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The 5 Best Thermal Monoculars of 2024
Everybody wants to know what goes bump in the night, even if it doesn’t bump and even if it’s not nighttime. Happily, thermal monoculars, a new and energetic category of gear, often identify what used to be invisible. They can help you see everything from human intruders on the other side of a fence, to coyotes and raccoons crouching in the dark, to a problematic wire in a household electrical outlet.
We’re talking about monoculars, rangefinders, and cameras that use temperature variations, rather than visible light, to form images that can be captured as photographs or videos, or simply delivered to your eye to answer that ancient question: what’s out there?
I’ve used this new class of “optics” over the past year to find newborn calves in a deadly blizzard, to find my ice-fishing buddies in the fog, to detect hidden electrical problems that might burn my house down, to hunt coyotes at midnight, and to finally even the odds on crop-raiding feral hogs. You could also use them to recover wounded game where it’s legal.
Here are my picks for the best thermal monoculars, which range from flashlight-looking monoculars to small thermal viewers that connect to smartphones.
Best Overall: Leica Calonox View
Best Rangefinding: Pulsar Axion 2 LRF XG35
Best Entry-Level: FLIR Scout TKx
Best Phone-Enabled: Xinfrared T2 Pro
Best for Hunting: Zeiss DTI 3/35
How I Tested the Best Thermal Monoculars
The field includes brand-new units that are just hitting the market this winter, others that I’ve tested over the course of the past year, and a few oddballs. My intention wasn’t to test every unit on the market, but rather handle a representative sample of products in order to provide a performance baseline. Also note that we’re not covering thermal rifle scopes in this particular roundup.
I started by measuring attributes, assessing how far each thermal monocular could effectively detect a standard chemical hand warmer in the dark.
I then used each unit on midnight-shift rounds of a calving operation to detect cows that wander away from the herd at night to give birth. The thermal mapping capability of these viewers can even show which cows are close to calving based on rising abdominal temperature.
I also used the thermals on a series of sub-zero winter coyote and cottontail hunts to test their capabilities in the field and assess how their batteries would hold up to extreme cold.
I enlisted the help of a digital (and thermal) native, Kaden Fossum, who independently tested all the units over the course of the fall and winter from his home in southeast Montana. Fossum measured the range, thermal sensitivity, and field-worthiness of each unit over several weeks of coyote hunting. Most of the videos and images that accompany each product review is from Fossum’s field work.
Both Fossum and I assessed each unit’s imagery, both the type and utility of the palettes available and the resolution of the images. And we scored each unit’s ease of use and ergonomics.
Beretta 490 Serpentina: The Ultimate Collector’s Side-by-Side Shotgun, Modifications, Caliber, Price.
Article Overview Beretta 490 Serpentina
• Introduction & Origins
• Design & Modifications
• Technical Specifications
• Caliber & Shooting Range
• Hunting Applications
• Accessories & Chokes
• Price & Availability
• Pros & Cons
• Interesting Facts
• Final Verdict
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🎯 Introduction: A Tribute to 490 Years of Excellence
The Beretta 490 Serpentina is not just a shotgun — it’s a celebration of Beretta’s legacy. Released in 2016 to mark the company’s 490th anniversary, this one-of-a-kind side-by-side shotgun blends tradition, innovation, and artistry. Built on the 486 Parallelo platform and reimagined by designer Marc Newson, the Serpentina is a collector’s dream and a functional masterpiece.
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🛠️ Design & Modifications Beretta 490 Serpentina
The Serpentina is available in two known editions:
• Original Blue Edition: Features a deep blue receiver, white gold inlays, and a polished walnut stock.
• Black Edition (“Black Snake”): A sleek, all-black version with ebony wood and black anodized receiver.
Both versions share:
• A serpentine-shaped side lever for opening the action.
• Minimalist design: no engraving or checkering, emphasizing clean lines and craftsmanship.
• A custom Churchill-style case with accessories made of ebony, horn, and sterling silver.
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📐 Technical Specifications Beretta 490 Serpentina
• Type: Side-by-side shotgun
• Gauge: 20 gauge
• Barrel Length: 71 cm
• Chamber Length: 76 mm (3”)
• Weight: Approx. 2.85 kg
• Barrel Material: Steelium® technology, mirror-polished
• Receiver: Edgeless, anodized (blue or black)
• Trigger: Single selective
• Safety: Automatic with selector
• Sight Rib: Tapered 8×5 mm
• Chokes: Interchangeable, Beretta OCHP system B
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⛓️💥 Caliber & Shooting Range Beretta 490 Serpentina
The 20-gauge configuration offers:
• Moderate recoil, ideal for refined shooting.
• Effective range of 30–40 meters, depending on choke and load.
• Suitable for upland game birds, pheasants, and clay shooting.
While not designed for waterfowl or heavy game, its precision and balance make it a top-tier choice for sporting clays and driven hunts.
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🦆 Hunting Applications
Though primarily a collector’s item, the Serpentina is fully functional and excels in:
• Pheasant and partridge hunting
• Woodcock and grouse
• Sporting clays and skeet shooting
Its lightweight build and smooth swing make it ideal for fast-moving targets in dense cover or open fields.
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🧩 Accessories & Chokes
Included accessories:
• Custom leather case with cleaning tools (ebony, horn, silver)
• Steelium barrels compatible with Beretta OCHP chokes, allowing:• Cylinder for close-range
• Modified for mid-range
• Full for longer shots
Additional accessories are limited due to its bespoke nature, but compatible Beretta chokes and cleaning kits are available through premium dealers.
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💰 Price & Availability
The Beretta 490 Serpentina is not commercially available in standard retail channels. It was produced as a custom, one-off firearm, with some editions gifted to organizations like the Countryside Alliance in the UK C.
Estimated value:
• $50,000–$100,000+, depending on edition and provenance.
• Occasionally appears in private auctions or Beretta’s Premium Atelier.
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👍 Pros & 👎 Cons
✅ Pros:
• Unmatched craftsmanship and aesthetics
• Lightweight and balanced for field use
• Collector-grade exclusivity
• Functional and precise for upland hunting
❌ Cons:
• Extremely limited availability
• Not suitable for waterfowl or heavy game
• Price point restricts access to elite collectors
• No engraving or checkering may deter traditionalists
🧠 Interesting Facts About the Beretta 490 Serpentina
🔹 A Tribute to the Oldest Firearms Manufacturer
The Serpentina was created to commemorate Beretta’s 490th anniversary, making it a symbolic tribute to the world’s oldest active firearms company, founded in 1526. The shotgun’s name and design reflect this deep historical lineage.
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🔹 Inspired by a 16th-Century Receipt
One of the most unique design elements is the white gold inlay on the left side of the receiver, which depicts the original sales receipt from October 3, 1526, when Beretta sold 185 harquebus barrels to the Arsenal of Venice A. This document is considered the earliest known reference to Beretta’s existence.
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🔹 Designed by Marc Newson
The Serpentina was reimagined by Marc Newson, a world-renowned industrial designer known for his work with Apple, Louis Vuitton, and Qantas. His minimalist approach gave the shotgun its edgeless receiver, serpentine lever, and clean, unengraved surfaces, setting it apart from traditional luxury firearms.
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🔹 No Engraving, No Checkering — Just Pure Form
Unlike most premium shotguns, the Serpentina features no engraving or checkering. Instead, it relies on mirror-polished steel, grade 5 walnut, and anodized finishes to express elegance through simplicity.
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🔹 The “Black Snake” Edition
The Black Edition, nicknamed “Black Snake”, uses ebony wood, a black anodized receiver, and a custom black leather case. The opening lever mimics the curve of a snake, reinforcing the “Serpentina” theme (from serpente, Italian for snake).
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🔹 A Collector’s Case Like No Other
Each Serpentina comes in a Churchill-style case handcrafted by Beretta’s PB Custom Atelier. The cleaning tools are made from ebony, horn, and sterling silver, and the case includes a polished insert replicating the 1526 receipt — a nod to Beretta’s legacy.
🧠 Final Verdict
The Beretta 490 Serpentina is a rare fusion of art and engineering, designed not just to shoot — but to inspire. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter, a competitive shooter, or a collector of fine firearms, the Serpentina stands as a testament to Beretta’s 490-year legacy.
If you ever get the chance to hold one, you’re not just holding a shotgun — you’re holding history.
