Thermal or digital night vision?
Thermal reads heat instead of light. It finds a warm animal two to three times farther away than night vision and keeps working in total darkness, smoke and light fog. Digital night vision pairs a CMOS sensor with an infrared illuminator to show a natural, detailed scene, which makes it easier to tell what the animal is, and it is safe to use in daylight. The Guide DN70M and TN650M and the PARD Osprey 4K binoculars carry both channels in one housing.
Choose by format
Riflescopes
A thermal riflescope or a night vision riflescope replaces your day optic with its own reticle, and many carry a built-in laser rangefinder for ranging in the dark.
Clip-ons
A thermal clip-on mounts in front of a day scope you already own, so one rifle works day and night and you keep aiming with the reticle you know.
Monoculars and binoculars
A handheld thermal monocular is for scanning and scouting, and for most hunters the first thermal to buy. Binoculars, thermal or night vision, use both eyes, which is easier over a long sit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy thermal or night vision?
Thermal for finding animals, night vision for identifying them. If the budget allows, carry both: a thermal monocular for scanning and the optic on your rifle for the shot.
Is night hunting with thermal or night vision legal?
It depends on the state and the species. Check your state wildlife agency's rules before a night hunt.
Do you ship these to California?
Most of them. Night vision riflescopes that project infrared, from a built-in illuminator or one in the box, and the infrared illuminators made for them are not sold to California addresses (California Penal Code 468). Each of those product pages says so in its delivery details, and thermal-only devices are not affected.
For the full comparison, read Thermal vs Night Vision for Hunting, and for the specs, Thermal Imaging Specs Explained.