How to Zero the X-Vision Impact 150 Thermal Scope (Under 10 Rounds)

You can zero the X-Vision Impact 150 in under 10 rounds using the built-in freeze-frame feature and an aluminum foil target. The whole process takes about 30 minutes from first shot to confirmed zero. Here's the exact procedure, verified during our hands-on testing on an AR-15 platform with .223 ammunition.

Key takeaways

• Use aluminum foil over a cardboard backer as your thermal target. The foil reflects heat and shows as a bright spot on the scope.
• Confirm boresight or use a 25-yard initial zero before going to 100 yards.
• The freeze-frame feature lets you overlay the reticle on your last shot impact without walking downrange.
• Zero at the distance you'll most often engage; 100 yards is the standard for predator hunting.
• Document your zero settings (reticle, palette, color) once you're done so you can recover them after a battery swap.

What you'll need

• X-Vision Impact 150 mounted on your rifle (Picatinny rail, properly torqued to spec)
• Factory-fresh 18650 lithium-ion battery (charged)
• Aluminum foil, 8 by 10 inch sheet minimum
• Cardboard or coroplast target backer
• 15 rounds of the ammunition you'll use for hunting (don't zero with one load and hunt with another)
• Shooting rest or bipod (Atlas, Harris, or Spartan all work)
• Hearing and eye protection
• The scope's user manual (download a PDF copy to your phone in case you need menu reference mid-zero)

Step 1: Prep your target

Tape an 8 by 10 inch sheet of aluminum foil to a cardboard or coroplast backer. The foil reflects ambient heat and creates a bright thermal signature that's easy to see through the scope. A standard paper target does not show up reliably on thermal; you need the foil trick.

Place the target at 25 yards for your initial bore-sight check, then move to your final zero distance (typically 100 yards) once you're on paper.

Step 2: Power on the scope and set defaults

Press the power button until the X-Vision boot logo appears. Wait for the scope to complete its startup cycle (about 8 to 12 seconds). The screen will display the thermal image.

Press the menu button to access the Quick Settings menu. Set the following:

• Brightness: medium to medium-high (you can adjust later for ambient light)
• Thermal palette: White Hot to start. You can switch to Black Hot, Red Hot, or Blue Hot later based on preference.
• Magnification: 2.4x (base magnification) for initial zeroing

Step 3: Select a reticle

Hold the zoom button to access the main menu. Navigate to the reticle settings. The Impact 150 offers 10 reticle patterns. For most shooters, the standard duplex or fine crosshair reticle is the easiest to use during the zeroing process. Pick a reticle color that contrasts with your chosen thermal palette: white reticle on White Hot palette is hard to see; red or green reticle on White Hot is clear.

Step 4: Bore sight at 25 yards

Set up your rifle on the shooting rest at the 25-yard line. Aim at the center of the aluminum foil target. Fire one round. Look through the scope and find your impact point on the foil. It will show as a hole or a slight thermal disturbance on the foil's surface.

If your shot is on the foil, you're ready for the freeze-frame adjustment. If your shot is off the foil entirely, perform a basic bore sight: remove the bolt (for bolt-action rifles) or look through the bore (for AR-platforms with the upper opened), aim the bore at the target center, and adjust the scope's reticle to match without moving the rifle.

Step 5: Use the freeze-frame feature

This is the killer feature of the Impact 150's zeroing process and the reason you can complete a full zero in under 10 rounds.

While the scope is pointed at the target and you can see the bullet impact in the thermal image, press and hold the appropriate menu button to freeze the current frame. The screen will display a static image of your point of impact.

Now navigate to the reticle adjustment in the menu. Without moving the rifle, drag the reticle on screen until it overlays your shot impact on the frozen image. Confirm the change. The reticle is now offset to match your point of impact.

Step 6: Verify the zero with a confirmation group

Unfreeze the image. Fire a three-shot group at the same point of aim. If all three shots cluster around the new reticle center, your 25-yard zero is confirmed. If they cluster slightly off, repeat the freeze-frame adjustment.

Step 7: Move to 100 yards and refine

Move the target to 100 yards. Aim at the center of a fresh aluminum foil target. Fire one round. Use the freeze-frame procedure to adjust the reticle to the new point of impact. Fire a three-shot confirmation group.

At 100 yards, you may need to make minor click adjustments rather than a full freeze-frame reset. The Impact 150's adjustments are typically 1 MOA per click; consult your user manual to confirm.

Step 8: Document your zero settings

Once your zero is confirmed, take a photo of the scope's settings screen with your phone's screenshot app. There is an X-Vision app you can download to view the scope image from your cell. Document:

• Reticle pattern and color
• Thermal palette
• Brightness setting
• Zoom level at zero
• Date, ammunition type, and distance

This documentation matters because a battery swap or accidental menu reset can wipe your settings. With the photo, you can restore them in under a minute.

Common zeroing mistakes

Trying to zero with a paper target

Paper targets don't show up reliably on thermal. Use aluminum foil over a cardboard backer. Some shooters use chemical hand-warmers behind cardboard targets as an alternative; they work but cool down after 8 to 10 hours, so the foil is the more reliable approach.

Zooming in for the freeze-frame adjustment

Zero at base magnification (2.4x) first. Verify zero before increasing magnification. Zooming during the freeze-frame adjustment makes the reticle drag less precise and can introduce parallax-style errors.

Zeroing with one ammunition type and hunting with another

Different ammunition types have different velocities and trajectories. Zero with the exact ammunition you plan to use in the field. If you change ammunition, re-confirm zero at your hunting distance.

Forgetting to torque the scope mount

Loose scope mounts are the most common cause of wandering zero. Torque the Picatinny rail screws to your rifle manufacturer's spec, then torque 150 base screws to the manufacturer's spec for the rail (typically 15 to 25 in-lbs). Re-torque after the first 50 rounds to settle the mount.

Not accounting for parallax

The Impact 150 has limited parallax adjustment. At 100 yards, parallax is minimal. Past 200 yards, you may see noticeable image shift if you change your head position behind the scope. Maintain a consistent cheek weld during zeroing and hunting.

How to maintain your zero over time

Check your zero before every hunting session, especially after:

• Transport in a hard case (vibration can shift mounts)
• Battery removal and replacement
• Cleaning the rifle's bore
• Changing ammunition
• Temperature swings of more than 30 degrees Fahrenheit

A 30-second confirmation shot at 50 or 100 yards is the right pre-hunt habit. Burn one round to verify zero. If it lands where you expect, you're ready. If it doesn't, take the time to re-zero before the hunt.

Zeroing the Impact 150 in cold weather

Thermal scopes work better in cold weather (more thermal contrast), but the battery drains faster. If you're zeroing in temperatures below freezing, keep your spare battery in an inside pocket to stay warm. Cold-soaked 18650 cells can lose 30 to 50 percent of their runtime.

The scope itself is rated IP67 for environmental sealing, so rain and snow during zeroing aren't a problem. Just make sure your foil target doesn't blow away.

What if your zero won't hold?

If you've zeroed the Impact 150 and the rifle won't hold a stable zero across sessions, the issue is almost always one of these three things:

1. Loose mount. Re-torque the Picatinny rail and scope rings to spec. Check that all screws are tight, not just the visible ones.
2. Dying battery. Voltage drops as the battery depletes, which can affect electronics including the reticle position. Always zero with a freshly charged battery.
3. Ammunition variation. Different lot numbers of the same ammunition can shift point of impact by 1 to 3 MOA. Buy a case of ammunition from the same lot for hunting season.

If all three are eliminated and the zero still wanders, contact X-Vision support. The Impact 150 carries a three-year warranty on the thermal unit.

You can browse the X-Vision Optics lineup at OpticsPlanet for accessories including spare 18650 batteries and replacement Picatinny mounts.

For our complete field-test notes and the full zeroing walkthrough, read our X-Vision Impact 150 review and the honest worth-it verdict.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to zero the X-Vision Impact 150?

Under 30 minutes from first shot to confirmed zero, using the freeze-frame feature and an aluminum foil target. Under 10 rounds total.

What's the best target for zeroing a thermal scope?

Aluminum foil over a cardboard backer. The foil reflects ambient heat and shows as a bright spot in the thermal image. Paper targets don't show up reliably.

What distance should I zero my Impact 150 at?

100 yards is the standard for predator and game hunting. If most of your shots will be inside 75 yards, zero at 50 yards. If you regularly engage at 200-plus yards, zero at 200 and document the holdovers for shorter ranges.

Can I use the freeze-frame feature for follow-up shots?

Yes. The freeze-frame can also be used in the field to confirm an impact location after a shot. The feature is not just for zeroing.

How do I save my zero settings?

The Impact 150 stores reticle position and zero data in non-volatile memory. The settings persist across battery removal and replacement. However, accidental menu resets can wipe them, so photograph the settings screen for backup.

Will my zero shift between cold and warm weather?

Some shift is normal. The scope and rifle thermally expand and contract at different rates than your ammunition's ballistic profile. A 30-degree temperature swing can shift point of impact by 0.5 to 1.5 inches at 100 yards. Confirm zero before any major hunt in significantly different temperatures.