Why You Should Buy A Thermal Scope Over Night Vision
Is Night Vision or Thermal Better?
Comparing night vision and thermal optics is a popular topic, but many professional hunters and guides prefer using both. A popular setup is using a night vision monocular so that you can see activity in wide-open spaces and then switch to a thermal rifle scope when you need to dial in on a target.
While most electro-optics makers would love for you to buy both, let’s face it, they’re expensive pieces of gear. While it might make sense to start out with night vision – mainly because they’re cheaper – most people will eventually want a thermal optic. In this article, we’ll go over the reasons why you might want to skip night vision and buy a thermal scope instead.
The Differences: Night Vision vs Thermal
On paper, night vision beats thermal in most ways. They’re cheaper, lighter, more durable, offer greater depth, and have much longer battery life. Also, you can look through night vision all night whereas a thermal device will make your eyeballs feel cooked after a couple of hours. But if you ask any seasoned night hunter what they prefer mounted to their rifle, most will answer thermal.
The reason they’ll say that is because thermal will work under conditions that would render night vision useless. When you use a thermal device, you can see through smoke, fog, sand storms, fire, and even through some vegetation. Plus, you can see residual heat signatures like a handprint on a car or fresh footprints.
Is Thermal Imaging the Same as Night Vision?
When you break down the technology, night vision and thermal are very different. Despite its name, night vision actually needs some light to work. What night vision does is amplify the light available in dark or lowlight conditions. However, it won’t work in absolute darkness or during the day.
Thermal, on the other hand, requires no light to work. A thermal device picks up on infrared waves, i.e. thermal heat so that you can effectively detect targets through things that could conceal your target or obscure your view. This is largely the argument you’d hear in favor of thermal. And yes, a thermal scope will work in daylight, unlike a night vision scope.
Thermal Scope vs Night Vision
Certainly, this is a narrow counterargument to night vision. You can configure your rifle with other gear like an infrared laser to make your night vision scope more effective or you can buy a higher-end night vision scope. No matter which way you cut it, thermal and night vision technology is different. They both have their advantages and disadvantages, and it all depends on your needs and budget to decide which one is best for you.
For more information on night vision and thermal devices, check out the library of How-To Guides on OpticsPlanet!
FAQs
The benefit of using a digital day/night device means that you can rely on a clean and crisp image every time you go out, but if you're really in it for the hunt and hit, a thermal imaging device will have you tracking your target precisely from start to finish as you'll not only be able to see in any lighting ...
Are thermal scopes better than night vision scopes? ›
The decision between thermal and night vision riflescopes hinges on the specific hunting scenario. For nighttime hunting in low-light conditions, night vision devices offer a cost-effective solution. However, for hunting in complete darkness or where target identification is crucial, thermal imaging reigns supreme.
Should I get thermal or night vision first? ›
It is important to understand the type of activity to be performed in order to decide whether to use a thermal scope or a night vision scope. Thermal scopes are better suited for activities that take place in the dark, while night vision scopes are better suited for activities in low-light conditions.
What is the disadvantage of thermal scope? ›
Distance limitations: The effective range of some TIs is typically limited. Most TIs can detect from 3 feet to infinity. Beyond a certain distance, the resolution and clarity of the heat signatures may decrease, making it challenging to identify smaller heat sources or victims at a distance.
Why thermal over night vision? ›
First, they have nothing to do with reflected light energy: they see heat. Everything you see in normal daily life has a heat signature. This is why you have a much better chance of seeing something at night with a thermal imager than you do with visible light camera, even a night vision camera.
Are thermal scopes worth it? ›
Thermal scopes don't just level the playing field; they tip the field decidedly in your favor. That's the main reason why they're prohibited for most hunting. But for animals like coyotes and feral hogs in many states, they're legal and an unequaled aid.
Can thermal scopes see at night? ›
A thermal vision device picks up those heat signals and then converts them into an image. You may wonder if a thermal night vision device is somehow different then. And well, we could basically say that there is no such thing as thermal night vision because thermal vision works both day and night.
Does the military use night vision or thermal? ›
Not only do military soldiers have thermal vision goggles on when standing watch for their base, but the surrounding cameras are also present with thermal vision, so that they can collect and gather information at all times of the day.
Is night vision or thermal better for coyotes? ›
With a night vision scope such as the XANS550, you will be able to see more details, observe behaviors, and stalk the animal just as you would in daylight. While thermal imaging can better detect the presence of the coyote, the imaging can sometimes be a bit more distorted, blocky, or blob-like.
Does thermal vision work in total darkness? ›
Thermal imaging cameras see in total darkness, producing clear, crisp images without the need for any light.
Can thermal imaging be used during the day? Because thermal imagers (ie. Pulsar, InfiRay, Conotech, Hikmicro) are not affected by light, they are only affected by heat radiation, so then in the darkness of night or the brightness of day, neither of these affect the device and how it performs.
How long will a thermal scope last? ›
A typical MIL-STD-810 qualified model is extremely endurable, has a lifespan of more than 10 years, and always maintains its highest quality, even in the worst weather conditions. However, most of these types of thermal scopes are extremely expensive and beyond the means of the civilian market.
Can you combine thermal and night vision? ›
There is a way to truly “merge” night vision and thermal, but it may be out of budget for most. Recently, we have been loving the Jerry FB Binocular Fusion Device as it offers you night vision binos along with thermal capabilities.
Which is better thermal or infrared? ›
If your application is simple—you just need to do some non-contact temperature spot checking—and your budget is limited, an infrared thermometer is a good bet. But if need more information or a deeper temperature profile, then a thermal imager will offer far more robust sensing, imaging, and recording capabilities.
Can you hide from thermal vision? ›
Use a Wool Blanket
A wool blanket works in the same way as the Mylar foil thermal blanket in that it traps your body heat and keeps it from being detected by the thermal imaging camera. On the other hand, your body heat will ultimately warm the material and make it more visible.
What is better for coyote hunting thermal or night vision? ›
With a night vision scope such as the XANS550, you will be able to see more details, observe behaviors, and stalk the animal just as you would in daylight. While thermal imaging can better detect the presence of the coyote, the imaging can sometimes be a bit more distorted, blocky, or blob-like.
How far is a thermal scope good for? ›
The best thermal scopes have an average of 640x480 resolution and their prices start from $1,000. Thermal scopes have different applications, which reflect in their range capabilities. The best thermal scopes can identify targets up to 4,000 yards while entry level models can only deliver up to a range of 1,000 yards.
Is it hard to sight in a thermal scope? ›
Take That First Shot and Make Adjustments
What's great about thermal scopes is that most of the zeroing is done for you by the scope itself. Simply adjust the reticle without moving your rifle and the scope does the rest - it's really that easy.
While most electro-optics makers would love for you to buy both, let’s face it, they’re expensive pieces of gear. While it might make sense to start out with night vision – mainly because they’re cheaper – most people will eventually want a thermal optic. In this article, we’ll go over the reasons why you might want to skip night vision and buy a thermal scope instead.
The reason they’ll say that is because thermal will work under conditions that would render night vision useless. When you use a thermal device, you can see through smoke, fog, sand storms, fire, and even through some vegetation. Plus, you can see residual heat signatures like a handprint on a car or fresh footprints.
