You’ve probably heard anglers talking about thermal scopes and wondered if they’re the secret weapon for finding fish. The short answer? Not quite the way you’d think. Fish are cold-blooded creatures whose temperature is not constant and depends on the water temperature, which makes them really hard to spot with thermal technology. But that doesn’t mean thermal scopes are useless for fishing—you just need to know what they can and can’t do. We’re going to walk you through how thermal imaging actually works around water, why you won’t see fish swimming below the surface, and the surprising ways thermal scopes can still help you catch more fish. If you’re interested in exploring different thermal imaging options, check out our range of outdoor thermal devices designed for various applications. Why Thermal Scopes Can’t See Fish Underwater Here’s the deal: water absorbs infrared radiation, which reduces the effectiveness of thermal imaging, and infrared radiation does not penetrate water well. Think of water as a thick blanket that blocks the heat signatures thermal scopes need to create an image. But there’s another problem. A thermal imaging camera displays a contrasting temperature background of the objects you are observing, and it will not show fish with the same body temperature as the water. Most fish sit at roughly the same temperature as their surroundings, so even if the infrared radiation could get through the water (which it can’t), there’d be almost no temperature difference to detect. The primary limitation of thermal imaging underwater is the poor penetration of infrared radiation, and thermal cameras are limited to detecting heat on or very near the surface. Sound familiar if you’ve ever tried using one near a lake or river? That’s why. What Thermal Scopes Can Actually Detect on Water Before you write off thermal imaging for fishing completely, there’s good news. Schools

The question of whether thermal monoculars count as “cheating” in hunting has sparked heated debates across hunting forums, wildlife agencies, and campfires nationwide. As prices drop and technology becomes more accessible, we’re seeing more hunters reach for thermal devices—and more controversy following them into the field. But here’s the thing: The answer isn’t black and white. Whether thermal monoculars cross the line depends on local laws, how you use them, and what you personally believe about fair chase. Let’s dig into both sides of this debate. What Makes Thermal Monoculars Controversial Thermal imaging devices provide an unfair advantage during hunting seasons, as an animal’s natural camouflage doesn’t disguise its body heat. This is the core argument from critics. These devices detect heat signatures through darkness, fog, and dense vegetation—conditions where animals typically have the advantage. Thermal imaging devices can reveal every animal with a heat signature in clearcuts, burn scars and heavy brush. Your thermal monocular essentially strips away the cover that wildlife depends on for survival. Some hunters see this as removing the “hunt” from hunting. The technology has gotten so good—and so affordable—that the cost of thermal imaging cameras has dropped from thousands of dollars to about $200. What was once military-grade equipment is now in every hunter’s budget. The Legal Reality: Where Thermal Monoculars Stand It is currently illegal nationwide to hunt any game animal at night—this includes deer, turkey, elk and moose. So right off the bat, thermal optics for big game are off the table after dark everywhere in the US. But daytime use? That’s where things get complicated. Thermal hunting laws differ from state to state. Many states allow thermal optics for hunting non-game animals like hogs and coyotes, while others completely ban their use. In Oregon, it is illegal to use a thermal device to hunt, locate,

If you’ve been looking into thermal monoculars for hunting, wildlife observation, or outdoor activities, you’ve probably wondered about the connection between thermal technology and infrared. The short answer? Yes, a thermal monocular is absolutely an infrared device—but there’s more to the story. Let’s break down how these technologies relate and why it matters for your next adventure. How to Understand the Infrared Spectrum Infrared radiation sits between visible light and microwaves on the electromagnetic spectrum, with wavelengths ranging from around 780 nanometers to 1 millimeter. But here’s the thing: infrared isn’t just one thing. The infrared spectrum includes multiple sub-bands: near-infrared (NIR) from 0.7-1.4 μm, short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) from 1.4-3 μm, mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) from 3-8 μm, and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) from 8-15 μm. Think of it like radio stations—they’re all radio waves, but each frequency gives you different content. Same deal with infrared wavelengths. Each band has different properties and applications, which is why understanding where thermal imaging fits in matters. How Thermal Monoculars Use Infrared A thermal monocular is an infrared device that operates by detecting infrared radiation (heat) from objects and then translating those differences into visual images. Thermal cameras most commonly operate in the long-wave infrared (LWIR) range (7–14 μm), with some systems designed for the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) range (3–5 μm). We love thermal monoculars at Pixfra because they work differently than your eyes or regular cameras. All objects emit infrared radiation (heat), which is invisible to the naked eye, and the amount of infrared radiation emitted by an object increases with its temperature. Thermal vision monoculars work by detecting and capturing infrared light, which is not visible to the human eye but can be felt as heat. The Difference Between Thermal and Other Infrared Technologies Here’s where things get interesting. Not all infrared devices are the same. Infrared imaging uses heat

Scanning large properties, tracking heat signatures across open terrain, or spotting wildlife in complete darkness—these tasks require a thermal monocular built for the job. Unlike thermal scopes that stay mounted to your rifle, a dedicated scanning monocular gives you the freedom to cover ground quickly, identify targets efficiently, and keep your weapon pointed safely downrange until you’re ready to take a shot. We’ve tested dozens of thermal devices in field conditions, and we know what separates a decent monocular from one that’ll actually make your scanning sessions more productive. Let’s walk through what matters when you’re shopping for a thermal monocular specifically designed for scanning. What Makes a Thermal Monocular Good for Scanning A scanning monocular needs different strengths than a stationary observation device. You’re moving, covering large areas, and making quick identification decisions. That means you need a device that balances detection range with a usable field of view. The best scanning monoculars combine three things: enough resolution to identify what you’re looking at, a detection range that matches your property size, and ergonomics that won’t tire you out after 30 minutes. Budget models with 256×192 sensors work fine for close-range scanning under 300 yards, but if you’re working larger properties, you’ll want at least 384×288 resolution. For serious long-range scanning work, 640×480 or higher makes identification much easier at 500+ yards. Your thermal imaging device should feel comfortable during extended scanning sessions. Weight, grip design, and button placement matter more than spec sheets suggest. We’ve found that monoculars in the 10-15 ounce range hit the sweet spot between portability and stability. Detection Range vs. Recognition Range Here’s where manufacturers get creative with their numbers. Detection range tells you when the device picks up a heat signature. Recognition range tells you when you can actually identify what that signature is. The

Squirrels are sneaky. They flatten themselves against bark, hide in leaf clusters, and seem to vanish the second you look away. You’ve probably been there—your dog’s treed one, and you’re straining your eyes trying to find the little critter before it slips away. A thermal monocular can change that game, but not in the way you might think. These devices detect heat signatures, not movement or shapes, which means they see what your eyes can’t. But there’s a catch: squirrels are small, trees absorb heat, and timing matters more than you’d expect. We’ve spent time researching how hunters actually use thermal monoculars for squirrels, and the results are mixed. Some swear by them. Others say they’re hit-or-miss depending on conditions. The truth is somewhere in between. If you’re thinking about adding thermal to your squirrel hunting setup—or you already own one and want to use it better—this guide breaks down what actually works in the field. Why Thermal Works for Squirrels (Sometimes) Thermal monoculars with a wide field of view (FOV), low Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference (NETD), and sensible base magnification work best for squirrel hunting and spotting. The reason comes down to physics. Squirrels are warm-blooded, and their body heat creates a signature that shows up against cooler backgrounds—trees, sky, or foliage. But here’s where it gets tricky. Thermal works best in early morning before the sun heats up the woodland, and becomes almost useless 2 hours after sunrise. When trees and branches warm up, you get white dots everywhere on your thermal display. You can’t tell what’s a squirrel and what’s just sun-baked bark. Thermal units work best at twilight, dawn and dusk, where you can’t see clearly and make out shapes of animals from the landscape, and it works best in the morning when the temperature difference between the landscape

Temperature plays a surprisingly complex role in thermal imaging performance. If you’ve ever wondered why your thermal device produces sharper images in certain conditions than others, you’re not alone. The relationship between temperature and image sharpness in thermal devices involves multiple factors—from how the detector itself responds to heat, to the temperature differences in the scene you’re viewing. We’ll break down exactly how temperature influences what you see through your thermal imager, and what you can do to get the clearest results possible. How Temperature Impacts Thermal Detector Performance A thermal camera’s sensitivity will directly impact the image clarity and sharpness that the camera can produce. The detector inside your thermal device has a specification called NETD (Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference), measured in milliKelvins (mK). The lower the number, the more sensitive the detector. Thermal sensitivity describes the smallest temperature difference observed when using a thermal device. Better sensitivity translates to sharper images, especially when you’re scanning scenes with subtle temperature variations. Increased sensitivity makes thermal imagers more effective at seeing smaller temperature differences, which is especially important in scenes with low thermal contrast and when operating in challenging environmental conditions like fog, smoke, and dust. Think of it like this—a device with 50 mK sensitivity can pick up temperature changes half the size of one rated at 100 mK. For outdoor activities like hunting or surveillance, we recommend devices with NETD below 40 mK. Our thermal imaging products are designed to deliver sharp, detailed imagery even in challenging conditions. The Role of Ambient Temperature in Image Quality The surrounding temperature also influences the actual temperature of the measured target, which in turn affects measurement accuracy. In high-temperature environments, the target may heat up, causing readings to appear higher than the real value. Conversely, in low-temperature environments, the measured value may be underestimated. Ambient temperature doesn’t