The InfiRay Bolt TH50-C Riflescope is the latest addition to the Bolt series of thermal rifle scopes and is distributed in the United States by IRay USA. The InfiRay Bolt TH50 3.5x14x5 has a 640×512 12-micron thermal processor, 3.5X base magnification, and a 50mm objective lens. It is a tube-type thermal scope that looks very much like a traditional glass scope which makes it more user-friendly for bolt-action rifles. Of course, it is right at home on a modern sporting rifle as well. The image is displayed on an OLED screen, with a 2560×2560 pixels resolution. It has all the features needed to be a great scope and carries a price tag of $5495.
Features Include:
- High-Resolution 640X512 Sensor
- Rugged Aircraft Aluminum Housing
- Internal Recording
- Wifi connectivity with InfiRay Outdoor App
- 8 Hour internal battery
- 18500 Removable/Rechargeable Battery Capable (4hrs)
- Full Circular Display
- Tactile Turret Adjustment
- 30mm Mounting versatility
- Weighs 33 ounces
I was very happy to see InfiRay and IRayUSA offer the new Bolt series of Thermal Rifle Scopes. I have to say I am a fan of the new tube-type thermal rifle scopes. Not only do they work much better on my bolt action Tikka T3, but they are much easier to use. The controls are handier to use in the dark than the older models with just a row of buttons on top. Zooming is done with the top turret knob. The power, record, brightness, and palette buttons are grouped together on top of the eyepiece making it very convenient.
InfiRay Bolt TH50-C Thermal Scope Features
The InfiRay Bolt TH50-C Thermal Scope can be mounted to any rifle with a Picatinny rail using the provided 30mm scope rings so you can get the proper eye relief with any type of rifle. We used it on a bolt action rifle and an AR and it worked equally well.
The Bolt has photo capturing and video recording. Although it does not record sound, it has excellent video recording capability with just the push of a button. The recording is done internally so you need no micro SD card. It has 32 gigs of internal memory and you can download recordings and photos through the WIFI or with the provided cable. The download of videos is much faster using the cable. Videos are recorded in .mp4 format so you can upload them directly to Youtube without having to edit the video format.
The IRayUSA app works great with the scope without a lot of “disconnecting” during video downloads. Download the app at Google Play or the Apple Store.
You can save four zero profiles in the iRayUSA Bolt TH50-C Thermal Scope. It gives you the capability to set up profiles for different rifles or different loads for the same rifle. Regardless of how you use the multiple profiles option, it will come in handy. Other handy features include an inclinometer to help you keep the scope level, a digital compass, and a battery status indicator on the display screen. If you encounter a bad pixel on the screen, it has a blind pixel repair tool.
The scope has 6 reticle patterns including 3 ranging reticles for those long shots at stubborn varmints that hang up at long range. When the digital zoom is changed, the ranging reticle that is displayed is scaled, i.e. its view will change (increase or decrease) in proportion to the variable magnification. This function is similar to a conventional front focal plane scope with a ranging reticle, ie, it ranges properly at any power. Each of the reticle patterns has four color options; red, green, black and white.
Focusing the scope for distance is done with the focus ring on the objective bell. It is very easy to use, it turns smoothly and resistance is just enough to keep it set during recoil so it does not move until you physically turn it. The scope has an ocular lens adjustment to set it to your vision. Just set it one time for your eye and you are ready to hunt.
Iray Bolt TH50-C (Coyote)?
I really think the “C” in the name stands for Coyote. This is about a perfect scope for coyote hunters. The 12-micron processor gives you a higher magnification range without sacrificing image quality. Notice in the first paragraph that I highlighted the 3.5X base magnification. That is for a couple of reasons. I think this is the only 640 resolution scope on the market with a 3.5X magnification. The other reason is that 3.5X is a perfect base magnification for coyote hunting. Most 640 thermal scopes are 2-2.5X and that is good if you are the average hunter.
If you are not the average hunter and you need a scope for longer shots on coyotes or if you are a very experienced hunter and a 46 ft. field of view at 100 yards is not too narrow for you, this is a scope you should be very interested in.
If you are a dedicated hog hunter or you do not own a scanner, you probably should consider a scope with a lower magnification and wider field of view.
Hunting with the InfiRay Bolt TH50-C Thermal Scope
EASY TO USE – Besides the 640 resolution image, the other thing that stands out about this scope is that it is easy to use. Easy to set up and easy to use in the field. The controls you need most while hunting are grouped together on top of the eyepiece and the controller knob on top lets you scroll up or down or down to the perfect magnification needed.
The power/standby button is easy to find when you are in a hurry, and you do not have to go into the menu to change the color palettes or brightness. The record button activates video recording quickly so you don’t have to hold the button down for more than about a second to start video recording.
The InfiRay Bolt TH50-C Thermal Scope has an excellent image on base power and a very good image at higher magnifications. As you may know, when you zoom a thermal scope, the image quality degrades quickly. Jumping from 3.5X to 7X will cut your image quality in half, and a 640 resolution scope is cut to a 320 resolution scope.
To help you with that problem, the Bolt TH50-C starts at 3.5X base resolution. For the first 3 coyote hunts, I never had to zoom. Shooting a coyote with the Bolt 640 at 100 yards on 3.5X is a piece of cake. The great image and perfectly sized reticle made the shots a lot easier than trying to make that shot with a 2X scope and too large of a crosshair.
The second thing about the Bolt is that the zoom does not double each time you click a button like most thermal scopes. You use the scroll knob on the top of the scope to zoom in at .1X per click. As you turn the knob to the needed magnification you only lose a little resolution at a time. You can run it up from 3.5X to say, 5.5X for easier aiming and still have most of the available resolution. You don’t have to jump from 3.5X to 7X to 14X.
It also has picture-in-picture mode to leave the main screen at 3.5X while zooming the smaller window for precise aiming. If you think the scroll zooming is too slow, you can run 3.5X in the main window and a higher magnification in the small window.
The Bolt TH50-C has a heat separation rating of <50, so you may not get the detailed background image of some other brands of thermal scopes, but what you will get is a very bright and detailed image of your target. If you look at the video below, you will see what I mean. You may not see all the leaves on the bushes in the background, but the animals are very bright with no “halos” around the edges. Your eye is drawn directly to your target so it is easy to see and easy to make a good shot.
The scope has two white-hot palettes. One is very sharp and clear with high contrast and the other gives you a more subtle image. Which you choose will depend on your individual likes and thermal conditions. Palettes can be quickly changed with the button above the eyepiece so you can actually change the pallet on the fly. I don’t think any other scope on the market has this feature. The black hot palette and the color hot palette also work very well too. All the palettes you need, and can be changed in an instant.
The 46 ft. field of view was still adequate for me even though I normally hunt with a lower-powered scope with a 60+ field of view. If you use a thermal scanner to spot coyotes and the scope for shooting, you will have no problems slaying fur with the Bolt TH50-C.
IRay Bolt Battery
The Bolt uses a dual battery system. The main battery is an internal, non-removable, rechargeable battery that gives you about 8 hours of run time. It also uses a removable 18500 battery that fits inside the left turret. 18500 batteries are inexpensive rechargeable batteries that can be used as backup power when the main battery is depleted. No 18500 batteries are provided with the scope, but they are available from places like Amazon for only $4-5 each. A four-pack of 18500’s will give you another 8-10 hours of run time. The Bolt also has a USB Type-C port under the right turret cap that you can use for powering the scope with a power bank.
Things That Could Be Better
There are only a couple of things I wish InfiRay would change on the Bolt TH50-C. First is the startup time. It takes 20-30 seconds for the scope to be powered on. The second issue is that if you put the scope on standby mode to conserve the battery, the scope has to be refreshed before you can see clearly. If you are using auto-refresh, it will take a while for the scope to refresh. Best to just quick press the power button twice to power it on and NUC the scope.
I almost missed an opportunity to take a coyote because of these issues, so after that, I just left the scope on between stands which is a waste of battery power.
Another change I would like to see on this scope is to increase the zoom speed. Zooming at .34X per click magnification increments is too slow. It takes too much time to turn the focus knob up to a usable power. Power increments of 1-2X per click would be better when you only have seconds to make a shot on a coyote.
Bottom Line
Overall, the InfiRay Bolt TH50-C Thermal Scope is one of the best thermal scopes I have used. It has an excellent image, is solidly built, comes with a 5-year warranty, but most of all it is easy to use. If your main hunting interest is coyotes, there is nothing in this price range that will beat the overall capability of this scope. The scope has excellent image quality, the dual battery system gives you 8-10 hours of battery life with inexpensive 18500 backup power in your pocket. Controls that hunters use the most at the tip of your fingers. It may not record audio, but it is a coyote killing machine.
If you buy this scope, you will not be disappointed.
InfiRay Bolt TH50-C Thermal Scope Spec’s:
- Sensor Resolution: 640×512
- Sensor Type: InfiRay MICRO II
- Sensor Pixel Size: 12μm
- Thermal Sensitivity: <50mk
- Non-Uniformity Correction (NUC): Manual, Automatic, Semi-Automatic
- Spectral Response: 8-12 Microns
- Sensor Frame Rate: 50h
- Objective Focal Length: 50mm f/1.1
- Detection Range: 2400 Yards
- Display Type: Micro OLED
- Eye Relief: 50mm
- Digital Magnification: 4X
- Diopter Range: -5 – +5
- Display Resolution: 2560×2560
- Optical Magnification: 3.5X
- Onboard Recording: Video and Image
- Warranty: 5 Years
- Rangefinder: Stadiametric
- Picture-in-Picture: Yes
- Reticle: 7 (2 Dynamic, 5 Static)
- Recoil Rating: 1000 g/s² (300 Win./7mm Mag)
- Ingress Protection: IP67
- Mounting Interface: 30MM Rings (included)
- Housing Material: T-6061 Aluminum
- Weight: 33.15 Oz
Shop Pulsar Thermal Optics at Outdoor Legacy
I am writing this in September of 2022. Right now, the InfiRayUSA Bolt TH50-C Thermal Scope is just hitting dealers’ shelves. If you want a new InfiRayUSA Bolt TH50-C Thermal Scope, call Jason at Outdoor Legacy at (877)350-1818. If it is out of stock you can get on the waiting list or pre-order on the website for a $100 deposit. Jason will take the time to help you decide what thermal scope or other night vision optic is best for your hunting needs.
For the latest news about Night Vision Optics, subscribe to the most informative shows on Youtube, the Late Night Vision Show. Hosts Jason Roberts and Joel Miller will keep you up to date on Night Vision Optics and entertain you with some great hunting videos.
Also please visit our featured Youtube channels Outdoor Legacy on Youtube, HansETX, and The Old Deer Hunters for great hunting videos and thermal optic reviews.
