This post will shed some light on some of the features and capabilities of two of the most important iRay USA thermal scopes on the market right now, the Hybrid Compact HCH50R and the RICO Micro RH25 V2.
Here’s what you should know.
About the Hybrid Compact HCH50R
The HCH50R is the industry’s first thermal scope with a 10μm thermal sensor, which doesn’t just mean greater clarity (though it does); it also means much greater speed.
With such a sensitive thermal sensor, the HCH50R offers extremely low latency architecture - as fast as 15ms - for a lag-free viewing experience. It increases pixel density by 44%; this, paired with an extremely fast 60Hz frame rate makes the HCH50R effectively the fastest, smoothest thermal scope on the market right now.
In addition to speed, thanks to its low NETD rating (15mK or better), this thermal scope offers extremely detailed, clear sight pictures with high clarity, even in adverse conditions, like rain or high humidity. The 1440x1080 AMOLED display captures and relays these details with incredible fidelity.
In addition, the iRay USA thermal scope offers some other significant features and benefits. It also sports an integrated laser rangefinder, as well as a ballistic calculator that will enable much more accurate, confident shooting.
The HCH50R also offers onboard photo and video recording, 64gb of internal storage, and is powered by rechargeable, 18650-style battery that offers long battery life and performance, even in relatively high and low temperatures, especially on the low end. This thermal scope will function in temperatures as low as 25℉. Two batteries are included with the unit.
Despite its advanced performance, this iRay USA thermal scope also offers a lot of user-friendly features, such as a simplified button layout and focus controls, and a manual focus lens.
On top of the top-tier speed and performance this thermal scope offers, it also delivers unparalleled versatility. In addition to its ability to function as a dedicated thermal rifle scope (with a DLOC precision QD rail mount), it can be used as a handheld thermal monocular and a clip-on thermal unit - big news if you like your current scope and want to adapt it, rather than replace it.
About the Iray USA RICO Micro RH25 V2
Smaller and lighter than the HCH50R, the iRay USA RICO Micro RH25 is another alternative that might offer what you need in a more compact, more accessible package.
Though it is not as fast as the HCH50R, its specification guarantees high performance and clarity; it sports a 12μm thermal sensor with a frame rate of 60Hz and a NETD rating of 15mK or better. Though it’s not quite as fast as the former entry, it still supports a lag-free, high-clarity experience, even under less than ideal conditions.
The AMOLED display of the iRay RH25 V2 also offers a 1440x1080 resolution, providing a crisp, clear, high-quality sight picture.
It won’t perform as well in the cold as the HCH50R (operating temperature range is only down to -4℉), but it does offer some of the other comparable performance specifications; like the former, it is powered by a rechargeable 18650-style battery, it offers video and image recording with 64gb of onboard storage. It does not, however, have a rangefinder.
It is much smaller and lighter, however, and it only weighs about half as much as the HCH50R.
Another thing you’ll also appreciate about this iRay USA thermal scope is that, like the HCH50R, it can be used not only as a rifle scope, but also detached and used as a thermal scanner, as well as a clip-on thermal scope, which means you don’t need to replace your current glass optic, if you like its features and performance - just mount this thermal scope to the rail ahead of it as needed.
Which Thermal Scope Should You Get?
Which of these two thermal scopes is for you should be determined by what you need.
If price is not a concern for you, and you need a very high-quality, super-fast thermal scope that offers lag-free target tracking, then the HCH50R is the better bet, especially if you are often out in subzero temperatures.
If you need a lighter scope that is still fairly fast, but one that is a little more cost-effective, then the RICO Micro RH25 V2 is likely the better bet. It captures most of the performance, and versatility, of the HCH50R, in a smaller, more affordable package.
Ultimately, however, it comes down to what you’re looking for, and these are only two of the iRay USA thermal scopes we offer here.
Contact Us If You Have Questions About Thermal Scopes
Not sure which of these thermal scopes is for you, or if there is a better option on the market? Get in touch with Dark Night Outdoors directly at 309-781-8421 and we will be more than happy to field your questions; we’ll even make personalized recommendations based on what you think you need.
