Bering Optics Hogster Stimulus — 256×192 thermal riflescope

How far you can see a person

61 m make out detail99 m tell what it is396 m spot it┆ maker’s claim

501002005001k2k5k m

Calculated from the sensor's pixel pitch and the lens focal length, for clear air.

Bering Optics quotes 800 m, 2× our figure, because makers usually measure against a person’s full height rather than their width. Why the numbers differ

Bering OpticsRiflescope · 256-class

Bering Optics Hogster Stimulus

Approx. price: ~$975
Sensor: 256×192 · 12 µm
Lens: 19 mm · 2.3×
Weight: 16.6 oz

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Best for

A dedicated night rifle for hogs and coyotes inside about 150 yards

01Specifications

As published by Bering Optics. Sources: usa.beringoptics.com (spec table BE43019, 6-year warranty), nightvisionuniverse.com + basicprecision.com (price $975 in stock for the currently sold BE43019VR 'Stimulus VR' revision, which adds onboard recording; the non-VR BE43019 is listed at $1,495 by B&H and kenziesoptics.com), note: maker site is http-only (https does not answer).

Sensor: 256×192
Pixel pitch: 12 µm
NETD: ≤50 mK
Refresh rate: 30 Hz
Lens: 19 mm
Base magnification: 2.3×
Digital zoom: up to 4.6×
Field of view: 9.2° horizontal
Display: 1280x960 LCOS
Claimed detection: 800 m
Claim basis: hog (L16 x H19)
Run time: 8 h
Battery type: CR123
Weight: 16.6 oz
Length: 7″
Laser rangefinder: No
Ballistic calculator: No
Records video: Yes
IP rating: IP66
Warranty: 6 years
Approx. price: ~$975

02Pros and cons

From the published specs, not owner reports.

For it

Takes CR123 batteries you can swap in the field
8 h of battery
Light at 16.6 oz, 15th-lightest of the 194 riflescopes here
Weather-sealed (IP66), fine in rain
~$975, well under the ~$3,000 typical for riflescopes here

Against it

Choppy 30 Hz picture on a running animal
Short 19 mm lens: a wide view, but less reach than a 50 mm scope
No rangefinder, so you judge distance by eye
Entry-level 256×192 sensor, with less detail than a 640

03Compare the Stimulus

04Related units

More from Bering Optics →All 256-class →All 19 mm →

AGM Rattler V2 19-256 — 256×192 thermal riflescope

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Est. detection

396 m

Maker’s claim

950 m

Sensor: 256×192
Pitch · Hz: 12 µm · 50
Lens: 19 mm

Swappable battery · 16.9 oz~$765

ATN ThOR LTV 256 2-6x — 256×192 thermal riflescope

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Est. detection

396 m

Maker’s claim

1,100 m

Sensor: 256×192
Pitch · Hz: 12 µm · 60
Lens: 19 mm

60 Hz · 22.9 oz~$995

Pard Ocelot 256 — 256×192 thermal riflescope

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Est. detection

396 m

Maker’s claim

900 m

Sensor: 256×192
Pitch · Hz: 12 µm · 50
Lens: 19 mm

14.8 oz~$799