Flir Thermosight Pro Pts536 4-16×50 (60 Hz) Thermal Rifle Scope
Technologies behind thermal scopes used to be prohibitively expensive. Flir Thermosight Pro Pts536 4-16×50 (60 Hz) Thermal Rifle Scope. This meant that they were available only to those with deep pockets and huge budgets, such as the military and larger law enforcement agencies. But with all the advancements technological advancements, the cost of thermal scopes has dropped significantly, and they have become more available than ever.

The growing availability in thermal scopes has led to a surge in popularity for nocturnal hunting pursuits like hog and coyote. In turn, this growing demand for these products has led dozens of companies to enter the market and provide thermal scopes available to a more diverse group of hunters and shooters as never before. Whether you’re looking to get your first or upgrade to a more sophisticated model, let us help you discover some of the best thermal scopes so that you can also get in on the action.
Best Thermal Scopes In 2022

- The best value for money: OPMOD Thor LT 3-6x
- Best Over $5000: Trijicon IR Hunter MK3
- Best Thermal Scope under $5000: AGM Secutor TS25-384
- Best Thermal Scope Under $2,000: ATN Thor HD 384 2-8x
- The Best Value Thermal Scope: ATN Thor 4 384 1.25-5x
- Best for Hunting: ATN Thor LT 160 3x
- The Best Hot Scope for Hog Hunting: Sig Sauer Echo 3
- Best Clip-On Thermal Scope Burris BTC 50
- Ideal for Surveillance: Trijicon IR-Patrol IRMO 300 Rifle Kit
Things to Consider Before Buying an IR Scope

You’ve probably figured out by now it’s true that best thermal scopes aren’t cheap. Flir Thermosight Pro Pts536 4-16×50 (60 Hz) Thermal Rifle Scope. A majority of people don’t go out and drop large sums of money on an expensive thermal scope on a whim. There are some things that you should seriously consider first and decide what thermal scope is right for you. (Or really whether you really require one, or if the money would be better spent elsewhere.)
Obviously, the final decision is up to you however, if you do think that your next gun-related purchase will be a thermal scope Here are some aspects you should consider prior to making the decision to spend your hard-earned money:
Battery Life
There’s plenty of technology in a thermal scope, and it’s got to have some type of battery to run it. There aren’t all batteries in the same way, and it is important to make sure you have a battery that will ensure your thermal scope will stay in operation for as long as you need it. That means you should consider how long you plan to use the scope for in one period, how long does it take to chargeit, and how much do extra batteries run.
Extra Features
Some thermal scopes come with WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth and more. These are all really cool features to have, but you have to take a look at what you’ll be using the thermal scope for and whether or not those extra features are worth the cost or not. For instance, do you really need to be able to stream your scope image onto a mobile device? Flir Thermosight Pro Pts536 4-16×50 (60 Hz) Thermal Rifle Scope.
Price and Budget
The best thermals are going to be over $5000. While these are often the top-of-the-line scopes you can buy but you’ll also get useful applications from the $2000-$5000 range. If you’re searching for a bargain thermal scope under $1000, you won’t find one. There are some thermal units under $2000 but be brand-specific for a high-quality assurance of warranty and money-back guarantee since quality control issues are to be anticipated in this price range.
Size/Weight
Thermal imaging scopes have been heavy and big. The typical weight of a thermal scope for a rifle scope is around 2 pounds. Lightweight thermals weigh between 1-1.5 pounds which is comparable to standard daytime rifle scopes. Although thermals could be about the same length of traditional rifle scopes, and even shorter however, the internal components that are required to create thermal imaging makes them wider. Their overall weight and size will influence your hunting or tactical weapon and scope system.
A lightweight and compact option is to look into the clip-on system. It’s not just a matter of reducing size and weight, they’re designed to be used on top of your daytime scope and are easily removed and attached.
Detection/Recognition Ranges
Thermals can offer over 1000+ yards of range of detection on targets in all the day or night conditions. However, the distance at which you can identify and recognize what your target is will be significantly shorter.
These ranges will vary between manufacturers models, models, as well as quality. The thermal detector’s sensitivity will be the primary factor you need to study. An increase in magnification may help quickly identify and locate distant targets, however it could also result in poor pixelage resulting in a blurred image. The resolution of the display will determine what the image quality is. sight picture. Flir Thermosight Pro Pts536 4-16×50 (60 Hz) Thermal Rifle Scope.
Which is Better Thermal Or Night Vision?

Instead of focusing on whether night vision scopes are better than thermal or vice versa, instead focus on whether night vision scope can be better than thermal or in the reverse direction, the main problem is:
Which one is the best to meet your needs and budget?
At the end of this guide, you’ll have exactly the answer to that.
Let’s get started!
Night Vision
Night vision operates by using light or reflections of light and then transforming the light into an image that is crystal clear.
Thus, it requires some sort of ambient light for its operation.
If you shoot at night, the moonlight and the stars typically provide enough light. Newer models come with infrared illuminations that function as flashlights for the scope but aren’t visible to the naked eye.
If you’re looking through marketplaces to purchase night vision optics, you’ll see different rating for these — Gen Iand II, or III. Simply put, the more the level of the generation, the higher the quality.
There’s also a newer classification that includes night vision scopes called Digital Night Vision.
The regular night vision display is traditional green and black while the updated digital night vision is typically shown in black and white on the LCD screen.
Pros
- Night vision provides a better image.
- It allows you to differentiate between finer details. Additionally, night vision scopes are cheaper and more small in size. They are not affected by cold temperatures.
The night vision technology is around for a long time, much longer in comparison to thermal optics. Night vision scopes are used to be mounted on rifles, and are more robust, stable and absorb recoil with the same ease as a champion.
Cons
- Its need for ambient light is what makes night vision limited.
So unless you have an infrared illuminator, it’s pretty much useless in darkness. It’s not suitable for use in daylight either as it is permanently damaged when exposed to a bright light.
Thermal Imaging
Thermal scopes detect heat or radiation given off by living objects. Thermal imaging employs a specific type of lens that concentrates on infrared light and produces the thermogram. This thermogram then transforms into electrical impulses , which then form a picture on your screen. Flir Thermosight Pro Pts536 4-16×50 (60 Hz) Thermal Rifle Scope.
Pros
- Thermal vision is more flexible as it is able to be utilized in any kind of lighting situation. In fact, one of the most significant benefits to thermal imaging scopes is that they are able to function properly in day and night and do not need infrared light. On top of that they allow you to discern smoke, dust, and fog with ease. This is why firefighters use thermal technology.
Cons
- One of the main drawbacks of thermal imaging can be that it’s very heavy to carry around. They are also expensive and may require you to go through training to interpret the images correctly. The battery’s lifespan is usually restricted, and the quality of the image may be adversely affected by temperatures that are colder.

FAQ
What is the length of time the Thermal Scope last?
In the average, thermal scopes last almost eight hours on one charge. Various models will vary between 2 to 10 hours. More recently, ATN has managed to create ultra-low consumption thermal scopes that can provide up to 10+ hours of continuous usage.
Why is it that Thermal Scopes are so expensive?
In general, thermal scopes cost a lot because of the advanced technology components. There are also differences in cost with various features such as Bluetooth connectivity and palette mods or ballistic applications, and more. However, thermals start at a affordable price of $1000.
How Far can Thermal Rifle Scopes See?
The distance thermal rifle scopes can see is contingent on factors like resolution of the display and magnification settings. Generally, even entry-level thermals can detect heat signatures at 1,000plus yards. Top-quality thermals can detect past 4000 yards, however target identification is another matter.
Can You Use Thermal Scope in Daylight?
In contrast to night vision scopes, you can use a thermal scope throughout the day without harming components. Instead of intensifying light, thermal scopes read heat signatures. The dual-use functionality is a major benefit of choosing thermal rather than night vision and making the most of your investment. Flir Thermosight Pro Pts536 4-16×50 (60 Hz) Thermal Rifle Scope.