I’ll never forget my first walk to the deer blind. It was pitch black, and all I could hear was the harsh cadence of my own breathing and the deafening thump of my heartbeat. At that moment, I wondered why I hadn’t used my headlamp—every critter within 500 yards could surely hear my clumsy, cardio-challenged approach. As what is often called an “adult-onset hunter,” I felt foolish for my somewhat irrational fear of the dark. Seven years and countless walk-ins and walk-outs later, I’ve developed a solid working relationship with the dark—to the point that I actually seek it out. Welcome to the wonderful world of thermal!
Getting Started
Like many things in the hunting and shooting world, your entry point into thermal optics can vary greatly depending on your budget. As a general rule, I prefer to allocate more money to optics over firearms—if you can’t see it, you can’t shoot it. This is especially true with thermal optics, where a hunter has to pay attention to things like digital processing, resolution, temp differentiation capability and crispness.
Being new to thermals, I wanted a scope that combined quality with simplicity. My priorities included accuracy, clarity, ease of use, and manageable weight. I also needed a price point that wouldn’t consume my entire hunting and shooting budget for the year. That’s why I chose the Wraith Mini Thermal from Sightmark.
Before diving into the specifics, let me explain why I was looking for a thermal scope in the first place. I wanted to get into predator hunting in my home state of Michigan, a primarily winter activity that can be done day or night. Thermal optics are perfect for this because they detect temperature differences, making critters visible regardless of the time of day.
Key Features to Evaluate
When considering a thermal scope purchase, here are some important features to keep in mind:
Resolution
In today’s digital age, most of us are familiar with resolution. The Wraith Mini Thermal has a thermal resolution of 384 x 288. Investing two to three times more might get you to the 1280 x 1024 range, but higher resolution comes with a higher price tag. The Wraith Mini Thermal strikes an excellent balance, offering quality resolution at an accessible price, making it an ideal gateway to the world of thermals.
Color Palettes
Does the scope offer multiple color palette options? Color blindness is surprisingly common, especially among men, so having adaptable palettes is essential. The Wraith Mini comes with five color palettes and nine reticle colors, all easily adjustable to suit different vision needs and environmental conditions.
Weapon Profiles
A straightforward mounting process is another important consideration. The Wraith Mini Thermal attaches directly to a Picatinny rail, making it easy to swap between guns. With five weapon profiles, you don’t need to re-zero the scope or recalibrate every time you change firearms. This flexibility makes the Wraith Mini Thermal even more appealing.
Unboxing the Wraith Mini Thermal
When I received the Wraith Mini Thermal in its sleek red-and-black packaging, I eagerly opened the box—and stopped. Bold letters greeted me: “STOP! PLEASE READ QUICK START GUIDE BEFORE CONTINUING!” Excellent! I love clear instructions.
The Quick Start Guide confirmed I’d made the right choice. It was compact, straightforward, and written in easy-to-follow bullet points—a great start for my first thermal scope.
Setup and Zeroing
The Wraith Mini is a 2-16x35 unit, offering effective magnification. Instead of traditional mounting rings or specialty bases, it attaches directly to the Picatinny rail of your firearm. Adjusting for eye relief was simple, and tightening the mount was quick and easy.
Zeroing the scope was equally straightforward, thanks to the intuitive user interface and clear instructions in the guide. I added my Ruger American Gen II in .22 ARC as the first of five weapon profiles. I chose this firearm for several reasons: its adjustable fit accommodates my bulky winter hunting gear, its proven accuracy removes guesswork when using a new optic, and the .22 ARC is a fantastic varmint round.
For zeroing, remember that thermal scopes rely on temperature differences. I kept it simple by stapling a hand warmer to my target board. At 100 yards in 24-degree weather, the Wraith Mini Thermal easily detected the heat signature, making for a precise zeroing experience. I’m currently brainstorming other creative “toasty target” ideas to enhance the process—stay tuned for updates!
Field Experience
I’ve taken the Wraith Mini Thermal into the field a few times now. While I haven’t had the opportunity to bag a coyote yet, I’m confident that I’ll connect when the moment comes. The scope’s accuracy and functionality make it an outstanding entry-level thermal unit.
Ready to start your thermal journey? Check out the link below for more information!
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