The best thermal scope is lightweight and compact. Thermal scopes are essential gears to military, law enforcement, sporting events, and hunting. They are principally engineered as weapon scopes. However, a high performing thermal scope is supposed to function effectively as a handheld thermal imager or as a magnified spotting scope. Experts recommend thermal imaging scopes that have a simple design installed with instinctive features, functions, and controls. The list of product reviews provides you with useful buying information, and tips for future purchases.
Contents
Product Specifications to Consider
Focus of Objective Lens
The focus of objective lens is an important consideration when shopping for a thermal scope. This is so since the focus affects a number of metrics, such as field of view and magnification. You should know that the quality of thermal imaging detection is established by the objective lens focus. In actual fact, different activities will require dissimilar objective lenses parameters. Usually, the scopes are fitted with a number of objective lenses that vary with respect to the focal distance, such as 50 mm, 38 mm, and 19 mm. This info is reflected in the name of thermal scope you choose.
Optical / Magnification Power
The effectiveness as well as magnification of thermal imaging scopes varies greatly, but you need to go for the ideal magnification power. The limits of your imaging scope are determined by your thermal scope’s optical power. The magnification power required by a deer hunter in the woods differs greatly from the optical power required by a bench rest shooter with a target at a thousand yard.
There are merits and demerits to both low and high magnifications. With low optical power (4X / 6X) you get better target tracking and faster as well as more spontaneous shooting. On the other hand, higher optical power, including 16X+ offers exceptional target resolution. The main downsides to higher magnification thermal imaging scopes are: larger in size, very costly, and are challenging to use when assuming unsupported positions.
Research and user opinions alike suggest that thermal scopes suitable for offhand shooting at shorter distances (500 yards) should have magnification equal or lower than 10X. You are strongly urged to go for scopes with more than 10X magnification if you will be shooting your target from a well-supported position, and be ready to pay more since they do not come cheap.
Refresh Rate & Resolution of the Best Thermal Scope
The refresh rate of a thermal imaging scope determines its quality. A more intense image is produced with respect to the number of refreshes your thermal rifle scope can achieve. The higher the frame or refresh rate the smoother the image when tracking a target that is on the move. The most ideal thermal rifle scopes have a refresh rate of 50 Hz or 60Hz. You should always consider scopes that have a frame rate of 30Hz or higher.
When it comes to resolution, you should go for the higher options. Like most graphic software, a low-resolution image is usually distorted. Normally, an image with unclear details may result into a miss shot. In actual fact, the target is basically unrecognizable. Professionally, a resolution of 1024 X 768 is ideal for a rifle mounted scope. However, the best options that are known to be effective include but are not limited to 384 X 288 and 336 X 256 resolutions.
Reticles
This is a simple, but a very important specification that helps you with target acquisition when using your thermal imaging scope. There are many reticles you can choose from, including the popular center dot to other unique and complex patterns. The three most recommended and used reticles are: duplex reticle, mil-dot reticle, and BDC reticle.
Duplex is the most popular reticle, which is defined by a thin midpoint crosshair. The crosshair normally grows thicker away from the midpoint. The duplex reticle is suitable for target shooting and hunting. The mil-dot reticle is basically an improvement of the duplex, with strong enhancements. You will observe dot spacing at the reticle lines near the midpoint. The mil-dot reticle is highly useful for establishing a target’s range when the size of the target is known.
Bullet drop compensator, which is abbreviated as BDC reticle is an emerging improvement as far as thermal imaging devices are concerned. With this particle reticle, you will not have to make any elevation settings adjustments so as to accurately shoot a target over wide-ranging target ranges. Generally, BDC reticles are better than simple duplex.
Batter Life
The battery life is without a doubt an important factor that you can inadvertently overlook. You need a scope with a battery that will last longer. Go for a model that can last at least five hours of use. You do not need a scope that will go off when the hunt has just reached its climax. Remember, you are in the woods, and it will take you probably more than five hours to circle back.
The aforementioned thermal imaging scope specifications are among the few that you cannot do without. However, there are other special specifications that you can check out when buying your product.
Our Top Three Thermal Rifle Scope Reviews
1. ATN Thor HD 384 Smart Thermal Riflescope
- Magnification: 1.25 – 5X
- Resolution: 384 by 288
- Description: ATN 384 THOR HD is a smart thermal imaging rifle scope with state-of-the-art design. This device is installed with high quality thermal vision capabilities. It is the best thermal scope for surveillance and hunting. It offers you optical power of 1.25 – 5X and a resolution of 384 by 288. The focal length objective lens of this device is 19 mm. It is equipped with special features, such as 3D magnetometer, 3D accelerometer, 3D gyroscope, in-built Wi-Fi, and smooth zoom. One of the most advanced features of this scope is video recording. Unlike most scopes you will find on the market, this particle model offers a sharp color reticle each time you put it to use.
Pros:
- The most cutting-edge thermal imaging scope: It features high quality thermal vision capabilities, and improved night vision technology convenient for surveillance and hunting.
- Video recording: The scope offers an exceptional color reticle each and every time you use it. ATN THOR scope is targeting error free.
- More special features than you would have imagined, including smooth zoom, GPS for elevation & geo-tagging, and Wi-Fi streaming.
Cons:
- The scope may require re-calibration each time you power it up.
- It is one of the most expensive thermal imaging scopes for a fixed budget.
2. Pulsar Apex XD50A Thermal Riflescope
- Magnification: 1.9X
- Resolution: 384 by 288
- Description: The Pulsar Apex is the best thermal scope for a range of precision shooting activities, including law enforcement, surveillance, security, and hunting. It is installed with the ideal thermal resolution of 384 by 288. The long-drawn-out range of modification offers continuous digital zoom for long distance sighting. Apart from the up-to-the-minute resolution, the scope is equipped with the ideal refresh rate of 50 Hz. This refreshing rate offers a consistent as well as vibrant image of fast-moving targets.
Pros:
- It offers the best thermal resolution of 384 by 288 for efficient image capturing up to one thousand four hundred yards.
- The unceasing digital zoom offers a comprehensive range of magnification for long-distance detection of a target.
- It is installed with a frame rate of 50 Hz and crispy LCD display, combined they provide you with a stable and clear image of fast-moving targets, especially when hunting.
Cons:
- Focusing with this scope may be challenging after extended use.
3. Armasight Zeus 336 3-12×42 (60Hz) Thermal Imaging Weapon Sight
- Magnification: 3x-12x
- Resolution: 336 x 256
- Description: Armasight Zeus is the best thermal scope for military, law enforcement, sporting, and hunting events. According to the design, the scope is definitely made for rifles. However, it is the ideal choice for a handheld imager as well as magnified spotting scope. It is the kind of scope that you can bring along on a 24/7 mission. Apart from its rigid structure, it is installed with state-of-the-art thermal imaging that picks up an image through haze, fog, smoke, dust, and snow. Generally, Armasight Zeus is equipped with all the special features a rigid thermal imaging scope should have.
Pros:
- High performing thermal imaging scope and camera suitable for military, law enforcement, sporting, and hunting.
- Has an improved design that is lightweight, compact, and features a user interface that is easy and intuitive.
- Equipped with digital E-zoom of 4X, 2X, and 1X along with six onboard reticle patterns (no reticle, crosshair, cross, cross-center dot, line dot, and dot 4 MOA) that are digitally controlled for a better image detection.
- Installed with numerous special features, which are worth paying for, including water/fog resistance and rapid start-up.
Cons:
- The scope may stop performing if not handled with extreme care. It can also shut down and fail to power back on.
In Conclusion
Finding the best thermal rifle scope is not as easy. To get the best performance, you have no choice but to choose a device that is equipped with all the necessary features a good scope must have. The resolution has to be generous, and the optical power must be sufficient. Always keep in mind that a lower magnification and a smaller objective lens will restrict target acquisition and shooting to shorter distances. The choice you make must factor in all your aiming and shooting requirements.
Thermal Rifle Scope is definitely the best type of night vision rifle scope. It can easily give you a clear view of every live animals walking around at night. However, they are quite expensive. I think I am fine with the third product that you’ve listed. Can you make an article explaining everything about nighttime hunting?
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is excellent blog. An excellent read. I will certainly be back.
I never thought about a thermal option for night hunting. What a great idea! These are all great products it looks like. I am going to check on the reviews and hopefully be making a purchase very soon.
Pretty! This was an incredibly wonderful post. Many thanks for providing this info.