Shop thermal monoculars for scanning, spotting, and scouting after dark. Night Hunting Depot carries handheld thermal imaging monoculars from Nocpix, Pulsar, AGM, and Rix — from compact thermal monoculars that ride in a chest rig to flagship LRF units that range game past 1,000 yards. A monocular is how serious night hunters find animals before ever shouldering the rifle. Free shipping over $150, and if you're not sure what pairs with your thermal scope, the buying guide below breaks it down.
Nocpix LUMI P13 Compact Thermal Monocular 2X 256x192 13 mm
$619.00
How to Choose a Thermal Monocular
The monocular does the finding; the rifle does the rest. Here's what actually matters when you pick one.
Scanning Is the Job
A thermal monocular is your eyes all night — you'll glass with it 50x more than you'll shoot. Prioritize wide field of view, comfortable one-hand ergonomics, and fast 50Hz refresh over maximum magnification.
Sensor & Detection Range
384×288 sensors spot coyote-size heat well past 500 yards and cover most hunters. Step to 640×512 for a wider view at the same detail — worth it if you glass open country all night.
LRF or Not?
A built-in laser rangefinder turns "I see something" into "it's 412 yards" — killer for calling setups and pair-hunting where the spotter ranges for the shooter. Hunting thick country inside 200 yards? Skip it and save.
Size, Weight & Battery
Compact units like the Nocpix Lumi disappear into a bino harness and run all night on 18650s; flagship monoculars like the Pulsar Axion and Telos trade bulk for image quality. Whatever you pick, spare batteries beat every accessory.
Shop Thermal Monoculars by Brand
Nocpix
Our deepest handheld line — the Lumi and Vista series deliver flagship sensors at prices that leave money for ammo.
Shop Nocpix →Pulsar
The Axion and Telos monoculars set the standard for image quality and build — the choice when you want the best glass in your hand.
Shop Pulsar →AGM
The Taipan line is the proven budget entry into thermal scanning — rugged, simple, and hunt-ready out of the box.
Shop AGM →Rix
Compact, purpose-built handhelds that punch above their price — a natural pair with a Rix scope on the rifle.
Shop Rix →Thermal Monocular Questions, Answered
What is a thermal monocular used for?
Scanning and spotting. Night hunters glass fields and treelines with a handheld thermal monocular to find hogs, coyotes, and predators by their heat signature — then move to the rifle once an animal is located. It's also the tool for recovering downed game and checking property after dark.
Thermal monocular vs. thermal scope — do I need both?
They do different jobs. The monocular scans wide and stays in your hand; the thermal scope aims. Hunting with only a rifle-mounted thermal means pointing a rifle at everything you want to identify — slower, and a safety problem. Most serious night hunters run both: monocular to find, scope to finish.
What's the best thermal monocular for the money?
For most hunters, a 384-sensor compact in the $1,000–$1,500 range — like the Nocpix Lumi L19 — covers scanning duty extremely well. Glass big open country, or want onboard ranging? A 640-sensor or LRF unit in the Pulsar Axion and Telos class is the step up.
How far can a thermal monocular detect animals?
A quality 384 unit detects a coyote-size heat signature at 700+ yards and identifies it at a few hundred; 640 sensors push detection past 1,000 yards with a wider field of view. Real-world range depends on lens size, humidity, and terrain — but finding animals is rarely the limitation.
Thermal monocular or thermal binoculars?
Monoculars are lighter, cheaper, and one-hand friendly — the default for run-and-gun hunting. Thermal binoculars shine for long, stationary glassing sessions where two-eye comfort matters. If it's your first thermal, start with the monocular.