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Go used or refurbished if you want real savings - brands like ATN and Pulsar drop their prices hard on older stock and you still get solid performance for hog work at night. most affordable new options run you somewhere in the $1500 - 2500 range, but honestly the used market has insane deals if you're patient!
The budget thermal scopes that actually work for hog hunting tend to be the sub-$2k Pulsar Axion models or ATN OTS-HD stuff - entry level but decent resolution for detecting warm bodies at distance. One thing I'd add that doesn't get mentioned much: rent before you buy. A lot of outfitters and hunting shops will let you test a scope for a weekend or a hunt for maybe $50-100, and that saves you from dropping real money on something that doesn't match your rifle setup or hunting style. Battery life matters more than people think too - cheap thermals can drain in 4-5 hours of continuous use, so factor in spares or a power bank if you're doing all-nighters.
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