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.

 

[JohnDeereGuy1996]

I have yet to find anything that looks and functions better then the nvision xrf. I just wish it had ffp reticles and bigger internal memory

 

[Roadrace33]

I have yet to find anything that looks and functions better then the nvision xrf. I just wish it had ffp reticles and bigger internal memory

If they had a calculator on board, its probably what id use...It is very easy to use, looks good through the lens, built well. It checks a lot of boxes except the largest one that should be checked....drop calc...

 

[Night Vision Viking]

I have yet to find anything that looks and functions better then the nvision xrf. I just wish it had ffp reticles and bigger internal memory

I just can't get over that it has a fixed lens. Judging from the YT videos it looks ok, but not that sensitive and great as some other modern thermals.

I think for thermals we will have to settle for MIL- och MOA-based reticles. Or the LRFs with ballistic software.

 

[JohnDeereGuy1996]

I just can't get over that it has a fixed lens. Judging from the YT videos it looks ok, but not that sensitive and great as some other modern thermals.

I think for thermals we will have to settle for MIL- och MOA-based reticles. Or the LRFs with ballistic software.

The self adjusting parallax? That’s my favorite feature of the optic. Works awesome

 

[JohnDeereGuy1996]

If they had a calculator on board, its probably what id use...It is very easy to use, looks good through the lens, built well. It checks a lot of boxes except the largest one that should be checked....drop calc...

Idk ballistic calculator almost feels like cheating. Just got to know your dope. Shot this one at 523 yards with my xrf. I just hate having to figure subtensions on the fly.

 

[Night Vision Viking]

The Thermion 2 60mms just got a Firmware update:

• Recoil-activated and shadow video recording: capture key moments with ease
• Updated laser rangefinder algorithm: helps you stay focused on the target
• Customizable color palettes and user settings: saves time and reduces distractions
• Added units to Ballistics calculator and Zeroing widget: greater accuracy and confidence
• Updated User Settings: saves display and zoom settings for a personalized, consistent experience

Additional Enhancements

• Auto Display Off for discretion
• USB-C video output for fast, high-quality sharing
• Extended Wi-Fi timeout for smoother first-time connections

 

[Roadrace33]

View attachment 8769951
Idk ballistic calculator almost feels like cheating. Just got to know your dope. Shot this one at 523 yards with my xrf. I just hate having to figure subtensions on the fly.

Oh it is most definitely do-able. How hard do you wanna work though, after you just bought what, an 8K scope? I mean not to piss anyone off but "feels like cheating" is so subjective. I mean dude were hunting dogs at night with 10k rigs. Were already fuckin cheatin.

Props to you for knowing the dope well, and i mean that, but me on the other hand am not going to spend my night in the freezing ass cold to guess a call and miss because of it. This is the main reason i sold my XRF, and essentially downgraded to some extent or another by going back to pulsar because i genuinely like Nvision, and the fact they are made in the USA is a huge plus. Its like the first time using a kestrel for long range stuff. I would never not use it, ever.


Very rarely am i taking 500 yd shots on yotes, but when i do I'm confident. I got 2 last winter at 500, the only two i shot at that far out.

I did miss one at 750 though, late season when they would not come remotely close anymore. It was windy right to left and i totally guessed wind and i saw the splash high and left if i had to guess it was .2 high and left. Just enough to miss.

 

[shoots100]

My #1 pick and primary optic for 2025 is the NocPix Ace S60R.
1280 res, good FOV, ultra-clear mode, ocular zoom, LRF with BC and 18650 battery is hard to beat.
NVis XRF/ X /Nox line after that because of the BAE internals, fixed focus, adaptive reticle and US made.
I like the S60R so much that I'll be using the X50 as a backup unless it sells.
Then my list would go with 640 and 384 res optics that have ocular zoom and removable 18650 batteries, such as the NocPix Ace or Rix Leap series of scopes.
H50/L6
L35/L3
I would add another tube style scope to the list that has the adaptive reticle, 18650 battery but no ocular zoom, but the make/model eludes me.
While Pulsar and iRay are great optics, they use proprietary batteries and that's a no go for me, as goes for any scope using 123 batteries or having to use an external battery pack.
Unless the S60R shits the bed or Nvis get's off it laurels and add's the 1920 res core to their optics the S60R will top the list and I'll be using the S60R as my primary for the foreseeable future.

SJC