image courtesy of Pulsar
While thermal technology dates back over 200 years, much further into our rich optic history than generational night vision, the technology’s use by recreational hunters and shooters, and the revenue it generates, continues to explode. The latter point is more meaningful than it appears, considering that while thermal riflescopes routinely cost $15,000 to $30,000 just 15 years ago, prices have dropped dramatically while revenue stream, according to Cognitive Market Research (CMR), continues to grow. This is because while thermal is much more affordable in 2025, there are also exponentially more hunters hitting the field with this technology. According to CMR, gross consumer thermal revenue was $815 million, with 40% ($326 million) of that market share here in the U.S. Even better, according to CMR, consumer thermal growth in the U.S. market is forecasted to “grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4% through 2031.”
For those of us living in areas of the U.S. where night hunting also has exploded, especially for hogs, predators and varmints, the growth has been obvious. Thermal riflescopes have become standard gear for diehard night hunters. That said, it’s also important to recognize thermal imaging is not night vision. In a world where product knowledge is critical to selling advanced optic systems, this is important information — know it to sell it. That said, thermal is perfectly suited for night hunting but also quite valuable for daytime shooting, hunting and even scanning and wildlife observation. Where glassing once took hours, an entire hillside or canyon can be scanned for heat signatures in minutes, even seconds.
Thermal technology is also a game-changer for walking in and out of hunting spots, game recovery and more, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This roundup is about firearm-mounted thermal devices. With the thermal market booming over the past decade, especially over the past five years with numerous thermal companies growing legs in this short span of time, it’s time to take a hard look at how thermal riflescopes can heat up your sales and which devices can be great inventory options to lead light the way. Here are eight great thermal scopes that should blaze a trail to your retail shelves.
Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XL60
Pulsar, a brand launched in 2009 under Yukon Advanced Optics’ umbrella and headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania, is considered by many to be a trusted industry leader among consumer thermal brands. While Yukon Advanced Optics was founded in 1991 with their first night-vision optic launching in 1999, the company’s first thermal optic, branded Pulsar, was the Apex, introduced in 2014. Wildly popular, the Apex was considered the first consumer-thermal workhorse, the Glock of thermals, so to speak; it could take quite a beating. Just a few years later, Pulsar introduced the Trail, which propelled the brand to the leading edge of consumer thermal technology and popularity. Pulsar’s Thermion launched in 2020, with Thermion 2’s unveiling just a year later. Today, the Thermion 2 LRF XL60 Thermal Riflescope is Pulsar’s flagship and is a top-rung purchase for countless diehard thermal optic users.
Pulsar’s Thermion 2 LRF XL60 is a premium thermal riflescope boasting 1024x760 microbolometer sensor resolution, 12-micron pixel pitch, sub-20mK system NETD, 2.5x – 20x magnification range, and a 2560x2560 radial AMOLED display. Additional features include a 3,000-yard adult-size heat-signature detection range in zero light, roughly 900-yard integral laser rangefinder with +/- 1-yard accuracy, 10 reticle styles in nine colors including scalable, enhanced F60/1.0 Germanium objective lens, 50Hz refresh rate, internal ballistic calculator with automatic and dialed holdover reticle overlay, rechargeable dual-battery system with up to 10-hour battery life, onboard Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, built-in video and still photography with 64 GB internal storage, robust .375 H&H and 12-gauge shotgun recoil rating, 100 shooting profiles at 100 zeroing distances, wireless Stream Vision 2 App compatibility and a five-year warranty. The Thermion 2 LRF XL60 can be mounted with traditional 30mm rings and does include an American Defense Manufacturing (ADM) 30mm locking-QD cantilever mount, as well as a case and extra rechargeable battery. www.PulsarNV.com
Trijicon Reap IR-Hunter 60mm
Founded by Glyn Bindon in 1985, after several years of spearheading the introduction of tritium optics under the Armson OEG brand, Trijicon launched with the Spectrum riflescope and Bright & Tough night sights for pistols — both featured tritium aiming elements. By the mid-2000s, Trijicon’s ACOG riflescopes were adopted by the Army, Marine Corps and Navy SEALs. Today, Trijicon embraces the trending intersection of tactical-inspired digital optics and hunting scopes found in thermal riflescopes, the flagship example being the Reap IR-Hunter 60mm.
Trijicon’s Reap IR-Hunter 60mm features crisp image quality thanks to the industry-premium standard 640-resolution microbolometer sensor resolution and 12-micron pixel pitch. Additional features include 60mm Germanium objective lens, 60mm focal length, multiple auto-contrast reticle options, black-hot/white-hot imaging, integral 640x480 MP4 video stored to a micro-SD card, 30Hz refresh rate, 8x digital zoom, and 3-24x magnification range. Built for rugged reliability, the Reap IR-Hunter 60mm is protected by a 7075-T6 aluminum housing with matte-black finish and powered by CR123 batteries for up to four hours. Using a USB-C cable, the optic is also power-bank compatible for longer, rechargeable battery life. The Reap IR-Hunter is also waterproof down to 1 meter of water and includes a Q-Loc Picatinny-compatible mounting system. www.Trijicon.com
PARD Ocelot 256
PARD USA, established in Reno, Nevada in 2017, is dedicated to offering affordable, premium performance thermal optics to hunters and recreational shooters. PARD, a global company headquartered in Shenzhen, China, also provides innovative multispectral optics that incorporate thermal, digital night vision and even color imaging into individual optic systems. More recently, PARD USA has also focused attention on entry-level thermal imaging, offering a superb option for your budget-minded customers, the Ocelot 256.
Historically, thermal riflescopes have been quite expensive. Just a decade ago, mid-level 384-sensor thermals easily cost over $10,000. With thermal optic prices still considered high, the compact-size PARD Ocelot 256 is a welcome sight (no pun intended), coming in with an MSRP well under $1,000. While a 256-resolution thermal sensor isn’t ideal for most people, it’s also more than enough for many people, considering most shots are well under 200 yards and many are under 100 yards. The scope offers great value for seasoned hunters and new thermal users alike and boasts some great features, including a 985-yard detection range, five color palettes, four reticle styles in five colors, 1024x768 OLED display, picture-in-picture, onboard photo and video with 32 GB of storage, and 3.2-25.6x magnification.
iRay Bolt TX60C
iRay USA, established in Texas in 2020 by its parent company, InfiRay (Yantai IRay, founded in 2009), is the U.S. distributor of iRay thermal imaging optics. iRay USA is considered among the top distributors of premium thermal optics and collaborates diligently with its parent company to deliver innovative, problem-solving consumer thermal optics with continually advancing technologies. The Bolt TX60C Thermal Riflescope is an exceptional example sure to put smiles on the faces of your most discriminating hunters.
Front and center, the IRay Bolt TX60C Thermal Riflescope boasts powerful 1024 microbolometer sensor resolution with 12-micron pixel pitch to deliver a heat signature detection range up to 2,700 yards. The Bolt TX60C also boasts 3-16x magnification, seven-color display palette, seven reticle styles, iRay laser rangefinder (LRF) compatibility, picture-in-picture, radial field of view, 2560x2560 AMOLED display, 50Hz refresh rate, integral photo and video with 128 GB of storage, built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, intuitive controls and a five-year warranty. The Bolt TX60C is powered by an 18650 battery for up to eight hours and is power-bank compatible with a USB-C cable.
Armasight Collector 640
Founded by industry night-vision and thermal imaging expert Dmitry Rocklin in 2011, Armasight is headquartered in South San Francisco, California, although manufacturing is in Tempe, Arizona. FLIR purchased Armasight in 2016 but pulled out of the consumer thermal market in 2019, and Armasight was then purchased in 2020 by Ecentria. The company brought Rocklin back to drive the Armasight bus and the brand grew legs again in 2022. Today, Rocklin is Armasight’s CEO, and the company continues to innovate as a trusted brand in the thermal space, delivering big thermal performance at exceptionally affordable price points — a boon for your thermal hunting customers. When it comes to shelf space, Armasight’s ultra-compact, lightweight Collector 640 is a solid choice.
While the Collector’s dimensions are similar to those of a prism sight, this thermal riflescope proves big performance can definitely come in a small package. The Collector 640 measures just 6.76 x 3.04 x 3.06 inches and weighs roughly 17 ounces. The Collector includes an ArmaCORE 640x480 sensor, 12-micron pixel pitch, 60 Hz refresh rate, 1-4x magnification, XGA 1024x1024 OLED display, built-in video with up to four hours of internal storage, and up to four hours of runtime from two CR123A batteries or one 16650 battery.
ATN TICO-LTV 640 Clip-On
Founded in 1995 and originally headquartered in California, American Technologies Network (known more widely as ATN) left the Golden State in 2019 and set up shop in Doral, Florida. ATN’s most historic and popular product was the the X-Sight riflescope, the industry’s first 4K day full-color and digital night vision optic, a true 24-hour device. Since then, ATN has also worked tirelessly in the consumer thermal space, delivering innovative, cost-conscious digital optics at all budget and experience levels. The company’s newest offering also happens to be our only “forward-attachment” device, the ATN TICO-LTV 640 Clip-On.
The ATN TICO-LTV 640 is a thermal imager designed to mount on or in front of your customers’ traditional optics, using their traditional reticles or red dots as aiming point. In fact, as an industry standard, these types of devices do not include a reticle; however, premium clip-ons like the TICO-LTV are still feature-packed! The ATN TICO-LTV boasts premium 640x480 microbolometer sensor resolution with a 12-micron pixel pitch, 50mm Germanium objective lens, four display color themes, 60Hz refresh rate, true 1x base magnification and 2x and 4x digital zoom, eight hours of battery life from a single 18650 battery, and a zero-light heat-signature detection range of 2,800 yards. The TICO-LTV includes quick-detach forward and front (Picatinny compatible) mounting systems as well as a monocular kit so the device can be used for scanning or shooting.
AGM Adder V2 LRF 35-384
Established by veteran electro-optic developers in 2019, AGM Global Vision calls Springerville, Arizona, home, although thermal technology development and distribution is headquartered in Grand Prairie, Texas. From the company’s humble beginnings, AGM’s founders set out to deliver affordable, cutting-edge thermal technology to recreational and professional thermal optic users alike. While AGM’s product offerings are quite varied, offering entry-level to premium thermal riflescopes, one of their most popular models is the Adder V2 LRF 35-384.
The AGM Adder V2 LRF 35-384 Thermal Riflescope is aptly named as a perfect optic predator in a hunter’s hands inclusive of laser-rangefinding technology, 35mm Germanium objective lens and 384x288 microbolometer sensor resolution. The most robust 384-sensor thermal in this roundup, the Adder V2 LRF 35-384 also features the best pixel pitch in its class at 12 microns, 50Hz refresh rate, integral 1,000-yard laser rangefinder, ballistic calculator, radial 2560x2560 micro-OLED display, six-color display palette, 10 reticle styles including scalable in four color options, 2,000-yard detection range, internal video with 64 GB of storage, dual battery system for up to nine hours of operation, .5x step zoom with 4x-24x magnification, sub-15mK NETD sensitivity and a five-year warranty. The AGM Adder V3 LRF 35-384 Thermal Riflescope also includes an ADM 30mm cantilever mount. When it comes to 384-sensor thermals, your most demanding thermal customers are going to hard-pressed to find a better, more feature-rich riflescope. The Adder V2 LRF 35-284 takes zero shortcuts.
Sightmark Wraith Mini
Founded in 2007 by James Sellers and headquartered in Mansfield, Texas, Sightmark has been delivering solid-performing optics to consumers for more than two decades. Sightmark moved into the electro-optic space in 2015 with the Photon digital night-vision riflescope. Shooters and hunters alike raved about the optic’s performance, affordable $600 price point, true day and night compatibility, and robust feature set, including onboard video recording. Just a few years later, Sightmark launched the popular Wraith HD, followed by Wraith 4K Max and 4K Mini full-color and digital night vision iterations. Sightmark Wraith scopes were big wins for 24-hour hunters and shooters, and they are still trusted and available today; however, Sightmark’s biggest technological win to date just might be the Wraith Mini 2-16x35 Thermal Riflescope.
True to the company’s mission to “develop products that enhance outdoor experiences” the Wraith Mini Thermal solved a serious problem among thermal hunters: affordability. Coming in at an entry-level price point, the Wraith Thermal doesn’t skimp on performance or premium components and features. Manufactured in Thailand, the Wraith Mini Thermal includes a 384x288-resolution Lynred thermal sensor, 17-micron pixel pitch, sub-40mK NETD (noise equivalency temperature differential), five-color display palette including the ultra-popular green-hot, 1,400-yard adult-size heat-signature detection range, 2x-16x magnification range, 35mm Germanium objective lens, 1024x768 OLED display, 50Hz refresh rate, 10 reticle styles in nine colors, five weapon profiles and onboard video recording to a micro-SD card. The device runs on a pair of CR123A batteries for up to four hours and is compatible with a Picatinny-mountable Sightmark Mini QD battery pack and other third-party power banks for 8+ hours of operation. The Wraith Mini also is quite compact, just a tad larger than a Trijicon ACOG, roughly measuring 6.5x3x3 inches. The scope also includes flip-up lens covers and a Picatinny-compatible mount.
Shinenyx AIM101 Thermal+Night Vision+LRF Scope
Shinenyx’s unique AIM 101 Fusion Rifle Scope manages to fuse digital night vision and thermal imaging into one device, offering supreme versatility day and night. With a brilliant, immersive display and a high-definition, crystal-clear image, every detail comes alive — whether you’re hunting in total darkness or zeroing in on distant targets. Its exclusive Fused Image Technology (F.I.T.) allows you to switch effortlessly between night-vision and thermal modes, or merge them into one seamless, high-definition image for unparalleled situational awareness. It’s not like any image you’re used to seeing through a scope.
The built-in laser rangefinder isa accurate up to 1,200 yards and paired with cutting-edge ballistic drop compensation technology for accuracy. The scope is made for demanding conditions — it’s ruggedly tested and equipped with GPS, video recording, and an intuitive interface.
Angry Stag AS-256-15 TriMode
Angry Stag has announced the introduction of its latest ultra-low-cost thermal scope, the AS-256-15 TriMode with ThermaLoc. Like all Angry Stag scopes, it features TriMode optics, providing versatility as a riflescope, clip-on or handheld device. Equipped with Angry Stag’s advanced proprietary image processing, it delivers exceptional image quality, and with its innovative ThermaLoc technology, users never lose their target, day or night. With a detection range of 1,000 meters, it has a wide range of high-end features such as pre-event record, WiFi streaming, eight-hour rechargeable battery, HD display, seven false color palettes and six reticles with stadiametric ranging. One-shot alignment supports multiple weapon platforms plus a six-language user interface. Designed and built in the USA. MSRP: $899.
DNT Optics ThermNight TNC635R
The ThermNight TNC635R, DNT’s all-in-one multispectral scope, blends a 640×512 thermal sensor with a Sony STARVIS 2 digital night vision sensor on a bright 1920×1080 micro-OLED display. A single button toggles or enables Picture-in-Picture mode so users can hunt with both views at once. Its integrated laser rangefinder spans 5 to 1,100 yards and feeds precise data to the onboard ballistic calculator. Premium ED glass and AI-driven image processing deliver sharp contrast in any conditions, and users can freeze the zeroing screen for a one-shot zero, to make setup effortless. The rugged, IP67-rated housing weighs just 724 grams and the unit runs for five hours on twin 21700 batteries. It is packed with 64 GB onboard storage, eight reticle styles and a detachable IR. MSRP: $3,159.99.
