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Best 5 Thermal Scopes 2023

November 22, 2023

Video new thermal scopes for 2023

We have some great new Thermal Rifle Scopes in 2023. Here is a list of my Best 5 Thermal Scopes 2023. We are currently in the process of reviewing them and will be posting videos on The Old Deer Hunters Youtube Channel.

ALL Scopes Available at Outdoorlegacygear.com

Pulsar Thermion 2 DUO D XP50 Thermal/Day Scope

Best Thermal/Day Scope – Multi-spectral

Pulsar Night Vision has release the Pulsar Thermion 2 Duo DXP50, the first multi spectral hunting riflescope. It combines thermal imaging with of full-colour daytime optics to provide the hunter with a true night or day hunting scope.

Thermal Image for Night Hunting – Full Color Digital Image for Day Hunting

The Pulsar Thermion 2 Duo DXP50 is based on the Thermion 2 XP50 Pro, plus a 4k full-color channel for daytime hunting.

The Thermal can be use in darkness, fog or rain, and the 4k resolution digital camera gives you a clear, full color image during the day. Plus you can record your hunts.It requires only one click of a button to switch between the two channels – thermal and daytime digital. It’s simple, fast and convenient.

Using the Thermion Duo DXP50 as a daytime riflescope is simple and easy as the lens does not require focusing. The daytime digital channel gives you a focused image at any range.

There is an equal field of view for both thermal and digital channels. You can easily switch between thermal and digital without compromising focus on the observed object and clearly identify your target any time or any weather condition.

The new riflescope is equipped with a high-sensitivity European-made Lynred sensor with < 25 mK NETD which unprecedented heat separation when observing in low temperature contrast conditions such as rain or fog.

The 640×480 pixel resolution ensures exemplary detail and identification of the target and the surrounding landscape. The size of the sensor allows for a wide field of view for comfortable and informative observation of both static and dynamic scenes.

Just like the Thermion 2 LRF, the Thermion Duo DXP50 features high-precision ambidextrous focusing knobs. They now come with a fin lever, which perfectly does the job for precise focusing of the thermal channel. Positioned on both sides of the scope, the knobs make this device comfortable for both left- and right-handed users.

High-definition digital zoom allows the hunter to zoom-in with up to eight times magnification without loosing image quality—ideal for long-distance shooting. One of the Best 5 Thermal Scopes 2023.

See our Christmas Gifts Suggestions For Hunters

Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XG50 Thermal Scope

Best ALL PURPOSE Thermal Scope

The 2023 Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XG50 is a new thermal rifle scope with a lot of improvements over the original Thermion XG50 introduced a couple of years ago. It has a new thermal sensor, Laser Range Finding (LRF) capability, magnification of 3X-24X and is priced at $6000.

The Thermion 2 LRF XG50 has a new sensor for improved image quality and overall performance. The original XG50 used a BAE sensor, but it did not quite live up to normal Pulsar performance standards.

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Fast forward to 2023 and Pulsar has upgraded from the Thermion XG50 to the Thermion 2 series. The Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XG50 now has a new 12-micron Lynred thermal sensor for improved image quality and overall performance. Plus, it now has laser range finding capability and Stream Vision Ballistics software (coming soon) that actually plots the aiming point for the target. (more about that later).

The combination of LRF and 3X base magnification make this scope ideal for coyote hunters who have to often deal with longer shots than hog hunters. It is also great for hog hunters because the field of view is 46 feet wide at 100 yard. The LRF is a good option for all hunters because it is so difficult to judge distance at night.

The new Thermion 2 LRF XG50 is a 640×480 high definition thermal rifle scope. The differences between the new Thermion 2 LRF XG50 and the Thermion 2 XP50 Pro are the magnification range and the different types of thermal sensors.

The XP50 Pro has a magnification range of 2-16X with a 17-micoron <25 MKv sensor. The Thermion 2 LRF XG50 has a magnification range of 3-24X with a 12-micron <40 MKv sensor. I compared these scopes side by side, and both have about the best image available in this price range of under $6000.

The Big Question everyone has “Is the XG50 image quality as good as the XP50?”

The Thermion 2 XP50 Pro has a little better heat separation capability so the image may be a little better in bad weather. The Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XG50 has a 12-micron sensor that makes the animal appear larger in the screen with more detail. Lets take a look side by side and see how they compare in the video below.

After testing the two scopes side by side, the answer to the Big Question is YES! The image of the LRF XG50 is as good as the XP50 Pro.

The image of the Thermion 2 LRF XG50 is as good or maybe better because you can see more detail of the target animal, and the detail of the background is not bad either. Just look at the video abovw to see for yourself. One may be better than the other in different weather conditions, but on a good thermal night, they are both great. The video shows you a good image, but the image in the scope is even better. You will be very pleased with the image quality.

Hunting With The Thermion 2 LRF XG50 is totally enjoyable. There are no “I wish my scope had…) thoughts going through your mind. I think it has the perfect magnification range, a superior image and with all the features of a Pulsar Thermion 2, you can hardly ask for more. One of the Best 5 Thermal Scopes 2023.

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InfiRay Bolt V2 TH50c Thermal Scope

Best Thermal Scope For Coyote Hunting

The new InfiRay Bolt TH50c V2 now has audio recording in 2023 to go with one of the best thermal scope images available on the market.

The InfiRay Bolt TH50-C Thermal Riflescope is the latest addition to the Bolt series of thermal rifle scopes and is distributed in the United States by IRay USA. The InfiRay Bolt TH50 3.5x14x5 has a 640×512 12-micron thermal processor, 3.5X base magnification, and a 50mm objective lens. It is a tube-type thermal scope that looks very much like a traditional glass scope which makes it more user-friendly for bolt-action rifles. Of course, it is right at home on a modern sporting rifle as well. The image is displayed on an OLED screen, with a 2560×2560 pixels resolution. It has all the features needed to be a great scope and carries a price tag of $5495.

Features Include:

High-Resolution 640X512 Sensor
Rugged Aircraft Aluminum Housing
Internal Recording
Wifi connectivity with InfiRay Outdoor App
8 Hour internal battery
18500 Removable/Rechargeable Battery Capable (4hrs)
Full Circular Display
Tactile Turret Adjustment
30mm Mounting versatility
Weighs 33 ounces

I was very happy to see InfiRay and IRayUSA offer the new Bolt series of Thermal Rifle Scopes. I have to say I am a fan of the new tube-type thermal rifle scopes. Not only do they work much better on my bolt action Tikka T3, but they are much easier to use. The controls are handier to use in the dark than the older models with just a row of buttons on top. Zooming is done with the top turret knob. The power, record, brightness, and palette buttons are grouped together on top of the eyepiece making it very convenient.

Overall, the InfiRay Bolt TH50-C is one of the best thermal scopes I have used. It has an excellent image, is solidly built, comes with a 5-year warranty, but most of all it is easy to use. If your main hunting interest is coyotes, there is nothing in this price range that will beat the overall capability of this scope. The scope has excellent image quality, the dual battery system gives you 8-10 hours of battery life with inexpensive 18500 backup power in your pocket. Controls that hunters use the most at the tip of your fingers. It may not record audio, but it is a coyote killing machine. One of the Best 5 Thermal Scopes 2023 I have tested.

If you buy this scope, you will not be disappointed. AVAILAVABLE at Outdoorlegacygear.com

Best Compact Thermal LRF Scope

The AGM Varmint LRF TS50-640 2.5-20X Thermal Rifle Scope is AGM’s top-of-the-line laser range-finding thermal scope. This new thermal rifle scope gives you a great image and a built-in, easy-to-use Laser Range Finder for under $4995. In addition, this new scope is powered by a single rechargeable 18650 battery that will give you up to 4-6 hours of hunting time on a single charge.

See also How To Smoke Wild Boar Meat There are many different opinions on how to properly smoke meat. This is what has worked in my experience, but there are certainly other successful methods. Experiment and have fun.Working muscles (shoulders, ribs and legs) benefit most from long slow cooking methods like smoking or braising.The basic issues to control when smoking meat are:1. Maintain a low cooking temperature2. Maximize moisture retention in the meat.Low Cooking TemperatureI keep my cooking temperature around 200°F - 225°F. The goal is to slowly raise the internal temperature of the meat to 180°F and then hold it there for about an hour. “Slow and low” is the mantra. Cooking time will be about 1.5 – 2 hours per pound of meat, but can vary based on thickness and whether or not it’s bone-in or bone-out.Many recipes will tell you to pull the meat when it reaches an internal temperature of 190°F or even 200°F. That advice works because it takes about an hour for a modest size piece of meat to increase from 180°F to 190°F. I would not recommend going much higher than that for very long because you begin to lose moisture in the form of steam.Lower cooking temperatures of 180°F - 200°F can be used to great success, but the cooking time will be much longer. Cooking at temperatures above 250°F is not recommended because the meat cooks too quickly causing increased moisture loss and does not allow ample time for the collagen to break down (it makes for dry, tough meat).Why 180°F internal temperature?Meat contains muscle fibers and connective tissue (collagen). It is the collagen that makes the working cuts “tough and chewy” when not properly cooked. Collagen does not break down into liquid gelatin until it reaches 180°F. You must break down that collagen by getting the internal temperature to at least 180°F and stay there for about 1 hour. Once you’ve broken down the collagen you will have fork tender meat.Moisture RetentionMoisture retention is especially important when smoking wild game meats because they are typically much leaner than other meats.Brining – Moisture can be added to the meat prior to cooking by brining it. Moisture will still cook out of your meat, but since you’re starting with more moisture the end result will be juicier. A basic brine recipe is 1 cup of table salt per 1 gallon of water. Subtle flavorings can be infused into the meat by including sugar (1/2 cup per 1 gallon of water), garlic cloves, onions, bay leaves, peppercorns, herbs, or just about anything else. However, the primary purpose of brining is to increase the moisture content of the meat prior to cooking. Stir the salt into the water until it dissolves. For large quantities it may be necessary to heat the water to make the salt dissolve. (If you do heat the brine it must be cooled off again prior to adding the meat.) Add the meat and allow it soak for several hours in the refrigerator. For shoulders and legs (2 - 6 lb pieces) soaking overnight is just right. When the soak is finished remove the meat from the brine, briefly rinse it under cold water and then pat dry. Add your rub/spices and you’re ready to cook.Injecting – Some inject their meat with liquid and spices prior to cooking. Like brining, this increases the moisture content prior to cooking so there will be more moisture left in the meat when it is finished.Basting – Basting is done by periodically coating the meat with liquid to add moisture and flavor as it cooks. Just about any liquid will do as long as it is low in sugar. Sugar burns quickly so only add glazes and BBQ sauces (which are loaded with sugar) during the last 20 minutes of cooking and only long enough from them to firm up.Barding – Covering the meat with fatty bacon or other fats while it cooks is another technique. This is typically used on very lean meats that lack sufficient natural fat so the bacon acts as a substitute. This is a great way to add fat and moisture during the cooking process, but I also find that you end up tasting bacon more than the meat.Wrapping – Once the meat has smoked for a few hours and absorbed a sufficient quantity of smoke flavor the meat can be tightly wrapped in foil. This wrap will reduce moisture evaporation into the open air and keep the juices close to the meat (acting more like a braise than BBQ). It’s also a great way to capture the juices for use in a sauce. If you want a crispy exterior (a “bark”) then don’t use a foil wrap and cook a little longer. If you want some insurance on getting a tender, moist final product then use the wrap.Smoke and WoodWood Choice – Just about any hardwood will do. Oak and hickory are some of the most popular and most commonly available. Mesquite, maple and fruitwoods can add a sweetness to the meat, but don’t overdo it. Herb woods like basil, rosemary and thyme can be used in small quantities to add a deeper flavor profile. Avoid softwoods (evergreen trees) because the high resin levels will give your meat an unpleasant taste.Smoke Ring – The “smoke ring” is a reddish/pink coloration just under the surface of the meat. It’s formed by a chemical reaction between the nitrogen dioxide in the smoke and the myoglobin in meat (which creates nitric acid and colors the meat). A good smoke ring is prized in BBQ because it usually indicates that the meat was successfully cooked slowly at a low temperature. The smoke ring gradually forms until the meat (just under the surface) reaches 140°F, then the formation stops. The thickness of your smoke ring depends on how long it takes for the meat to reach this temperature. Knowing how a smoke ring forms gives us two practical applications:1. To maximize your smoke ring take the meat directly from the refrigerator to the cooker. Conventional wisdom instructs you to bring the meat to room temperature before cooking, but starting straight from a cooler temperature will give your meat more time to develop a smoke ring.2. Since smoke ring formation stops at 140°F you only need to worry about generating smoke for the first 4 hours of cooking (roughly). After that the meat will not be absorbing any more smoke flavor or coloring. After 4 hours, just concentrate on keeping a steady low temperature until the meat is done.The Oven OptionNot everyone is blessed with the time, space, and/or patience to play with a smoker. Take heart - you can still get good results with an oven.Heat your oven to 200°F - 225°F. Wrap the meat in foil. Put it in the oven until done as described above. About 1.5 - 2 hours per pound.If you want smoke flavor use your smoker/BBQ pit for the first 1 - 2 hours to infuse some smoke flavor into the meat. Then finish the cooking in the oven. If you don't have a smoker or don't want to bother with it - skip this step. It will still be good. Written by Chris Hughes Filed under cooking, cooking tips, learn, recipe, smoke, wild boar Tweet

The AGM Varmint TS50-640 2.5-20X LRF is a compact thermal scope with laser range finding capability. It uses a 640×512 resolution, 12-micron thermal processor. It has a base magnification of 2.5X and a digital zoom to 20X. The AGM Varmint LRF TS50-640 2.5-20X has a 1024×768 OLED screen and provides an excellent image day or night.

This optic can be used as a thermal riflescope or handheld monocular and can be applied to scenarios such as patrolling, hunting, and static observation. It is only 8.5 long × 2.6 wide × 4.2 in tall and weighs less than 25 ounces.

The built-in laser range finder of the AGM Varmint LRF is accurate out past 600 yards. It has a small box on the screen that you bracket the target in, then a single push of a button gives you the range that is displayed in the upper right corner. The range has a single or continuous 15-second scanning mode.

One 18650 rechargeable battery gives the device up to 6 hours of continuous operation time on a high-grade fully charged battery. Compared to a similar scope using CR123 batteries, the Varmint’s 18650 rechargeable battery will save you about $10 per hunt. Two 18650 batteries are provided with the scope.

An external 5V power bank (battery pack) can be used via a USB to USB-C connector but you probably won’t need it if you charge the two supplied batteries before your hunt. The device has 16 Gig’s of storage for onboard video recording and image capturing. It does not capture audio. An internal Wi-Fi module for live video streaming and video/image recording via the T-Vision application are included.

Another plus for this thermal riflescope is the mount. It comes from the factory with the excellent American Defense Manufacturing single lever quick detachable mount at no extra charge. This single lever configuration is not only secure but makes reattaching the scope to the rifle quick and easy without a need to re-zero. One of the Best 5 Thermal Scopes 2023.

N-Vision Optics Halo-XRF Thermal Scope

Best Thermal Scope On The Market <$10K

The N-Vision Optics Halo-XRF Thermal Scope is arguably the best thermal scope on the market. It is priced at $9,495.00. Based on the American made BAE thermal core, it has a fantastic image even above the base magnification. It also runs on 18650 batteries and has an ADM QD mount. One of the Best 5 Thermal Scopes 2023 – actually the best of all.

If you can afford this scope, buy it and you will be extremely happy.

See N-Vison Halo XRF Video Review Here

AVAILAVABLE at Outdoorlegacygear.com

Specifications

Calibration (NUC) Manual: Manual

Identification range: 380 yards Display Type: OLED 640×480 B&W Size: 8.9 x 4.1 x 3.4 inches Recognition range: 726 yards

Detection range: 2020 yards

Power: two 18650 batteries

Digital Zoom: 1x/2x/4x/8x

Sensor Pixel Pitch: 12 um

Remote power: USB 5.0V

Resolution: 640 x 480

Magnification: 3.5x

Refresh Rate: 60 Hz

Weight: 41.5 oz

Lens: 50mm F1.1

Focus: Fixed

Pulsar Thermion 2 DUO D XP50 Thermal/Day Scope

Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XG50 Thermal Scope

Awesafe Gun Safe, Biometric Gun Safe for Pistols*

InfiRay Bolt V2 TH50c Thermal Scope

N-Vision Optics Halo-XRF Thermal Scope

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