Hunting at night places special demands on equipment - especially when thermal imaging attachments are used. But what is the best way to mount such a device? Traditionally, many hunters use clamp adapters to attach the attachment directly in front of the riflescope. However, this solution has a number of disadvantages - and modern alternatives such as rail mounting (Picatinny) now offer decisive advantages, especially when using silencers or compact weapon platforms.
The classic solution: clamping adapter
Mounting a thermal imaging attachment directly on the objective of the riflescope using a clamping adapter is the most widespread method. It has proven itself in everyday hunting, but hasits limitationsin certainsituations:
- The overall system becomes very long, which quickly becomes unwieldy in combination with a silencer.
- The riflescope is subject to greater mechanical stress, which can impair precision in the long term.
This design can be a hindrance, particularly when stalking or when used in confined spaces - both in terms of handling and weight.
The clever alternative: mounting on a rail (Picatinny)
A modern and technically superior alternative is to mount the attachment and optical sight on a common Picatinny rail. This setup, which originally comes from the tactical field, has a whole range of convincing advantages - especially for night hunting:
- No strain on the scope - the attachment sits independently and stably on the rail.
- Compact design - the system is very short, ideal in combination with silencers. Especially as the magnifying optics are short, such as the Heimdall AR3X
- Greater mobility - the weight is better distributed, the weapon remains handy and easy to handle.
- Perfect for night hunting - quickly ready for use, quiet handling, maximum repeat accuracy.
- Flexible setup - modern attachments such as the EAW HD50 are tolerant of slight axis offsets and offer variable mounting distances.
- Precision and repeat accuracy - a well-tuned system guarantees absolute accuracy and can be installed and removed quickly.
The ideal combination: HD50 + Heimdall AR3X
A particularly powerful duo for night hunting is the combination of the EAW HD50 thermal imaging attachment and the Heimdall AR3X optical sight. The latter offers everything a hunter or sports shooter could wish for in mobile use:
- Compact 3x magnification
- Extremely lightweight design (only 250 g!)
- Clear reticle and optimized image quality for working with thermal imaging attachments
- Robust, precise, ideal for mounting on short rail platforms
The AR3X is a real relief in the truest sense of the word, especially compared to classic riflescopes (some of which weigh over 800 g) - ideal for repeaters with a short design or AR platforms
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Conclusion: rail beats clamp adapter - especially for demanding night hunting
Mounting a thermal imaging attachment on a Picatinny rail offers tangible advantages over the clamp adapter solution - especially for users who rely on a compact design, high repeat accuracy and a flexible combination with accessories such as silencers.
So if you are looking for a well thought-out, powerful and modern solution for night hunting, you should not only focus on the attachment, but also on the mounting concept - and here the rail solution wins in almost all disciplines.
Tip for advanced hunters: If you are looking for maximum efficiency and precision, you should take a closer look at the combination of Heimdall AR3X and EAW HD50 - a setup that is ideally suited to the needs of modern hunters and long-range shooters.
