Rifle Scopes Which Are The Best Thermal Riflescopes (USA) 2025?

[Night Vision Viking]

I'm looking at a "top 10 list" for The Best Thermal Riflescopes (USA market), as of now 2025?

As in "the best", not the cheapest or "best for the budget", and looking for uncooled thermals made for civilians and for hunting.
Price will have a factor, but the sensible ones I've found are all well below $10k, so that might be some sort of limit for a lot of reasons.

I have searched and Googled, used AI, and my own experience. It seems that search engines and AI don't keep up, they keep on recommending stuff that's over 5 years old, with a battery life of 2-4 hours. Even Trijicon's top model only runs a 640x sensor with a high NETD (as in bad), while the Europeans and Chinese run 1024x / 1280x and really low-NETDs for a lot less, including LRFs with ballistics.
Is the US market blinded, or is it me? Are ATNs even worth being on the list? AGM?

So, please hit me up with your suggestions.

These should probably be on the list:

Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XL60 (plus XP60 and XG60)
Nocpix ACE S60R (and H50R)
Trijicon REAP-IR

Which other models and manufacturers are missing?

 

[Abey669]

For the money the mk2 can’t be beat. If we’re talking about overall, from what I’ve seen and used, I’m still putting it in top 5. The 75mm version with 1289 resolution should be hitting shelves someday soon. I really believe those will be very hard to beat.

 

[Night Vision Viking]

For the money the mk2 can’t be beat. If we’re talking about overall, from what I’ve seen and used, I’m still putting it in top 5. The 75mm version with 1289 resolution should be hitting shelves someday soon. I really believe those will be very hard to beat.

At $9,784.00, and a 640x sensor, I'm pretty sure it can be beaten. I've never seen it, but talking YouTube videos into account I get the idea. Talking about overall, does it have LRF and ballistics software?

Did you ever look into the T2 XL60 or the ACE S60R?

 

[Abey669]

At $9,784.00, and a 640x sensor, I'm pretty sure it can be beaten. I've never seen it, but talking YouTube videos into account I get the idea. Talking about overall, does it have LRF and ballistics software?

Did you ever look into the T2 XL60 or the ACE S60R?

Not sure which one you’re referring to at $9784… I’ve looked through the s60r yessir. It’s fine but not nearly the improvement I’d expect I guess. The 640 mk2 is $5500ish.

 

[Krob95]

Halo xrf.

 

[BurtG]

Why you say best then add price and built for civilians


Clearly you aren’t looking for the best

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[Night Vision Viking]

Why you say best then add price and built for civilians


Clearly you aren’t looking for the best

View attachment 8768241





Just buy one of theee. Easily the best performance per dollar :

Night Vision - 💥 $1,899 Steiner S35 Gen2 BLOW OUT!!💥

We've run these sales in the past with the Gen 1 Units, but this time around it's an even better deal. These are brand new units with a full warranty. $1,899 + Shipping, and to most states, Tax Free. If you call and sweet talk @tam4511 or @wigwamitus, you might get free shipping. LINK TO...

www.snipershide.com

I think 10k maximum and un-cooled is a pretty reasonable limit. Funny you should recommend something for 1.8k at the end LOL.

Care to tell me what thermals I'm looking at? Pixels on target? Some of them look like clip-on, which isn't the rifle scope I'm looking for.

 

[Night Vision Viking]

Not sure which one you’re referring to at $9784…

https://www.trijicon.com/products/details/reap-60-4

This is a 640x thermal, and they don't even specify the NETD value. Is it at or above 50?

What kind of improvements on the Nocpix where you looking for? The ocular zoom was a nice innivation imo.
And at least it can record sound, which the Trijicon can't. Not that it's super important, but the 1280x HD image isn't exactly terrible. NETD sub 15-18.

 

[Night Vision Viking]

Halo xrf.

Thanks! Had a look at it before.

Looks like the same BAE Core that Pulsar used for the first Krypton, which was released 5(?) years ago.
It was pretty wild then, I still have mine, but things have moved on. Cool they put an LRF on it.

 

[BurtG]

eleased 5(?) years ago.
It was pretty wild then, I still have mine, but things have moved on

Oasys and Hiss laugh in your general direction

 

[StephenShivers]

I have a 388 pulsar and a Halo XRF 640 core. I've been behind the pulsar 640 cores as well. The Halo is far away the better image for my eyes. Being fixed focus optic, anything inside of 30 yards is not in focus though. With the Halo I can tell the difference between a raccoon and possum at about 350+ yards. just my personal experience with those 3 optics. Halo XRF is going for $7,125.00 now too

 

[Night Vision Viking]

Oasys and Hiss laugh in your general direction

Possibly, but they're $15k so don't know why you keep recommending them?

And the Hiss is a clip-on. It's not a thermal SCOPE.

Why doesn't Trijicon market the NETD value? 40-50, or above?


DETAILS

 

[Abey669]

https://www.trijicon.com/products/details/reap-60-4

This is a 640x thermal, and they don't even specify the NETD value. Is it at or above 50?

What kind of improvements on the Nocpix where you looking for? The ocular zoom was a nice innivation imo.
And at least it can record sound, which the Trijicon can't. Not that it's super important, but the 1280x HD image isn't exactly terrible. NETD sub 15-18.

Honestly couldn’t tell you on the NETD value.

The ocular zoom definitely is nice. The lrf seems to work really well too with limited time using it. The improvement In picture quality on the s60r just wasn’t as much as I expected. Personally I hate the battery system. I much prefer the battery system on the mk2.

I’ve been using the mk2 640 now for a hot minute, and it just checks all the boxes I need it to at a very reasonable price.

The Nocpix Rico 2 h75r is the one I was mentioning. I think it should be available soon. I don’t know if this one will be worth the extra coin over the 640 either. There is a reason the mk2 is the best seller at iray currently.

 

[BurtG]

not a thermal SCOPE.

Ahh

I paid $6k for my last lwts lr iirc. Awesome durable units if you can live with their bdc reticles.

Why there wasn’t a standard mil reticle in the options is beyond me. Dumbass military procurement

 

[Night Vision Viking]

I'll come to the best thermal clip-ons later on

Just got the Nocpix Ultra 1280x, and the Krypton 2 FXG50.

 

[Abey669]

V

I'll come to the best thermal clip-ons later on

Just got the Nocpix Ultra 1280x, and the Krypton 2 FXG50.

very curious about the mate 1280 and the way it zooms. Keep us posted. Also curious as to how it compares to a standalone thermal unit.

 

[shoots100]

Honestly couldn’t tell you on the NETD value.

The ocular zoom definitely is nice. The lrf seems to work really well too with limited time using it. The improvement In picture quality on the s60r just wasn’t as much as I expected. Personally I hate the battery system. I much prefer the battery system on the mk2.

I’ve been using the mk2 640 now for a hot minute, and it just checks all the boxes I need it to at a very reasonable price.

The Nocpix Rico 2 h75r is the one I was mentioning. I think it should be available soon. I don’t know if this one will be worth the extra coin over the 640 either. There is a reason the mk2 is the best seller at iray currently.

Clip on's and proprietary batteries are so 2020.
SJC

 

[Night Vision Viking]

V

very curious about the mate 1280 and the way it zooms. Keep us posted. Also curious as to how it compares to a standalone thermal unit.

It's been nothing but heavy rain since I got it, and I haven't got an adapter or monocular yet.

But none of these are exactly dog shit.

The Chinese put some Gold on it to indicate something probably, but blue is a nice color as well, and made in Europe.

 

[Vace9089]

There is no single "best" thermal rifle scope, as the ideal choice depends on factors like budget, specific hunting needs, and preferred features such as sensor resolution and magnification range.

Highly regarded options include the Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XL50 for its overall quality and features, the RIX DBH D6 for its hunter-focused design and high-quality sensor but the HikMicro Thunder 2.0 TE25 as a top budget-friendly choice.

 

[Simia Dei]

It's been nothing but heavy rain since I got it, and I haven't got an adapter or monocular yet.

But none of these are exactly dog shit.

The Chinese put some Gold on it to indicate something probably, but blue is a nice color as well, and made in Europe.

View attachment 8768913

I have the Pulsar, has been a good piece of kit. I’m sure @FF05 can chime in as he has far more hours on the pulsars than I do.

Anyway, here’s mine.

 

[Roadrace33]

I have looked through them all and played with them all, except clip ons. I started with pulsars and ended back up with them. I absolutely do not like the image nor the cartoon like picture the iray and rix display. The pulsar feels like you’re looking at a new HDTV for the first time when compared in my eyes. I run the XG50 lrf. The xl50 or 60 they have out now is ok but lower base mag, gets worse as you zoom, everyone knows that. It’s up to you to decide if you want a clearer base mag with a wider fov. In the winter the pulsar is more difficult to use with gloves. I’m testing the new rix and i still don’t like the image as much but the manual ocular zoom and the easy to press buttons with gloves is nice.
I had a halo xrf but want a ballistic calc.

Pretty certain most all the brands most expensive unit is gonna do well. Looks like you already have a few decent thermals so I’m sure you’ll figure out what you prefer. I’m gonna get nvisions new clip on if it ever comes out. I want to go to clipons but I can’t justify 30k+ for the good shit. I use them like 3 months out of the year then they get benched.
@BurtG has all the fun shit. I need to fly over to wherever he’s at and get some hands on…

 

[Night Vision Viking]

I have the Pulsar, has been a good piece of kit. I’m sure @FF05 can chime in as he has far more hours on the pulsars than I do.

Anyway, here’s mine.

Very nice! I did a similar thing, but never though about doing it in-front of a scope.
Going to do this again, with the new Aimpoint Duty RDS MR, just found the PSP adapter again.

Some bonus pics.