Thermal optics have become increasingly popular among hunters, law enforcement and military professionals due to their ability to detect heat signatures in complete darkness, adverse weather and through smoke or fog. As technology advances, these optics are becoming more compact, feature-rich and while still pricey, are much more affordable than they were just five to 10 years ago. The lower costs and more versatile technology are making them a more possible sought after tool by hog and predator hunters, as well as for possible home defense scenarios. Armasight, a leader in thermal and night vision optics, continues to push the envelope with two new releases: the Operator 640 Thermal Clip-On Optic and the Warden 640 Handheld Thermal Monocular.
Operator 640: Turning Day Optics into Thermal Precision
For shooters who want to add thermal capability to their existing rifle setup without swapping optics, the Operator 640 Thermal Clip-On is designed to integrate easily with any 1-6x variable optic scope. Built around Armasight’s ArmaCORE 640×480 12-micron thermal sensor, the Operator 640 provides a detection range of up to 1,300 meters, allowing users to see targets regardless of lighting or weather conditions.
Key Features
- Clip-On Simplicity – Mounts in front of a day optic with no re-zeroing required.
- High-Resolution Thermal Imaging – 640×480 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate for smooth imaging.
- Quick-Detach Mount – Allows fast installation and removal.
- Multiple Color Palettes – Customizable viewing options to enhance contrast and visibility.
- Durability – High-strength aluminum alloy construction with a .50 BMG recoil rating.
- Battery Life – Up to four hours on a CR123 battery.
The optic is ideal for law enforcement overwatch, hunting and military applications, providing a lightweight but rugged solution for spotting and engaging heat signatures at extended distances.
Warden 640: A Compact, Handheld Thermal Powerhouse
Making its debut at SHOT Show 2025, the Warden 640 expands Armasight’s Iron Wolf platform with a highly portable, high-performance thermal monocular. Designed for scouting, search and rescue, surveillance and hunting, the Warden 640 provides the same ArmaCORE 640×480 12-micron sensor found in the Operator 640 but in a handheld form.
Key Features of the Warden 640
- Handheld Thermal Capability – Perfect for scanning large areas quickly.
- 22° x 18° Field of View – Wide FOV for increased situational awareness.
- 2x Optical and 1-4x Digital Zoom – Closer target identification without pixelation.
- Image & Video Capture – Record and review footage for analysis or documentation.
- USB-C Connectivity – Stream and view content on external displays.
- IP67 Waterproof Rating – Built for extreme environments and harsh weather.
- Lightweight and Ergonomic – Weighs under 1 pound for extended handheld use.
- Battery Life – Up to four hours of continuous runtime on two CR123 batteries.
The Warden 640 is built for both professionals and outdoor enthusiasts, offering a reliable and compact solution for those who need to detect and track heat sources without mounting an optic to a rifle. Great for scouting.
Growing Demand for Thermal Optics
Thermal optics have moved beyond military applications, becoming essential tools for law enforcement, ranchers and hunters. They offer significant advantages over traditional night vision, allowing users to track game, detect threats, find lost animals or people and enhance overall situational awareness without relying on ambient light sources or giving up your own location.
Armasight’s Operator 640 Clip-On and Warden 640 Monocular make for two practical solutions for those looking to incorporate thermal imaging into their shooting or observation gear. The join another new release by Armasight and covered by The Truth About Guns last week, the Commander 640 Thermal Weapon Sight. Whether you’re scanning a field for hogs, hunting predators or for law enforcement, tracking a suspect in low visibility or conducting overwatch operations, these optics provide an excellent tactical advantage.
Pricing and Availability
- Operator 640 Clip-On Optic – Available now via authorized dealers. MSRP: $4,299
- Warden 640 Handheld Thermal Monocular – Available starting in April 2025. MSRP: $3,799
- Commander 640 Thermal Weapon Sight – Available starting in April 2025. MSRP: $4,299
For more information, visit Armasight.com.
What if the deer not only wear bullet proof vest but carry an umbrella too?
Nah man this is for the deer in ghillie suits we got drones for the rest.
Deer ??? Nah, this is for hoggin’… just hang this 4 thousand dollar baby on your previously $2500 rifle/scope AR Pig special, find and pay some rutabegga’ farmer to rid his property of the four-legged digging machines – hire a helicopter if they’re hiding in the hills, and Viola(!)…. FREE BACON !!!!
……yes hogs that’s it.
Free bacon sounds nice… I’ll just rearrange the $832 per pound Walleye and $413 per pound Venison in the freezer and let you know how much I can use.
I recently purchased a thermal monocular and would do it again without any hesitation whatsoever.
While the 640 pixel resolution is desirable, it is not $4000 desirable in my opinion. My monocular has 384 pixel resolution and that is more than adequate for most situations. For example I can easily/instantly distinguish a rabbit from a opossum at 50+ yards. And I can easily distinguish a deer from a coyote at 200 yards (and probably even farther). Needless to say, I can distinguish a human from a deer at incredibly long ranges–definitely out to 400 yards and probably up to 600 yards away.
Interesting tidbit: detection range is essentially infinite. I can see commercial aircraft flying in the sky at 35,000 feet altitude with my thermal monocular. And also interesting to note: my monocular’s modest 384 pixel resolution is enough to see the commercial aircraft’s fuselage and wings.
I strongly recommend that everyone buy a thermal imager with the greatest resolution that you can afford. Even the monoculars with 256 pixel resolution are very handy and enable distinguishing target objects at impressive distance, upwards of 100 yards or more depending on the objects. Note that 256 pixel thermal imaging monoculars are available for about $550 to $600.
Will have to try that with aircraft and yeah 320 works but 640 preferred.
SAFEupstateFML,
I purchased my thermal imaging monocular (384 pixel) about 18 months ago for around $1350. The same thermal imaging monocular in 640 pixel resolution was way more expensive and way beyond what I could afford, something in the neighborhood of $3,200. (The $1350 that I paid hurt my finances a LOT as it was.)
As I mentioned earlier, I do NOT regret buying it and have already got my money’s worth out of it. I used it to look for a monster white-tailed deer buck that my eldest child shot. I used it to see deer coming LONG before they could possibly see me. I also used it to see deer in the dark on my way back from my hunting location and know what was moving around in the darkness. My dog wandered away in the dark and I used it find her as well.
Perhaps my most valuable use: there was a violent home invasion at 2:40 a.m. just four houses down the road from me and the home owner shot at the home invader who fled on foot. Local law enforcement as well as law enforcement from over 30 miles away searched all through the night with flashlights, canine units, and even a thermal imaging drone. When it was time for my spouse to go to work at 7 a.m., it was still dark outside, and the violent home invader was still on the loose (in our neighborhood as far as we could tell), it was really nice being able to go outside with my sidearm and with my thermal imager to scan my entire yard which is 50 yards wide by 100 yards long. The thermal imager enabled me to scan my entire property within a few seconds and KNOW FOR CERTAIN that the home invader was not hiding anywhere close to my home.
If you don’t already have one, buy one–even if you have to come up with creative accounting to establish that you can afford it.
For example I can easily/instantly distinguish a rabbit from a opossum at 50+ yards. And I can easily distinguish a deer from a coyote at 200 yards (and probably even farther). Needless to say, I can distinguish a human from a deer at incredibly long ranges–definitely out to 400 yards and probably up to 600 yards away.