Shop thermal scopes built for serious night hunting.
Night Hunting Depot is an authorized dealer for AGM, Pulsar, Nocpix, Rix, and DNT
thermal rifle scopes — from entry-level coyote setups to flagship LRF optics with onboard
ballistics, including thermal scopes for AR-platform rifles.
Every scope ships free over $150, backed by people who actually hunt with this gear.
Not sure where to start? Use the buying guide below the collection.
A thermal rifle scope is the biggest gear decision in night hunting — here's how to get it right the first time.
Sensor Resolution
The sensor is the engine. 256×192 sensors work for close-range hog and coyote work; 384×288 is the sweet spot for most hunters; 640×512 delivers the detail and detection range serious predator hunters step up to.
Base Magnification
Lower base magnification (1.5–3x) gives a wide field of view for scanning and moving targets. Higher base mag reaches further but narrows the picture — match it to your terrain, not the spec sheet.
LRF or Non-LRF?
A built-in laser rangefinder (LRF) reads exact distance to target — a major advantage past 150 yards, and some models pair it with onboard ballistics. If your shots stay inside 150 yards, a non-LRF scope saves real money.
Budget Tiers
Quality thermal scopes start around $1,500–$2,000 (AGM Rattler, Nocpix Slim), the $2,000–$3,500 range covers most hunters' forever-scope (Rix Storm, Nocpix Bolt), and flagship LRF optics run $4,000+.
Shop Thermal Scopes by Brand
AGM
The Rattler line is the best-selling entry point in thermal — proven, rugged, and priced right.
Hunt-ready thermal rifle scopes start around $1,500–$2,000. Most serious night hunters land between $2,000–$3,500, where 384 and 640 sensors, solid refresh rates, and recording features become standard. Flagship LRF models with onboard ballistics run $4,000–$7,000.
Can I put a thermal scope on an AR-15?
Yes — nearly every thermal scope we carry mounts to a standard Picatinny rail, making them a natural fit for AR-platform rifles chambered for hogs and predators. Check eye relief and base magnification for your typical engagement distance; our team can match a scope to your build.
Thermal scope vs. night vision — which is better for hunting?
Thermal detects heat, so it finds animals in total darkness, fog, and light brush — nothing hides a heat signature. Night vision amplifies light and shows more natural detail for identification. Most hunters scan and shoot with thermal; many pair it with a night vision unit for positive ID.
Can you use a thermal scope during the day?
Yes. Unlike traditional night vision, thermal optics are not damaged by daylight — hogs bedded in brush at noon glow just as bright as coyotes at midnight.
What's the best thermal scope for coyote and hog hunting?
For most hunters, a 384-sensor scope in the $2,000–$3,000 range — like the Rix Storm S6R or Nocpix Bolt L35R — is the sweet spot of detection range, image quality, and price. Running longer shots in open country? Step up to a 640 sensor with LRF.
