A thermal imaging camera, also known as a thermograph, infrared camera, or thermal imaging device (short: TIC), is a type of camera that can receive and measure infrared rays and digitally draw the image of the observed objects using this radiation.
Since most of these devices used today - similar to a digital camera - have a recording function in image and video, they are referred to as thermal cameras.
In the field of hunting, these devices are classified under the category of optics.
The use of thermal imaging cameras that cannot be directly combined with a conventional aiming optics or completely replace them is unrestrictedly allowed in Germany regarding their application in hunting. Their use serves merely an "informative" purpose.
For example, with their help, game can be better located under difficult weather or lighting conditions. They can also help in better identifying game. Especially when hunting boars at night, they serve the purpose of identification, as they can also detect smaller piglets better, allowing a boar to be identified as a leading sow.
A thermal imaging device can also be used for tracking purposes. Especially at lower outside temperatures, larger heat-emitting blood spots can be easily recognized with such a device. However, it should be clearly pointed out here: A thermal imaging device does not replace a trained hunting dog!
The prices of thermal imaging cameras vary greatly and depend mainly on the manufacturer and the technical specifications. For example, one can spend nearly €3700 for the top device from the well-known German brand manufacturer Liemke, the Keiler 50 Pro. The much less powerful entry-level device from the Chinese manufacturer HIKVision, the Lynx LC06, costs only €500.
While there are even cheaper so-called thermal imaging cameras - also available as adapter modules for smartphones - these are not thermal imaging devices for hunting reconnaissance purposes as we describe here.
The distance at which heat sources can be detected with a thermal imaging device while hunting mainly depends on the sensor's characteristics and the size of its lens. Top devices today can display heat sources at distances of over 2000m.
Most thermal imaging devices in the mid-price segment have detection ranges of about 1200-1500m. Of course, the larger the heat source, the better the TIC can display it at greater distances.
Weather conditions also play an important role in detection. For example, visibility through a thermograph is not as good in fog, rain, or snowstorms and does not reach as far as in clear, cool air.
Since thermal imaging cameras have gained significant popularity among hunters in recent years due to their numerous advantages, there are many thermal imaging tests available online that focus on finding the best thermal imaging camera for hunting use. However, in the end, it is primarily a question of price-performance ratio, which thermal imaging device is convincing and suitable for one's own purposes.
Between 2016 and 2021, the market for thermal imaging devices has opened up countless new manufacturers and models, each offering their own advantages.
Therefore, we would like to introduce you to some of the most popular models among hunters:
Liemke Keiler 26 Pro:
With the thermal imaging device Keiler 26, Liemke offers a compact high-performance thermal imaging device that features a lens diameter of 25mm and a VOx sensor. The display is said to impress with a resolution of 1,280x960 pixels.
Hikmicro Owl OH25:
The thermal imaging camera Owl OH25 from Hikmicro is a handy yet powerful thermal imaging device, resolving with a detector resolution of 384 x 288 pixels. The image is displayed for the hunter on an OLED display (resolution 1024 x 768 pixels).
Pulsar AXION XQ38:
The AXION XQ38 from Pulsar is a compact thermal imaging device for stalking and sitting with a 38mm lens, 3.5-14x magnification (4x zoom), and effective range of over 1300 meters. The internal memory of 16 GB allows for extensive recordings (image/video).
Infiray Xeye E3n:
The E3n is a high-quality thermal imaging camera from the manufacturer Infiray Xeye. Like almost all devices from this brand, the E3n is also known for its excellent price-performance ratio. Furthermore, Xeye focuses on a wide field of view with a high-resolution sensor in this device.
As already mentioned, different manufacturers focus on different advantages of their thermal imaging devices. Therefore, many models available on the market differ in weight, storage and battery capacity, detection range, and ultimately also in price.
Below, we would like to introduce you to some of the most well-known manufacturers:
In principle, thermal imaging cameras belong to the spectrum of night vision devices, as they can also digitally depict things that are hidden from the human eye due to lack of light and thus make them visible.
However, in today's terminology, the term night vision devices refers to devices that illuminate the environment using an infrared emitter built into them. This infrared radiation (near infrared, NIR) of the environment is converted into visible light with the help of a built-in image intensifier. This technique artificially brightens the entire illuminated environment and can thus be digitally represented.
Night vision devices that operate in this way have the advantage over thermal imaging devices that they can represent all illuminated objects (including cold surfaces) in quite detail. Thus, the different nuances of an object can be somewhat easier to depict with night vision devices. On the other hand, thermal imaging devices have the advantage of contrasting heat sources in the image representation, making them easier to detect. This function has proven advantageous for hunters, as game can be spotted more quickly in the landscape.
When purchasing a thermal imaging camera, as with any hunting item, one should ensure that it serves the purpose for which it is needed. For example, someone who hunts exclusively in the forest usually does not need a thermal imaging camera with an unusually high detection range, as visibility is often limited by the foliage.
It is therefore advisable to always ensure that the chosen thermal imaging device has the attributes that are important for one's own hunting practice. It is also generally advisable to ensure that the price-performance ratio of the device is right.
Thermal imaging devices that are also designed for hunting purposes are not capable of depicting heat sources hidden behind solid materials. Only if the heat source radiates out from behind or onto them can it be recognized on the display of the TIC.
There are infrared pyrometers specifically developed for thermography of buildings. These serve the purpose of making hidden lines, pipes, and other heat sources in walls visible. However, they are not suitable for hunting purposes at all.
As already mentioned, the market for thermal imaging devices for hunting use has grown significantly in recent years. Every hunting shop that takes itself seriously now carries such devices in its range, and many gunsmiths and smaller hunting shops also offer the opportunity to purchase thermal imaging cameras through them. There are even shops that specialize solely in the distribution of night and thermal imaging technology, such as Venari.
Gunfinder.de offers you the opportunity to compare many different models based on various criteria and find the device that suits you. You can also order your desired device directly from many dealers through their shop on Gunfinder.
The best test reports on thermal imaging cameras can be found at our premium partner Geartester. Additionally, Geartester provides high-quality video content on the topic on YouTube:
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