Hunting coyotes at night is always a challenge; they’re fast, smart, and almost invisible in the dark. But with the right thermal scope, the night suddenly becomes your ally.
Heat signatures glow through brush, fog, and shadows, letting you spot and track these elusive predators with confidence. Choosing the right scope can make all the difference, helping you see farther, aim smarter, and make precise shots when it counts.
In this guide, we’ll reveal the best thermal scopes for coyote hunting, highlighting features like clarity, range, battery life, and ease of use, so you can stay ahead of these cunning hunters and make your nighttime hunts more successful and exciting.
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AGM Global Vision Rattler V2 |
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Cronus ATS PRO 25p-250 |
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RIX Storm-S2
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Pulsar Thermion 2 Pro XQ 50
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Trijicon Reap-IR 35 mm
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| AGM Global Vision Varmint LRF
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| ATN ThOR 4 4.5-18x50mm
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| Armasight Contractor 320 6-24X
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AGM Global Vision TS35-384 |
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| ATN ThOR LT 4-8x50mm
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Advantages of thermal scopes
Thermal scopes have several advantages over traditional night vision scopes for hunting in the dark, which include;
The ability to see in complete darkness
When it gets completely dark, night vision scopes tend to struggle because they rely on ambient lighting to illuminate a target. The thermal scope, on the other hand, relies on thermal energy and therefore still works in total darkness.
Works in bad weather conditions
When hunting in bad weather, a standard night vision scope may fail to provide a clear image of the target. The thermal scope can still detect heat signatures in inclement weather.
Detects camouflage
The coyote, like other predators, is very good at hiding, which can make hunting difficult because the hunter may fail to detect and identify them. The thermal scope can detect a camouflaged animal because it can distinguish the thermal energy emitted by an animal as distinct from that of the surrounding environment.
Disadvantages of the Thermal Scope
The thermal scope’s only disadvantage is that it is generally more expensive than a regular or night vision scope.
Thermal Scopes for Coyote Hunting-Reviews
1) Athlon Optics Cronus ATS PRO 25p-250
The Cronus ATS PRO uses a 640 × 480 thermal sensor with 12 µm pixel pitch, which is right up there with the best thermal units and delivers cleaner, more detailed images of heat sources.
In practical terms, that means you can detect a human-sized heat signature out to roughly 3,600 yards and recognize detail out to roughly 2,190 yards on the larger models, plenty for most night-hunting and observation tasks.
It pairs that sensor with a high-resolution OLED display that makes the thermal view easy to read and interpret. The menus are intuitive, and switching between color palettes or reticle styles feels smooth. Battery life is solid enough to see you through long nights, and you can top up with a USB-C power bank if you want to stay out longer.
Some versions include a built-in laser rangefinder and ballistic calculator, which help you judge distance and bullet drop better. The scope body itself is rugged and weather-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about rain or recoil.
Pros
- Clear, detailed thermal image
- Long battery life with external power support
- Easy-to-use menus and multiple palettes
- Optional rangefinder and ballistic calculator
- Rugged, weather-resistant construction
Cons
- Heavier than some compact thermal units
- App connectivity depends on your device
- Features vary across models, so choosing the right one is important
2) RIX Storm‑S2
If you are looking for a thermal scope that makes night hunting or observing the wild feel simple, the RIX Storm‑S2 is worth checking out. The first time you power it on, shapes that were hidden in darkness suddenly pop into view as clear heat signatures, giving you a sense of control and clarity in the night.
The Storm‑S2 features a 256 × 192 VOx thermal sensor with 12 µm pixels and a 1024 × 768 OLED display, providing sharp, detailed images that make spotting animals or movement much easier. With 3.5× optical zoom and up to 4× digital zoom, it lets you examine distant targets more closely, and larger heat sources can be detected up to about 1,400 yards, making it practical for most hunting scenarios.
The menus are simple, picture-in-picture helps with aiming, and battery life lasts around 6 hours, with USB-C support to extend it. Wi‑Fi streaming and video recording are included, and the rugged, weather-resistant design ensures the scope holds up in rain, dust, or rough terrain.
For beginners and experienced users alike, the Storm‑S2 balances usability and performance nicely.
Pros
- Clear and detailed thermal imagery
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Simple menus with picture-in-picture
- Video recording and Wi‑Fi
- Rugged, weather-resistant construction
Cons
- Sensor resolution is modest
- Fine detail at extreme ranges can be grainy
3) Pulsar Thermion 2 Pro XQ 50
If you want a thermal scope that feels like a normal scope, the Pulsar Thermion 2 Pro is a great choice. It combines the ease and comfort of a traditional riflescope with powerful thermal imaging, making it feel familiar in your hands while giving you night vision capabilities that go far beyond what your eyes can see.
The scope uses a 640 × 480 thermal sensor with a fast refresh rate, producing clear, high-contrast images that help you spot animals through darkness, brush, or even light fog. The high-resolution AMOLED display shows everything smoothly, and switching between color palettes and reticle styles is simple and intuitive.
Battery life is long, and USB-C charging makes it easy to stay powered during extended hunts. The scope is rugged and weather-resistant, able to handle rain, recoil, and rough handling without worry, making nighttime hunting feel easier and more precise than ever before.
Pros
- Sharp, detailed thermal imaging
- Feels like a regular riflescope
- Multiple palettes
- Long battery life with USB-C support
- Rugged, weather-resistant design
Cons
- Slightly heavier than simpler thermal scopes
- Some features may take time to learn
4) AGM Global Vision Varmint LRF Thermal Riflescope
The AGM Global Vision Varmint LRF Thermal Riflescope is a versatile and reliable thermal scope that’s been used by many shooters to hunt coyotes. You get decent performance from its 12-micron 384×288 thermal detector, which works in conjunction with a high-quality 1024×768 OLED display.
The Varmint LRF operates on a single, widely available 18650 rechargeable battery, delivering 4.5 hours of uninterrupted field use. Its compact build also enables dual-purpose use as a handheld monocular, allowing you to scan your environment before initiating spotting and stalking activities.
The scope also includes a rangefinder that will measure up to 600 meters. The operation is easy and intuitive, with most functions carried out using a single button. Other features include wi-fi capabilities and video recording.
Features
- Magnification 3x
- 10-reticle options
- 12μm high sensitivity thermal detector
- 50Hz, 384 × 288 resolution
- 1024×768 OLED display
- Video recording
- 1750 yards detection range
- Weighs 1.44lbs.
Pros
- Built-in laser rangefinder
- 5-Year warranty
- The sensor delivers a clear image
- Solid build quality
- Great value for the money
Cons
- A rather short battery life
5) ATN ThOR 4 4.5-18x50mm Thermal Scope
This is a great option if you require dependability, and it comes with a three-year warranty to ensure your peace of mind. Moreover, it has numerous features that give it one of the best performances when used for coyote hunting.
One of the features is a sensor measuring 384 x 288 pixels, mated to a high-quality processor, making it highly sensitive to thermal signals. It includes a ballistic laser rangefinder, which can estimate the distance to a target up to 1000 yards away and is very useful for long-range shots.
Next, it has a ballistic calculator that adapts every shot to the underlying environmental conditions and ballistics of the rifle, ensuring better shot accuracy. The scope comes with a durable battery that can last 18+ hours courtesy of the processor with low power consumption.
Specifications
- Magnification: 4.5 – 18 x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Sensor Resolution: 384×288 pixels
- Display Resolution: 1280×720 pixels
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Battery Life: 18 hours
- Weight: 1 kg
Pros
- Rangefinder
- Long battery
- Long 1800 yards detection range.
- 3 color modes
- Video recording and wi-fi streaming
6) Armasight Contractor 320 6-24X Thermal sight
This is the ultimate rifle scope for coyote hunting at night. One of the reasons is the impressive 1865 detection range, which can easily detect even hidden targets.
Next, the scope comes with a powerful sensor measuring 320 x 240 pixels and a 60Hz refresh rate on the HD display, which results in one of the best-quality thermograms.
Not to mention useful features such as different reticles, video recording, image capture, an inclinometer, an angle cosine indicator, and a stadia metric rangefinder to accurately estimate the distance to the target.
Additionally, this is one of the most durable options on the market. It is waterproof to IP67 standards and has a solid metal body, which we guarantee will resist a remarkable amount of abuse.
This is the best option for a shooter who doesn’t compromise on performance, without worrying about price. This thermal scopes have just about everything that would help a shooter to efficiently find and hunting coyote.
Specifications
- Magnification: 6 – 24 x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Sensor Resolution: 320×240 pixels
- Display Resolution: 1024×768 pixels
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Eye Relief: 45 mm
- Field of View: 4.4 – 3.3 degrees
- Range of Detection: 1865 m
- Dimensions: 3.7 x 8.2 x 3.4 in
- Weight: 2.02 lbs.
Pros
- Rugged
- Rangefinder and inclinometer
- Video recording ability
- excellent quality images.
7) AGM Global Vision Rattler TS35-384 Thermal Rifle Scope
This is a compact thermal scope that is very capable because it has a sensor with a resolution of 384 x 288 and can detect a target at 1750 yards.
The scope comes with a very versatile 2-16x magnification which is effective in bringing the target closer for a perfectly placed shot. It’s notable however that an increase in the zoom results to some extent a deterioration of the thermogram quality.
The battery life isn’t as good as some of its competitors, with only 4.5 hours of continuous use. This is, however, compensated for by the inclusion of an external power supply capability via a micro-USB port.
Overall, this is an excellent choice for a shooter looking for a lightweight scope (511g) that supports video recording and has a good detection range. The scope is also tough, with an IP67 waterproof rating, and it supports wi-fi data transmission.
Specifications
- Magnification: 2.14 x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 35 mm
- Display Resolution: 1024×768 pixels
- Refresh Rate: 50 Hz
- Sensor Resolution: 384×288 pixels
- Eye Relief: 45 mm
- Field of View: 10 – 8 degrees
- Dimensions: 2.46 x 7.37 x 2.33 in
- Weight: 0.91 lbs.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Supports external battery
- Built-in 16GB EMMC
- Decent 1750 yards detection range.
8) ATN ThOR LT 4-8x50mm Thermal Rifle Scope
This is a slightly stripped-down version of the ATN ThoR 4 thermal scope from ATN. It misses out on features like video recording, a rangefinder, and a more capable sensor and processor. However, it’s still very capable in its abilities and to add to that it comes at a fairly affordable price.
The ThOR LT comes with a sensor measuring 160 x 120 pixels. The sensor can deliver a very well-defined thermogram but the detection range is rather average at 625 yards.
The scope is also simplified in its functionalities with an easy-to-use interface together with an ergonomic design paired with a high-quality 1280 x 720 pixels screen to display the thermogram.
Furthermore, the scope has two color modes from which to view the thermogram, which is a useful feature that allows the scope to adapt to different environments.
Overall, this is an excellent scope, not least because it incorporates the dependability associated with ATN. It’s lightweight, easy to mount, simple to use, and with a long battery life.
This makes it an excellent choice for a shooter looking for a short-range scope at a reasonable price. the lightweight characteristic also makes it the preferred option for shooters who hunt using a crossbow.
Specifications
- Magnification: 4 – 8 x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Sensor Resolution: 160×120 pixels
- Display Resolution: 1280×720 pixels
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Eye Relief: 90 mm
- Dimension: 11.5 x 2.2 x 1.4 in
- Weight: 1.4 lbs.
Pros
- Lightweight
- High-quality thermogram
- 10+ hours of battery life
- Very simplified to use
Buying Thermal Scopes for Coyote Hunting
These are the general features to look for in a thermal scope before purchasing one for coyote hunting.
Detection range
This is typically indicated on thermal scopes, and it assists the shooter in determining how far the target can be for the heat signature to reflect on the scope. We have thermal scopes that can be used on short-range targets, as well as others with a long detection range that can be used on long-range targets.
Sensor
A CMOS sensor is what detects the thermal energy and converts it into an electric signal for display to the shooter. The size of the sensor is measured using pixel size, and the bigger the sensor, the higher the pixel size and the more sensitive it will be for heat signatures.
A higher resolution also results in a better thermogram (Image) of the target, but it’s unfortunate because bigger sensors are more expensive.
Display
A higher quality display will definitely display a better image, irrespective of the size of the sensor. Just like the sensor, the display’s size is measured using pixel size, and the more pixels the better the image quality.
Magnification
Some hunters prefer to zoom in on their targets to get a clear view, so the magnification size is important to them. Although higher magnification can help with this, zooming in on a target usually results in a pixilated image.
Battery life
The meaning of battery life is basically how long your thermal scope can function. The thermal sensor is powered by the battery, and the longer it can last the more reliable the thermal scope.
Durability
Because thermal scopes are expensive its ideal to look for one that’s well built and can withstand a reasonable amount of the harshness that characterizes the outdoors. A good warranty will also give assurance that the scope is of good quality and will last.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is ATN a good brand?
Yes. The ATN brand is a company based in the USA that manufactures high-quality night vision and thermal devices. The performance of these devices will, however, depend on the specific model and price point.
Can you use a thermal scope in the daytime?
Yes. Unlike the night vision scopes, the thermal scopes do not work by amplifying ambient lighting instead they detect the thermal energy emitted by a target. This makes them harmless to the bright light present during the day and will function just as well as in the nighttime.
See also: Can thermal scopes be used during the day
When is the best time to hunt coyotes?
Most hunters agree that the best time for hunting coyotes is during the winter season, when most of them are desperate to eat, and they take chances when doing this. It’s also more likely that the bushings, where the coyote would hide, have wilted, and this makes them easy to spot
What time of day are coyotes most active?
Coyotes are nocturnal animals that are often active between dawn and dusk. They are, however, quite adaptive and can be active during the day in locations where there is little human activity. Their activity habits, therefore, rely on the habitat where they are domiciled.
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