Clip-on thermals, Who Uses One Regularly?

If you are using a thermal clip-on regularly for hog hunting, what clip-on are you using and how well do you like it?

I've got an older ATN unit. I wouldn't recommend ATN due to their abysmal customer service, but this one has served me well.

I've really enjoyed the Armasight contractor

The Armasight Contractor is a thermal weapon sight. It is not a clip-on. Clip-on thermals are affixed to, or are run in serial in front of day optics to give them thermal capability.

I do not run a clip on. The guy's that I know who ran a clip on spent over $10k to have the performance of a $5k stand alone thermal.

I'm sure you have your reasons for wanting a clip-on but you'd almost be better off to build 2 rifles. One thermal rig and one conventional rig.

Iray had the rh25 on sale. It can be used as a scanner, clip on and stand alone thermal. That's what I'd buy if I were going that route.

DUCKMAN11 said:

I do not run a clip on. The guy's that I know who ran a clip on spent over $10k to have the performance of a $5k stand alone thermal.

I'm sure you have your reasons for wanting a clip-on but you'd almost be better off to build 2 rifles. One thermal rig and one conventional rig.

Iray had the rh25 on sale. It can be used as a scanner, clip on and stand alone thermal. That's what I'd buy if I were going that route.

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Oh no, I have zero reasons for wanting a clip-on. I am literally trying to understand the popularity these seem to have given that manufacturers keep making them and people do keep buying them (or they would not come out with new models and such) only I know of only one person that uses one with any regularity. I have known another 5 who have purchased them that either have gotten rid of them or in one case, the guy kept his as a spotter and backup rifle scope.

So I wasn't trying to bias the thread with my opinion, but the thread has run long enough with almost no responses. My view is that people perceive clip-ons as the multi-tools of optics. It will do everything you need, but do none of it very well (compared to task dedicated optics). Buying a clip-on thermal is virtually a slam dunk for buying a 2nd thermal to go with it or to replace it (out of need) even though that is the problem set that the clip-on is supposed to resolve. It is almost like buying the exact wrong thing that you need when you buy a clip-on, but you never expected to need another thermal after you bought the clip-on.

Never mind the issues I have seen where folks used RTZ mounts and managed to not RTZ.

So I really want to know why people are so enamored with clip-on thermals. I don't see the attraction. When I see people testing them on YT (like me), they are NEVER the optic that the tester ever ends up using as his/her primary thermal device. We always seem to be testing them for other people to use. I was just curious as to who these folks were and what the attraction was. I know these must be a good fit for somebody.

I have looked at the RH25, BTW, very nice for what it is. One of the major detractions of clip-ons for me is the fact that no matter how much daylight magnification you have behind it, you are still looking through the 1x native mag filter of the clip-on (I don't know anyone making a 2x optical mag thermal clip-on, but could be wrong). In grand scheme, the RH25 is just a 1x thermal and will underperform accordingly compared to 2-4x native mag dedicated scopes.

One gentleman pointed out to me that clip-ons are great for shorter range shooting, which one benefit, but I could buy a couple dedicated rifle scopes to handle short range distances for the cost of a single clip-on, LOL. So I don't see the benefit there, either.

Bottom line, I just don't see the value of the thermal clip-on unless the absolute most important factor is versatility over functional capabilities. And the worst part is that clip-ons aren't discounted in their pricing. So they turn out to not be a good value for most people.

So I was hoping to hear from the few zealots that love theirs and see what they had to say. I posted similar queries on 3 forums. So far, the responses have been similar.

InfiRay Rico Micro RH25 is the only clip on I use. Bought it originally for just to use as a hand held. But I'm using it currently as a weapon sight solo. I can also but it up in front of my Eotech Vudu 1-8 and extends my range a lot. Works great and I've used it out to 300 yards or so. Only draw back as using it as a solo is the field of view isn't the greatest but it's not what I bought it for either.

DNS,

You hit the nail on the head with your comments. My ATN clip on isn't the most precise thermal I own, and not even close. I bought it when I lived in SC and had access to a few thousands of acres for hog hunting. None of the properties were over a few hundred acres, so I didn't need the most precise optics. I can switch the thermal between 4 different rifles, so it was an appealing option at the time.

Being in a better place financially then when I bought it, would I get another? Probably not. I like the versatility aspect, but hauling a .308 with a NF scope and a clip-on thermal gets a little clunky after a while. Dedicated setups are so much easier to use in the field.

I bought one, and I don't get it either. Personally I would rather have an IR scope than a thermal clip on.

Prism collimation units are the best, but at that point I could buy multiple top-end thermal scopes to use instead. I have no need for changing one rifle back and forth between daylight and NV/thermal repeatedly in a situation where maintaining 500+ yard zero is critically important to keeping myself and others alive. Those kind users aren't buying these at retail usually.