A thermal scope for hog hunting at night is one of the most valuable pieces of equipment to invest in if you take your hunting seriously, in this post we look at the best thermal scope for Hog hunting recommendations.
The thermal scope market offers a wide range of thermal scopes for hog hunting and choosing the best to suit your hunting needs can be quite challenging.
To simplify your selection process, taking into consideration key features such as size, design, and mounting ability, we have narrowed down the search for you. Below are the seven best thermal scopes for hog hunting.
Best Thermal Scope for Hog Hunting
1) ATN ThOR LT 4-8x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope
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2) ATN ThOR LT 3-6x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope
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| 3) ATN ThOR 4 4-40x75mm Thermal Rifle Scope
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4) ATN ThOR 4 1.25-5x19mm Thermal Rifle Scope
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5) AGM Global Vision Rattler TS35-384 2.14x35mm Thermal Rifle Scope
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6) Armasight Contractor 320 6-24x50mm Thermal Weapon Sight
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7) Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro 2x-16x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope
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You may Also Like: 7 Best Thermal Scopes for Coyote Hunting
Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Thermal Scope for Hog Hunting
- Magnification
The magnification ability of thermal scopes for hog hunting is very crucial. At night, you not only want to see what is in front of you in that darkness, you also want to see far away game at magnified levels.
This makes it easier to close in on a shot with better accuracy than before. When choosing a thermal scope for hog hunting, consider the following regarding the magnification:
- Will higher magnification affect the quality of the image being relayed through the eyepiece?
- Is the thermal scope’s magnification ability ideal for the range of field you intend to be hunting in?
- Does the magnification offer ability to shift relying on what kind of lens is attached to the scope?
- Detection range
The detection range of thermal scopes for hog hunting determines how much land the scope will be able to provide visuals for. The detection range normally is derived in meters.
The greater the detection range, the more you’ll be able to see out there in the hunting field. Having adequate detection range abilities in your scope guarantees that you get the highest amount of visuals into your view.
This increases the probability of getting more game to hunt down. Smaller detection ranges are ideal if you intend to hunt in a confined place or in a hill-blocked area. Ensure that you carefully look at the detection range abilities of the thermal scope you intend to buy before you finally make the purchase. This is because there isn’t anything that can be added or changed in the scope later on.
- Night and day modes
Some thermal scopes for hog hunting have the ability to shift between day and night modes flawlessly. The best thermal scope should be as effective and helpful during the day as it is at night.
When hunting, hogs tend to blend into the natural surroundings of their habitat. This is how they protect themselves from being seen. A thermal scope only sees temperature and therefore you will be able to see the hog regardless of how well camouflaged they are because their body temperatures differ vastly from that of plants.
- Color modes
Thermal scopes’ color modes are essential when it comes to thermal imaging. The color palette abilities of the image transmitting device inside the eyepiece can have a huge effect on the hunters’ brains.A
Blue or green pellet is most preferable because it is the easiest on the human eye. Flipping the different colors available while out there in the field will help you determine which color works best for you. Most scopes will also be able to change between red, yellow, sepia, and monochrome as needed.
- Durability
Night hunting is delicate. Your hunting thermal scope should be able to withstand several bumps and falls along the way without getting damaged.
The body of the best thermal scope for hunting should be built from durable quality materials and aluminum is the most commonly used material. The thermal scope should also be built of materials that are completely water-resistant, fog resistant, shockproof, and dustproof.
- Weight
Don’t forget that you will have to carry the thermal scope around with you while in the field. Therefore, a lightweight scope will be simpler to carry through the fields and easier to keep on target when firing offhand.
However, heavy scopes might be more durable and contain more inbuilt features, therefore you will need to consider what is important to you as a hunter as well as how you intend to you the thermal scope.
- Sensor resolution
The screen resolution and refresh rate are some of the important features of any thermal scope. No matter how great the sensors are or how far your scope can zoom, if the image you see isn’t crystal clear, your scope might then not be effective for your purposes. Higher refresh rates and increased screen resolution will help create a crystal-clear image for the hunter.
There are some thermal scopes with in-built software that help smoothen the pixilation caused by slower refresh rates or high levels of digital zoom. Keep in mind how clear the target image presented to you will be when choosing your thermal scope.
- Additional features
There are many thermal scopes for hog hunting with several extra features built into them to make your hunting job simpler when taking that shot. However, all these extra features come at a cost.
One of these is the ability to emit Wi-Fi and stream video recordings to an external source. This is an important feature for someone who might be interested in real-time footage of their hunt in the field. For such a feature, you’ll have to double-check to ensure that the scope you are buying has it because it is mostly found in higher-end thermal scopes.
Think about the features you require VS the features you want when determining just how advanced you need your thermal scope to be.
Great Read: 10 Best ATN Thermal Scopes
Thermal Scope for Hog Hunting FAQs
- Can you use a thermal scope during daylight?
Yes. Some thermal scopes even have a daylight mode which enables you to see in normal color. You can, therefore, use the scope no matter the light level. However, during the day when the temperatures are quite higher, it can be a little challenging to see your target but it’s still possible.
- Should I go for a thermal or a night vision scope?
In the long run, a thermal scope is better because it can be used during the day as well as at night. You can, therefore, use for day hunting and night hunting. On the other hand, night vision scopes can only be used at night, therefore they are only smart investments if you happen to hunt at night only.
- Can a thermal scope see through the fog?
Yes. Most thermal scopes can see through fog, rain, snow, and any other environmental events without issue. You can also see through thick smoke without a problem.
- How do I attach it to my rifle?
Thermal scope attach to rifles through mounting rails and clasps. They are simple to slide on and off as required and won’t add much extra weight to your rifle. Prior to buying any thermal scope, take note of its mounting ability to avoid buying one that isn’t compatible with your rifle.
- How long is a thermal rifle scope lifespan?
This entirely depends on how often you use the scope and how long you use it. This can be several years. Most of the thermal cores in civilian optics are made by FLIR which offers a 10-year warranty on them.
- Can you put a thermal scope on a crossbow?
Yes, you can. However, you need to be aware that most thermal optics aren’t set up for a crossbow and the reticle might not be the most useful. However, some like the ATN work well and can be configured to work with a crossbow.
- Can a high-end thermal rifle scope see-through wall?
No. You cannot see through walls or any solid material with a thermal scope, no matter how sensitive it is. Even glass can be troublesome with thermal optics.
Thermal Scope for Hog Hunting Advantages
- Works day and night
One major advantage of thermal scopes is that they work the same during the day as well as at night. Unlike night vision scopes which only work at night, thermal scopes can be used at any time of day or night.
- Easy to carry and use
Hunters are able to scan the field for long periods of time without arm fatigue. If you plan to use your thermal scope for long periods of time, it is important to look for this feature in the scope you intend to buy.
- Sees through smoke, fog, or dust.
- Sees through leaves and thin materials and tracks residual heat.
- Excellent magnification range.
- HD video recording and HD photo shooting.
Thermal Scope for Hog Hunting Disadvantages
- The image requires some training to interpret.
- Compared with normal rifle scopes or night vision scopes, thermal scopes have a large price tag which is the most significant off-putting factor.
- Not as detailed as night vision.
Thermal scopes are designed for detection and not identification, so most of them lack the detail that night vision scopes offer.
Thermal Scopes in Action
Conclusion
Thermal scope gives hog hunters a technological advantage that he/she might have never experienced before. If you aren’t tight on budget, it is important to buy a quality thermal scope even if it has a large price tag because spending a bit more to get a higher quality is a good idea rather than saving some money initially then you end up not getting the best deal.
We hope that this guide helps you find the best thermal scope to get rid of those hogs disturbing you.