My review receives a 4 star, pre-hunt.
I first started out watching reviews for a solid entry level thermal scope with more quality than "budget friendly ". I've tried "budget friendly" night vision and decided, frankly, at some point a person needs to commit to jumping in a pool they can swim in, NV or Thermal.
I looked at reviews on Youtube for thermal at the XQ38 and at the time I was purchasing, the XQ35 Pro was going on sale. Thus, I watched reviews with Outdoor Legacy comparing the XQ38 and the XQ35 Pro and figured, I'm in this far money-wise, why not another $500 more by the time it's said and done, for capabilities and quality I can really grow on? After watching more XQ35 Pro reviews and understanding the advantage, I pulled the trigger on the scope and a QD mount. Shipping was fast and packaging was done thoughtfully, the quality showed. Also, loved the Tshirt, thank you.
Batteries were easy to charge, the case and accessories are adequate.
After several nights off using the scope around the property as a monocular, learning the buttons and features, I sighted the scope in during the daytime. With a zero dialed in, I'm ready to set out. No coyotes yet, they all split, apparently they heard about my advantage now?
As for the buttons on the Talion XQ35 Pro, controls are easy. They are easy to feel, easy to reach and easy to remember what button does what. The quality of the image is what I need to identify targets, size dependant, out to 110yds. I say "size dependant" because at that range, in trees, a house cat, racoon and possum appear similar..ie smaller animals. Know your target! No, I haven't made a mistake in a live fire situation. I learned this in my walking the property with a monocular phase looking at animals. Point being, take the time to educate yourself about images and identification before you go shooting away. Night shooting is a whole new world, and it is very exciting!
I hope to add several zero profiles to this scope for several different rifles. My main priority is predator and nuisance animal control. The distances I'm working with are under 150yds. My terrain is partially wooded with rolling, hilly topography. Weather is generally humid and temps can very up to 100* between the extreme winter and extreme summer.
My intention is coyote predator hunting. We've had problems recently with losing domestic pets to these coyotes. Not my first time dealing with them but my first opportunity I can now setup and hunt them on my terms.
So far, happy with the Talion XQ35 Pro. Imagine is good, ease of controls and zeroing. Now it's a matter of putting it all together and knocking down coyotes.
