Things to Consider When Buying a Thermal Rifle Scope

Aaron Spuler is a firearms enthusiast and recreational shooter. Follow more or his work at The Weapon Blog

There are many different types of thermal rifle scopes at many different price points to satisfy required feature set, be it for military, security, or hunting scenarios. There are also many knock-off type scopes or low cost “commercial” scopes that have a questionable long-term value.

But if you are going to spend thousands on a precision thermal sighting system, it makes sense to invest in a rugged, premium piece that will give you years of service.

Things to consider: Thermal scope or night vision scope

Aren’t night vision and thermal imaging scopes the same thing? No, although they both help you see in low-light conditions. They use different methods:

• Night vision scopes, being image-enhancement technology, uses electronics and amplifies the amount of light in dark circumstances and uses this light to enable you to view in the dark. If there is no light, night vision will not generate an image, unlike thermal imaging.
•  
• Thermal imaging works by detecting the heat (IR radiation) being given off by an object, such as an animal, a human or car, that’s why such unit may be used in complete darkness.

Moreover, thermal rifle scopes are passive infrared weapon sighting systems which allow operators to spot heat signatures day or night – in rain, through deep/tall grass, fog, dust, and smoke.

Such characteristics make thermal scopes more effective in certain applications. Here is why.

Police and security officers can use both thermal and night vision scopes, particularly for surveillance, but a thermal system will deliver more effective detection in such environmental conditions as fog, dust, or smoke. Hunters can use night-vision devices (NVDs) to maneuver through the woods at night, but a thermal type of scope will be more effective for spotting a resting or otherwise still animal in thick foliage or wooded areas. And rescue teams can more easily locate an injured or unconscious person or other signs of life on land or in water even in fog or smoke, and day or night. 

Specs to look for when choosing a thermal scope

When you are on the look-out for the type of scope you need and the amount of money you want to invest in it, take time to get to know some of the most important features you will need your thermal rifle scope have.

Magnification

Magnification is the ability of a thermal scope to enlarge a distant object by magnifying it. Most thermal scopes come with specific details regarding their optimal magnification distances. Note that a greater magnification may reduce the resolution of the image and the refresh rate may be slightly slower.

Resolution of the scope and sensor

You need to know what your thermal sensor resolution is, not just the resolution of the scope. Some scopes will have an 800×600 display but a thermal sensor that is only 320×240. This means that your thermal image is never going to be as clear as the same scope with an 640×480 thermal sensor.

Scope Detection Range

A very high-quality thermal scope will allow you to positively identify the target at up to 4,000 yards while an entry level scope can limit you to 1,000 meters or less.

Reticle pattern

Some thermal scopes come with a four-line standard reticle while other may feature a single-dot reticle for pinpoint accuracy. If you’re going to go night-hunting using a thermal scope, a crosshair four-line reticle will be very useful.

Refresh Rate

As a general rule of thumb, the more frequently a scope refreshes the scene, the more clearly will you be able to detect any movements in the scene.

Zoom type

A digital zoom magnifies by using software, and it’s more affordable. An optical zoom, on the other hand, makes use of a lens and delivers a crisper image, but it’s pricier.

Lens diameter

The bigger diameter of the lens is large, the greater field of view. Also more expensive and heavier.

Battery life

A good quality thermal scope may offer power for nearly 8 hours after a single charge.

Warranty

Thermal rifle scopes are a big investment, so you should pay attention to the warranty length.

Sii WS thermal rifle scope

We have come across a rifle scope that satisfies all the parameters above and has a great price/value ratio.

The Sii WS Thermal Rifle Scope is a one-stop solution, as it functions both day and night without the hassle of switching from a day scope to a night vision scope.

The scope features variable-focus, multicoated lens and a manually adjustable reticle. It has a rugged body, solidly built for many years of service, and easily attaches to carabines and rifles with up to 0.5 caliber.

It comes in different lens sizes (45mm, 60mm, 75mm, 100mm, and 140mm) to choose from for your specific needs.

The product has been developed with security and law enforcement in mind, as well as for long range hunting activities (2,000 m / 4,000 m or 6,550 ft / 13,100 ft). Great for a hunter, shooting at fast-moving targets will be comfortable thanks its 60 Hz refresh rate.

Mobile and compact, the scope is designed to be taken anywhere with rugged field conditions. It is lightweight too, weighing less than 1 kg (2.2 lb) with batteries inside which is perfect for scouting the area or tracking game animals.

It offers a lot of magnification for the price, when compared to other night vision optics, and features digital zoom (x1, x2, x3, x4).

The scope boasts a long battery life with 9 hours of operation. The interface used to operate the scope is nice and easy to understand.

One thing that is very cool – shutterless thermal core design, which means it doesn’t make acoustic noise. It won’t spook an animal on a hunting trip or won’t alert an adversary on a covert surveillance outing.

Overall, this thermal rifle scope offers quite unparalleled combination of lightweight construction, premium performance, and affordable price. It was manufactured by a reputable company with years in this business, based in Israel – a country known for its defense and military technology. We don’t think anyone in the security, defense, or hunting business can go wrong with purchasing this product.