Selecting the best thermal scopes for coyote hunting can be difficult due to the many options available. Having conducted thorough research myself, I understand how confusing this process can be. I aim to help you make an informed decision and avoid any uncertainties when comparing different thermal scopes.
Coyote hunting presents a unique and challenging experience for hunters, often requiring them to venture out during the night when these elusive predators are most active.
To gain a tactical advantage in these low-light conditions, hunters frequently turn to thermal scopes, which enable them to detect the heat signatures of coyotes and other wildlife, even in total darkness.
Leveraging my experience and knowledge, I’ll provide valuable insights to ensure that you have a clear understanding of what sets these scopes apart, making your selection process much more straightforward and tailored to your specific needs.
What is a Thermal Scope?
A thermal scope operates using a thermographic camera and digital technology to detect and display heat differences. It captures infrared light, which represents heat emitted by living beings and objects, making it ideal for both day and night use.
These scopes function in complete darkness, dense fog, and challenging lighting conditions, offering a significant advantage for activities like coyote hunting, which often involves twilight and nocturnal hunting.
The key advantage of thermal scopes lies in their ability to clearly distinguish animals against cooler backgrounds, such as the ground or snow. The contrast between an animal’s heat signature and the colder environment makes them highly visible.
What’s the difference between a thermal scope and a night vision scope?
- A thermal scope detects infrared light and displays the contrast between a target and the surrounding area.
- A night vision scope works by taking in the little light available and amplifying it into an image you can see.
- Thermal scopes offer versatility, as they are effective both during the day and night, whereas daytime exposure can potentially harm night vision scopes.
- Thermal scopes excel in creating sharp contrasts between the target and the background, enhancing visibility, a feature not shared by night vision technology.
- Night vision scopes provide superior image clarity, allowing for the observation of finer details on distant targets.
What do you need to look for when purchasing a thermal scope?
Image quality
The paramount factor in a thermal scope is undeniably the quality of the image it provides, as it directly correlates with the overall user experience. Even if other aspects of the scope appear flawless, a poor image can diminish its performance.
In thermal scopes, image resolution matters significantly, with the most common options being 320×240 and 640×480. Opting for a higher resolution invariably results in a superior image quality. A 320×240 scope would have 76,800 pixels, while a 640×480 scope would have 307,200 pixels, a 4x increase.
Field of view
Choosing the right field of view for your thermal scope depends on your hunting strategy. If your goal is to survey a large area for coyotes, a scope with a wide field of view is ideal. Conversely, if you prioritize image clarity and aim to focus on a single target, a narrower field of view is more suitable.
An effective approach is to opt for a thermal scope with a wider field of view and then utilize digital zoom to narrow down your focus on the target.
Field of view measurements for thermal scopes is typically around 13 degrees, where lower values indicate a narrower view and higher values provide a broader perspective through the scope.
Glass Clarity
The clarity of the glass in a thermal scope is determined by the type of glass used and the coatings applied by the manufacturer. A sharp and vivid image is essential, which is influenced by the scope’s overall image resolution.
Pixel pitch
This refers to the distance between two pixel-sized thermal sensors and it’s measured in microns.
Common pixel pitch measurements include 12, 17, and even up to 35 microns. Typically, a smaller pixel pitch leads to higher image quality in a thermal scope, emphasizing the importance of this factor in assessing thermal imaging performance.
Battery life
One of the most critical aspects of a thermal scope is its battery life. Even if you have a top-of-the-line scope with a 60 Hz refresh rate, the experience could be cut short if the battery only lasts for an hour.
Some scopes offer the flexibility to choose between 60 Hz and 30 Hz refresh rates, allowing you to balance image quality and battery life according to your needs. Many scopes attempt to strike a compromise between these two factors, and it’s quite standard for scopes to provide approximately 4 to 6 hours of battery life.
Moreover, many scopes support external power sources, like battery packs, which can significantly extend usage time without compromising image quality.
Refresh Rate
The refresh rate indicates how often your image updates each second. There are three common refresh rates: 30 Hz, 50 Hz, and 60 Hz. Opting for a higher refresh rate will provide a clear and visually pleasing image.
Magnification
Thermal scopes offer varying magnification levels typically ranging from 1x to 4.5x or higher, determined by the lens size, though they lack optical zoom adjustments. Some models feature an adjustable lens, denoted by a magnification range like 1-10x, but thermal scopes primarily rely on digital continuous zoom, often reaching up to 8x.
While digital zoom doesn’t enhance resolution and may introduce some blurriness, it remains a valuable tool for discerning an object’s general shape and distinguishing between animals, such as coyotes, hogs, or deer, at a distance.
Color Modes
Thermal scopes often come equipped with a wider array of features and choices. A basic thermal scope typically offers both white-hot and black-hot color settings, where the former presents the target in white against a black background, indicating heat and the latter reverses this color scheme.
These are just two among the range of up to six available color options. While the standard white-hot and black-hot modes generally suffice for most users, it’s worth checking if a scope offers your preferred color scheme before purchasing to ensure it aligns with your preferences.
5 Best Thermal Scopes for Coyote Hunting
ATN Thor LT Thermal Rifle Scope (Best Thermal Scope for Coyote Hunting)
If you’ve ever contemplated buying a thermal scope, you’ve likely pondered the high price tags that come with them. The ATN Thor LT is engineered to address this issue by simplifying the user experience. It weighs 1.4 pounds only.
This thermal scope prioritizes ease of use and affordability, making it accessible to a broader audience. It excels at detecting animal body heat, even in challenging conditions like thick foliage or fog, and doesn’t rely on visible light to deliver a clear and sharp image.
Despite its modest sensor resolution of 160 x 120 and a 17-micron pixel pitch, this scope manages to deliver an image displayed in 1280 x 720 HD quality.
What’s even more impressive is that it maintains a clear and smooth 60 Hz refresh rate while providing a remarkable battery life of over 10 hours, surpassing the longevity of many thermal scopes in the market.
Furthermore, this scope offers flexibility, as it is available in a 320 x 240 resolution with higher magnification power, making it a cost-effective solution for various thermal imaging needs.
Pros
Affordable
Short-range
Long eye relief
Ultra-long battery life
Cons
The screen freezes at times
AGM Rattler TS25-384 Thermal Imaging RifleScope
The AGM Rattler TS25-384 is a tough and adaptable thermal scope designed to work all day and night in any kind of weather or environment. It uses a special heat-sensing camera with a good level of detail, letting you see clearly in tough conditions like darkness, fog, and more.
The Rattler TS25-384 helps you pick the right setting for different distances, even up to 880 meters away. It has a clear display screen with different color options and can even measure distances, giving you a better sense of what’s happening.
This scope is tough and can handle water and shocks. It runs on two CR123 batteries, which last around 4.5 hours. You can also use an external power bank for more power.
Plus, it has Wi-Fi, so you can stream video and record pictures and videos using a mobile app.
Eye relief is decent (for a thermal) at 45mm, it has a wide 14.9×11.2° FOV, and 1.5x optical magnification with digital 1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x zoom. Large targets can be detected to 965 yards, but its identification range is between 150-200 yards.
The AGM Rattler TS25-384 comes with several viewing options, such as Black Hot, White Hot, Red Hot, and Fusion.
It also offers two Scene Modes: Recognition and Jungle. In Recognition mode, it sharpens the edges of the target, making it easier to see. Meanwhile, Jungle mode is great for picking up heat signatures on very small targets.
It has a 384 x 288 thermal image resolution, a 17-micron pixel pitch, and a 50 Hz refresh rate. It is also a lightweight scope, weighing only one pound.
Pros
Several different modes (white hot, red hot, etc.)
Super clear image
Large digital display that allows you to see everything in front of you
Lightweight
Allows you to record real-time videos and images
Cons
Limited warranty of 3 years
AGM Varmint LRF TS35-384 Thermal Riflescope
The Varmint FLR TS35-384 has a built-in laser rangefinder to help you measure distances. It’s designed to make your hunting experience better. The built-in laser rangefinder has a max range of 656 yards with -/+2-yard accuracy
Equipped with a 12μm high sensitivity thermal detector and fast 50Hz imaging, it delivers exceptional thermal imaging performance. It works well in various conditions like darkness, fog, and more, and it can even see through things like rain, snow, and leaves.
You can customize how the display looks with different colors by choosing from various reticle types and colors to match your shooting style and preference.
The high-resolution OLED display ensures sharp and detailed visuals, allowing you to spot targets with ease. Get a closer view of your target with the 1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x digital zoom options, which make your aiming more precise and accurate.
You can also save your memorable hunting moments by recording videos and taking pictures, and they will be conveniently stored in the scope’s 16GB EMMC storage. You can stay connected and share your hunting adventures with the Wi-Fi feature, which allows you to stream live videos and record videos and pictures on your mobile phone.
Additionally, the Varmint FLR TS35-384 has a standby mode that helps save battery when you’re not actively using it. It has a 4.5-hour battery life and can easily plug into an external power bank.
Pros
Built-in laser rangefinder
656-yard LRF range
Live video streaming
Compact
Cons
Relatively short battery life
Burris BTS 35 V2 USM Thermal Imaging Rifle Scope
The Burris BTS35 V2 Thermal Rifle Scope is an exceptional choice for night hunting, delivering outstanding performance and value. It provides a dedicated solution for your nighttime hunting needs, and you can customize your experience with a selection of 10 reticles and 7 color palettes.
This thermal scope is packed with features that you won’t typically find at this price point. It offers tools for stadiametric ranging, picture-in-picture viewing, and hot target tracking, and allows you to adjust the brightness and contrast to suit your preferences.
It has a robust 800G shutter that ensures the scope can handle shocks and rough handling without issues.
Its Live Video and Photo Capture enables it to stream live video and take pictures while you’re using it. It also has a remote control thus you can adjust various settings on the device from a distance.
Pros
High Resolution
Multiple Color Palettes
Robust 800G shutter for shockproof performance
More than 5 hours of battery life
Real-time video streaming and photo capture capability
Remote control of numerous device settings
Cons
Short eye relief
Trijicon Electro Optics REAP-IR Type 3 35mm Thermal Rifle Scope
Trijicon is well-known for producing exceptional optical devices, and their thermal optics are no exception. The REAP-IR, in particular, stands out as a top-tier thermal scope.
It is fully ruggedized, and weatherproof, with a multi-directional thumbstick control with improved design for faster system response.
This impressive scope boasts a sizable 640 x 480 thermal sensor grid that offers clear, crisp imagery through smoke, dust, and complete darkness. It also features very fine 12-micron pixels. Combined with a speedy 60 Hz refresh rate, it delivers an incredibly high-quality image.
Despite its high-quality imagery, the battery life is quite commendable. It offers a 4-hour runtime, and it’s compatible with an external battery pack.
The new USB-C connector allows the use of external battery packs and you can download analog and digital video with available adapters with compatible DVRs.
The thermal scope provides a fixed 1.75x optical magnification, and for added versatility, it offers an 8x digital zoom.
Pros
USB-C connection
Great resolution
Highly durable
High-quality imagery
Cons
High cost
Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ50 Pro 3-12x50mm Thermal Imaging Rifle Scope
The Pulsar Thermion 2 is a thermal imaging device that can spot heat signatures from as far as 2,000 yards away, even in challenging weather conditions like fog, smog, or rain. It displays these images on a sharp 1024×768 AMOLED screen.
It has a super sensitive Thermal Imaging sensor with 384×288 pixel resolution and the NETD <40mK value ensures high detail recognition even in the most severe weather conditions when thermal contrast is low.
With a remarkable 10-hour battery life and convenient USB-C charging, the Thermion 2 Pro is built to endure long nighttime adventures.
Beyond just being a thermal camera, the Thermion 2 Pro also functions as a high-tech precision riflescope. It offers various reticle options and weapon profiles, making it compatible with multiple firearms without requiring you to reset your zero point.
When you do need to adjust it, the Freeze Zeroing feature allows you to make changes without holding the rifle at the initial aiming point, helping save ammunition.
This scope has a variable magnification of 3.5 to 14x, making it a long-range thermal scope.
Thermions possess a wide array of shape and color-customizable reticles, including static, ballistic, and scalable reticles. 9 Color options help to optimize aiming for specific conditions.
A choice of multiple color palettes lets the user observe their field of view more effectively, allowing them to optimize the unit for specific tasks as well as react to changing observation conditions.
You can capture your most memorable hunting moments with the integrated photo and video recording capabilities of the Thermion 2 Pro, which even includes audio. Thanks to its Wi-Fi features, you can control it remotely and connect it to your devices.
The device also supports Cloud storage through the Stream Vision 2 app, making it perfect for nighttime observation.
Pros
Multiple color palettes
High Contrast 1024×768 HD AMOLED display
Completely Waterproof with an IPX7 waterproof rating
Remarkable battery life
Cons
Added magnification is expected to increase the weight so it’s relatively heavier.
Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting the best thermal scopes for coyote hunting is a crucial decision that can greatly impact your success in the field. These advanced devices offer a significant advantage when hunting in low-light conditions, such as during the night, when coyotes are most active. By understanding the key features and factors to consider when purchasing a thermal scope, hunters can make informed decisions tailored to their specific needs.
Image quality, field of view, glass clarity, pixel pitch, battery life, refresh rate, magnification, and color modes are all essential aspects to evaluate when choosing a thermal scope. These factors directly affect your ability to detect and track coyotes effectively, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
The reviewed thermal scopes, including budget-friendly options like the ATN Thor LT and high-end choices like the Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ50 Pro, provide a range of features to suit various hunting preferences and requirements. With these insights, hunters can now confidently select the best thermal scopes for their coyote hunting adventures, enhancing their overall experience and success in the field.