It can be hard to find the best clip on thermal scopes for night shooting. After all ,there are a near endless supply of optics companies willing to sell you a huge variety of thermals. I’ve taken it upon myself to create a short list of 5 great thermal clip-on devices. I’ve included a variety of options, at various price points, with some outstanding features. Keep reading for more info on the best thermal scopes
If you’ve read my other articles on night vision scopes, and night vision thermal optics, you know that there are a lot of options out there. That’s good news for us, as even the most budget oriented optic is light years better than some of the optics I was issued in the Marine Corps, years ago.
Because this is a list of the best thermal clip-on systems, I’ve avoided some of the cheaper budget choices. It’s important to point out that they are still great options for low-light conditions. Check out this article to see if they might be enough for your needs.
Below you’ll find the list of the best thermal devices currently available on the commercial market. There are certainly more capable options that are only sold to the DOD or Law Enforcement. However, those generally cost more than most cars.
5 Best Clip On Thermal Scopes: List
- Holosun DRS-TH Thermal Weapon Sight
- Armasight Operator 640 1-4x35mm Thermal Clip On
- Guide Sensmart TB Series 1250 LRF PRO
- Trijicon Electro Optics IR PATROL M300W
- N-Vision Optics NOX-18
Before we get to the list I want to remind you that the links to the optics are affiliate links. That means if you purchase something after clicking on the link, we receive a small commission. It’s costs you nothing extra, and we appreciate the support.
I also want to point out that there are often different versions of the optics you’ll see below. I’ve generally linked to the best performing option available, but you might find a better deal on a clip on thermal sights with lower specs. Don’t be afraid to look around.
5 Best Clip-On Thermal Scopes
These thermal clip-on scopes are designed to be mounted in front of your current daytime optic. As such, I’ve chosen to highlight options without built in optical magnification. Most users will use their day optic to provide magnification for night hunting. If you want to check out a list of dedicated thermal riflescopes, check this list out.
In terms of specifications you need to keep an eye on just a few options. First, and foremost, is the image sensor resolution. Most high quality thermal imagining devices are 640 x 480 or better. This provides long range image identification, greater than a few hundred yards, in complete darkness. With some of these options the detection range can extend to a mile or more.
Next you’ll want to consider the battery life. It sounds banal, but there’s nothing more annoying than swapping batteries in every few hours! Lastly, I recommend checking out the water resistance, and dust resistance ratings. These will give you a good idea how durable the optic is.
Now that we have an idea what to look for, let’s get the first optic on our list. Before we do that, don’t forget to join the email list below for more fitness and gear related articles.
Holosun DRS-TH Thermal Weapon Sight
The Holosun DRS-TH Thermal Weapon Sight is the most compact option on this list, considering that it includes a red dot sight. The Holosun DRS-TH is a mixed use red dot / thermal, with a 256 x 192 thermal sensor, and a 50hz refresh rate. Check out the video below, for a great real world review.
This optic has several modes. It can operate as a pure red dot optic, with a dot and circle reticle. It can also operate in thermal mode, with white hot, black hot, and outline mode. Of course you can use the reticle in thermal mode as well.
It also features 1, 3, and 5x digital zoom. A word of caution here. You should expect reduced image quality at max zoom, given the sensors native resolution. The good news is that the red dot sight has a 50,000 hour battery life, and 10 hours in thermal mode.
This optic is best for users who don’t have a lot of rail space, and prefer to use it in relatively close range engagements. Think 100 yards or less, in total darkness. If this fits the bill for you, then you can currently purchase it for right at $1600. Now lets talk about a more traditional, high resolution thermal clip on.
Armasight Operator 640
The Armasight Operator 640 1-4x35mm Thermal Clip On is a new offering from Armasight. Is a great new optic that features a 640 x 480 sensor, with a 60 hz refresh rate. It’s also rated for 50 caliber recoil. That makes this optic a great choice for large caliber rifles. Check out this quick video overview below.
It features a 1300m detection range, on a human sized target, with a 12.9 x 9.4 degree field of view. Like other options on this list, it can take photos and videos for later review.
It runs on CR123A batteries and will last for 4 hours under ideal conditions. As of this writing, you can purchase this clip on for right under $4,000. This is a very competitive price, given the specifications of this thermal sight. Next we’re going to talk about the most feature packed thermal optic on the list.
Guide Sensmart TB Series 1250 LRF Pro
The Guide Sensmart TB Series 1250 LRF PRO is the most advanced optic on this list. Moreover, it has the highest resolution sensor, featuring at 1280 x 1024 sensor. This is the latest generation of thermal sensor to hit the commercial market.
It’s roughly double the detail compared to the majority of the other options on the list. This allows for a 2800 yard detection range from its huge 50mm objective lens. Check out this video review below.
Not only does this optic have the best sensor on the list, it also features a built-in laser rangefinder, which works out to 1600 yards. If this weren’t enough, the 1250 features built in wifi which pairs with a phone app to share captured images, and video directly to your smart device. This thermal clip-on scope is clearly the best option for shooting at long distances.
It also includes a rechargeable 18650 battery, which lasts for 6 hours. Moreover, Sensmart has a 10 year warranty on it’s components. As of this writing you can purchase it for just about $6300, which is an amazing deal for such a high tech clip on. Next we’re going to talk about a great multipurpose optic from Trijicon.
Trijicon IR Patrol M300W
The Trijicon Electro Optics IR PATROL M300W is marketed towards law enforcement, and it has been a fairly popular option across the country. It features a 60hz, 640 x 480 hz sensor in a lightweight 16 ounce unit. It can be either helmet mounted, or rifle mounted depending on your preference. Check this review out below.
This unit is best for tactical use. It features a variety of black and white hot color pallets, as well as edge detection. This allows you to see outlines of people and objects, without projecting a lot of light into your eyes, ruining your night vision.
It runs off of CR123A batteries, and can last up to 3.5 hours. You can also use this as a camera with the included video cable. This means you can watch the feed from the optic on another screen if needed.
The M300W is one option on this list that has a lot of different models, with different equipment packages. The cheapest version of this optic comes in right around $5800, with other packages in the $6000 + range. This is the best option for those that need a rugged thermal optic with a flexible mounting system. Now, let’s finish our list up.
N-Vision Optics NOX-18
The N-Vision Optics NOX-18 is a compact design thermal clipon. It features a 640 x 480, 60hz sensor, which means it can capture a lot of detail, from fast moving scenes. This optic is listed as waterproof, and can be mounted on a helmet or rifle mounted. Check this video out.
Like other options on this list, it can run off of an 18650 rechargeable battery, or CR123A batteries. You’ll get 1-2 hours on 123 batteries, and 4-7 hours out of the 18650. You can also charge it with an external USB-C battery bank if you need even longer run time.
This is a great option for those that don’t want to worry about how they’re going to charge, and use this optic for long periods of time. As of this writing you can pick up the NOX-18 for right under $6200. Now that we’ve covered the 5 best clip on thermal scopes, we can get to my final thoughts.
Final Thoughts
I think the two stand out options on this list are the Sensmart LRF1250, and the NOX-18. If you need to shoot at longer distances, or just want the clearest thermal image possible, then the Sensmart is your best bet. The integrated laser rangefinder is a nice added bonus.
The NOX-18 has a high quality sensor and can be mounted nearly anywhere. As a tactical user, I can tell you that the ability to use rechargeable batteries and regular CR123As is a real plus for me.
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