Thermal rifle scopes offer nocturnal sportsmen a whole world of functionality and usability that conventional optics, even night vision, just can’t offer.
They can be used for scouting and scanning, as well as for actually taking the shot. Moreover, many are equipped with ballistic calculators that further increase their value in the field.
Plus, even when compared to standard night vision (which relies on the amplification of ambient light) thermal optics actually work in complete darkness, and are much more effective at identifying warm-blooded targets.
There’s just one problem (potentially). Let’s just say you love the scope that’s currently on your rifle and you don’t want to replace it.
Or, let’s say that you already use the rifle during the day and intend to continue that, but you’d like to use it for nocturnal hunting, too, such as for hog hunting or predator control.
That does somewhat complicate the matter of what optic you should have on the rail, especially if the rifle is already scoped and you like the scope you’ve chosen for it.
There is, however, a solution that will equip the rifle with a thermal optic, and which will not require you to replace or even interrupt the scope you currently have on there.
It’s called a clip-on thermal rifle scope. Here’s what you should know.
How It Works
A clip-on thermal rifle scope is the solution for any sportsman that wants to introduce thermal capabilities to his or her rifle without removing its current scope.
To keep things as basic as possible, a clip-on thermal rifle scope is basically exactly what it sounds like. It’s a fully-functional thermal optic that simply clips onto the rail in front of your existing scope.
Doing so eliminates the need for you to remove your current scope, which has much farther reaching implications. For one thing, not needing to remove the scope frees you from the need to calibrate and then re-zero the rifle once you’ve swapped the optic.
It is also the case that some clip-on thermal optics are more affordable than other larger, fully-featured thermal scopes, despite the fact that some of them can serve as dedicated thermal scopes to begin with.
Also, because a clip-on thermal scope is piggybacking off the functionality of your existing optic, it doesn’t necessarily need a series of advanced features like a dedicated thermal scope might need. It can ride off your existing scope’s magnification capabilities as well as off of its reticle.
This makes the option to outfit your rifle with a clip-on optic one of the most flexible and versatile ones at your disposal. It’s also the clear option if your rifle is already scoped and, for whatever reason, you do not want to remove or replace the scope you currently have on the rail.
The Advantages of a Clip-on Thermal Rifle Scope
For some sportsmen, the flexibility of a clip-on thermal scope actually offers more value than a dedicated thermal rifle scope. Here are some of the main value-adds of going this option rather than replacing your current scope with a dedicated thermal option:
- While this is not always the case, it is generally true that clip-on thermal optics represent a smaller initial investment than dedicated thermal rifle scopes, making them more attractive to some hunters.
- Clip-on thermal optics utilize the zero of your existing scope, and do not require their own zero. This makes installation and use a lot faster. You can clip a thermal optic onto your rail and use the scope in the same day, without a separate trip to the range to sight-in.
- Because they do not require their own zero, clip-on thermal optics are a more flexible and less permanent solution. They can be installed on the rail and removed from it as desired.
- In the same vein, a clip-on thermal optic can be removed during the daytime so you can use your conventional glass optic when ambient light allows. This increases the potential utility of one rifle platform significantly.
- Because you’ll be using your existing scope with a clip-on, your muscle memory will be intact, as will be your familiarity with your optical setup. That is, you won’t need to learn how to use a separate, new thermal scope.
- The overall weight and footprint of clip-on thermal optics tends to be lower than that of full-size, dedicated thermal rifle scopes.
These advantages and others can make clip-on thermal optics the preferred choice for some sportsmen. This being the case, here are two observations we have for you to ensure you get the most from your clip-on thermal optic and that it performs as intended, should you go that route:
- Don’t overtighten mounts when installing the clip-on. This can warp the adapter and potentially shift the optical alignment of the scope.
- Make sure the focus distance is properly set/calibrated, otherwise you may notice distorted or blurry sight pictures at certain ranges.
What Are Some Good Clip-on Thermal Rifle Scopes?
There are a wide range of thermal scopes on the market that can serve as clip-on scopes. Some of these models are:
- RICO Hybrid 384 3X 50mm
- RICO Hybrid 640 4X 75mm
- RICO Micro RH25 V2
- InfiRay Hybrid Compact 3.5x 50mm
- Nocpix SLIM H35
These are only a few of the models on the market that can serve in the capacity of a clip-on thermal scope, but this list represents a good place to start if you’re considering a clip-on scope rather than a dedicated thermal rifle scope.
Not Sure Which Thermal Scope Is Best for You?
Considering getting a clip-on thermal rifle scope to augment one of your rifle’s current optics setups, but not sure which is for you? Get in touch with us and we will be more than happy to explore your options and even make personalized recommendations based on your intended application. Give us a call at 309-781-8421 and we’ll help you out.
