RAGE

Sightmark Wraith Mini Thermal For years, I've been a dedicated user of the original Sightmark Wraith. It was a game-changer, bringing reliable digital night vision to the masses without requiring a second mortgage. It was tough, dependable, and opened up a world after sundown. But in the back of my mind, and in conversations with fellow shooters and preppers, there was always a "what if." What if it were smaller? Lighter? What if... it had thermal? Well, folks, the wait is officially over. Sightmark has answered our collective prayers with the Wraith Mini 2-16x35 Thermal Riflescope. I've been waiting for this piece of gear for what feels like an eternity, and let me tell you, it does not disappoint. This isn't just an upgrade; it's a whole new level of situational awareness for those of us who value readiness. This article will break down why the Wraith Mini Thermal is the optic many of us have been hoping for. We'll explore its features, its practical applications for survival and hunting, and how it stacks up for the modern long-gun enthusiast. ## First Impressions: Small But Mighty The first thing you notice about the Wraith Mini Thermal is its size. Or rather, its lack thereof. Compared to its digital night vision predecessor and many other thermal scopes on the market, this thing is impressively compact. It feels less like mounting a telescope to your rifle and more like a traditional, albeit futuristic, optic. For anyone who has hauled gear through the backcountry or practices a "grab-and-go" philosophy, this reduced footprint is a massive win. Every ounce and every inch matters when you're on the move. Mounting it on everything from an AR-15 to a bolt-action hunting rifle feels natural and balanced, which is a significant improvement for handling and ergonomics. It’s clear that Sightmark designed this with real-world use in mind, not just for showing off at the range. ## Seeing the Unseen: The Power of Thermal Let's get to the heart of the matter: the thermal sensor. The Wraith Mini is equipped with a 384x288 resolution thermal sensor. While the numbers might sound like tech jargon, what they translate to is the ability to see heat signatures with remarkable clarity. This is the superpower that every prepper and survivalist dreams of. Imagine this: It’s pitch black. Something is making noise 100 yards out in the brush. Is it a deer, a coyote, or something else entirely? With traditional night vision, you might see a shape. With the Wraith Mini Thermal, you see a clear, heat-defined silhouette. There is no ambiguity. You can detect, identify, and track targets through darkness, fog, smoke, and camouflage with an effectiveness that feels like cheating. The scope offers five distinct color palettes: * **White Hot:** The classic, go-to for most situations. Hot objects appear white. * **Black Hot:** The inverse of White Hot. Hot objects are black. Great for reducing eye strain. * **Green Hot:** A different visual take that some users prefer. * **Rainbow:** Uses a spectrum of colors to denote temperature differences. Excellent for detailed scanning. * **Magenta:** A high-contrast palette for picking out targets quickly. This versatility allows you to adapt the display to your environment and personal preference, ensuring optimal detection whether you're scanning a field for hogs or keeping an eye on your perimeter. ## Features That Matter for the Prepared Marksman Beyond the core thermal capability, Sightmark packed the Wraith Mini with features that are genuinely useful, not just marketing gimmicks. ### Built-in Recording and Wi-Fi Just like the original Wraith, the Mini Thermal allows you to record video with audio. This is invaluable for after-action reviews, confirming shot placement on a hunt, or documenting events. For the prepper, this means you have a record of what happened, when, and where. The ability to stream footage to a mobile device via the Stream Vision 2 app is also a tactical advantage, allowing a spotter or team member to see what the shooter sees in real-time. ### Multiple Reticles and Zeroing Profiles The scope comes with a variety of reticle patterns and colors, so you can choose the one that works best for your shooting style. Even better, it allows you to save up to five unique zeroing profiles.