Hunting After Dark: Clip-On or Thermal Scope — Which One Fits Your Hunt?
- Hans ARC
- Oct 26
- 4 min read
More and more game is going nocturnal — wild boar, golden jackal, wolves, even beavers. Lawmakers across Europe are reacting, and in many regions night hunting with thermal or night-vision optics is now legal. That leaves hunters with a tough question: clip-on or dedicated thermal scope?
Both systems have their advantages — versatility on one side, precision on the other.
At the Carinthian Hunting Days in Austria’s Rosental Valley, organized by Alpe Adria Jagd , Schuss & Stille sat down with Roger Holenstein, managing director of Thermfox and Austrian importer of ThermTec thermal optics, to find out what really separates the two.
Two Systems – Two Philosophies
“Both setups make perfect sense,” says Holenstein calmly, placing two devices side by side: the ThermTec HUNT 650 LRF and the ThermTec ORYX L650.
“One is all about flexibility; the other, about uncompromising precision. The only question is — what kind of hunter are you?”
Flexibility or Fixed Setup
If you’re glassing roe deer or chamois by day and switching to foxes or boar at night, flexibility is everything. “That’s where a clip-on shines,” Holenstein explains. “Use your regular day scope, hunt until dusk, snap the unit on — and you’re ready to shoot in four seconds flat.”
The controls are deliberately simple: a single rotary switch for on/off/standby, no deep menu maze. A top-mounted laser rangefinder stays clear of large suppressors.
And accuracy? “Years ago you’d lose zero every time you took a clip-on off,” says Holenstein. “Not anymore. We’ve tested it hundreds of times on the range — modern devices like the HUNT stay dead-on.”
Hunters who dedicate a rifle exclusively to night work have different priorities.
“If someone says, ‘This is my night gun, it stays that way,’ then the ORYX series is the smarter choice,” Holenstein notes. “Those thermal scopes are built tough, shoot straight, and deliver image clarity that’s hard to beat.”
The Tech Behind It
Both product lines come from ThermTec, a company with defense-technology roots that’s been serving hunters for over five years. The brand has built its reputation on rugged design, field-proven controls, and outstanding image quality.
“ThermTec isn’t a bargain brand,” says Holenstein. “We offer honest quality at a fair price — gear that’s tough, intuitive, and made for hunters who care about real-world performance.”
Tools, Not Toys
Both systems show how far thermal imaging has come in modern hunting.
Clip-ons stand for mobility and versatility — one optic for everything.
Thermal scopes stand for focus and precision — the tool for those who live the night shift.
The ThermTec HUNT & ORYX Lines in Detail
ThermTec HUNT Series – The Versatile Clip-Ons
The HUNT line is made for hunters who want to keep their day scope and switch quickly between daylight and darkness. These thermal clip-ons mount in front of your optic via adapter — no re-zeroing, no fuss, just snap-on night vision..
Current models include:
HUNT 335 Pro – Entry model with a 384×288 sensor, compact and lightweight; ideal for short-range or predator hunts.
HUNT 635 Pro – Mid-tier unit with a 640×512 sensor for sharper detail and true all-round use.
HUNT 650 Pro / HUNT 650 LRF – The flagship, featuring a large objective, 4.5 µm pixel pitch, ultra-fine image, and optional integrated laser rangefinder.
All HUNT units feature:
Full-HD display (1920×1080)
< 25 mK NETD sensitivity for excellent heat differentiation
Four-second startup time
Waterproof magnesium housing (IP67)
400–500 gram weight range
Operation stays field-simple — one big rotary switch instead of endless menus, ideal for quick, instinctive handling in the dark.
In short: the HUNT series stands for flexibility and practicality — perfect for hunters who stalk by day and don’t want to re-zero before heading out at night.
ThermTec ORYX Series – The Dedicated Thermal Scopes
The ORYX L-Series is built for hunters who maintain a dedicated night rifle and want a full-featured thermal optic. Unlike a clip-on, it replaces the day scope entirely — all components are integrated and permanently mounted.
Main models:
ORYX L635 – Compact scope with a 640×512 sensor and 35 mm lens, great for medium-range work.
ORYX L650 / L650 LRF – High-end model with a larger objective, ≤ 15 mK NETD, crisp 2560×2560 OLED display, and integrated rangefinder reaching about 1,200 yards.
Key features:
Multiple reticle profiles for different ranges or ammo types
Precision zoom control
Built-in video and Wi-Fi
IP67 housing, recoil-proof up to .375 H&H
Up to 10 hours battery life
The image quality is remarkable — rich contrast, razor-sharp detail — thanks to advanced sensor architecture and precise calibration.
Bottom line: The ORYX line is made for serious boar and predator hunters who operate after dark and prefer a dedicated, high-precision setup instead of swapping devices.
Thermal technology has evolved from a niche gadget into an indispensable hunting tool.
Whether you choose the HUNT clip-on for all-around use or the ORYX thermal scope for full-time night missions, both systems prove one thing:
In modern night hunting, seeing the unseen is no longer the challenge — it’s choosing the right way to do it.