Thermal Scopes
Thermal scopes show you heat instead of light, so a coyote, hog or fox stands out against a cold field even on a moonless night. This category holds every thermal riflescope we carry, from compact 256 and 384 sensors up to 1280 units with 75mm lenses and built-in laser rangefinders.
How to choose a thermal riflescope
- Resolution. More pixels means more detail at distance. The Nocpix Bolt P25R (256x192) and Bolt L35R (384x288) are compact starting points, 640 models like the Nocpix Rico 3 H50R and RIX Storm S6R V2 sit in the middle, and 1280 scopes like the Nocpix Ace S60R and RIX DBH D12 resolve the most.
- Lens size and base magnification. A bigger objective narrows the field of view but reaches farther. A 35mm lens suits close cover and hog country; 50mm to 75mm suits open fields.
- Laser rangefinder. Models like the Nocpix ACE LRF H50R and RICO 2 H50R read the exact distance before you hold over.
- Rifle or pistol. Nearly everything here is a rifle sight, while Infitac's Fast Mini sights, like the FMP13, are made to fit pistols.
Brands on the shelf include Nocpix, RIX, Pulsar (Thermion 2), InfiRay, Trijicon (IR-Hunter and REAP-IR), PARD and Infitac. Narrow it down by sensor in our 640 resolution category, or look at pre-owned and demo units to stretch your budget.
Weighing thermal vs night vision scopes? Thermal finds animals by heat through darkness and light cover. Digital night vision shows more surface detail but needs some light or an IR illuminator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good brand of thermal scope?
Nocpix, RIX, Pulsar, InfiRay and Trijicon all build thermal scopes hunters rely on, and we carry each of them. Nocpix is our biggest line, with the Ace, Rico 3 and Bolt series covering most budgets and uses. RIX follows with the Storm, Leap and DBH lines. Pick the brand whose model fits your distance and your rifle.
Can you hunt deer at night with a thermal scope?
That depends entirely on your state. Most states do not allow deer hunting after legal shooting hours, so a thermal scope is mainly used at night for coyotes, hogs and other predators where night hunting is allowed. Some states also limit thermal optics during deer season. Check your state wildlife agency's rules before you go out.
Where can I find thermal scopes for sale?
Right here. Dark Night Outdoors in Milan, Illinois carries dozens of thermal riflescopes, with free shipping to US addresses and no sales tax on orders shipped outside Illinois. We have around 1,000 customer reviews, and the people who answer the phone know these optics and can help you narrow it down.
How much does a decent thermal scope cost?
Price climbs with sensor resolution, lens size and whether a rangefinder is built in. A 256 or 384 scope like the Nocpix Bolt P25R or L35R sits at the entry end, 640 models in the middle, and 1280 units at the top. PayPal Credit offers no interest if paid in full within 6 months on qualifying purchases, subject to approval.
What is the best thermal scope on a budget?
On a tight budget, step down in sensor size before you step down in brand. The Nocpix Bolt P25R (256x192, 3.5x) and Bolt L35R (384x288, 3.5x) are compact scopes for close and mid-range predator work. Our pre-owned and demo units are another way to move up a sensor size for less.
