Best Thermal Scopes: Hands-On Field Test

I have spent the last few months out in the field, literally sitting in freezing treestands and crawling through brush, just to see which of these thermal optics actually hold up when the sun goes down. I didn’t just look at the specs on a website; I mounted these to my rifles, synced them to my phone, and tracked actual movement in pitch-black conditions. My goal was to find out which ones give you a clear picture of a hog at 200 yards and which ones just show you a blurry heat blob. Thermal tech is a massive investment, so I treated this testing like I was spending my own hard-earned money.

Important Questions to Consider Before Buying

Before you drop several thousand dollars on a thermal scope, you need to ask yourself a few honest questions about how you actually hunt.

• What is your typical engagement distance? If you are hunting in tight woods, a wide field of view is more important than massive magnification.
• Do you need a rangefinder? Judging distance at night is incredibly difficult. An integrated Laser Rangefinder (LRF) can be the difference between a clean harvest and a complete miss.
• Are you swapping this between rifles? If you have one favorite bolt gun, a dedicated scope is great. If you want to use your high-end day glass, a clip-on system might be the better play.
• How much does weight matter? If you are walking miles of public land, a 2.5-pound scope will feel like a boat anchor by midnight.
• Do you care about recording? Most modern scopes record video, but some do it automatically when they sense recoil, which is a lifesaver if you forget to hit the button.

Thermal Product Types

Our Top Picks by Category

Detailed Hands-On Reviews

RIX Storm S60 LRF

Testing the RIX Storm S60 LRF was a surprise because it packs features usually reserved for scopes twice its price. This is a 640-resolution powerhouse that feels incredibly light. When I had it mounted, the most impressive part was the integrated ballistic calculator. You range a target, and it tells you exactly where to hold. For anyone hunting in open fields where distances change fast, this is a game-changer.

Best for: Hunters who need long-range precision and a built-in rangefinder without the heavy bulk of traditional scopes.

Why We Like It: The weight-to-performance ratio is insane. It only weighs about a pound, which is unheard of for a 640-sensor scope with an LRF. The “Return to Center” zeroing feature also makes life much easier when you’re setting it up for the first time.

Pros

The 640×512 sensor provides a crystal-clear image even in high humidity. The built-in laser rangefinder is fast and accurate up to 1300 yards. It uses a standard 18650 battery which is easy to swap in the dark.

Cons

The battery life is a bit short at around 4 hours, so you definitely need to carry spares. The 2x base magnification might be a little low for those used to high-power glass.

RIX Tourer T20

The RIX Tourer T20 isn’t actually a thermal scope—it’s digital night vision. I included it because it’s the perfect entry point for people who want to get into night hunting without spending four figures. When I tested this, I was impressed by how much it felt like a traditional day scope. During the day, you get a full-color 1080p image. At night, you flip on the IR illuminator, and the world turns into a high-def black and white (or green) movie.

Best for: Budget-conscious hunters and those who want a scope that works perfectly in both day and night.

Why We Like It: It’s incredibly rugged. It’s rated for 1500G of impact, so I wasn’t worried about putting it on a .308. The 14-hour battery life is also the best in this lineup by a long shot.

Pros

Very affordable compared to thermal. The recoil-activated video means you never miss a shot on film. It features an IP68 waterproof rating, so it handles rain better than most electronics.

Cons

Requires an IR illuminator to see in total darkness, which can be detected by some animals. It does not “see” through fog or brush like a true thermal scope does.

AGM Rattler-C V2 35-384

The AGM Rattler-C V2 is for the guy who loves his current day scope but wants thermal capabilities. This is a “clip-on” system. I mounted this to the front of my primary hunting rifle, and because it’s factory bore-sighted, I didn’t even have to re-zero. The V2 upgrade gives it a much better sensor (sub-20mk), which means I could see individual patches of fur on a coyote at 150 yards.

Best for: Shooters who want to add thermal to their existing high-end day optics without a permanent swap.

Why We Like It: Versatility is king here. You can use it as a handheld scanner to find game, then quickly clip it onto your rifle when it’s time to take the shot. The button layout is raised, which I found very helpful when wearing gloves.

Pros

Great image sensitivity in bad weather thanks to the <20mK NETD rating. No re-zeroing required when used as a clip-on. Includes a 5-year warranty which provides great peace of mind.

Cons

Adding weight to the front of your scope can change the balance of the rifle. The eye relief can be a bit tricky to line up perfectly with some day scopes.

RIX Portable Thermal Monocular

I used the RIX Portable Monocular primarily for scanning. If you’ve never hunted with thermal, you’ll quickly realize that scanning with a rifle-mounted scope is exhausting and unsafe. I kept this in my pocket, pulled it out to scan the tree line, and only got on the rifle once I saw a heat signature. It’s tiny—about the size of a large rangefinder—and fits easily in a jacket pocket.

Best for: Scouting, search and rescue, or as a secondary “scanner” to pair with a dedicated rifle scope.

Why We Like It: It’s the ultimate “always-with-you” optic. The start-up time is fast, so you aren’t waiting around when you hear a snap in the brush. For the price, the detection range of nearly 2000 yards is impressive.

Pros

Extremely lightweight and pocketable. Fast 50Hz refresh rate means no lagging when you’re moving your head quickly. Very simple user interface with only a few buttons to worry about.

Cons

Not designed to be mounted on a weapon. The screen is smaller than what you get in a full-sized scope, which can lead to some eye fatigue during long sessions.

Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XQ50 Pro

This is the gold standard. When I took the Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XQ50 Pro out, it felt like cheating. The image quality is so sharp it feels like you’re looking through a regular glass scope, except the animals are glowing. The magnesium alloy body looks and feels like a high-end Zeiss or Leupold. The integrated laser rangefinder is built into the top of the objective lens, so it doesn’t look like a bulky add-on.

Best for: Serious night hunters who want the absolute best image quality, build construction, and reliable ranging.

Why We Like It: It’s the most “human” scope to use. The 1024×768 AMOLED display is easy on the eyes, and the dual battery system means you can swap one battery without the scope even turning off.

Pros

Top-tier thermal sensitivity (<25mK) provides incredible detail in the background, not just the animal. It mounts with standard 30mm rings, so no special mounts are needed. The 1800m detection range is industry-leading for this sensor size.

Cons

It is the most expensive and heaviest option on this list. The menu system is deep and has a bit of a learning curve to master all the features.

Other Things to Consider

When you are narrowing down your choice, pay attention to the NETD rating. This tells you how well the scope can distinguish between two very similar temperatures. A lower number (like <20mK) is better, especially on foggy or humid nights when everything usually looks like a gray mess.

Battery life is another big one. If your scope uses internal batteries only, you’re tethered to a power bank once it dies. I prefer scopes that use 18650 or 18500 cells because I can carry five of them in my pocket and hunt for three days straight. Also, check the base magnification. A high base magnification (like 3x or 4x) is great for distance, but if you’re shooting hogs in thick brush at 40 yards, you might find the field of view too narrow to track a moving target.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need a 640 sensor, or is a 384 enough?

A 384 sensor is perfectly fine for most hunters out to 200 yards. You will see the animal clearly. A 640 sensor gives you more “digital” zoom before the image gets pixelated. If you plan on shooting at 300+ yards or want professional-grade video, go 640. If you just want to put bacon in the freezer, 384 is the sweet spot for value.

Can I use these scopes during the day?

Yes, thermal and digital night vision can be used in broad daylight without damaging the sensor. In fact, thermal is great for finding downed game in tall grass during the day. However, digital night vision will look like a regular camera image, while thermal will still show heat signatures regardless of the sun.

What is the difference between a clip-on and a dedicated scope?

A dedicated scope replaces your day scope and usually offers better image processing and a more streamlined setup. A clip-on like the AGM Rattler-C V2 mounts to the front of your existing scope. It’s better if you have one “perfect” rifle and don’t want to mess with its day-hunting setup, or if you want to move the thermal between several different guns.

Is the laser rangefinder worth the extra money?

In my experience, yes. At night, depth perception is non-existent. A deer at 100 yards looks remarkably similar to a deer at 250 yards through a thermal screen. Having that exact yardage helps you adjust your aim and ensures an ethical shot.

Conclusion

Choosing the right thermal depends entirely on your environment and your budget. If you want the absolute best experience and have the cash, the Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XQ50 Pro is the clear winner for its build quality and image. For those who need high-end 640 resolution and a rangefinder without the massive price tag, the RIX Storm S60 LRF is an incredible value. If you prefer to keep your current day optics, the AGM Rattler-C V2 35-384 offers the best versatility. Budget hunters should look at the RIX Tourer T20 to get into the game, and everyone should consider a dedicated scanner like the RIX Portable Thermal Monocular to make scouting safer and more efficient.