Thermal Scope: A Game-Changing Optical Enhancement

For avid hunters, security professionals, game rangers, and many others, the addition of a thermal scope to one’s equipment repertoire can elevate performance and efficiency tenfold. If you have yet to experience the palpable improvement these high-tech devices offer, allow us to fill in the gaps.

In this quick read, we will investigate a few common questions about the thermal scope, including rules and regulations regarding their use, the applications they can fulfil, and the limits of their capabilities. Additionally, we will delve into the contrast between these devices and digital night vision scopes in low-light conditions and encapsulate their impressive versatility across many industries and applications. If these topics appeal to you, why not read along and find out more?

Are Thermal Scopes Legal In South Africa?

Thermal rifle scopes are listed as “Controlled Items” in accordance with the Wassenaar Arrangement that South Africa is included in. Ultimately, this means that these devices are classified as “Munitions List” items, which necessitates DCAC registration in order to own or trade these pieces of equipment. If the importer and retailer have these legal documents and permits arranged, then you are perfectly able to purchase and own thermal scopes. You will be required to submit an End User Declaration either way when purchasing any thermal product.

What Are Thermal Scopes Used For?

In simple terms, these scopes and most other thermal imaging devices are capable of detecting and displaying minute temperature changes in the landscape, objects, animals, and individuals around you. Thermal scopes work by capturing electromagnetic radiation which almost directly correlates to how much heat an object is giving off.

How Far Can A Thermal Scope See?

There is a good amount of variation in the effective ranges of different models and devices, usually correlated to the price lens size of the scope itself. Depending on the weather and environmental conditions, the best thermal imaging scopes can detect objects or animals up to 3,600m away – which, for most applications, should be more than enough. For entry-level options, you can expect a realistic range of around 100m – still impressive and perfectly usable for most tasks or hunting excursions.

Are Thermal Scopes Worth It?

Absolutely! If you are a nighttime hunter or your profession calls for activity in low-light scenarios, there simply is no better option than a thermal scope. They enable not only adequate performance under the cover of night but consistent success across a range of applications, facilitating unparalleled situational awareness and pin-point accuracy regardless of ambient lighting or minor environmental obstructions.

Can You Use A Thermal Scope For Hunting?

When hunting in South Africa, it’s best to be prepared and double-check with the organisers or coordinators if it is acceptable to use thermal scopes in that particular region to avoid miscommunication. That being said, if you are wondering about their effectiveness for nighttime hunting, there is little debate to be had.

These high-tech devices are an unmatched addition to your arsenal and not only allow for improved visibility but also enhanced identification, meaning you can discern the animal’s sex, age, and condition from a distance – without disturbing it in any way.

Thermal Scopes For Night Hunting

Thermal Scope vs Digital Night-Vision Scope

For nighttime hunters and others whose profession calls for low-light engagements, like game rangers and security personnel, the decision between these two fantastic technologies can be a challenging one. Both thermal imaging technology and digital night vision present unique pros and cons, which warrants an in-depth understanding to make an informed decision about which is the best fit for your purposes.

As we’ve touched on in our guides focusing on night-vision technology, these devices amplify even the slightest trace of ambient light in the immediate vicinity, effectively rendering objects, animals, and people visible in low-light conditions. So, if your excursion is taking place on a moonlit night or in a location with a good amount of residual illumination, digital night-vision scopes can prove to be exceedingly useful and should vastly improve your experience.

However, the downside of these devices is mirrored with most other types of digital night-vision equipment; their reliance on ambient light results in a lack of functionality in complete darkness.

There are certain innovative solutions to this issue, one of which is the incorporation of an infrared illuminator. These nifty devices emit invisible light that the night-vision technology can pick up on, effectively extending its range and allowing for visibility in zero-light scenarios.

Thermal imaging technology and scopes opt for a different approach to the same problem; instead of amplifying existing light, the devices utilise advanced sensors to detect electromagnetic radiation from objects and animals in the form of heat signatures. This allows for remarkable detection capabilities, even in situations where there is no ambient light to speak of.

The practical benefits of this are substantial; for example, when hunting, many animals have excellent camouflage and blend into their surroundings, often rendering them invisible to most forms of digital night vision. However, with a thermal imaging scope, they will appear to be lit up like a beacon, especially on certain colour palettes. The information one can glean from these devices is equally critical, enabling ultimate precision when it comes to shot placement.

Neither of these devices is an obvious better choice than the other, as it is completely dependent on the situation. If you are hunting in total darkness and need more range (300+ metres), thermal technology is undoubtedly the better option, but digital night-vision scopes can be just as efficient across a range of applications, albeit at closer distances.

A Few Futurama Recommendations

At Futurama, we aim to be your one-stop shop for optics, outdoor equipment, hydroponics, solar power, tactical gear, and so much more. Since we are focusing on thermal scopes, let’s explore a few high-quality offerings from our website:

Pulsar Thermal Scope Thermion 2 LRF XP50 Pro

Let’s begin our product suggestions with a bang, and look into the Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XP50 Pro. Pulsar is widely considered to be one of the best manufacturers at the forefront of the optics industry, consistently upgrading and expanding on their already impeccable range. The Thermion 2 is easily one of the most well-known thermal scopes on the market; it’s surprisingly compact and happens to be the first thermal scope that includes both a classic design and a built-in laser rangefinder.

Additionally, it can detect a standard 1.8m tall object or person from a staggering 1,800m away – this is due to its advanced sensor technology. With up to ten hours of battery life from a single charge and a fast-aperture F50/1.0 lens, the Thermion 2 ticks all the right boxes. Designed specifically for hunters looking to give themselves the ultimate advantage, we have no doubt that this product is a winning choice. At R119,999.00, it is a higher-end offering, but the numerous features it provides more than justify the price tag.

Pixfra Pegasus P650 Thermal Rifle Scope

If you’re looking for uncompromising performance, the Pixfra Pegasus P650 Thermal Rifle Scope is a great addition to your collection. For avid hunters, intrepid adventures, and professionals, this thermal rifle scope has the ability to revolutionise your shooting experience and facilitate remarkable situational awareness. The Pegasus features state-of-the-art imaging technology, which offers detail and clarity that is reminiscent of a device twice the price.

With a vanadium oxide uncooled focal plane detector, a high-grade metal housing, impressive impact resistance, and a detection range of up to 2,600 m, one simply couldn’t ask for more in terms of specifications and features. At a reduced price of only R69,000.00, we highly recommend investing in a device of this quality. Pixfra’s commitment to innovation and excellence is on full display with this game-changing thermal rifle scope.

Hikmicro Stellar SQ50 2.0 Thermal Image Scope

Lastly, let’s explore the impeccable Hikmicro Steller SQ50 2.0 Thermal Image Scope. For seasoned hunters who want to give themselves the ultimate night hunting advantage, it’s hard to go wrong with this offering. Regardless of the weather forecast, the 30 mm tube design and a thermal sensitivity of less than 20 mK NETD enables superior clarity and performance.

With a myriad of reticle options and brightness settings, an ultra-low power consumption, and 1920 x 1080 0.49-inch OLED display, it’s easy to see why this device has skyrocketed in popularity. The high-tech modern features and traditional design is a combination for the ages, and one that will no doubt serve you well wherever you choose to use it. At R84,269.00, this offering boasts unprecedented value for money and efficiency.

Make The Most Of Your Thermal Rifle Scope

Initially, the settings and features of thermal imaging scopes can be overwhelming, as without a few key pieces of information, it can be challenging to optimise your device and get it to work for you. With that in mind, let’s look at some ways to immediately improve your experience:

Brightness & Contrast: When using thermal imaging technology, perhaps the most essential consideration when viewing a heat signature is the temperature difference between an object, animal, or individual and the environment around it/them. In terms of settings, both brightness and contrast can have a significant effect on image quality and, if they are fine-tuned correctly, should help to emphasise and distinguish the target from the background – even if the temperatures are relative.

Colour Palettes: Almost all thermal scopes come standard with multiple colour palettes, with some of the most common being “Black Hot,” “White Hot,” and “Rainbow.” These options present the heat signatures in unique ways and display temperature differences using different colours. For instance, the “White Hot” palette should make hotter objects glow in a white hue while the environment and cooler objects will look black – “Black Hot” is the same, except in reverse.

If you do some research online, you’ll likely find many people claiming that one is objectively better than the others, but ultimately, it comes down to the situation and personal preferences of the user. We recommend playing around with these colour palettes to identify which suits you best and offers the easiest viewing experience.

Zoom & Focus Settings: Many modern devices offer some level of zoom functionality, which can certainly come in handy when viewing far-off objects or animals. As useful as this is, it is worth noting that the more you zoom in, the lower the image quality is likely to be as these products primarily incorporate a digital zoom.

How To Avoid “False Positives”

You might be wondering what a false positive is in the context of thermal imaging and hunting. This addresses the common issue of a thermal scope detecting a heat signature that displays itself as an animal or individual when, in actuality, it is not. There are a few reasons why this happens: firstly, certain environmental elements have the potential to retain heat and emit it slowly over extended periods.

Dense rocks, for instance, often absorb heat throughout the day and expel it as the temperature drops at night, which creates a heat signature that your thermal scope is likely to detect. There are other explanations or possible causes for false positives, including recently used campfires, braais, or fireplaces – for some time after a fire has been extinguished, it will continue to radiate heat. Alternatively, it can be quite easy to become confused about the kind of animal you are looking at, so before taking a shot at anything, ensure that you are 100% sure that it is the desired target.

Now that we’ve covered what they are, let’s get into how one avoids these pesky false positives. The first, and easiest, method of ensuring accuracy is cross-referencing using other tools, such as binoculars, rifle scopes, high-resolution cameras, or even a behavioural identification. Experienced hunters will be able to tell what animal they are looking at by the way it moves or reacts to a game caller.

It also helps to make sure that you are familiar with the environment you are in; if not, it becomes difficult to identify objects and understand false positives. The final recommendation we have is to spend some time becoming acquainted with your thermal scope and its features and characteristics. This should also mean that you start to familiarise yourself with the way in which it interprets certain heat sources, improving your chances of noticing and dismissing false positives.

Get The Best Thermal Scope From Futurama

With that, we come to the end of the guide. Hopefully, you have found this quick read to be informative and interesting. If you have any further questions about thermal scopes or any other Futurama products for that matter, please do not hesitate to contact us today, and our in-house experts will get back to you in no time. If you have been on the lookout for the perfect thermal imaging scope, you won’t find a more diverse selection anywhere in the nation.

With Futurama, you can expect complete transparency and know that every order we ship out is carbon-negative. Our goal is to take our customers’ online shopping experience to the next level, all the while doing our part to reduce emissions and encourage a greener tomorrow.