Thermal riflescopes are versatile devices that can be used for a variety of purposes, including hunting, spotting activities, and non-game uses. They detect the heat of a target and use infrared radiation to generate the image, allowing them to be used both in the day and at night. Thermal scopes can detect objects even if they are hiding or camouflaged from a long distance, making them ideal for hunting and surveillance.
Thermal imagers detect subtle changes in temperature and use those differences to form a picture. Everything emits thermal energy, which the sophisticated sensors turn into a vibrant image. Because they use temperature instead of light, thermal scopes provide the same image quality whether in full sun or the darkest night, eliminating the need to swap optics and potentially lose zero. This makes them a great option for hunters who want to hit the range or do some daytime predator calling.
Thermal scopes can be useful for a variety of applications, including law enforcement and security, as well as hunting. They can be particularly useful in low-light or difficult environmental conditions such as fog, dust, or smoke, where traditional optics may struggle.
For hunters, thermal scopes can be useful for maneuvering through the bush at night and spotting resting or otherwise still animals in thick foliage or wooded areas, as well as for tracking injured prey.
The image quality of thermal scopes is determined by several factors, including thermal sensitivity, resolution, and pixel size. Generally, the higher the values of these parameters, the better the image quality will be. Other factors such as the display and the characteristics of the observation location also have an impact on the result, but the thermal sensitivity, resolution, and pixel size are the main drivers of image quality.
When choosing a thermal scope, there are several factors to consider ensuring that you select the best option for your needs.
Thermal Core Resolution: The sensor resolution of the thermal scope is one of the most important considerations when selecting a thermal imaging riflescope. A high-resolution image with crisp and precise definition of an object is desirable. High-end optics typically provide 640×512 resolution while less expensive optics provide 384×288 resolution or similar. Generally, the higher the resolution, the better the image quality.
Pixel Pitch: The pixel pitch is a measurement of the distance between the pixels of the digital image in the thermal sensor. The unit of measurement is micrometres, commonly called microns. Most thermal optics have a pixel pitch of 12 to 17 microns, with a lower number indicating better quality.
The Ares Series riflescope is a high-end rifle scope designed for hunting and sporting use. Its aircraft-grade aluminium construction makes it durable and able to withstand various conditions. It uses a 12µm detector, a 1024 AMOLED display, and F/1.0 germanium optics to provide clear targeting at both close and long ranges, even in low light or adverse weather conditions. This makes it a great option for those looking for a high-performance thermal imaging scope.