Thermal sightings: features and recommendations for your choice

Modern thermal imaging sights are high-tech devices that allow you to aim shooting in any weather conditions, regardless of the level of illumination. Despite the relative high cost of this equipment, it is often used by professional hunters, because a high-quality device allows you to view the wild boar from a distance exceeding 600 meters.

What is a thermal imaging sight?

This equipment was developed specifically for recognizing living objects in poor lighting conditions. The principle of operation of this technique is based on fixing the thermal radiation emitted by living beings. In other words, a person using thermal imaging sights can distinguish living objects in pitch darkness. To date, several types of similar equipment are produced, differing in quality and design features. Depending on the distance and lighting conditions in which the radiating object can be distinguished, ordinary and professional equipment is allocated.

What are the possibilities of the thermal imaging sight for hunting?

A few years ago, such devices were considered a great rarity. In view of the high cost of their use only a limited number of hunters, but today the situation has changed dramatically. Manufacturers began to gradually reduce prices, so the thermal imaging sights, which have wide functionality, are now available not only to professionals, but also to amateurs.

This device allows you to bring detection and pursuit of the animal to a whole new level, which significantly improves the quality of hunting. Thanks to the thermal radiation emanating from the hiding loot , the hunter can easily find it in total darkness. Thus, a person using thermal imaging sights gets a huge advantage over the beast.

What to choose - a thermal imager or a night vision device?

These two completely different devices have different capabilities. Thus, thermal imaging sights are considered to be more advanced technology. They allow in absolute darkness to distinguish between animals and humans. With their help you can find living objects, hiding behind trees, in the grass and in thickets of bushes. Hunting thermal imagers allow you to increase the range and clarity of the image, therefore, the extraction can be discerned even in bad weather conditions.

The main detail that distinguishes thermal imagers from night vision devices is the impossibility of recognizing inscriptions, patches and other small details. However, unlike servicemen, it is much more important for the hunter to consider the thermal signature. To make an accurate shot, it is enough to see only the outlines of the beast.

Advantages of new generation sights

Most manufacturers of this equipment is constantly expanding the capabilities of manufactured models. One of the best is the thermal imaging sights "Pulsar". Due to the high resolution, they allow you to detect the target at great distances. A clear, clear image of the human eye makes it possible to aim quietly. Apex thermal imaging sights equipped with an anti-shock system can be combined with gun modules of any caliber. Due to the presence of the Picatinny bar it can be equipped with additional equipment.

What should I look for when buying a device?

One of the most important criteria is the clarity of the image. The accuracy and clarity of the object's display in the sight directly depends on the resolution. The higher this figure, the better the quality of the picture. For those who are too hard to navigate through a monochrome display, you can recommend paying special attention to the models, complete with a color screen. Fans of winter hunting should buy a device with OLED-display, resistant to minus temperatures. Choosing between the field of view and multiplicity, it is necessary to take into account the preferred species of hunting. The refresh rate should be at least 50 Hz.

Dimensions, weight, resistance to recoil and the material from which the body of the sight is made, must be chosen with regard to the weapon used. Those who plan to hunt for more than one day should take care to ensure the ability to connect to external power sources. Some models have additional options. So, the presence of video output allows you to record the resulting picture, and if necessary transfer it to a computer or other external device. When choosing a device, it is necessary to focus on its technical characteristics.

Cost of the device

Of course, the prices for thermal imagers can not be called affordable for the bulk of hunters. The cost of this technique ranges from 2,700 to 24,000 dollars. To date, many companies produce expensive equipment, stuffed with various additional functions. The high cost of thermal imagers is due to the presence of such components as a matrix and an objective. If a lot of effort and finance is spent on manufacturing the matrix, expensive materials are used to make the lens. Hunters, who decided to acquire a thermal imaging sight, do not necessarily have to purchase expensive models. You can limit the budget option, which does not have such additional functions as a ballistic calculator or range finder. Even the cheapest devices are able to cope with the tasks assigned to them.