The Riddik Thermal line is a relatively new addition to the thermal marketplace, and it is worthy of our interest.

BA Global Defense offers the Riddik thermal products and creates high-tech gear for military and other tactical professionals. Currently, BA Global offers four distinct thermal units: the Xeno TM-384-25LRF handheld, The NOC Series Thermal Bow Sight, the Lensor Thermal LRF Scope 35mm 384x288, and the Riddik TS-640-45LRF Thermal Scope.

BA Global Defense launched the Lensor and Riddik models in January 2024. The Xeno Handheld followed in September of last year with the NOC Bow Sight first offered in November 2025.

Recently, I ran a new Riddik TS-640-45LRF and it proved a first-rate thermal for the night hunter. Image quality was impressive, the menu functions were easy to pull up and navigate, and the unit’s laser rangefinder worked perfectly.

This unit is at the top of BA Global’s thermal line, and its functionality bodes very well for the other units in the line and for those yet to come.

Feature-Rich

As the numbers in its name indicate, the Riddik TS-640-45LRF features a 640x512 thermal sensor and a 45mm objective lens. The lens is made of 100% Germanium and sports a rather extreme curve.

That curve, according to BA Global, provides the thermal sensor with as much information as a larger lens while still allowing for the use of medium height mounting rings. Medium rings, in many cases, ensure a comfortable cheek weld for better shooting.

The built-in laser rangefinder sits atop the objective lens directly in line with the scope and rifle barrel. BA Global rates it as effective out to 900 yards. Range finding can be set to automatically range at various intervals. I set mine for 15 seconds and every 15 seconds the rangefinder reached out at whatever I happened to have my reticle on and provided a yardage readout.

The unit features 2x, 4x, and 8x digital zoom, while the Picture in Picture can zoom up to 20x.

Shooters can set up 10 different gun profiles and choose from eight reticle styles and five reticle colors, plus a half dozen color palette options. Onboard media recording and Wi-Fi streaming let the night hunter easily save and share images and videos, the video option with or without sound. 

The scope is powered by a single rechargeable 21700 battery with up to 10 hours of continuous run time. A pair of the batteries are included with the scope plus a recharging station.

With its daytime-scope profile, the TS-640 measures out at 14.75 inches long, with another inch added by the rubber rear eye piece. The aviation-grade aluminum housing is durable. The reality of the design means the scope is front heavy and not LPVO light at a weight of just over 30 ounces.

Test Rig

To test out the thermal, I mounted the TS-640 onto a Glenfield Model A bolt-action rifle chambered in .308 Win.

A Strum, Ruger & Co. brand, Glenfield relaunched itself into the market in 2025 with the Model A. The rifle bears many similarities between the Ruger American Rifle Gen I. Actually, the Model A is built on the Gen I platform, though Ruger made various changes so that the Glenfield sells for approximately $100 less suggested retail than the Gen I.

Featuring a three-lug bolt action and a user-adjustable trigger, the Model A boasts a 20-inch, cold hammer-forged barrel threaded for a suppressor, and a synthetic, moss-green splatter finished stock. The rifle sells with a factory-installed Picatinny scope base atop the receiver. 

To the end of my rifle barrel, I also added a Raptor 7.62 suppressor made by AB Suppressor of New City, Kansas.  

Made from 100% Grade 5 titanium, the Raptor weighs just 8 ounces and measures out to 6.3 inches. It threaded directly onto the Glenfield barrel, and, as it did on other rifles I’ve used it with, the Raptor 7.62 muted the muzzle blast to the point that I needed no hearing protection. Recoil was reduced thanks to the Raptor, also. 

In the Daylight

Thermal works during the day, of course. Yet, day or night, environmental conditions can require various adjustments for best images and detection. 

The day I ran the TS-640  at my outdoor range was a wintery one in north-central Wisconsin, 27 degrees Fahrenheit with 10mph breezes pushing from my left to my right. A foot of ice-crusted snow covered the ground.

My first adjustment was the reticle color, which I made green. That color usually works best for my eyes, and it proved a good choice this day, showing up very precisely. The reticle itself was a large, standard crosshair with hash marks for drop and windage adjustments.

I scanned my HotHands heat packs taped to a cardboard square at 50 yards. The White palette setting proved too bright, for this day at least. Black worked well as did the Iron, the latter being a palette with the cooler temperatures showing as bluish-purple and the very hottest signatures yellow. In between heat signatures registered as shades of orange.

These adjustments were relatively easy to make (basic unit learning curve aside) with the TS-640’s Active Turret, positioned midway and top of the unit tube. I simply had to long press DOWN on the turret to bring up the Main Menu, then turn the knob to select a function. Once selected, a quick press let me enter the function, and then I turned the knob to move within it to make the desired adjustments and save those.

Several inches behind this Active Turret is the unit’s power button. Just behind this lies the circular control pad and its four buttons. These buttons allow the user to adjust everything from palettes and reticles, to turning the rangefinder on and off to taking photos and videos.

Last, there is a focus ring for the objective lens and a similar adjustment ring for the eyepiece.

Getting On Target

I set the unit’s digital zoom at 2x for my 50-yard zeroing. Using Beck Ammunition .308 Win. loaded with 145-grain Controlled Chaos bullets, I fired twice. The rounds struck over a foot low and approximately 5 inches right. 

The TS-640 allows for zeroing via manual adjustments of the X and Y axis settings or the FREEZE app.  

As I like to do, I first used the FREEZE function to get the rounds hitting closer, then went manual to fine tune. This routine took me eight rounds until I had my 50-yard zero. 

I moved to a 100-yard lane, and using a larger HotHands pack as my bullseye, shot two rounds with the digital zoom at 4x. A couple inches high. Again, I went to the manual route, tinkered a bit and got on target.

My last three rounds made a nice 1.25-inch group.

Dealing Direct

Unlike many industry companies, BA Global Defense works only with dealers directly, deciding not to use or rely on distributors.

“We know that every penny of profit helps, so we sell directly to dealers versus cutting into your profitability with a distribution partner,” said Benjamin Bainter, CEO of BA Global Defense. “You cut out the middleman and increase your profits by ordering directly from BA Global Defense.”

Becoming a dealer is very easy, too. Simply send an email to baglobaldefense@ba-globaldefense.com letting them know your interest in becoming a dealer. Also provide some basic information about your operation, including the thermal units you are interested in selling. Someone from the company will contact you soon. 

Images Sell

Let’s say you decide to offer Riddik thermals including the TS-640. What might you tell potential customers about this unit?

Bainter suggested that sales staff start with the high-quality images created by the 640 sensor, the built-in laser rangefinder, and the ease of menu navigation provided by the top turret. Follow up with the unit’s one-click quick video record, and one-click picture in picture capability, plus the unit’s five-year limited warranty.

That warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship. If an issue arises under normal use, BA Global will repair or replace the device at no cost to the owner.

Make sure you let customers operate the top turret and take them through a few menu adjustments like selecting the reticle style and color.  

“Plug in the USB C and live stream to a TV, tablet, or smart phone via the Riddik app,” Bainter suggested. “This will show customers the unit’s impressive image quality and demonstrates that your hunting buddies can see while you scan fields or engage targets.” 

BA Global Defense helps its dealers in store, too, and will provide brochures, signage, and counter mats depending on the size of the opening order.

“In store training and spiff programs are available based on the size of the opening order, too,” Bainter noted. 

It looks like BA Global Defense and its four thermal units are just the start. 

“We don't share our roadmap outside of our company until we launch a new product,” Bainter said. “However, I can tell you that we do have new product in testing now.”