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.
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.