HOW TO DECIDE BETWEEN A THERMAL SIGHT, A CLIP-ON OR BOTH?
- BRIEF DISCLAIMER: At Basic Precision, we hunt with every device we sell. Our experience is based on a single use of a particular device and on the synergy of using them all. The purpose of this article is to share our experience, which we think can help our customers make a choice that fits their needs. The advice we give in this document is our personal opinion only, which is not necessarily the ultimate truth. Please choose a device that you believe provides the best value for the money.
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SIMPLE AND EASY BREAKDOWN OF SOME HUNTING SCENARIOS, WHICH PREDETERMINE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF USING A THERMAL SIGHT VS. A CLIP-ON.
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You want to be mission-ready, no matter what the mission is. The best illustration of this scenario is the picture below. The green tone of the image is a side-effect of illuminating the scene with a green flashlight, which, as some people believe, animals supposedly should not see.
After shooting a deer from a blind, right before the sunset, the suppressed .308 bolt-action rifle with a daytime scope was quickly re-equipped with a Clip-On for shooting a hog at night. It was a fast and easy switch, which only took one clip-on action. In other words, the pictured hog, which was shot from the same blind a couple of hours after the deer, is a bonus for having a clip-on. For this scenario, if you are not shooting beyond 300 yards, the Hogster-C clip-on will be sufficient, and it is less expensive. - You already have a thermal sight and you are planning on buying a thermal monocular to spot your game: You may want to consider the fact that Hogster-C and Super Yoter-C thermal clip-ons are convertible to high-end thermal monoculars with an optional Detachable Eyepiece. In other words, by spending just a little more than you would spend for a high-end thermal spotter, you are getting both: a high-end thermal spotter and a clip-on, which provides you with many more additional usage benefits described in some scenarios in this article.
- You only stalk hogs or shoot them from blinds, or you shoot coyotes at medium ranges (up to 400 - 500 yards), and you do not plan on buying a thermal monocular to spot them: We think you do not need a Clip-On. Bering Optics offers a dedicated thermal scope for every scenario. Please read HERE about which thermal scope will do the job best. You may also want to avoid a Clip-On because you must have daytime optics along with it, which adds to the total price and to the total weight of your rifle.
- You do long-range predator control shooting from a tripod, or you are a sharp-shooter practicing long-range shooting with your daytime optics and you want to apply your skills by surprising your game at night from a longer distance: You may want a thermal Clip-On. After being zeroed once on your daytime scope, a Clip-On becomes an invisible helper at night. You can use all your daytime scope settings and habits (clicks, reticles, mildots windage, etc.) in complete darkness. We successfully tested Super Yoter-C Clip-On at 1100 yards on a 20” round steel target, which was heated by the sun and was detectable by the Clip-On. Critics would say that this distance is far beyond any ethical night hunting range. Although, an experienced shooter using a Clip-On with an appropriate rifle and daytime scope combination should have no issues to place a vital zone night shot at 500-800 yards. Super Yoter-C Clip-On being more advanced than Hogster-C, provides longer and more accurate night shot capabilities.
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You want to be mission-ready, no matter what the mission is. The best illustration of this scenario is the picture below. The green tone of the image is a side-effect of illuminating the scene with a green flashlight, which, as some people believe, animals supposedly should not see.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any additional questions you may have.