Armasight
Armasight builds American-made night vision and thermal imaging optics for militaries, law enforcement, and civilian shooters, spanning the classic PVS-14 monocular platform through the Zeus thermal scope series and premium Contractor-line weapon sights. Impact Guns carries Armasight’s night vision and thermal lineup for hunters and shooters who need to see clearly after dark, whether that’s spotting game or engaging a target.
Read our full Armasight Buying Guide ↓
PVS-14: The Standard-Bearer of Night Vision Monoculars
The PVS-14 is a Gen 3 night vision monocular platform used by militaries worldwide, and Armasight's magnifier lenses (3x and 6x) let PVS-14 owners extend detection and identification range without replacing the whole unit. Its versatility — handheld, helmet-mounted, or weapon-mounted with the right adapter — is why it remains the reference standard other night vision devices get compared against.
Thermal vs. Night Vision: Which Does Armasight's Lineup Cover?
Night vision (like the PVS-14 and Vulcan) amplifies existing ambient light, meaning it needs at least some light source (moon, stars, or IR illuminator) to function; thermal imaging (the Zeus, Contractor, and Sidekick lines) detects heat signatures directly and works in total darkness or through light fog and smoke where night vision struggles. Hunters spotting warm-blooded game at distance often prefer thermal; shooters who need natural-looking detail for target identification often prefer night vision.
Armasight Thermal Weapon Sights: Commander, Collector, and Contractor
Armasight's thermal weapon sight lineup scales from the Contractor 320 (lower resolution, lower price) up through the Contractor 640 and Commander 640 TWS, with resolution and magnification range driving most of the price difference. Higher-resolution 640x480 sensors resolve finer detail at longer range, which matters most for precise shot placement rather than simply detecting that something is out there.
Choosing Between a Thermal Monocular, Scope, and Clip-On
A thermal monocular (Warden, Sidekick) is a standalone spotting tool, not mounted to a weapon, best for scanning and target detection before ever raising a rifle. A thermal scope (Jockey, Contractor) mounts directly to a rifle as the primary sighting system. A thermal clip-on (Operator) mounts in front of an existing day optic, letting a hunter switch between a standard scope and thermal capability without re-zeroing a dedicated thermal unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Armasight's night vision and thermal products?
Night vision amplifies existing light and needs some ambient light source to work; thermal detects heat directly and functions in total darkness.
Will an Armasight PVS-14 magnifier work with any PVS-14?
Armasight's magnifier lenses are designed for the standard PVS-14 platform; confirm your specific unit's mount compatibility before ordering.
Is a thermal clip-on better than a dedicated thermal scope?
A clip-on lets you keep your existing day optic and add thermal capability without re-zeroing, while a dedicated thermal scope is typically a more streamlined, lighter setup built for thermal-only use.
See Also: Night Vision • Thermal Optics