.

03-31-2008, 12:10 PM	#6
wunhunglo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: currently "Sunny West Africa" Posts: 1,659	Most of them work fine as long as the batteries last. I find that a pair of decent binoculars or telescope works just as good, sometimes better and you don't have to worry about batteries. Of course, I'm almost what some might call an old fart nowadays, a relic of a bygone era before GPS, thermal imagers & game-boys.

03-31-2008, 12:51 PM	#10
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 5,483	Thermal imaging devices generally sell for in the thousands, not the hundreds. Here's a few examples... SWFA Thermal Sights ATN Thermal Sights ATN Thermovision Thermosights SWFA Thermal Sights ATN Thermal Sights ATN OTIS7 Thermal Goggles Those in the link you left, from what I saw are just "HEAT SEEKERS" and I truly believe arkiemike is right in that they won't work very good in the heat. Maybe in the snow, where an animals body heat will radiate above that of the air and ground, but, that's if you can get relatively close to get a reading. I don't think those pick up for very far. If that's the case, the animal or shall I say potential meal has now been spooked. lol Another thing I'd point out, depending on whatever post SHTF scenario it is, animals themselves may be looking for food, not offer much in the area of nutrition and that's if they are even any good to eat, again, depending ob the worst case scenario. Better off putting that cash instead into water,water treatment and MRE's. Hunting will always be able to be done, as long as the food source is worth eating. How much hunting is done now without the aid of thermal or heat seeking imaging devices? Then to, will you have batteries to operate them. Batteries may be better used for flashlights, emergency radios and other more important things. All of course are strictly only MHO... __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6!

03-31-2008, 05:07 PM	#11
just_a_car Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edmonds, WA Posts: 3,522	I'm going to +1 GM's post and add that the "heat seekers" that are in that first link are just expensive "camo" versions of this non-contact thermometer for automotive and kitchen use: Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices Alton Brown on "Good Eats" (Food Network) uses one to check temps of food and cooking surfaces. You can also use it to check exhaust pipes to see if you have one that's colder than the others and is thus, a cylinder that's not firing or not burning correctly. __________________