Thermal technology has been a literal game-changer in the tactical market, and shooting enthusiasts as well as hunters are adding thermal to their toolkits at a faster-than-ever pace. While hunters use thermal to pursue hogs and coyotes after day, it’s also immensely useful for personal and home defense. Because thermal technology “sees” heat signatures, it works equally well during the day and at night, even enabling the user to see through fog, rain, or brush.
For home defense, a thermal scope offers a tremendous advantage to the homeowner. Think about it — you know your home’s layout better than any intruder, so being able to “see” in the dark lets you maneuver around your home without flooding the place with light or giving away your position with the use of a flashlight or weapon-mounted light. (As always, be sure of your target.)
When looking at a thermal purchase for a home defense or even homesteading use like this, you’ll want to consider a handful of important factors: Reliability, clarity and ease of use in a compact/lightweight device that works well for CQB or for use on compact firearms.
Armasight’s new Collector sight, available in a 320 and a 640 model, fills the bill nicely, with a compact and lightweight designed that’s perfect for the range a .223/5.56 (or rimfire, or airgun) is typically used at for defensive purposes. It weighs just a pound and is less than 7 inches long, so it won’t slow you down or add too much bulk to your rifle.
At the same time, the Collector is built to perform, with a fast 60Hz frame rate for smooth operation and outstanding visual acuity, based on Armasight’s Iron Wolf thermal technology platform. With a fast frame rate, you won’t have to worry about lagging or pixelated images as the unit tries to process data. Image detail enhancement ensures you always get a crisp image, and you can record video and capture images through the device. Choose from multiple color palettes and reticle types/colors.
For all of its features (including an inclinometer, levelometer and angle cosine indicator), the Collector remains easy and intuitive to use, with simple three-button controls. As mentioned, it’s designed with close-quarters use in mind, but the 640 will detect a human-sized target at up to 932 meters (708 meters for the 320), with a recognition range of 233 and an identification range of 146 (177 and 107 meters, respectively, for the 320). The 640 has 1X optical magnification and 1-4X digital zoom, while the 320 has 1.5X optical magnification and the same digital zoom, for a total magnification range of 1.5X to 6X.
A compact thermal scope like the Collector is ideal for defensive use and CQB, but it’s also great for hunters, particularly those who work in tight areas or on properties where small caliber, crossbows or air rifles are used. Got squirrels or ground hogs on your golf course? Feral hogs you’re chasing with a crossbow? Rats and mice in the barn? Mount a Collector on your airgun, crossbow or small-caliber rifle and get to work.
Both models boast a battery life of four hours at 20 degrees Celsius (about 68 F) and will run in temps from -40 to 122 F. A three-year warranty is included, and the Collector is designed and assembled in the USA from U.S. and global components. It’s recoil-rated for up to a 5.56.
MSRP is $3,799 for the 640 and $2,499 for the 320. For personal use, that’s not inexpensive, but it’s a specialty device that truly offers a unique advantage. What other technology lets you see threats in the dark? When you’re ready to “stop looking and start seeing,” consider the Armasight Collector for the most important close-range work.
