The best thermal scope for you might not be the best thermal scope for another hunter with different requirements and preferences.
Furthermore, there are a lot of different options out there, and on top of that, thermal scopes aren’t particularly cheap. That being the case, it pays (literally) to know what you’re getting.
The following are some of the features to evaluate in a thermal scope to determine how suitable it is (or isn’t) for your intended uses.
- Sensor resolution. Holding all else equal, the higher the sensor resolution, the higher the quality and clarity of the sight picture on the display will be. A higher sensor resolution is also related to a higher price, but you often get what you pay for.
- NETD rating. NETD rating gives an indication of how sensitive a thermal scope is to temperature gradients. The lower the NETD rating, the sharper and clearer the image will be.
- Pixel pitch. Pixel pitch is the distance between the center of one pixel to the next, and the smaller the pitch, the more sensitive the scope will be. A smaller pixel pitch is also generally related to a higher speed.
- Detection range. Many quality thermal scopes have a detection range of a mile or more, giving you the flexibility to detect warm-blooded targets very far off.
- Whether or not it has an integrated laser rangefinder. Some of the best thermal scopes out there have integrated rangefinders that enable you to accurately range targets. Some are also integrated with onboard ballistic calculators that give you the flexibility to execute confident and accurate shots.
- The type of battery it takes (and battery life). Many thermal scopes are powered by removable, rechargeable lithium batteries that offer a battery life of more than 5 hours, even in the cold. Some can also be hot-swapped, preventing interruptions to power.
- Most thermal scopes are designed to be mounted to a rifle’s rail over the receiver, but some can be helmet mounted, run freehand as a monocular, or even used as a clip-on optic to convert a conventional glass optic into a thermal one.
- Size and weight. How large and heavy a thermal scope is will impact your fatigue in the field as well as your handling of your rifle or shotgun.
- Form factor and controls. Some thermal scopes are more ergonomic, intuitive, and easier to operate in complete darkness than others.
- Display palettes. Many high-quality thermal scopes offer more than one display color palette, including some low-light suitable ones like crimson and viridian.
- IP rating. High-quality thermal scopes boast a high IP rating against moisture and particulate ingress, making them more suitable for operation in the elements.
It should be noted that this list is neither complete nor comprehensive, but it does represent a good jumping off point for you to get started evaluating the features offered by a thermal scope and if it can do what you need it to.
Not Sure What the Best Thermal Scope for You Is?
If at the end of this you’re still not sure what the best thermal scope is for you, get in touch with the customer service folks at Dark Night Outdoors. They specialize in thermal scopes (as well as other thermal optics like binoculars, monoculars, and clip-on devices) from the top brands, such as PULSAR, Nocpix, iRay, and DNT, and can help you find one that works for you. They’ll even make personalized recommendations. Get in touch with them at 309-781-8421, let them know what you’re looking for, and they’ll help you out.
For more information about Iray Rh25 and Rix Thermal Scope Please visit: Dark Night Outdoors LLC.
