Humans are apex predators, but you’d never know it by looking at us. In comparison to other predatory species, we’re feeble, slow-moving, and physically defenseless. We don’t have the strength and resilience of a bear, the flesh-ripping claws and teeth of a tiger, or the speed and agility of a hawk. Most importantly, our senses are extremely limited. Our sense of smell pales in comparison to nearly all apex predators, as does our hearing. Even our eyesight, which is quite sharp compared to other mammals, becomes nearly useless in dark conditions. But our true superpower — intelligence — has allowed us to overcome every one of these weaknesses through technological advancements.
In previous issues, we’ve discussed a variety of magnified optics that help us see further, and night vision devices that allow us to see in darkness. Both of these amplify and augment the natural capabilities of our eyes. In this article, we’re looking at a third category of optics that offer the ability to see something our eyes can’t detect at all: heat. Thermal optics give us a view of the world that other predators would surely envy, instantly highlighting the body heat (infrared radiation) of our prey.
Thermal Optic Advantages
The ability to see heat, or the lack thereof, has many valuable applications. It’s an incredibly powerful tool for search-and-rescue operations, whether it’s being used to track a criminal from a police helicopter, locate a missing hiker in the wilderness, or even find a lost pet. Thermal optics aren’t only capable of identifying body heat — they can also be used to determine if a vehicle was driven recently based on the heat of the engine block, or to detect water leaks inside the walls of a home. For these purposes, a handheld thermal camera or monocular may be most convenient (and most cost-effective).
However, for the average end user, hunting is arguably the most
