Opinions or experience with Swarovski thermal clip-ons? (tM 35+ vs. tM 35.2)

[Daisy]

The best Clip-on thermo so far is Termtech hunt 650. Best thermo scope, Hikmicro stellar 2 and 3.

Seeing a lot of buzz on Hik since it was released in US after shot show. Haven’t had chance to try it yet but looks cool with the inline LRF.

 

[Daisy]

Two nights ago.

 

[wyosteve]

I just returned from a hog hunt where I used a thermal (outfitter's rifle) for the first time. Amazing piece of equipment. My conclusion, for my purposes, is that a QD thermal and separate scanner will work best.

 

[SaintPanzer]

I have the Swaro... There is no parallax error. I checked it at 100m, and POI was the same.

Downsides: Expensive for what it is. Others have bluetooth, video recording, etc. for less price.

Upside. It works. Good battery life. It comes with two batteries, and it will last a European night. It is easily detached, and can be used for stalking/tracking too. It just works.

 

[Manny R]

I bought the Swarovski TM35 and anxious to try it out before leaving for Zimbabwe on a lion hunt. I received the Clip On for free from Swarovski but only got 1 battery and no-one and I mean no one has a rechargeable for sale. Swarovski told me they have no idea when they may get a shipment in.

 

[Philip Glass]

I can't speak to the Swaro, but the Leica clip on is a brilliant piece of technology. Slide it on with the correct adapter and field of view, accuracy, and clarity are astounding. The scopes reticle is clearly visible without illumination and the scopes power control is what manages magnification. It is far superior to my Thor thermal both optically and as a practical thermal solution.

I also have the Leica. It is ok. The downside is the scope specific mounts required. I'll have to look at the Swaro as well.

 

[skydiver386]

I'm looking to update my old Gen2+ Starlight scope to a thermal for hogs. If I'm correct, most brands including the Swaro use a quick throw lever system that simply clamps to the outside of the objective lens of the scope. If this is the case, I can see where there might be an alignment issue between the daylight optics and the thermal.

Burris Thermal Optics 59mm Smartclip 626642, Color: Black, 30% Off w/ Free Shipping

Shop Burris Thermal Optics 59mm Smartclip | 30% Off Be The First To Review Burris Thermal Optics 59mm Smartclip On Sale + Free Shipping over $49.

www.opticsplanet.com

The Leica thermal clip on that I looked at during the SCI appeared to be mounted with a threaded adapter fit into the threads of the objective lens. This would seem to be the better option and eliminate or minimize the alignment problems.

Leica Calonox 2 M43-M52x0.75 Adapter Ring 59082, Color: Black

Shop Leica Calonox 2 M43-M52x0.75 Adapter Ring | Be The First To Review Leica Calonox 2 M43-M52x0.75 Adapter Ring + Free Shipping over $49.

www.opticsplanet.com

Can anyone clarify the mounting options for the various brands?

 

[Green Chile]

I also have the Leica. It is ok. The downside is the scope specific mounts required. I'll have to look at the Swaro as well.

That was one of the factors that sold me on the Swaro...the adapters are objective based and work on any scope of that objective size. The clamping system adaptor is very positive and sturdy for what it is on the scope side and on the thermal side it is screwed into the body. My experiences have been positive.

 

[Green Chile]

Just to give anyone a sense of the Swaro mounting system...

here the scope clamp side of the adaptor...

screw in thermal side of adaptor...

adaptor screwed into thermal...

clamped to scope objective...

 

[Philip Glass]

That was one of the factors that sold me on the Swaro...the adapters are objective based and work on any scope of that objective size. The clamping system adaptor is very positive and sturdy for what it is on the scope side and on the thermal side it is screwed into the body. My experiences have been positive.

It is the same with the Leica. They are just expensive. How much are the Swaro adapters?

 

[Green Chile]

When I bought at EO, the TM35 thermal was half off at $2500 (still is) and you got a free adapter. Extra adapters are $239. I covered my bases with 3 adapters.

 

[Manny R]

I agree with Green Chile. At the SCI show Swarovski was giving you a free adopter for their TM35
I got my my Thermal through Eurooptic at the show. Swarovski will send you the adoptor and they sent mine very quickly.

 

[t_stomski]

I was considering getting swarovski thermal, and I came across Liemke LUCHS-1 35mm Thermal Clip-On.
Does anyone have experience with this scope?

 

[t_stomski]

I was looking for something that I could use primarily as a handheld thermal and also Clip-On. I kind of like an idea of double use, instead of buying a hand-held unit and thermal scope separately. I'm curious about everyone's opinion.

 

[wyosteve]

I like the idea of double use, but think it depends on what you're hunting. My concern, especially with coyotes, would be that you spot one through the handheld, but by the time you get it mounted on the gun, the coyote might be gone or hard to find again. I think for hogs at a feeder the double concept would probably work.

 

[towserthemouser]

I like the idea of a dual use thermal. I'm thinking of using the thermal attached to the scope for night predator hunts (using a caller and/or bait).

And we have a photographic safari planned where we will be in a tent camp in the Masai Mara; I'm thinking the thermal monocular would be a lot of fun in camp, or any time you would be in a camp where there might be hippos and crocs or other night-time animal life that you could observe.

I've ordered the new Swaro model but it's on backorder so I don't know when I'll see it. I went with the tM35+ because I figured field of view would be more valuable at night than having more magnification. But that was just a guess on my part.

 

[t_stomski]

I like the idea of double use, but think it depends on what you're hunting. My concern, especially with coyotes, would be that you spot one through the handheld, but by the time you get it mounted on the gun, the coyote might be gone or hard to find again. I think for hogs at a feeder the double concept would probably work.

Good point

 

[t_stomski]

I like the idea of a dual use thermal. I'm thinking of using the thermal attached to the scope for night predator hunts (using a caller and/or bait).

And we have a photographic safari planned where we will be in a tent camp in the Masai Mara; I'm thinking the thermal monocular would be a lot of fun in camp, or any time you would be in a camp where there might be hippos and crocs or other night-time animal life that you could observe.

I've ordered the new Swaro model but it's on backorder so I don't know when I'll see it. I went with the tM35+ because I figured field of view would be more valuable at night than having more magnification. But that was just a guess on my part.

That would be a lot of fun. Even here walking up to the tree stand and being able to scan the woods before jumping deer would be a very useful tool. Not to mention sitting on the tree stand and hearing animals moving around and not knowing if it's a deer or raccoon, curiosity, it's killing me sometimes .

 

[towserthemouser]

That would be a lot of fun. Even here walking up to the tree stand and being able to scan the woods before jumping deer would be a very useful tool. Not to mention sitting on the tree stand and hearing animals moving around and not knowing if it's a deer or raccoon, curiosity, it's killing me sometimes .

Yeah, like walking out of the stand after dark when you've seen almost as many black bears on your trail cam as whitetail...... I always keep a round chambered all the way to the truck. Sure would be nice to have a thermal monocular to scan with for that situation. I'm sure they're more interested in berries or grubs or something, but still.......

 

[Muskox]

Here in Europe thermal is almost 100% legal for hog hunts.

They have to be the clip on to the front or back model.

Here is the strange part, the German/Austrian companies are like 3-10 years behind the Chinese in the Tech. I bought a high end handheld a few months ago, and it was kind of top end last year. It is eclipsed by the newest stuff released at the shows.

HKMicro is probably one of the bigger brands, that is what mine is a FQ35 Falon. Really remarkable.

The clip on models are about $1500-5000.

If you live in America I would buy a stand a lone unit. Not a clip on.