Thermal imaging attachment technology is one of those things: with the variety available on the market, it eventually becomes difficult to keep track of everything and report objectively on the advantages and disadvantages of thermal devices. Of course, this also includes a comparison with products from other brands, and let's get straight to the point: All in all, we liked the TX Encounter from SWAROVSKI OPTIK, even if it still needs to stretch itself a little in some features to score points all round. Let's move on to our equipment, which this time consisted of a CZ 600 Ergo in 8x57, a riflescope from Meopta (the MeoPro R6 3-18x50 RD) and the aforementioned clip-on from Swarovski Optik, the TX Encounter (we already presented the technical basics of the TX Encounter in detail here).
The ammunition in this test came from Hornady, namely the Hornady ECX with 180-grain bullet and – what can we say, the setup delivered powerfully with two boars on the very first night.
The advantages of the TX Encounter from SWAROVSKI OPTIK
"No zeroing necessary" – that was the information that got me going in the spring. All other thermal imaging clip-ons usually require a few shots until the setup is zeroed. SWAROVSKI OPTIK, in conjunction with its own riflescopes and adapters, guarantees that zeroing is more like a check shot: you can then be sure that the shot is really where it should be. We used a Meopta riflescope for our test and here, too, it was more of a check shot than a zeroing as such. I particularly liked that. The Recoil Activated Video recording (RAV) is also very helpful. If the shot isn't perfect or the animal takes flight, you have the option of watching it on your mobile phone afterwards. Both thumbs up for that. Another point is the automatic brightness adjustment of the display. Also very well solved. There are no color modes, only light and dark. This was a bit strange at first, but had little to do with the functionality of the device. Somehow it was even very pleasant to only have two options. Another point is that the clip-on can also be used as a hand-held device. All settings are made via the SWAROVSKI OPTIK Outdoor app. Incidentally, you also have to enter the basic magnification of your riflescope here, otherwise you won't see the menu on the display. Also important: always download the latest updates.
Room for improvement: where does SWAROVSKI OPTIK need to improve?
Where there is a lot of light, there is naturally also shadow. Which brings us to the points that could be improved. What annoyed me the most was that the Wi-Fi connection with my phone depended "on the mood of the day". While it worked flawlessly with my iPhone, sometimes it didn't work at all with my Xiaomi. The fact that you can only download the data via the SWAROVSKI OPTIK Outdoor app also takes some getting used to..
The visual impression sometimes seems a little soft. More could be achieved here. In terms of usability, the device was easy to operate after the familiarisation phase. One thing that also caught the attention of the community was the TX Encounter's rather large design. The trend is increasingly moving towards small, handy devices.
Hunting use and some practical aspects of the TX Encounter from SWAROVSKI OPTIK
It took a little while for the author and the object of desire to become friends. The fact that the test originally planned for four weeks turned into four months was not due to the technology or the hunter, but solely to the hunt itself, because hunting is simply unpredictable. Finally, in July, it worked with the first summer sow in the wheat on the home island of Rügen at 112 meters and a wild boar. The shot was where it should be, the ECX from Hornaday delivered once again and the TX Encounter from SWAROVSKI OPTIK also worked perfectly on the hunt. Note: the device is shutterless! As a result, ghost images sometimes appear. However, you can switch this off again by calibrating the device, you just have to be aware of it. Our verdict on the combo is therefore predominantly positive, even if there is still some room for improvement.
SWAROVSKI OPTIK TX Encounter technical specs and price
| Model: | SWAROVSKI OPTIK TX Encounter |
Sensor: | Vox, 640×480 pixels, 12 µm |
Screen: | AMOLED, 2560×2048 pixels, 60 Hz frame rate |
Field of View (at 100 m): | 21.6×16.3 m approx. |
Digital Magnification: | 2x, 4x, 6x, 8x (as a hand-held device), optical 1x as a clip-on |
Battery: | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, approx. 3.5 h runtime (modern sources state up to 7 h with reserve battery) |
Functions: | Recoil Activated Video (RAV), automatic brightness adjustment via SWAROLIGHT, live streaming, photo & video recording, POI marking, integrated compass |
| Price: | 4.700 euro |
My conclusion on the TX Encounter from SWAROVSKI OPTIK
The TX Encounter has many positive aspects: first of all, it worked without zeroing with just a check shot, even with an external scope. I still find this approach remarkable. I found the reduced equipment just as noteworthy. Everything you need for hunting is included, the battery power is completely sufficient and if one battery is really empty, you quickly have a second one ready. On the other hand, the TX Encounter still has room for improvement. Above all, the Wi-Fi functionality must work with all current smartphone brands and SWAROVSKI OPTIK can certainly improve the visual impression. The recommended retail price for the TX Encounter from SWAROVSKI OPTIK is 4,700 euros.
Further information on the equipment:
Presentation of the TX Encounter on the Swarovski Optik website
