I prefer the IR to the IE...
IE are useless in rain or snow.
I’ve been baiting hogs for about 3 months. I drove a t-post and mounted a green LED hog light with a solar panel and a small 6 volt lead acid battery. It lights them up pretty good.
The problem was my rifle scope. It is a Nikon P-223 1.5 to 4.5 zoom with only a 20mm objective, so it is worthless at night. I had 8 hogs night before last and couldn’t find my reticle, even with the hogs lit up by the hog light.
So I went to Cabela’s and got the Vortex Crossfire II 3-12x56 30mm Hog rifle scope. Huge difference. The hogs didn’t come up last night for me, but I have it sighted in and ready. I did have some raccoons, one deer and a pair of skunks come up for the corn last night but I’m after the hogs that are wrecking the pastures.
Truly leaning towards Thermal......The advantages appear to be substantial.....initial cost is a little higher......
Was looking for some actual experience with both...