Thermal imaging sights: features and recommendations for choosing

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:40

Modern thermal imaging sights are high-tech devices that allow aimed shooting in all weather conditions, regardless of the level of illumination. Despite the relative high cost of this equipment, it is often used by professional hunters, because a high-quality device allows you to see a wild boar from a distance exceeding 600 meters.

What is a thermal scope?

This equipment has been specially designed for the recognition of living objects in poor lighting conditions. The principle of operation of such a technique is based on fixing the thermal radiation emitted by living beings. In other words, a person using thermal imaging sights can distinguish living objects in total darkness. To date, several varieties of such equipment are produced, differing in quality and design features. depending on distance and conditionsLights in which a heat-radiating object can be discerned distinguish between conventional and professional equipment.

What are the possibilities of a thermal imaging sight for hunting?

A few years ago, such devices were considered a rarity. Due to their high cost, only a limited number of hunters used them, but today the situation has changed dramatically. Manufacturers began to gradually reduce prices, so thermal imaging sights with wide functionality are now available not only to professionals, but also to amateurs.

This device allows you to take the detection and pursuit of an animal to a whole new level, which significantly improves the quality of hunting. Thanks to the thermal radiation emanating from the hidden prey, the hunter can easily find it in complete darkness. Thus, a person using thermal imaging sights gets a huge advantage over the beast.

What to choose - a thermal imager or a night vision device?

These two completely different devices have different capabilities. So, thermal imaging sights are considered a more advanced technique. They allow in absolute darkness to distinguish between animals and people. With their help, you can detect living objects hiding behind trees, in grass and in thickets of bushes. Hunting thermal cameras allow you to increase the range and clarity of the image, therefore, prey can be seen even in bad weather conditions.

Main part,What distinguishes thermal imagers from night vision devices is the impossibility of recognizing inscriptions, stripes and other small details. However, unlike military personnel, it is much more important for a hunter to consider the heat signature. To make an accurate shot, it is enough to see only the outlines of the beast.

Advantages of new generation scopes

Most manufacturers of this equipment are constantly expanding the capabilities of their models. Pulsar thermal imaging sights are considered one of the best. Due to their high resolution, they allow you to detect a target at long distances. A clear image that is understandable to the human eye makes it possible to calmly aim. Apex thermal sights equipped with an anti-shock system can be combined with gun modules of any caliber. Thanks to the presence of the Picatinny rail, it can be equipped with additional equipment.

What to look for when buying a device?

One of the most important criteria is image clarity. The accuracy and clarity of the display of the object in the sight directly depends on the resolution. The higher this value, the better the picture quality. For those who find it too difficult to navigate on a monochrome display, we can recommend paying special attention to models equipped with a color screen. Fans of winter hunting should purchase a device with an OLED display that is resistant to sub-zero temperatures. Choosing between field of view andmultiplicity, it is necessary to take into account the preferred type of hunting. The refresh rate must be at least 50 Hz.

Dimensions, weight, resistance to recoil and the material from which the body of the sight is made must be selected taking into account the weapon used. For those who plan to hunt for more than one day, care should be taken to provide the ability to connect to external power sources. Some models have additional options. So, the presence of a video output allows you to record the resulting picture, and if necessary, transfer it to a computer or other external device. When choosing a device, you need to focus on its technical characteristics.

Device cost

Of course, the prices for thermal imagers cannot be called affordable for the majority of hunters. The cost of such equipment ranges from 2,700 to 24,000 dollars. Today, many companies produce expensive equipment, stuffed with various additional features. The high cost of thermal imagers is due to the presence of such components as a matrix and a lens. If a lot of effort and finances are spent on the production of the matrix, then expensive materials are used to manufacture the lens. Hunters who decide to get a thermal imaging sight do not have to purchase expensive models. You can limit yourself to a budget option that does not have such additional functions as a ballistic computer or rangefinder. Even the cheapest devices are able to cope with the tasks assigned to them.