When most people think of using a thermal scope, they think of using it at night. But there is a misconception about thermal scopes being ineffective in the daytime. In contrast, the reality on the ground is that they are quite effective at picking up targets during the day. Night vision is not effective at picking targets in the daytime, but thermal scopes are effective 24/7. So if you have any doubts about whether you can use a thermal scope during the day or not, this guide will clear out all your confusion.
Can you use a thermal scope during the day?
Yes, you absolutely can. Thermal scopes work by detecting the body warmth or heat signature emitted by objects. This heat signature is present regardless of the time of day, so thermal scopes can be at any time.
Advantages of using a thermal scope during the day
The thermal scope is not affected by the sun’s glare.
One of the biggest problems with traditional optics is that glare can severely affect them. It’s especially true in bright, sunny conditions.
Glare can make it difficult to see your target and cause temporary blindness. But thermal scopes are completely immune to glare. So that means you’ll be able to see your target clearly, no matter how bright the conditions are. It makes a thermal scope an effective aid for hunting regardless of whether it’s day or not.
See-through bush and camouflage.
Thermal scopes can instantly detect what’s behind the bush or camouflage. It is the biggest advantage of using a thermal scope as it can see through all sorts of natural or artificial camouflage. So if you want to skip waiting hours to let your game come out of the bushes, thermal scopes can be your best friend!
See-through Smoke and Fog
Another advantage of thermal scopes is that they can see through smoke and fog as they detect heat rather than light. It can be a huge advantage in hunting in daylight, as you’ll be able to see your target even if there’s a lot of smoke or fog, especially during winter mornings.
Hunting smaller animals and varmint.
If you are a hunter, you know the importance of seeing your target clearly, especially when trying to take down smaller animals or varmint. Thermal scopes are a great tool for this purpose, as thermal scopes also have a much wider field of view than traditional optics. As they use a wider lens, this can be a huge advantage when you’re trying to scan an area for smaller targets. You’ll be able to see a lot more of your surroundings, so you’re less likely to miss those small varmints and games you are after.
Following blood trails
Thermal scopes are also highly accurate at following a blood trail. This is because they’re able to detect very small amounts of heat. So you’ll be able to hit your target more accurately, even if they’re wounded and trying to hide away from you. It is one of the worst things about hunting fast moving animals such as deers, as they will run quite fast even while wounded. But if you use a thermal scope, there is no escaping as you can follow the blood trail to hunt your game down.
Tips on how to use a thermal scope during the day
A thermal scope can be a powerful tool for spotting games in the field in the daytime. But you need to follow some guidelines so that you don’t end up damaging the thermal scope. So here are the key tips on using a thermal scope during the day.
Never point thermal scope directly towards the sun.
When you are looking for a game with a thermal scope, the last thing you want to do is point it directly towards the sun. This is because the sun emits a lot of heat, which will reflect off of anything in its path, including the lens of your scope. The result will be a big, bright blob in the center of your scope, making it impossible to see anything else. So make sure to avoid pointing at the sun.
Use the sun to your advantage.
If you can position yourself so that the sun is behind you, it will be easier to spot games that are further away. So try to position yourself, so the sun is at your back, or at least to the side. This will minimize the amount of heat that is reflected off of your scope.
Use a narrow field of view:
It may sound counterintuitive, but you want to use the zoom feature on your scope to narrow the field of view. Why? Well, when you are out with the thermal scope during the daytime, a narrow field of view will help reduce the glare from the sun.
Select the correct filter:
Depending on the thermal scope you are using, you will need to use a different filter to properly use a thermal scope during the daytime. As a rule of thumb, the correct filter for a thermal scope during the daytime is a very dark filter that will help reduce the overall brightness of the image if there is too much sunlight available.
Final words
Thermal scopes are also extremely versatile and can be used in various settings, both day and night. While they are most commonly used at night, thermal scopes can also be used during the day in several different ways.
But they can also be quite tricky when the sun is hanging high above. So, follow the tips we have provided here to help you get the most out of your thermal scope during the day.
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