X-Vision Impact 150 Thermal Scope Review – Advanced Thermal Imaging for Precision Targeting

The X-Vision Optics Impact 150 Thermal Scope is an impressive and versatile piece of equipment designed for hunting and tactical operations at distances ranging from 150 to 500 yards. Its compact size, coupled with its ability to zoom and customize screen settings, makes it ideal for quick target acquisition and enhanced performance.

Whether you're an experienced shooter or someone looking to step into the world of thermal optics, the Impact 150 offers features that cater to various needs, all packaged in a durable and easy-to-use design.

Where to Purchase the X-Vision Optics Impact 150

• X-Vision Optics Website
• Optics Planet
• Buds Gun Shop

First Impressions of the X-Vision Optics Impact 150

When I first received the X-Vision Optics Impact 150, it arrived in a sturdy, eye-catching cardboard box. The packaging immediately conveys that this is a high-end product designed for serious use.

Upon opening the sturdy, well-protected box, you're greeted with a neatly organized soft case that contains the thermal scope securely nestled within. The case also includes an assortment of essentials, such as a Picatinny rail mount (already attached to the scope), two rechargeable batteries, a charger, necessary cables, and detailed Quick Start manuals.

The attention to detail is immediately evident. Each component is carefully packed, ensuring no movement or damage during shipment. Everything was organized and ready for use right out of the box, which was a huge plus for me. For those who might be new to thermal optics, the inclusion of a user-friendly Quick Start guide is a thoughtful touch, simplifying what might otherwise be an intimidating setup process.

The soft case itself is a well-designed feature. Not only does it provide protection for the scope, but it's also ideal for those who want a lightweight, convenient way to transport their optic in the field without unnecessary bulk.

Installing and Setting Up the X-Vision Optics Impact 150

While it’s tempting to immediately mount your new thermal scope on a rifle, I decided to take a different approach and first use the Impact 150 as a handheld device. By doing so, I could familiarize myself with the various settings and customization options available before committing to a rifle setup. This allowed me to familiarize myself with the scope’s functionality before taking it to the range, reducing any potential downtime while zeroing the scope on my rifle.

One important step before starting any major setup or test session is to fully charge the battery. Trust me, there’s nothing more frustrating than having your scope power down in the middle of configuration, leaving you to wait for the battery to recharge. The Impact 150 comes with 1 battery, offering an estimated 8-hour life, ensuring that you’ll have plenty of operational time once fully charged.

Once the battery was charged and ready, I pressed and held the power button. The boot sequence quickly brings you to the X-Vision logo, followed by a thermal image of your surroundings. Right away, the sharpness of the thermal display stands out. You’re presented with a Quick Settings menu, giving you immediate control over essential features such as brightness, color palettes, and zeroing settings. This streamlined interface allows you to make quick adjustments on the fly without diving into deep menus, a critical feature when time is of the essence in the field.

For more detailed settings, holding the zoom button opens the main menu, where you can fine-tune everything from reticle style to screen contrast and calibration. This menu structure is straightforward and intuitive, even for those who might not be familiar with advanced thermal optics.

Technical Specifications of the X-Vision Optics Impact 150

Magnification and Detection Range

The scope’s 2.4x to 9.6x magnification is ideal for medium to long-range scenarios, offering flexibility across various distances. Whether you're tracking a deer at 200 yards or scanning open fields for predators, the Impact 150 delivers clear thermal images with little to no lag. The detection range of up to 1,100 yards allows you to detect heat signatures far beyond what the naked eye can perceive, while the recognition range of 475 yards ensures that you can identify specific animals or objects with precision.

Thermal Sensor and Color Palettes

The high-resolution 384x288 thermal sensor captures even the slightest differences in heat, offering superior clarity in distinguishing between animals, people, and objects. The scope also features six customizable color palettes, including White Hot, Black Hot, Red Hot, and Blue Hot, allowing you to tailor the display based on the environment and your personal preference. These color options are more than just aesthetic—they significantly affect how you perceive the heat signatures, especially when tracking animals against various backgrounds like dense forests or open fields.

Thermal Imaging Vs. Night Vision

To better understand the value of the X-Vision Optics Impact 150, it’s essential to differentiate between thermal imaging and night vision. Though often confused, these two technologies serve different purposes:

• Thermal imaging detects infrared radiation (heat) emitted by objects, making it possible to see living creatures or heat sources in complete darkness or obscured environments (e.g., fog, smoke, or dense foliage). This capability is especially useful for hunting nocturnal animals or spotting game moving through thick vegetation.
• Night vision, on the other hand, amplifies ambient light to create a visible image. While effective in low-light conditions, night vision struggles in complete darkness or environments with heavy obstruction (like dense foliage) and can't detect heat signatures.

For those who hunt or operate in low-light or dark conditions, thermal scopes like the Impact 150 offer a significant advantage over night vision. While night vision might help you see better in low light, thermal imaging allows you to spot and track animals that would otherwise remain hidden from the human eye, giving you a clear edge in scouting and hunting.

Field Testing the X-Vision Optics Impact 150

For hunters, thermal scopes are invaluable, especially when tracking animals in low-light conditions. While you can’t hunt at night in most places, the X-Vision Impact 150 opens up a new world of understanding by allowing you to track movement at dusk and after dark. This becomes a strategic tool for planning hunts, as it helps you observe and map animal behavior long before hunting season.

During my testing, I had the unique opportunity to track wildlife on my own property. My land spans 60 acres, with dense trees and a river cutting through the bottomlands. At night, visibility drops to zero, making it nearly impossible to track deer or other animals. With the Impact 150, however, the game changed completely. I was able to track heat signatures of deer emerging from the river bottom well past dusk, identifying both bucks and does as they moved across the property.

Even though hunting at night is illegal in many places, the Impact 150 allowed me to gather valuable information about the animals' movements. This tactical advantage means you can plan hunts based on known patterns, maximizing your chances for a successful outing during legal hunting hours.

One unexpected benefit of the scope was its ability to identify animals hiding in dense cover. During the day, these animals are nearly impossible to spot, but with the Impact 150, I was able to observe where they bedded down. The heat signatures popped out from the cooler environment, making detection straightforward.

At the Range: Performance and Accuracy

Taking the Impact 150 to the range was an exciting next step. For this test, I mounted the scope on my AR-15 pistol outfitted with a 16.5” upper. The shorter brace worked perfectly for the scope, allowing me to place the thermal optic at the ideal distance from my eye for optimal clarity and comfort.

One of the more interesting aspects of shooting with a thermal optic is how the image is processed. Unlike traditional scopes, which present a direct optical view, thermal optics like the Impact 150 provide a computer-processed image. This image remains stable, even when you experience minor movements. For shooters used to the slight waver seen in glass optics, this stability is a huge advantage, as it eliminates minor distractions and aids in quick target acquisition.

To make the experience even better, I paired my rifle with Global Ordnance .223 ammo. The combination of the AR-15 platform, quality ammunition, and the Impact 150 resulted in a rock-solid performance at distances of 50, 100, and even 200 yards.

Zeroing the Scope

The process of zeroing a thermal scope can be slightly different from that of traditional optics. A tip that was shared with me—and one that proved incredibly helpful—was to use aluminum foil to create a reflective surface for your target. The foil reflects heat, making it highly visible to the thermal sensor. This contrast against the cooler background allowed me to quickly zero in on the target without wasting ammunition.

What’s more, the Impact 150 offers several thermal representation options that helped during this process. I switched between White Hot and Red Hot to find the best contrast for my target, further enhancing my accuracy. Once the scope was zeroed, I could freeze the target image on the screen and adjust the reticle accordingly. This freeze-frame function is a game-changer, as it allows for precise adjustments without needing to fire excessive rounds.

Reticle Customization

The Impact 150’s reticle customization options are extensive. With over 10 different reticle designs and a variety of color options—including red, green, and yellow—you can tailor the reticle to your exact preferences. I found the red reticle against a White Hot background provided the most visibility for my shooting style. This flexibility is one of the standout features of the Impact 150, making it adaptable to a wide range of environments and personal preferences.

Practical Uses for the Impact 150

While I primarily used the Impact 150 for hunting and range shooting, its applications extend far beyond typical shooting scenarios. Here are a few real-world situations where this thermal scope shines:

1. Tactical Use

For law enforcement or security personnel, thermal imaging scopes provide a significant advantage in low-light or obscured environments. Whether conducting surveillance or searching for suspects hiding in the dark, thermal optics give you the ability to detect heat signatures through obstacles that would otherwise remain impenetrable to standard optics.

2. Property Monitoring and Wildlife Observation

Beyond hunting, the Impact 150 proved to be an excellent tool for monitoring property and observing wildlife. Farmers or landowners can use this technology to track animal movement on their land, identify potential predators, or even monitor livestock after dark. Additionally, wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the ability to observe animals in their natural habitat without disturbing them.

3. Search and Rescue

In a search and rescue scenario, thermal scopes like the Impact 150 could be invaluable. By detecting the body heat of individuals in the wilderness or through debris in disaster situations, these scopes can help rescuers locate people who would otherwise be difficult to find using traditional means.

Pros and Cons of the X-Vision Optics Impact 150

Pros:

• Excellent thermal detection range: Capable of detecting heat signatures up to 1,100 yards.
• Durable build: The IP67 rating ensures that the scope is waterproof and dust-resistant.
• Customizable reticle: Over 10 reticle patterns and several color options provide flexibility.
• Long battery life: With approximately 8 hours of battery life, it lasts through extended field use.
• Stable thermal image: Reduces distractions from movement during target acquisition.

Cons:

• Image clarity at higher magnifications: Beyond 6x magnification, the image tends to lose some sharpness.
• Learning curve: For users new to thermal optics, the scope’s settings might take some time to master.
• Price: At around $3,000, it’s an investment that might be out of reach for casual shooters.

Final Thoughts: Is the X-Vision Optics Impact 150 Worth It?

For those serious about thermal optics, the X-Vision Optics Impact 150 is a versatile, reliable, and feature-packed option that offers both performance and durability. It excels in medium to long-range scenarios, providing clear thermal images and customization options that make it adaptable to a wide range of environments. Whether you're a hunter, a law enforcement officer, or simply someone interested in cutting-edge optics, this scope delivers in both functionality and build quality.

With a price tag of around $3,000, it’s certainly an investment, but for those who need the added advantage of thermal imaging, it’s worth every penny. The three-year warranty on thermal units also ensures peace of mind, knowing that the company stands behind its product.

In summary, the Impact 150 delivers on all fronts, providing insights into the world that remain hidden from the naked eye. For hunters, in particular, this scope opens up new opportunities for scouting and planning, giving you the tactical edge needed for a successful hunt.