In today’s article, Andy Grossman reviews the X-Vision Impact 150 thermal scope. Thermal scopes are amazing tools for low-light conditions, especially for legal nighttime hunting. While good ones can be prohibitively expensive, affordable thermal sights sometimes can be inadequate. How does the X-Vision stack up? That’s what Grossman finds out during this review. X-Vision Optics loaned an Impact 150 to the author for this article.
Who doesn’t love a thermal optic? Even if you have never used it, I can pretty much guarantee you get a kick thinking about looking through a thermal scope. I know I still get a thrill, even after being blessed with numerous opportunities to look through and hunt with some of the best thermal scopes on the market.
To say I am lucky is an understatement. But this is why a more budget-friendly thermal gets me so excited, as I recognize what an economic hurdle getting one can be for most shooters. This is especially true when that thermal is packed with features that normally you would only find on a thermal scope that’s double the price.
I present to you the X-Vision Impact 150.
First Impressions of the X-Vision Impact 150
At sub $3K, I was skeptical as to how good it was going to be. But after testing it out on my Springfield Waypoint and doing some coyote hunting, I am a true believer. Here is why.
The Impact 150 is a price-friendly 2.4 to 9.6x scope with a high-resolution 384 x 288 mission-ready thermal sensor.
The sensor is capable of detecting temperature differences as small as 0.05°F in an instant. This exceptional sensitivity means that nothing escapes your view, even on the darkest of nights.
One of the standout features of the Impact 150 is its long-range capabilities. It allows you to identify and track targets at distances up to 1,100 yards, and you can use the built-in range-finding capabilities by adding the X-Vision Impact 100 rangefinder to the side of the scope using the provided Picatinny rail. The Impact 100 Rangefinder connects via Bluetooth instantly with no setup and offers easy distance readings right on the screen of your scope instantly with the press of a button, so you always know the right distance for the shot.
You can choose from 10 different reticle patterns, six reticle colors and six different thermal colors. My favorite is always white hot, but the black hot on the X-Vision scopes is very nice as well in my opinion. You can customize the reticle and color palettes with ease, either through the easy-to-use internal menu or by downloading an app and wirelessly connecting the scope to your phone using Wi-Fi for even easier customization.
Honestly, the app might be the coolest part of the whole package. Once the scope is connected to your phone, you can view your screen in real-time and completely control many aspects of the hunt — except aiming your gun and pulling the trigger, obviously — right from your phone. The app will allow you to customize your settings and see the results, all on your phone while instantaneously changing the settings within the scope as well.
The Impact 150 from X-Vision also features integrated photo and video recording capabilities to capture every moment of the hunt to share with your friends. You can start and stop the recordings with the simple press of a button on the housing or using your smartphone and the app. If you record using the housing button, it will be stored internally on the 32GB internal hard drive. If you start the recording from your phone in the app, you have instant access to your videos and photos right in your phone.
No matter what conditions you hunt in, the rugged casing is IP67 weather-resistant to ensure success and longevity for years of sustained use in the field. It comes with one rechargeable battery that charges quickly on the provided two-battery charger, and the battery boasts a life of about eight hours of continuous use. An extra battery can be purchased and carried in case you need to change it while out on the hunt.
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The scope comes standard with a Picatinny rail mount to easily mount to any platform. The Impact 150 features advanced features such as hotspot tracking, Picture-in-Picture (PIP), and range-finding technology to enhance your experience.
Hotspot tracking allows you to lock onto heat signatures and aids in tracking, ensuring that your target always remains in your sights. The picture-in-picture allows you to zoom in on your target without losing sight of the full picture. You can zoom in at different distances while seeing the full picture. The PIP window can be moved across the top of the screen to customize your view exactly how you want it.
X-Vision Impact 150 Specifications
- Sensor: 384×288 thermal sensor
- Magnification Range: 2.4 to 9.6x
- Detection Range: 1,100 yards
- Display Resolution: 1024 x 768 OLED
- Battery Life: 8 hours
- Photo & Video: Yes
- Range Finding: Yes, with add on
- Frame Rate: 50Hz
- Field of View: 60ft @ 100 yd
- App Compatible: Yes
- Recognition Range: 475 yd
- Pixel Size: 12μm
- Objective Lens: 25mm
- Eye Relief: 48mm
- Hotspot Tracking: Yes
- Picture-in-Picture: Yes
- Internal Memory: 32 GB
- Temperature Variation Detection: 0.05ᵒ F
- Reticle Pattern: 10
- Reticle Color: 6
- Thermal Color Palettes: 6 color options
- Power Supply: Rechargeable 18650 3.6v Lithium-Ion (1 incl.)
- IP Rating: IP67
- Mount: Picatinny
- Dimensions: 7.95″ x 3.46″ x 2.59″
- Weight: 1.2lb
Hands-On
On the range, it was very simple to zero the thermal optic using the on-screen zeroing feature. You choose the distance you are zeroing the rifle for and fire a shot at a contrasting target so you can see what you are doing. I used aluminum foil on a target with a square of duct tape in the center to give me a nice contrast. After three shots to establish a group, I went back into the menu to move the reticle to the center of my point of impact and set the spot. Firing three more shots, I was dead center on my target and ready to go.
Everything about the Impact 150 is almost too easy when comparing to other thermals I have played with before. X-Vision did a fantastic job of keeping it simple, with only three buttons and a simple dial to control everything about this night vision optic.
I was able to go out one night recently and try to do some coyote hunting with the Waypoint set up with the thermal, but unfortunately, I didn’t have any luck. However, I was able to identify deer, a raccoon and a skunk through the thermal and could range all of them with ease in the middle of the night no matter how many yards away.
Conclusion
If you are looking to elevate your outdoor adventures as a hunter, enhance your tracking skills, gain an unprecedented advantage on your next hunt and see in the dark with a rifle scope, I highly recommend checking out the Impact 150 Thermal Scope from X-Vision.
When paired with the laser range finder you will be successfully night hunting the day you take the scope out of the box and mount it to your rifle. MSRP is $2,999.99.
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