Best Thermal Scope for Hogs and Predators (2026): 7 Picks
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Hogs and coyotes run the night. A thermal scope lets you run it with them. Instead of a red light that spooks half the sounder, you see every warm body in the field as a bright shape against cold ground, pick the one you want, and take the shot without ever turning on a light. For landowners fighting crop damage and predator hunters calling in the dark, it changes the whole game.
We compared the thermal rifle scopes EuroOptic carries from Pulsar and AGM, and ranked seven for hog and predator control on sensor resolution, sensitivity, magnification, rated detection range, rangefinder, battery, weight, mounting and price on September 28, 2026. This is a research guide built from manufacturer specifications and store listings, not a hands-on test.
The short answer
For most hog and predator hunters, the Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro is the best thermal scope for the money right now. Our picks:
- Best overall: Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro, $2,299.99. Check price →
- Best lightweight: AGM Rattler V3 25-384, $1,595.00. Check price →
- Best budget: AGM Rattler V2 19-256, $695.00. Check price →
- Best rangefinding under $2,500: AGM Rattler V3 LRF 35-384, $2,294.75. Check price →
- Best premium: Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XP60, $4,299.99. Check price →
All prices from EuroOptic on September 28, 2026.
How we chose
Nobody at OSS America mounted these scopes or shot with them for this guide. We took every spec from the maker's own product page (pulsarvision.com and agmglobalvision.com), checked price and stock at EuroOptic the same day, and read AGM's published warranty terms. We ranked for hog and predator control: sensor resolution and sensitivity first, then base magnification and field of view (you need to find animals up close, not just far away), rated detection range, rangefinder and ballistics, battery life, weight and mounting, and price. We didn't find enough published owner ratings on these specific models to cite, so we left ratings out rather than guess.
What matters in a thermal scope for hogs and predators
- Sensor resolution. 256x192 finds heat at close range. 384x288 is the working standard for telling a hog from a deer or a dog. 640x480 holds detail when you zoom in, which is where cheap sensors fall apart.
- Base magnification. Hogs often show up close, especially around feeders and crop edges. A low 2x to 2.5x base gives you a wide view to pick out the sounder; 3.5x and up is better for coyotes across an open field.
- Sensitivity (NETD). Lower mK numbers separate small temperature differences, which matters on humid, foggy or rainy nights. By their makers' ratings, the scopes here run from under 15 mK to under 35 mK.
- Rangefinder and ballistics. Judging distance through thermal is hard. A built-in laser rangefinder with a ballistic calculator (AGM's V3 LRF, Pulsar's Thermion 2 LRF) takes the guess out of longer shots.
- Mounting and recoil. Pulsar's Thermion 2 line uses standard 30 mm rings and is recoil rated to 6,000 joules; the AGM Rattlers ship on ADM mounts.
- Battery. A long night of calling or sitting a feeder drains batteries. Removable packs you can swap in the dark are worth a lot.
Hunt legally and safely
Night hunting and the use of thermal or night-vision scopes are regulated state by state, and the rules often differ for feral hogs, predators and game animals, on private and public land. Check your state wildlife agency's current regulations (and any landowner permission you need) before you hunt with thermal. This guide is not legal advice.
Thermal shows heat, not detail. Positively identify your target and know what's beyond it before every shot.
All seven at a glance
| # | Scope | Sensor | Lens | Magnification | Rated detection | LRF | Battery | Weight | EuroOptic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro | 640x480 | 50 mm | 2x-16x | 1,969 yd | No | 10 hours | 2.16 lb | $2,299.99 |
| #2 | AGM Rattler V3 25-384 | 384x288 | 25 mm | 2.5x-20x | 1,936 yd | No | 7 hours | 1.10 lb | $1,595.00 |
| #3 | AGM Rattler V2 19-256 | 256x192 | 19 mm | 2.5x-20x | 950 yd | No | 11.5 hours | 1.06 lb | $695.00 |
| #4 | Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ35 Pro | 384x288 | 35 mm | 2.5x-10x | 1,476 yd | No | 10 hours | 2.16 lb | $1,699.99 |
| #5 | AGM Rattler V3 LRF 35-384 | 384x288 | 35 mm | 3.5x-28x | 2,710 yd | Yes | 7 hours | 1.50 lb | $2,294.75 |
| #6 | Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XQ50 Pro | 384x288 | 50 mm | 3x-12x | 1,969 yd | Yes | 8.5 hours | 2.31 lb | $2,999.97 |
| #7 | Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XP60 | 640x480 | 60 mm | 3x-24x | 2,187 yd | Yes | 11 hours | 2.65 lb | $4,299.99 |
Prices from EuroOptic listings on September 28, 2026. Specs from pulsarvision.com and agmglobalvision.com the same day. Detection ranges are each maker's 'up to' figure converted to yards (Pulsar lists meters). Brands rate range differently, so treat cross-brand comparisons as rough.
The 7 best thermal scopes for hogs and predators, ranked
Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro
Best thermal scope overall
EuroOptic: $2,299.99 $4,999.97 · Sensor: 640x480 · Per 100 yd of rated detection: $116.81
The Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro is the one we'd put on a hog or predator rifle if we could only pick one. It carries a 640x480, 17-micron sensor (Pulsar rates the system under 18 mK) behind a 50 mm F1.0 lens, with 2x-16x magnification and a rated detection range of 1,800 m (about 1,969 yards). The low 2x base gives you room to find a sounder up close, and the 640 sensor keeps detail when you zoom in on the one you want.
It's built like a traditional riflescope: it mounts in standard 30 mm rings, gives 50 mm of eye relief, and Pulsar rates it for recoil up to .375 H&H, 12-gauge and 9.3x64 (6,000 joules). Pulsar rates battery life at 10 hours, it's IPX7 waterproof, and Pulsar says ballistic profiles (up to 10) can be loaded through its Stream Vision Ballistics app. The price is what makes it: EuroOptic had it for $2,299.99 on September 28, down from $4,999.97, which puts a 640-sensor Pulsar below the price of Pulsar's own 384-sensor LRF XQ50 Pro.
| Sensor | 640x480, 17 µm; system NETD under 18 mK |
| Lens | 50 mm F1.0 |
| Magnification | 2x-16x (4x zoom) |
| Detection (Pulsar) | 1,800 m (about 1,969 yd) |
| Mounting | Standard 30 mm rings; 50 mm eye relief |
| Recoil rating | 6,000 J; .375 H&H, 12-gauge, 9.3x64 |
| Battery | 10 hrs (internal + external packs) |
| Weight / rating | 0.98 kg (2.16 lb) / IPX7 |
| Memory | 16 GB |
Pros
- + 640 sensor for less than Pulsar's 384-sensor LRF model at EuroOptic on September 28
- + Low 2x base magnification for close hog work
- + Mounts in ordinary 30 mm rings; recoil rated to .375 H&H
- + 10-hour rated battery
Cons
- − No built-in rangefinder
- − 2.16 lb is heavy on a light AR
- − Only 16 GB of memory
- − We couldn't confirm Pulsar's U.S. warranty terms on its site
AGM Rattler V3 25-384
Best lightweight thermal scope
EuroOptic: $1,595.00 $1,754.50 · Sensor: 384x288 · Per 100 yd of rated detection: $82.39
If your hog gun is a handy carbine and you don't want two pounds of scope on top of it, the AGM Rattler V3 25-384 is the pick. At 1.10 lb it weighs about half as much as the Pulsar Thermion 2 models, and it rides on an included American-made ADM quick-detach mount. Inside is a 384x288, 12-micron sensor that AGM rates under 15 mK, the best sensitivity rating in this guide, feeding a 1920x1080 OLED display.
AGM rates detection at 1,770 m (1,936 yd) with a 25 mm lens and 2.5x base magnification (2.5x-20x digital), and says it's the first Rattler with a shutterless NUC and its Image Boost 2.0 processing. Big buttons and a manual focus ring are designed for gloved hands. It runs up to 7 hours on a removable NE-4400 battery (two included), records to 64 GB, is IP67 rated and carries AGM's 5-year warranty. EuroOptic had it for $1,595.00 on September 28 (AGM lists $1,745.00).
| Sensor | 384x288, 12 µm, under 15 mK |
| Lens | 25 mm |
| Magnification | 2.5x base, 2.5x-20x digital |
| Field of view | 10.5 x 6.3 deg (55 x 33 ft at 100 yd) |
| Detection (AGM) | 1,770 m / 1,936 yd |
| Display | 1920x1080 OLED |
| Battery | Up to 7 hrs; removable NE-4400 (two included) |
| Weight / mount | 1.10 lb / ADM quick-detach mount included |
| Warranty | AGM 5-year |
Pros
- + About half the weight of the Pulsar picks
- + Best published sensitivity here (under 15 mK)
- + QD mount included
- + Full-HD display; 64 GB memory
Cons
- − 384 sensor, not 640
- − No rangefinder
- − 7-hour rated battery, less than the Rattler V2's 11.5
AGM Rattler V2 19-256
Best budget thermal scope
EuroOptic: $695.00 $875.00 · Sensor: 256x192 · Per 100 yd of rated detection: $73.16
AGM pitches the Rattler V2 19-256 at close-range hunting, predator control and first-time thermal buyers, and at $695.00 at EuroOptic on September 28 (AGM lists $764.50) it's the cheapest way in this guide to put thermal on a rifle. You get a 256x192, 12-micron sensor (AGM rates it under 35 mK), a 19 mm lens, 2.5x base magnification and a 9.3 x 6.9-degree view, 49 feet wide at 100 yards. AGM's description rates detection to 950 yards.
It's the battery champ of the group: AGM rates it at up to 11.5 hours on a removable NE-4400, and includes two. It weighs 1.06 lb, has a 1024x768 OLED display, 50 Hz refresh, shot-activated recording, multiple reticles and zero profiles, Wi-Fi, an ADM mount, IP67 and AGM's 5-year warranty. The catch is the 256 sensor: fine for hogs in a feeder clearing or coyotes at 100 yards, not for identifying animals far across an open field.
| Sensor | 256x192, 12 µm, under 35 mK |
| Lens | 19 mm |
| Magnification | 2.5x base, 2.5x-20x digital |
| Field of view | 9.3 x 6.9 deg (49 x 36 ft at 100 yd) |
| Detection (AGM) | 950 yd |
| Display | 1024x768 OLED |
| Battery | Up to 11.5 hrs; removable NE-4400 (two included) |
| Weight / mount | 1.06 lb / ADM mount |
| Warranty | AGM 5-year |
Pros
- + Lowest price and lowest cost per 100 yd of rated detection here
- + Longest rated battery life in the guide (11.5 hours)
- + Lightest scope here at 1.06 lb
- + Shot-activated recording
Cons
- − 256x192 sensor limits identification at distance
- − Least sensitive sensor here by AGM's rating (under 35 mK)
- − No rangefinder
Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ35 Pro
Best classic-style thermal under $1,700
EuroOptic: $1,699.99 $2,499.97 · Sensor: 384x288 · Per 100 yd of rated detection: $115.18
Want a thermal that looks and mounts like a normal riflescope, for well under $2,000? The Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ35 Pro puts a 384x288, 17-micron sensor (system under 18 mK) and a 35 mm F1.0 lens in a tube that drops into standard 30 mm rings, with 2.5x-10x magnification, 50 mm of eye relief and a rated detection range of 1,350 m (about 1,476 yards).
It shares the Thermion 2 family's strengths: a 10-hour rated battery, IPX7 waterproofing, and a recoil rating up to .375 H&H, 12-gauge and 9.3x64, which makes it a reasonable choice for a bolt gun or shotgun as well as an AR. EuroOptic had it for $1,699.99 on September 28, down from $2,499.97. The honest comparison: the 640-sensor XP50 Pro cost $600 more that day, and if your budget stretches, that's the better scope.
| Sensor | 384x288, 17 µm; system NETD under 18 mK |
| Lens | 35 mm F1.0 |
| Magnification | 2.5x-10x |
| Detection (Pulsar) | 1,350 m (about 1,476 yd) |
| Mounting | Standard 30 mm rings; 50 mm eye relief |
| Recoil rating | 6,000 J; .375 H&H, 12-gauge, 9.3x64 |
| Battery | 10 hrs |
| Weight / rating | 0.98 kg (2.16 lb) / IPX7 |
| Memory | 16 GB |
Pros
- + Classic 30 mm tube, ordinary rings
- + Recoil rated for big-bore rifles and 12-gauge
- + 10-hour rated battery
- + About $800 under its former EuroOptic price
Cons
- − Only $600 less than the 640-sensor XP50 Pro on September 28
- − Heavy for its sensor class (2.16 lb)
- − No rangefinder
AGM Rattler V3 LRF 35-384
Best rangefinding thermal scope under $2,500
EuroOptic: $2,294.75 $2,995.00 · Sensor: 384x288 · Per 100 yd of rated detection: $84.68
For coyote hunters in open country, knowing the range at night is half the shot. The AGM Rattler V3 LRF 35-384 builds a 1,000 m laser rangefinder and an onboard ballistic calculator into the Rattler V3 body, with a 35 mm lens, 3.5x base magnification (3.5x-28x digital) and the same under-15 mK, 384x288 sensor and 1920x1080 OLED as the 25 mm model. AGM rates detection at 2,480 m (2,710 yd) and calls it ideal for predator hunting and longer shots in open terrain.
It adds video with audio, shot-activated recording, a Wi-Fi hotspot and multiple zero profiles, runs up to 7 hours on a removable NE-4400 (two included), weighs 1.50 lb with an ADM quick-detach mount in the box, and carries AGM's 5-year warranty. EuroOptic had it for $2,294.75 on September 28, down from $2,995.00 (AGM lists $2,595.00), which is less than Pulsar's cheapest rangefinding Thermion here.
| Sensor | 384x288, 12 µm, under 15 mK |
| Lens | 35 mm |
| Magnification | 3.5x base, 3.5x-28x digital |
| Field of view | 7.5 x 4.5 deg (39 x 24 ft at 100 yd) |
| Detection (AGM) | 2,480 m / 2,710 yd |
| Rangefinder | Built-in, 1,000 m; onboard ballistic calculator |
| Battery | Up to 7 hrs; removable NE-4400 (two included) |
| Weight / mount | 1.50 lb / ADM quick-detach mount included |
| Warranty | AGM 5-year |
Pros
- + Rangefinder plus ballistic calculator for under $2,300 at EuroOptic
- + Longest-reaching rangefinder here (1,000 m vs Pulsar's 800 m)
- + Best published sensitivity (under 15 mK)
- + Still lighter than any Pulsar Thermion
Cons
- − 3.5x base magnification is tight for close-in hogs
- − 384 sensor
- − 7-hour rated battery
Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XQ50 Pro
Best rangefinding Thermion for the money
EuroOptic: $2,999.97 · Sensor: 384x288 · Per 100 yd of rated detection: $152.36
The Thermion 2 LRF XQ50 Pro adds Pulsar's built-in laser rangefinder (rated to 800 m) and integrated ballistic calculator to a 384x288, 17-micron sensor and a 50 mm F1.0 lens, with 3x-12x magnification and a rated detection range of 1,800 m (about 1,969 yards). You still get the classic 30 mm tube, 50 mm eye relief and a 6,000-joule recoil rating.
Pulsar rates battery life at 8.5 hours on its dual pack (a changeable external battery plus an internal one), and it weighs 1.05 kg (2.31 lb). EuroOptic listed it at $2,999.97 on September 28. Be honest with yourself here: that's $700 more than the non-LRF XP50 Pro, which has a sharper 640 sensor. Pay it only if you'll really use the rangefinder and ballistic holds.
| Sensor | 384x288, 17 µm; system NETD under 18 mK |
| Lens | 50 mm F1.0 |
| Magnification | 3x-12x |
| Detection (Pulsar) | 1,800 m (about 1,969 yd) |
| Rangefinder | Built-in, max 800 m; ballistic calculator |
| Mounting | Standard 30 mm rings; 50 mm eye relief |
| Battery | 8.5 hrs (external + internal packs) |
| Weight / rating | 1.05 kg (2.31 lb) / IPX7 |
| Memory | 16 GB |
Pros
- + Rangefinder and ballistic calculator in a classic tube
- + Big 50 mm lens for open fields
- + 30 mm rings; 6,000 J recoil rating
Cons
- − Costs more than the 640-sensor XP50 Pro
- − Rangefinder rated to 800 m, less than AGM's 1,000 m
- − Heaviest 384 scope in the guide
Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XP60
Best premium long-range thermal scope
EuroOptic: $4,299.99 $5,499.97 · Sensor: 640x480 · Per 100 yd of rated detection: $196.62
If you hunt big open country and want the most scope here, the Thermion 2 LRF XP60 is it. A 640x480, 17-micron sensor (system under 18 mK) sits behind a 60 mm F1.1 lens with 3x-24x magnification and a rated detection range of 2,000 m (about 2,187 yards), plus a built-in laser rangefinder (rated to 800 m) and ballistic calculator.
Pulsar rates it at 11 hours on a dual battery system (a removable 3,200 mAh APS3 plus a 4,900 mAh built-in), gives it 65 mm of eye relief and 64 GB of memory, and keeps the 30 mm tube and 6,000-joule recoil rating. It's also the biggest and heaviest scope here at 1.2 kg (2.65 lb). EuroOptic had it for $4,299.99 on September 28, down from $5,499.97.
| Sensor | 640x480, 17 µm; system NETD under 18 mK |
| Lens | 60 mm F1.1 |
| Magnification | 3x-24x |
| Detection (Pulsar) | 2,000 m (about 2,187 yd) |
| Rangefinder | Built-in, max 800 m; ballistic calculator |
| Mounting | Standard 30 mm rings; 65 mm eye relief |
| Battery | 11 hrs (removable + built-in) |
| Weight / rating | 1.2 kg (2.65 lb) / IPX7 |
| Memory | 64 GB |
Pros
- + 640 sensor, 60 mm lens and rangefinder in one scope
- + Longest Pulsar-rated detection here
- + 11-hour rated battery; 64 GB memory
- + Generous 65 mm eye relief
Cons
- − Most expensive pick
- − Heaviest scope in the guide (2.65 lb)
- − Overkill for hogs inside 150 yards
Which should you buy?
- One thermal scope for hogs and coyotes: Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro.
- Light carbine, walking and stalking: AGM Rattler V3 25-384.
- First thermal, feeder or close-range hogs: AGM Rattler V2 19-256.
- Classic riflescope feel on a bolt gun or shotgun: Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ35 Pro.
- Coyotes across open fields, ranged shots: AGM Rattler V3 LRF 35-384.
- Rangefinder in a Pulsar tube: Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XQ50 Pro.
- Big country, no compromises: Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XP60.
Need daytime glass too? Our 15 best rifle scopes covers day optics, and best rangefinder for hunting covers ranging in daylight. Building the rifle? See 25 best used hunting rifles. Wondering about the store? Read Is EuroOptic legit?
Frequently asked questions
What is the best thermal scope for hog hunting in 2026?
For most hog hunters, the Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro: a 640x480 sensor, 2x-16x magnification with a low 2x base for close work, standard 30 mm rings, a recoil rating up to .375 H&H and 12-gauge, and a 10-hour rated battery. EuroOptic had it for $2,299.99 on September 28, 2026, down from $4,999.97.
What is the best budget thermal scope?
The AGM Rattler V2 19-256 at $695.00 at EuroOptic on September 28, 2026. It has a 256x192 sensor, 2.5x base magnification, up to 11.5 hours of rated battery life with two batteries included, and AGM's 5-year warranty. It's best for close-range hogs and predators.
Is 384 resolution good enough for hogs, or do I need 640?
384x288 is enough for most hog and predator hunting inside a couple hundred yards, especially with a good sensor. 640x480 holds more detail when you zoom in and at longer range, which helps you identify animals before the shot. If the price gap is small, as it was between the Thermion 2 XQ35 Pro and XP50 Pro on September 28, the 640 is worth it.
Is it legal to hunt hogs and coyotes with a thermal scope?
It depends on your state and the species. Rules vary widely by state, by species and by type of land, and they change. Check your state wildlife agency's current regulations and any landowner permission before you hunt. This is not legal advice.
How far can a thermal scope see?
The makers rate the scopes in this guide from 950 yards (AGM Rattler V2 19-256) to 2,710 yards (AGM Rattler V3 LRF 35-384) for detection. Detection means a warm target shows up, not that you can identify it, and brands measure differently. Plan your shots at much shorter distances than the box number.
Do thermal scopes hold zero under recoil?
Pulsar rates its Thermion 2 line for recoil up to 6,000 joules, including .375 H&H, 12-gauge and 9.3x64. AGM didn't publish a recoil figure on the Rattler pages we checked. Most of these scopes store multiple zero profiles, so you can move one between rifles.
Do I need a rangefinder in a thermal scope?
For hogs inside 100 yards, not really. For coyotes across open fields, a built-in rangefinder and ballistic calculator help a lot, because judging distance through thermal is hard. The AGM Rattler V3 LRF 35-384 (1,000 m rangefinder) and Pulsar's Thermion 2 LRF models (800 m) have them.
The bottom line
Buy the Pulsar Thermion 2 XP50 Pro while it's at this price: a 640 sensor with a low base magnification is exactly what hog and predator work needs. Choose the AGM Rattler V3 25-384 for a light carbine, the AGM Rattler V2 19-256 if budget comes first, and the AGM Rattler V3 LRF 35-384 if your shots are long enough to need a rangefinder. Know your state's rules, zero before dark, and be sure of every target.
Talk soon,
OSS AMERICA
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