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Helmet Mountable
A helmet mounted thermal frees both hands. Instead of lifting a monocular every few steps, you look through it while you walk, glass a field edge or carry the rifle on a stalk. For hog hunters working into a feeding field at night, that changes how you move.
Monoculars built to mount
These are small, light thermal monoculars that work in the hand or on a helmet. From InfiRay, the RICO Micro RH25 V2 runs a 640x480 sensor with a 25mm lens, the RICO Micro V2 (RL25V2) pairs a 384x288 sensor with a 25mm lens, and the RICO MICRO 384 is a 12 micron, 25mm multi-purpose monocular. The NOCPIX MINI 2 H25 is a hybrid thermal and night vision unit, a good fit if you want helmet mountable night vision and thermal in one device. RIX rounds out the group with the STRIDE ST6, ST6 LITE and ST3 LITE.
Choosing a thermal monocular for helmet use
Weight matters most, since every ounce hangs off the front of your head. After that, compare resolution (640 vs 384) and decide whether you want thermal only or a hybrid. You'll also need the right shoe or adapter to join the monocular to your mount. We carry shoes, bridges and mounts for these units in our helmet mounts section, so you can put together a complete thermal helmet setup in one order. Questions about what fits? Call (309) 781-8421.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a helmet mounted display?
It's a screen held in front of your eye by a mount on your helmet. With a thermal monocular like the RICO Micro, the monocular's own eyepiece becomes that display, so you see the thermal image with one eye while the other keeps natural vision. Many mounts let you flip it up when you need both eyes.
What is the best thermal monocular for helmet mounting?
The lightest one that gives you the picture you need, since every ounce hangs off the front of your head. The InfiRay RICO Micro RH25 V2 runs a 640x480 sensor, the RICO Micro V2 (RL25V2) a 384x288, and the NOCPIX MINI 2 H25 adds night vision in one unit. You'll also need the right shoe for your mount.
Is it illegal to have a thermal monocular?
No. Owning a thermal monocular is legal across the US. Some units have export restrictions, so we ship inside the USA only. Hunting with one is set by your state, which may limit night hunting or thermal use by species, so read your regulations before you wear one into a hog field.
Which is better, thermal or infrared night vision?
Thermal is a type of infrared: it reads the heat animals give off, so it needs no light at all. Infrared night vision uses an IR illuminator to light the scene. On a helmet, thermal is simpler to use while walking. If you want both, the NOCPIX MINI 2 H25 combines thermal and night vision in one unit.
Can thermal vision see through walls?
No. Thermal can't see through walls, glass, or thick cover. It shows surface heat, so a hog standing behind a fence row shows up, but one bedded behind a solid bank won't. Light grass and thin brush are a different story, since body heat often shows through gaps that hide an animal from your eye.
