Thermal scope questions

[jimmywallstreet]

OK fellow participants I’ve got a question…
I am seeking out a thermal scope, and wanted to get some honest advice on the difference in say generation three technology versus 4 versus 5? Is there really that much of a difference between last year‘s models and this year‘s models with respect to clarity, effective range, and overall improvements? i’m also not interested in spending five grand or more to get a military grade version and appreciate any guidance.

 

[mdwest]

What sort of budget do you have? and what sort of ranges are you planning on using it at? and for what specific purposes (size of game? location and time of year? etc)...

If youre talking hog hunting at night at ranges of 200 yards or less in Texas mid spring time.. pretty much any thermal in the 256 class or better will do what you need.. you'll be able to spot heat at much greater distances than that.. and within 200 yards be able to actually identify the target, know what you are shooting at, etc. (situation dependent.. the cooler the weather the easier to do.. )..

If youre talking about trying to spot deer at 400-600 yards 45 minutes before first light to determine whether there is a big stag/buck in the herd or not so you can position yourself in the best possible place once there is legal shooting light (similar to what our guide did in Ireland last year).. youre going to need to step into a higher end optic..

the way over simplified answer is "it depends".. a $1500 thermal can handle the job for the majority of scenarios that most people are going to commonly encounter... but depending on what you want to do.. $5K might be your entry point..

 

[jimmywallstreet]

Thanks for the response. My main focus would be night hunting for hogs or predator hunting here in Texas. My budget I suppose would be 2 to 4K. I guess my biggest factor is wanting a scope that has decent or good to impressive resolution out to probably 200 yards max, I tried to embrace night vision first but it seems like I was always too far behind in my willingness to pay the price needed to capture the best quality at the time back in the generation two or gen three years. I wasn’t sure if it’s the same way with thermal in today’s world?

 

[Sideshow]

Not sure if you can get these in the states. But have a look at the InRay clip on models. They just clip onto the front of your scope. No need to rezero you can start hunting at dusk and carry on into night.
The C series will be what your looking for. https://infirayuk.co.uk/collections/thermal-imaging-clip-on-attachments

Or you could do the same thing with QD mounts. Used alongside your thermal handheld.
Was out the other night with the MAH50. Great bit of kit.
Good luck.

 

[mdwest]

There are a lot of very good options in the 2-4K range..

On the lower end I'd look at AGM and Sightmark options in the 384 resolution range.. that will get you out to 200 yards easily with enough clarity to tell what you are looking at, where the kill zone is, etc...

Honestly 256 resolution will also get it done at 200 yards.. but not with the same resolution..

If youre willing to get closer to 4K.. consider a 640 resolution optic..

You can get a Pulsar Thermion that fits into standard 30mm rings.. that is capable of handling anything up to a 375 H&H in recoil.. and heat detection capability out to 1800 yards for just under $3K (EuroOptic has them on sale right now)..

a buddy of mine has one.. he is a serious thermal snob.. has some very high end units.. and he advises the thermion is every bit as good, and better than some of the more expensive units.. he absolutely loves his..

Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ35 Pro Thermal Riflescope PL76541

FREE SHIPPING on Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ35 Pro Thermal Riflescope PL76541

www.eurooptic.com

 

[Sideshow]

Looks like they don’t cover you guys but there must be something similar over there. QD mounts would be the way to go. Although the clip on the front of your scope is so handy. No need to change rifle or scope. Just mount on the front clamp down and your into it. From day scope to thermal in 30sec

 

[jimmywallstreet]

Looks like they don’t cover you guys but there must be something similar over there. QD mounts would be the way to go. Although the clip on the front of your scope is so handy. No need to change rifle or scope. Just mount on the front clamp down and your into it. From day scope to thermal in 30sec

Thanks. I’ll check them out

 

[jimmywallstreet]

There are a lot of very good options in the 2-4K range..

On the lower end I'd look at AGM and Sightmark options in the 384 resolution range.. that will get you out to 200 yards easily with enough clarity to tell what you are looking at, where the kill zone is, etc...

Honestly 256 resolution will also get it done at 200 yards.. but not with the same resolution..

If youre willing to get closer to 4K.. consider a 640 resolution optic..

You can get a Pulsar Thermion that fits into standard 30mm rings.. that is capable of handling anything up to a 375 H&H in recoil.. and heat detection capability out to 1800 yards for just under $3K (EuroOptic has them on sale right now)..

a buddy of mine has one.. he is a serious thermal snob.. has some very high end units.. and he advises the thermion is every bit as good, and better than some of the more expensive units.. he absolutely loves his..

Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ35 Pro Thermal Riflescope PL76541

FREE SHIPPING on Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ35 Pro Thermal Riflescope PL76541

www.eurooptic.com

Thanks for the info

 

[Sideshow]

You may find similar in the US but just branded under a different name.
for example see here if you scroll down the Liemke 50 is the same as the InfiRay 50 might look different in the pic but there not.

Thermal Imaging Clip-On Systems - Optics Trade

Thermal Imaging Clip-On Systems

www.optics-trade.eu

 

[spotnspook]

The question you're asking is a matter of resolution and sensor size (which equates to field of view), without wasting too much time and effort my best advice would be to buy a small cheap spotter, something like ATNs OTIS line (lower mag the better) and play around with it. Then you'll have a better grasp of the world you're stepping into without all of the upfront cost. PS, you need a spotter (monocular) and a rifle sight to be effective, so this checks one of those bases.

 

[jimmywallstreet]

Good points. I already have an Otis but using it for a spotter had not crossed my mind.

 

[Sideshow]

And use your non shooting eye to spot.

 

[uplander01]

Look at Fusion Thermal, extremely high quality stuff for reasonable $.

 

[MLindsay]

I have a fusion thermal scope and it is unbelievable quality. I really use it for a monocular during deer season just for fun before daylight. What I would really like is an inexpensive clip on for use under 100 yards. Many of us do not record or do anything but shoot hogs under 100 yards!!

 

[Philip Glass]

There are a lot of very good options in the 2-4K range..

On the lower end I'd look at AGM and Sightmark options in the 384 resolution range.. that will get you out to 200 yards easily with enough clarity to tell what you are looking at, where the kill zone is, etc...

Honestly 256 resolution will also get it done at 200 yards.. but not with the same resolution..

If youre willing to get closer to 4K.. consider a 640 resolution optic..

You can get a Pulsar Thermion that fits into standard 30mm rings.. that is capable of handling anything up to a 375 H&H in recoil.. and heat detection capability out to 1800 yards for just under $3K (EuroOptic has them on sale right now)..

a buddy of mine has one.. he is a serious thermal snob.. has some very high end units.. and he advises the thermion is every bit as good, and better than some of the more expensive units.. he absolutely loves his..

Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ35 Pro Thermal Riflescope PL76541

FREE SHIPPING on Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ35 Pro Thermal Riflescope PL76541

www.eurooptic.com

This is what I am looking at. I want one that looks like a regular scope for traveling and uses normal scope rings so I can go on and off our Blaser R8's with it.
I too have questions about quality differences from $3k-$4k-$5k? It is confusing with so many manufacturers and models these days. I just want a guru to tell me what to buy!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Best Thermal Scopes [All Budgets]

Looking to own the night? We walk you through a our favorite thermal scopes for your AR-15 or bolt gun to take your hunt to the next level.

www.pewpewtactical.com

The Best Thermal Scopes of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

We tested the best thermal scopes and clip ons for their detection range, resolution, ease of use, and more while coyote hunting.

www.outdoorlife.com

Best Thermal Scopes of 2024, According to Experts

The best thermal scopes can help take your hunting to the next level. Review our top picks for rifles, long range, and night hunting from AGM, ATN, Pulsar, and more.

www.fieldandstream.com

 

[mdwest]

If you’re willing to go $5k look at pulsar and iray IMO… very high quality, very durable… and extremely capable… 640 resolution will let you see heat out to almost 2000 yards and get a clear picture on what you’re looking at several hundred yards away…

Lots of options available in terms of whether you want the optic to Bluetooth to your phone, have a built in range finder, record audio and video, etc etc… those add costs.. that’s generally what’s going to drive cost differences once you get to the 640 resolution level…

I’m definitely not a guru.. but have done a lot of recent research and talked to a few gurus… if you’re wanting something that is high quality that also fits into 30mm rings I think pulsars thermion line is probably the best option…

 

[DillonG]

I’ve only tried a pulsar thermion. They are pricey, but it does range and has a good resolution.

 

[mdwest]

For what its worth, Scheels just put several thermal monoculars and a few scopes on a really good sale..

https://www.scheels.com/c/optics-scopes/sale?start=0&sz=23

I paid $3500 for my Pulsar Axion 2 LRF.. Its $2999 right now..

 

[Daisy]

OK fellow participants I’ve got a question…
I am seeking out a thermal scope, and wanted to get some honest advice on the difference in say generation three technology versus 4 versus 5? Is there really that much of a difference between last year‘s models and this year‘s models with respect to clarity, effective range, and overall improvements? i’m also not interested in spending five grand or more to get a military grade version and appreciate any guidance.

Yes. The site picture improves every generation.

I run pulsar. I have thermion duo Dxp50 and the helion xp50 pro handheld. It is amazing how far tech has come.