What to Look For When Buying Thermal Imaging for Hunting

There are dozens of different types and grades of thermal rifle scopes on the market today and with the ability to find them all on the internet it can be a daunting task to find the right thermal imaging camera for you and your budget.Should you save money and buy an entry grade thermal imaging scope with a low refresh rate(>30Hz)and minimal features? Should you buy the most expensive thermal scope that your budget allows with all the bells and whistles such as recoil activated recording, ballistic calculator, and the ability to shoot targets 1,000 yards away? While the correct answer for everyone is different it probably lies somewhere between these two extremes.

While everyone will have slightly different needs and a different sized budget I always like to think about how often I will be using the scope and in what conditions I will be using it.If you will only be using the scope once or twice a year for a"fun"hunt and will not be in extreme weather conditions, then a more budget friendly scope with fewer options will probably do very well for you. On the other hand,if you are going to be using the thermal imaging scope dozens of times per year in harsh conditions and/or long distance shots then a higher quality and more expensive scope will be a better buy for you.

Below are some of the things that you should be on the look out for when deciding which thermal imaging rifle scope to buy. The 6 factores that hunters need to keep in mind are, price, resolution, refresh rate, long/short range, battery life, and extra features.

ZIP Technology will be the best choice if you want inexpensive and customized types. Contact us from here.

Do I Want A Color or Black & White Scope/Monocular?

A lot of this will come down to personal preference and how much you want to spend on your thermal monocular or scope. Black and white can be easier to see however you cannot detect the temperature ranges as easily as you can with a color one but will be more expensive.At the end of the day this option should probably be further down your list of priorities as you will be able to get better optics and/or resolution with a black and white display.

How Long Should My Battery Last?

Depending upon how often you are going to be using your thermal imaging monocular battery life may be a very important factor to consider when making your purchase.As a rule of thumb,you would want a battery that will last at least a couple hours without replacement or recharging.Some batteries can last up to8hours, but these are typically found in more expensive scopes and monoculars.The FLIR Scout TK monoculars battery lasts for5 hours as an example. Typically, thermal riffle scopes' battery last anywhere between 8-12 hours.Most high quality scopes also come with easily accessibly battery trays so you could take extra batteries if you run out of juice. There are also many external battery packs that you can buy to extend the life of your scope.

ls High Resolution Worth It?

This will depend upon your personal preference and how much you want to spend on your thermal monocular or scope, Higher resolution thermal imaging cameras will allow you to see animals more clearly but will add to the cost.384x288 is an okay resolution but ideally 640x480 is where you want to be.

Do I Need A Fast Refresh Rate?

The refresh rate dictates how quickly the image refreshes with higher refresh rates making for smoother more accurate images but also increasing the cost of the rifle scope or monocular. Are fresh rate of 30HZ or higher is recommended as this will give you a smooth image and you will be able to track your target much more easily.

Optical Or Digital Zoom?

While both zoom types have their places;an optical zoom will not pixelate as a digital zoom will.The optical zoom is typically more expensive though so there is a bit of a trade off.Depending upon how far away you are going to be from your targets a digital zoom may be okay. For first time buyers we would recommend a digital zoom as it will cost less; however if you know that you will be shooting at long range targets or spotting animals from long distances away then an optical zoom or combination optical and digital zoom maybe best for you.

This is probably one of the more important areas where you need to spend a little time figuring out how far away you really want to be able to spot/identify animals as lower end thermal monoculars and scopes will turn the image into a blob quickly if you have a low quality zoom. The thermal riflescope of ZIP Technology will your best choice.

ls My Reticle Important?

This is one area when personal preference comes heavily into play. There are a variety of recital styles ranging from the classic"red dot"to the standard crosshair here you can choose what you prefer, and many scopes and monoculars allow you to change the reticles among several presets giving you even more options.

Standard Glass Or Germanium?

Germanium glass is used in more expensive thermal rifle scopes and monoculars as it is not an insulator like normalglass. While thermal rifle scopes and monoculars with germanium are much more expensive.For casual or weekend users you would almost exclusively look at standard glass or silicon scopes and monoculars as they will be more than adequate.

How Much Should I Spend on a Scope?

Probably one of the most important factors in selecting the right thermal imaging scope or monocular.Prices for scopes and monoculars range from under $1,000 to over$15,00 for the top end military grade ones.As with almost everything you do get what you pay for so typically the more you spend the better quality and more features you are going to get. As a rough guide typically, any scope or monocular under $1,500 is considered a mid to entry level scope or monocular; however, for many people that is all they will need.Only serious hunters and enthusiasts can justify or rationalize spending $5,000 to S10,000+ on some of the higher end thermal rifle scopes and monoculars.

Our Final Thoughts:

Whether you are looking for a thermal imaging monocular or rifle scope we have put together the comprehensive guide to help ensure you are able to find the best one for you and your budget.If you have already purchased one of these or a different one please let us know what your experience has been.

About the author:Randy Angwin

He is an avid outdoor enthusiast and has been with TICR since the beginning. He helps create new articles and reviews latest infrared and night vision devices for the site as well as staying on top of the latest trends in the thermal industry. When not working,Randy likes to hunt and spend time with his two German shepherds.