77: From Cadillacs to the Countryside, Thermal Optics Have Outdoors Fans Seeing the Light | No Lowballers Podcast

On this episode of the No Lowballers podcast, Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and Allen Forkner of GunBroker shed some light on the history and recent innovations of thermal optics technology. Joining the hosts today are Kevin Reese and Chris French from Pulsar, who will share insights into their groundbreaking thermal imaging products that are reshaping outdoor activities and security measures. Whether it’s enhancing hunter safety at night or innovating vehicle-mounted thermal systems, Pulsar is at the forefront of thermal technology. That said, as with a lot of topics on the No Lowballers podcast, we’ll also see that everything new may not be as new as it appears.

Show Topics:

  • A Brief History of Thermal Imaging:
    • Before diving into the products, we explore the evolution of thermal imaging. From military applications in the 20th century to contemporary uses in civilian markets, thermal imaging has come a long way. Kevin and Chris touch on its roots in military tech and how it has adapted to consumer use, particularly in hunting and security.
  • Pulsar’s New Thermal Scope Series:
    • Introduction of the Thermion 260 series, featuring models XL60, XG60, and XP60.
    • Kevin explains the significance of these advancements and their impact on outdoor and hunting experiences.
  • Vehicle Mounted Thermal Imaging – Dark 30:
    • Launch of the Dark 30, a vehicle-mounted thermal imaging system offering 360-degree views.
    • Discussion on its practical applications for hunters and in security scenarios, enhancing visibility and reaction times in low-light conditions.
  • Pulsar Merger LRF XT50 Thermal Binocular:
    • Overview of the new thermal binoculars that enhance range finding with state-of-the-art thermal capabilities.
    • Comparison of traditional optics versus thermal in challenging environments, illustrating why thermal is superior for certain applications.
  • Looking Ahead: Innovations in Thermal Imaging:
    • The future of thermal imaging is bright, with potential applications extending beyond traditional uses.
    • Kevin and Chris speculate on upcoming advancements and the evolving needs of their customers.

What do you think about the recent explosion in the thermal market? Useful tools or toys for those with deep pockets? Let us know in the comments section below!

If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a rating and review!!  The No Lowballers Podcast explores the history and heritage of firearms. We hope to expose you to the vintage guns of the golden age along with newer, modern guns, specialty items, and a few other odd balls along the way. New shows drop every Thursday wherever you consume your favorite podcasts.

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Hear the truth behind the trigger on this show that highlights the insanity, calamity and oddity of firearm history, collectibles and the crazy valuables. Every week historian Logan Metesh of High Caliber History joins the GunBroker team to discuss topics such as mobster favorites, collector pieces, war-time weapons, hunting gun history, competition firearms and more.

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