Coyote hunting is a challenging and thrilling pursuit, especially when it takes place under the cover of darkness, and to gain the upper hand, hunters rely on advanced technology like the thermal scope. This allows them to detect heat signatures and track their prey with precision, even in complete darkness.
In this article, we’ll explore the best thermal scopes for coyote hunting, highlighting their pros and cons ensuring that you get the best alternative to take your coyote hunting to the next level.
Best Thermal Scope For Coyote Hunting-Top Picks
| 1) Trijicon Reap-IR 35 mm
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| 2) ATN ThOR 4 4.5-18x50mm Thermal Smart HD Rifle Scope
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3) Burris BTS 35 2.3 – 9.2x35mm Thermal Rifle Scope |
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| 4) ATN ThOR LT 4-8x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope
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| 5) ATN OPMOD ThOR LT 4-8x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope
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| 6) ATN ThOR 4 2-8x25mm Thermal Smart HD Rifle Scope
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| 7) ATN ThOR LT 320 2-4x30mm Thermal Rifle Scope
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Let’s go into the detailed reviews…
1) Trijicon Reap-IR 35 mm
The Trijicon REAP-IR 35mm Thermal Riflescope, is a high-end thermal optic renowned for its exceptional performance in low-light and long-range scenarios like coyote hunting. The performance is a result of engineering using military-grade precision to dominate nighttime hunts and tactical operations.
Weighing just under 1.9 pounds and packed with features like Enhanced Target Recognition (ETR) and video recording, it’s a blend of cutting-edge technology and rugged reliability
The sensor measures 640×480 with a 12-micron pixel pitch and a 60 Hz refresh rate. You get a battery duration of up to 4 hours which can be enhanced via a type C input. Moreover, you get 8 reticle patterns (MIL-based) which make it easy to differentiate a target from its surroundings
Other features include; a rangefinder to estimate the distance to the target, and a thumb stick controller to make control easy and convenient
Pros
- Unmatched Clarity from the 640×480 sensor
- Excellent range of detection
- Durable and rugged.
- Submersible up to 1 meter
- Rangefinder
- Video recording.
Cons
- Pricey
2) ATN ThOR 4 4.5-18x50mm Thermal Smart HD Rifle Scope
ATN ThOR 4 4.5-18x50mm Thermal Smart HD Rifle Scope is the best thermal scope for coyote hunting. To begin with, it features an 1800m detection range, is lightweight, Weather resistant, and features 18hrs+ battery life.
It is equipped with a 4th Generation dual core thermal sensor that is sensitive, picks up heat well, and displays it in many palettes. With its multiple reticles, you can choose the one that matches your hunting situation best.
Its ballistic calculator is another thing that you will for sure love. It has modes that account for various loads and can factor in altitude, wind, range, temperature, and angle to get a perfect shot. It also streams and records video and can connect to Wi-Fi.
Better yet, it is durable, withstands abuse and impacts, and has an 18-hour runtime, which is pretty good.
Pros
- Laser range finder
- Smart Shooting Solution
- Durable construction
- Ballistic calculator
- Streams and records video on a MicroSD card
- 3D GS7 Gyroscope
- E-Compass
- 3D Accelerometer
- 3D Magnetometer
- GPS for geotagging and tracking elevation
- Smart range finder
- 18-hour run time
- Weather resistance
- Matte finish
Cons
- It is pricey
3) Burris BTS 35 2.3 – 9.2x35mm Thermal Rifle Scope
The Burris BTS 35 2.3 – 9.2x35mm Thermal Rifle Scope is one of the most customizable thermal scopes, it features 10 reticle options, Adjustable contrast and brightness, and Manual and auto NUC.
The reason for these multiple reticles is to have the one best for your condition. This is a great feature as you can select the best reticle to dial in your shot, specific to what you are hunting for.
Each reticle has different hash marks that make dialing in your shot easy. These diverse color palettes let you see the best color that suits your hunting condition.
The rifle scope has a magnification of up to 9.2x, making it one of the most powerful magnifying thermal scopes.
Besides that, it is possible to adjust the contrast and brightness of the image through the scope for clear views no matter the condition, which is another reason why this great scope is highly customizable.
Once activated, it is constructed with hot track technology that moves the tracking box to the area with the highest temperature reading, significantly increasing your reaction time in the field.
Incorporated stadia metric range finding ensures precise distances to faraway targets. Take your hunting to the next level with this thermal rifle scope.
Pros
- Multiple color palettes and reticle choices
- High-resolution screen
- Contrast and brightness are adjustable
- One hand operation
- Stadiametric ranging
- Ample magnification
- Hot track technology
Cons
- Short battery life ( 3 – 5 hours)
4) ATN ThOR LT 4-8x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope
The ATN THOR-LT 4-8x Thermal Rifle Scope is made to ensure that you have 10+ non-stop hours as you engage in your hunting spree. It is constructed with durability in mind as it has a hardened aluminum alloy build, making it last a lifetime and effectively handle the punching power of high-caliber weapons.
Another plus of this thermal rifle scope is its weather resistance capability, making it perfect for use in all conditions.
It gives you black hot and white hot viewing mode to choose the one that suits you well and your hunting condition. The One Shot Zero feature makes it a breeze to zero your sights by just taking a shot and adjusting the reticle.
A 1280x720p HD display lets you have the clearest views of your target so you don’t miss any perfect shot.
Its versatility makes it easy to mount to your crossbow, air rifle, or other platforms. It has a lightweight design that makes it easy to move around with and maneuver.
Pros
- Weather resistant
- Resistant to recoil
- Many reticle patterns
- 3D Accelerometer
- ATN Obsidian Core LT
- One Shot Zero
- Black hot and white hot viewing modes
- Versatile
- Lightweight design
- Durable construction
- 10 hours of runtime
- Ideal for dark conditions as well
Cons
- 30mm Standard Rings are not included
5) ATN OPMOD ThOR LT 4-8x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope
Next up is the ATN OPMOD THOR LT 4-8x Thermal Rifle Scope, the thermal scope gives you black hot and white hot viewing modes making it easy to spot targets at a distance in low light, twilight, and no light conditions. It has a one-shot zero reticle that allows for quick and easy adjustments after each shot and each round fired.
More than that, it has many reticle patterns and colors so that you can choose the one that suits your hunting condition best.
With recoil resistance capability, this model can withstand the punching power of high-caliber weapons. It is also weather resistant making it ideal to use in all conditions.
It is versatile enough to be mounted onto crossbows, air rifles, and platforms thanks to its lightweight construction.
Pros
- Easy to mount on 30mm standard rings
- Weather resistance capabilities
- Resistant to recoil
- Black hot and white hot viewing modes
- One Shot Zero
- User Interface is easy to use
- ATN Obsidian Core LT
- Many reticle patterns and colors
- 3D Accelerometer
Cons
- Available exclusively from OpticsPlanet
6) ATN ThOR 4 2-8x25mm Thermal Smart HD Rifle Scope
The ATN THOR 4 384 2-8x Thermal Smart HD Rifle Scope is worth paying attention to. It has more enhanced to take your hunting to the next level.
Firstly, the scope has Generation 4 dual-core thermal sensor technology that is sensitive, picks up heat well, and displays it in many palettes. It has an integrated laser range finder and video that lets you record and stream simultaneously.
Equipped with many reticle patterns and colors, the scope allows you to choose the one that suits you and your hunting condition best.
The Ballistic Calculator has modes for various loads and can factor in altitude, wind, range, temperature and angle to get a perfect shot.
Besides that, it has an ergonomic design that makes it super easy to find and use the controls.
Pros
- Smart Range Finder
- Ballistic Calculator
- E-compass
- Smooth zoom
- Thermal sensor technology
- Streams and record videos
- Many reticle patterns and colors
- 3D GS7 Gyroscope
- 3D Accelerometer
- 3D Magnetometer
- 3 year limited warranty
- GPS for geotagging and tracking elevation
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1 are Compatible with Android and iOS
- HD Images
Cons
- Pricey
7) ATN ThOR LT 320 2-4x30mm Thermal Rifle Scope
This is the lightest thermal scope in the ATN THOR line, making it easy to carry around and mount to an air rifle, crossbow, and other platforms.
It has an ergonomic design that makes it seamless to find and use the controls, ensuring you get into the field faster. The scope is powered by the novel internal Lithium-ion battery that provides continuous 10 hours of runtime whether you are hunting late into the evening or in the morning hours. This in turn saves you money on purchasing multiple reusable or one-time-use batteries.
Additionally, it has multiple reticles with diverse patterns that let you choose the one that is best for your hunting condition. Made with weather resistance capabilities, this model is fine to use in all weather conditions.
It nonetheless has black hot and white hot viewing modes so that you can choose the setting that suits you and your hunting condition.
Pros
- 3D Accelerometer
- 3 years limited warranty
- Weather resistance
- Internal Rechargeable
- Versatile as it can be mounted on various platforms
- Ergonomic design for easy operation
- Up to 10 hours runtime with the Lithium-ion battery
- Black hot and white hot viewing modes
- Multiple reticle patterns
- Lightweight construction
Cons
- 30mm Standard Rings not included
What to Consider When Buying a Thermal Scope for Coyote Hunting?
Magnification
The need for your magnification is reliant on the type of hunting. If you prefer hunting from a distance, you need higher magnification. However, the higher the magnification, the grittier the images will be. The maximum magnification should not exceed 8x for distant hunting, as the image will be too gritty.
Resolution
Image clarity depends on the resolution of the device. Thermal scopes with low resolution produce images that are hard to make out. The primary idea behind using a thermal scope is to get detailed images during shooting. It thus makes sense to go for a model with the highest resolution.
Refresh rate
This is the number of times images change per second. It is important to ensure accurate aiming, especially with a moving target. Refresh rates are hertz (Hz) measures, with the common measurement being 30Hz, 50Hz and 60Hz. Devices with higher refresh rates provide smooth image transitions and less blurriness.
Reticle options
Thermal scopes come with various reticle options ranging from sophisticated Mil-Dot reticle configurations to simple crosshairs. The option you choose depends on your shooting pursuits. It is best to pick a reticle option that matches your shooting needs.
Detection range
This is the extent to which the scope can sense heat signatures effectively from the target. Each thermal scope differs in detection range, with most standard options offering short detection ranges. It is thus paramount to ensure that your rifle’s effective range ominously exceeds the range of whichever scope you choose.
Why Thermal Scopes For Coyote Hunting?
1) Residual heat detection
These devices can sense residual heat as they can pick up traces of heat signatures, even shortly after the object has left the spot. This comes in handy when tracing blood from an animal that has been recently shot or in determining if a track is still fresh.
2)Flexibility
Because thermal scopes use temperature instead of ambient light, they save you the hassle of swapping optics and possibly losing your zero in the process. You can aim and take your shot whether it is daytime or nighttime.
3) See-through impediments
The scopes make hiding very hard as they can pick up the slightest temperature change, see-through fog, smoke, camouflage, and brush. Highly sensitive units can even see through light covers.
4)Multiple reticles
These units have multiple reticle patterns and colors to allow you to choose the perfect one for you and your hunting condition
5) Versatile
The scopes can be easily mounted on air rifles, crossbows, or any other platform.
Best Thermal Scope For Coyote Hunting-FAQs
How far can a thermal scope be detected?
This depends on the detection range of the thermal scope. The lowest detection range is usually 1000 yards while top-rated thermal scopes have a detection range of up to 4000 yards.
Can a thermal scope be used during the day?
One of the primary benefits of a thermal scope is that it works the same during the day as it does in total darkness. It is still effective even if temperatures are hotter than the target being shot. This is because they do not depend on ambient light to work and bright lights have no impact on them.
Can I mount a thermal scope on any gun?
Yes. Thermal rifle scopes can be mounted on any gun that can use a regular scope, whether a small firearm or a heavy weapon.
Conclusion
A thermal rifle scope will play a crucial role in helping you aim your rifle better when hunting coyote. Buying a thermal scope therefore is a worthy investment despite their high prices. The Trijicon Reap-IR 35 mm is one of the best on the market because of its unmatched clarity and capabilities. It’s well-designed and built with military-grade qualities.
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