Essentially, thermal imagers use the heat emitted by an object (along with the surrounding environment) to create a visible light display. They can be used in total darkness, poor light conditions or when obstacles like bushes, foliage or snow obscure your view, helping you to keep track of foxes, rabbits and other game in any situation.

For deer stalkers, a thermal spotter can be a game changer, allowing you to pick out the silhouette of a buck or other larger species and make a positive ID even at a couple of kilometres. They can also be used by farmers to see livestock or wildlife on the ground without disturbing them, as well as by maintenance workers to detect faulty machinery.

Unveiling the Power of Thermal Spotters: A Closer Look at Heat Detection Technology

One of the biggest frustrations for hunters is lying in wait for hours to see a wounded animal and then losing sight of it as it retreats into dense cover or bad weather. With a thermal spotter, that’s no problem as the warm blood trail of a wounded deer or other game will appear instantly on the device.

The most expensive unit in this roundup, the XH5 is an excellent thermal monocular for a reasonable price, with a stated detection range of more than 1,000m and enough resolution to pick out a rabbit at 500m. It’s also easy on the eyes, with a smooth 50hz frame rate making it possible to focus on airgun quarry in dense cover without any eye strain. The rechargeable battery gives a runtime of four hours and is removable, so you can carry spares for longer hunting sessions.