Pulsar Helion Xp50 Thermal Imaging Scope

Technology behind thermal scopes used to be prohibitively expensive. Pulsar Helion Xp50 Thermal Imaging Scope. This made them available only to those with big pockets and large budgets, including the police and military agencies. With the rapid advancements in technology, the cost on thermal scopes has significantly decreased, and they have become more available than ever.

The increased accessibility of thermal scopes has led to the popularity of nocturnal hunting pursuits like hog and coyote. This increased consumer demand has spurred numerous companies to join the market and offer thermal scopes available to a larger group of hunters and shooters than ever before. If you’re looking to purchase your first one or upgrade to a more sophisticated model, let us help you discover some options for the best thermal scopes so that you too can get in on the action.

The Best Thermal Scopes For 2022

• The best value for money: OPMOD Thor LT 3-6x
• Best Over $5000: Trijicon IR Hunter MK3
• The Best Thermal Scope for Under $500: AGM Secutor TS25-384
• Best Thermal Scope Under $2000: ATN Thor HD 384 2-8x
• Best Budget Thermal Scope: ATN Thor 4 384 1.25-5x
• Best for Hunting: ATN Thor LT 160 3-x
• The Best Hot Scope for Hog Hunting: Sig Sauer Echo 3
• Best Clip On Thermal Scope: Burris BTC 50
• Ideal for Surveillance: Trijicon IR-Patrol IRMO 300 Rifle Kit

Things to Consider Prior to Purchasing the Thermal Scope

It’s likely that you’ve figured out by now that the best thermal scopes aren’t cheap. Most people aren’t going to go out and drop large sums of money on a thermal scope on a whim. There are some aspects you need to think about first before making a decision on which thermal scope is right for you. (Or really whether you really need one, or if that money is better spent elsewhere.)

Naturally, the choice is yours however, if you do decide that your next big gun-related purchase is going to be an thermal scope, then here are some aspects you should think about before making the decision to spend your hard-earned money:

Battery Life

There’s a great deal of technology in the thermal scope, and it’s must have some kind of battery that can power it. There aren’t all batteries to be the same, so you need to ensure the battery in your thermal scope will stay running for the time you’ll need it. This means you’ll want to think about how long you plan to be using the scope during a single session, how long does it takes to charge the scope, and how much do the batteries that you have spare cost.

Extra Features

Some thermal scopes come with WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, and more. These are all great options however you need to think about what you’ll use your thermal scope for and whether those extra features are worth the cost or not. Consider, for instance are you really required to be able for streaming of your scope picture onto a mobile device?

Price and Budget

The best thermals are going to be over $5000. While they’re often the most expensive scopes you can buy however, you can get practical use from options in the $2000-$5000 price range. If you’re looking for a cheap thermal scope under $1000, you won’t find one. There will be some thermal scopes that cost less than $2000, but they must be specific to the brand in order to get good warranty and money-back guarantee coverage since quality control issues are to be to be expected in this price range.

Size/Weight

Thermal imaging scopes are heavy and big. Average weight for a standard thermal scope for a rifle scope is 2 pounds. The light thermals weigh in around 1-1.5 pounds, which is equivalent to regular daylight rifle scopes. While thermals may be around the same size as conventional rifle scopes, and even shorter however, the internal components that are required to offer thermal imaging makes them wider. Their weight and size will affect the hunting or tactical weapon as well as sight system.

A compact and lightweight option may be to consider a clip-on system. In addition to reducing the weight and size, but they’re specifically designed to be placed on top of your daytime scope and are easily removable and attachable.

Detection/Recognition Ranges

Thermals can offer over 1000+ yards of detection range for targets, regardless of day as well as night conditions. However, the distance at which you are able to recognize and pinpoint what you are looking for will be significantly shorter.

These ranges can differ among manufacturers models, models, as well as quality. The thermal detector sensitivity will be the prime factor you will want to research. An increase in magnification may help quickly detect and recognize a faraway target, but it may also lead to low pixel density, which can result in a pixelated image. Display resolution will also determine the quality of the sight picture. Pulsar Helion Xp50 Thermal Imaging Scope.

Which is Better Thermal Or Night Vision?

Instead of focusing on whether a night vision scope will be superior than thermal or in the reverse direction, the main question is:

Which one is the best for your needs and budget?

At the end of this guide, you’ll know precisely the answer.

Let’s get started!

Night Vision

Night vision is achieved by taking light as reflections or light and then transforming them to create a crystal clear image.

Thus, it requires some type of ambient light to function.

If you shoot at night the moon’s light and stars usually provide enough light. Newer models come with infrared illuminations that function as flashlights to illuminate the scope but aren’t visible the naked eye.

If you’re looking through marketplaces of night vision optics You’ll find different rating for these — Gen Iand II or III. In simple terms, the higher the generation, the better the quality.

There’s also a newer category of night vision scopes that is called Digital Night Vision.

The regular night vision displays the traditional green and black and the modern digital night vision is typically shown in black and white on the LCD screen.

Pros

• Night vision offers a superior image.
• It permits you to distinguish between the finer details. Furthermore, night vision scopes are cheaper and more small in dimensions. They are not affected by cold temperatures.

The night vision technology has been in use a lot older as thermal optics. Night vision scopes are used to being mounted on rifles and are overall more sturdy, durable, and absorbs recoil with the same ease as a champion.

Cons

• Its requirement for ambient light creates night vision limited.

So unless you have an infrared illumination device that isn’t in use, it’s useless in darkness. It’s not suitable for use in sunlight as it could will be permanently damaged if exposed to intense light.

Thermal Imaging

Thermal scopes detect heat or radiation produced from any living thing. Thermal imaging uses a special kind of lens that focuses on infrared light and generates a thermogram. This thermogram then transforms into electrical signals that form an image that appears on the screen. Pulsar Helion Xp50 Thermal Imaging Scope.

Pros

• The thermal vision is a little more flexible since it can be used in any light situation. One of the greatest benefits to thermal imaging scopes is that they work well in both daylight and night and do not necessitate infrared light. On top of that they allow you to be able to see through smoke, dust and fog easily. That’s why firefighters employ thermal technology.

Cons

• One of the main drawbacks associated with thermal imaging can be that it’s very heavy to transport. They can also be expensive, and it is possible to go through training to interpret the images correctly. The battery life is often restricted, and the quality of the image can be affected by lower temperatures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long does a Thermal Scope Last?

On on average thermal scopes can last for around eight hours on a single charge. Various models will vary between 2-10 hours. In recent times, ATN has managed to produce ultra-low-consumption thermal scopes which provide up to 10+ hours of continuous use.

Why are Thermal Scopes so Expensive?

It is generally true that thermal scopes cost a lot due to advanced technological components. There are also differences in cost for various features, such as the wireless connection, pallet modifications, ballistic applications, and more. However, thermals start at a sensible price of $1000.

How Far can Thermal Rifle Scopes View?

How far thermal rifle scopes can see is contingent on factors like display resolution and magnification settings. Generally, even entry-level thermals can detect heat signatures up to 1,000or more yards. The most advanced thermals can detect up to 4000 yards, however it is not easy to identify targets.

Can You Use Thermal Scope to use it in Daylight?

Contrary the night vision scopes, you can also use a thermal scope during the day without causing damage to components. Instead of intensifying light, thermal scopes read heat signatures. Dual-use capabilities are one of the main benefits of choosing thermal rather than night vision and making the most out of your investment. Pulsar Helion Xp50 Thermal Imaging Scope.