Note: This article is updated constantly. Last update: 13 March 2023.
1. Introduction
The hunting market has been completely transformed by NV and thermal riflescopes. Before these devices came into play, hunting had been confined mostly to daylight and dusk, not to mention that only the best daytime optics provided a bright-enough image to identify the game once the sun began to set. Police, the military, and professionals in other fields have also benefited from these devices over the past years. EU countries are still divided on the legality of the use of NV and thermal optics for hunting purposes. Since night vision and thermal optics make it simpler to manage the wild boar population, many countries in the EU have changed their legislation after the outbreak of African swine fever.
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The history of night vision optics
- 3. Technology in night vision riflescopes
- 4. NV riflescope mounting standards
- 5. Mounting of night vision riflescopes on various mounting platforms
- 6. Night vision riflescopes vs night vision clip-ons
- 7. Night vision riflescope mounting standards
- 8. Conclusion
2. The history of night vision optics
Nearly a century has passed since infrared light technology began to develop. Thermal imaging and night vision technology was first used by the military. The assets of these devices have gradually gained recognition in various industries. Hunters began to realize that some species, like red deer, wild boars, and most predators, do not go out into the open until it is dark, making daytime optics ineffective. This prompted the development of night vision and thermal hunting equipment, which fundamentally altered the hunting business. Dedal, Pulsar, and Dipol were the first businesses to create NV and heat devices for the civilian market. The effectiveness of these gadgets has increased significantly over time.
3. Technology in night vision riflescopes
3.1 Analog night vision
Analog night vision devices feature a component known as a photocathode which is basically a light-sensitive surface. The basic units of light, photons, transform into electrons when they come into contact with this surface. When electrons pass through a photomultiplier and strike a phosphor screen, they produce brief flashes of light that are visible to the human eye. Analog night vision devices are categorized into generations 1 through 3 based on their capacity for light enhancement. Gadgets from generations 2, 2+, 3, and 3+ are powerful but expensive, whereas first-generation devices are inexpensive but outdated. Illuminators that emit light with a wavelength of around 850 nm are usually the most effective when paired with analog night vision systems (the most expensive ones are an exception as they even work with illuminators that emit light with a wavelength above 900 nm).
3.2 Digital night vision
Different principles apply to digital night vision systems. They contain a sensor that transforms light into electrical impulses. The impulse passes through various converters and reaches the screen, where it is turned into light that can be seen by the human eye. Image quality improves with higher sensor sensitivity and resolution. Illuminators that emit light with a wavelength of 915–940 nm are ideal for these devices.
4. NV riflescope mounting standards
A NV riflescope is either equipped with a specific mounting standard or uses the tube as a means of mounting.
4.1 Screw hole mounting standards
NV riflescopes that do not feature a mounting tube come with a specific mounting standard which is located at the bottom of the device. The mounting standard consists of screw holes; there are several mounting standards on the market that differ in the size of the screw holes and their placement on the mounting surface.
4.2 Tube mounting standards
Tube mounting has been gaining in popularity in the last few years as a result of the manufacturers’ attempts to make NV riflescopes look similar to the standard riflescopes. Devices with such looks are especially favored among hunters. The tube measures 30 mm in diameter, so 30mm rings are required.
5. Mounting of night vision riflescopes on various mounting platforms
5.1 Picatinny rails
The Picatinny standard is the most popular system for attaching optics to rifles – night vision scopes are no exception. This mounting system's practicality has contributed to its widespread use; many new rifles are pre-attached with Picatinny rails, and some even have a built-in Picatinny surface. If you have a rifle with drilled bores and want to mount a night vision riflescope, a Picatinny rail is a sensible option.
5.2 Pivot mounts
Pivot mounts are a preferred option for mounting shooting optics on a rifle due to their ease of use. These mounts can be easily detached and reattached to the firearm within seconds, eliminating the need to re-zero after each attachment. Several manufacturers offer such mounting solutions for night vision riflescopes, with the most popular options being produced by INNOmount, MAK, Rusan, and Contessa.
5.3 Blaser mounting surface
Most Blaser rifles are fitted with a four-notch Blaser mounting system that is well-known for its reliability and user-friendliness. As a result of the popularity of Blaser rifles, several mount manufacturers offer mounting solutions for night vision riflescopes that can be directly attached to the Blaser mounting system.
5.4 Sauer SUM
Sauer has incorporated a unique mounting surface on their renowned 404 models, referred to as Sauer Universal Mount or SUM. Since 2019, this mounting system has also been featured on Sauer 303 rifles. If you have any of these rifles, choosing a night vision riflescope mount that fits directly onto Sauer's SUM is the most practical option for a low-profile setup.
5.5 Sauer ISI
The ISI mounting standard looks similar to the Picatinny mounting standard, particularly because of the inclusion of notches functioning as recoil stoppers. This mounting system is present on all Sauer 303 rifles produced before 2019, as well as some Sauer 202 models. Some mount manufacturers provide mounting solutions for night vision optics that can be attached directly to the ISI rail.
5.6 Tikka T3
The Tikka T3 is a widely used hunting rifle, known for its dependability, precision, and affordability. Its mounting platform features a 16.5mm dovetail with a recoil socket on the front mounting surface. Given the prevalence of Tikka T3 rifles, numerous manufacturers provide mounting solutions for night vision riflescopes that clamp directly onto the 16.5mm Tikka dovetail.
5.7 CZ 527
The CZ 527 rifle has a 16.5mm dovetail on its receiver similar to the Tikka T3, but one-piece mounts specifically made for the CZ 527 cannot be interchanged with those designed for the T3 due to the recoil notch location. However, specific night vision riflescope mounts are made by certain mount manufacturers that fit directly onto the CZ 527's mounting surface.
5.8 Leupold QR
Leupold's QR mounting solution is a frequently used option, and as a result, some mount manufacturers have created night vision riflescope mounting solutions for it. One such example is the MAKflex mount produced by MAK, which can be installed on Leupold QR bases. The mount is adjustable and can fit various night vision riflescope mounting standards as well as 30mm tubes.
5.9 CZ 550
The CZ 550 rifle has a 19.5mm dovetail on its receiver, with a recoil socket located on the left side of the rear mounting surface. Given the rifle's popularity and unique mounting platform, some mount manufacturers have developed mounting solutions that enable users to mount their night vision riflescopes directly onto the CZ 550's dovetail.
5.10 Merkel mounting surface
Certain Merkel rifles and a few Fabarm rifle models are equipped with a unique, four-notch mounting surface that includes a recoil stopper located on the front mounting surface, perpendicular to the front two notches. If you own one of these rifles and desire a low-profile night vision riflescope setup, you can buy a mount that fits directly onto the Merkel mounting surface.
5.11 12mm dovetail
The 12mm dovetail is a standard feature for break-barrel rifles. Due to the widespread use of break-barrel rifles, it is logical for mount manufacturers to produce night vision riflescope mounts that fit directly onto the 12mm dovetail.
5.11.1 Contessa 12 mm
Contessa manufactures a set of rails that can transform the mounting surface of a particular rifle into a 12mm dovetail base. Once installed, any mount suitable for a 12mm dovetail can be attached to the base, though it is ideally paired with Contessa's QR mount series. The QR mount series includes various mounts, including those intended for night vision riflescope mounting.
6. Night vision riflescopes vs night vision clip-ons
6.1 Pros of night vision riflescopes
Weight
When using a clip-on device for shooting, it must be mounted on a standard riflescope, which results in a bulky and heavy setup compared to using a night vision riflescope by itself. Additionally, mounting a clip-on shifts the center of gravity towards the front, which may take the shooter a while to get used to. Therefore, if you want to minimize weight, a night vision riflescope is the better choice.
Resolution
Usually, night vision clip-on devices have a lower sensor resolution than night vision riflescopes, resulting in inferior optical performance and fewer image details.
Controls
The buttons on a thermal riflescope are easier to reach than those on a clip-on mounted in front of a daytime optic. Rear-mounted clip-ons are an exception to this.
Cost
In terms of cost, purchasing a thermal riflescope is generally more economical than buying both a daytime riflescope and a clip-on device, particularly if you do not own any shooting optics yet.
6.2 Cons of night vision riflescopes
Eye relief
Night vision riflescopes often have shorter eye relief than standard riflescopes, which may require some adjustment time. Attaching a clip-on device to the objective of your riflescope avoids changes to your shooting position as the eye relief remains the same. Rear-mounted clip-ons are an exception to this as they have an even shorter eye relief than night vision riflescopes.
Versatility
Clip-on devices can be quickly removed, allowing for an easy transition from dusk and nighttime hunting to daytime hunting with a standard riflescope. In contrast, night vision riflescopes lack this versatility.
Legality of use
While many countries prohibit the use of night vision riflescopes for hunting, regulations on clip-on devices are generally less strict as they do not feature a reticle and are often marketed as monoculars. Nonetheless, some countries have legalized night vision riflescopes for wild boar hunting due to the spread of African swine fever.
Ownership of a premium standard riflescope
For those who already own a high-quality daytime riflescope from a renowned brand like Swarovski, Kahles, Zeiss, Leica, or Blaser, a clip-on device may be more appealing since they can continue to use their premium riflescope for both daytime and nighttime hunting.
7. Night vision riflescope mounting standards
7.1 Screw hole mounting standards
7.1.1 Pulsar Trail mounting standard
This is a mounting standard that Pulsar has been using on their night vision and thermal riflescopes for the longest time. There are four screw holes on the mounting surface, each with a thread size of M6.
The distances are in mm.
Night vision riflescopes that share this mounting standard
| NV Riflescope | Product | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Pulsar Digisight LRF N960 | Discontinued | |
| Pulsar Digisight LRF N970 | Discontinued | |
| Pulsar Digisight N550 | Discontinued | |
| Pulsar Digisight N750 | Discontinued | |
| Pulsar Digisight N960 | Discontinued | |
| Pulsar Digisight N970 | Discontinued | |
| Pulsar Digisight Ultra N355* | Discontinued | |
| Pulsar Digisight Ultra N450* | Discontinued | |
| Pulsar Digisight Ultra N450 LRF* | Discontinued | |
| Pulsar Digisight Ultra N455* | Discontinued | |
| Pulsar Digisight Ultra N455 LRF* | Discontinued | |
| Yukon Sightline N450 | Discontinued | |
| Yukon Sightline N450S | Discontinued | |
| Yukon Sightline N455 | Discontinued | |
| Yukon Sightline N455S | Discontinued | |
| Yukon Sightline N470 | Discontinued | |
| Yukon Sightline N470S | Discontinued | |
| Yukon Sightline N475 | Discontinued | |
| Yukon Sightline N475S | Discontinued |
*Even though this riflescope features the Pulsar Trail mounting standard, its eye relief is different from that of the devices without the * (asterisk) mark on the list, therefore mount manufacturers usually offer different mounting solutions for it.
Thermal riflescopes that feature the Pulsar Trail mounting standard
*Even though this riflescope features the Pulsar Trail mounting standard, its eye relief is different from that of the devices without the * (asterisk) mark on the list, therefore mount manufacturers usually offer different mounting solutions for it.
Mounting possibilities for the Pulsar Trail standard
7.1.2 ATN ThOR mounting standard
Night vision riflescopes that share the ATN ThOR mounting standard
| NV Riflescope | Product | Details |
|---|---|---|
| ATN Mars 2 | Discontinued | |
| ATN Mars 4 | Discontinued | |
| ATN Mars 6 | Discontinued | |
| ATN X-Sight HD 3-12x | Discontinued | |
| ATN X-Sight HD 5-18x | Discontinued | |
| ATN X-Sight II HD 3-14x | Discontinued | |
| ATN X-Sight II HD 5-20x |
Thermal riflescopes that feature the ATN ThOR mounting standard
| NV Riflescope | Product | Details |
|---|---|---|
| ATN Mars 2 | Discontinued | |
| ATN Mars 4 | Discontinued | |
| ATN Mars 6 | Discontinued | |
| ATN X-Sight HD 3-12x | Discontinued | |
| ATN X-Sight HD 5-18x | Discontinued | |
| ATN X-Sight II HD 3-14x | Discontinued | |
| ATN X-Sight II HD 5-20x |
Mounting possibilities for the ATN ThOR standard
7.1.3 Pard NV008 mounting standard
Night vision riflescopes that share this mounting standard
| NV Riflescope | Product | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Pard NV008 | ||
| Pard NV008P | ||
| Pard NV008P LRF | ||
| Sytong HT60 |
Thermal riflescopes that feature the Pard NV008 mounting standard
| Thermal Riflescope | Product | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Pard SA19 | ||
| Pard SA19 LRF | ||
| Pard SA25 | ||
| Pard SA25 LRF | ||
| Pard SA35 | ||
| Pard SA35 LRF | ||
| Pard SA45 | ||
| Pard SA45 LRF |
Mounting possibilities for the Pard NV008 standard
7.1.4 Pard NV008S mounting standard
Night vision riflescopes that share this mounting standard
| NV Riflescope | Product | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Pard NV008S | ||
| Pard NV008S LRF |
Mounting possibilities for the Pard NV008S standard
7.1.5 Dedal 180 mounting standard
Night vision riflescopes that share this mounting standard
| NV Riflescope | Product | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Dedal 180 | Discontinued | |
| Dedal 450 | ||
| Dedal 480 |
Mounting possibilities for the Dedal 180 standard
7.1.6 Hikmicro Thunder mounting standard
Hikmicro uses this standard on all their thermal riflescopes. It is also featured on their clip-ons. It consists of a pair of screw holes that are 29 mm apart from center to center. The thread size is 1/4" - 20.
All distances are in mm.
Night vision riflescopes that share this mounting standard
| NV Riflescope | Product | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Hikmicro Cheetah C32F-S | ||
| Hikmicro Cheetah C32F-SN | ||
| Hikmicro Cheetah C32F-SL | ||
| Hikmicro Cheetah C32F-SNL |
Thermal riflescopes that feature the Hikmicro Thunder mounting standard
Clip-ons that feature the Hikmicro Thunder mounting standard
Mounting possibilities for the Hikmicro Thunder standard
7.1.7 Infiray Saim mounting standard
The Saim mounting standard consists of two screw holes with a thread size of M5. The distance between the centers of the two screw holes is 30 mm.
The distances are in mm.
Night vision riflescopes that share this mounting standard
| NV Riflescope | Product | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Infiray Saim SCD35 |
Thermal riflescopes that feature the Infiray Saim mounting standard
Mounting possibilities for the Infiray Saim standard
7.2 Tube mounting standard (30 mm)
These night vision riflescopes use a 30mm tube as a means of mounting. The mounting surface is typically divided by the turret section, just like with regular riflescopes. In order to attach these riflescopes to a rifle, 30mm rings are needed.
Night vision riflescopes that share this mounting standard
Thermal riflescopes that feature the tube mounting standard
*named Mars instead of ThOR in the EU.
Mounting possibilities for the Tube standard (30 mm)
8. Conclusion
If you have a night vision riflescope that is not listed in this article, or if you have found any error, please send an e-mail to [email protected] – help us expand our database. We greatly appreciate everyone’s help!
This article is regularly updated with new information and user contributions. We aim to create a collection of useful data that will be of great help to users and potential buyers of thermal riflescopes, and those who are looking for a mount for their night vision riflescopes.
List of all night vision and thermal riflescopes
