Thermal rifle sights have come a long way from the heavy, expensive bricks that used to dominate the dark. The Infitac IOL25 in the IOTS series brings a 384×288 sensor in a compact, multi-role package that works as a standalone optic, handheld scanner, clip-on, and even supports a 45° offset red dot.
Priced around $1,899, it aims to give practical users serious thermal capability without weighing down your rifle or your wallet. I spent time with one mounted on a Griffin Armament MK2 to see how it performs in real conditions.
Tech Specs
– Sensor: 384×288 resolution, 12μm pixel pitch
– NETD: ≤20 mK
– Objective Lens: 25mm F1.0
– Refresh Rate: 50 Hz
– Field of View: 10.5° × 7.9°
– Base Magnification: 2x with digital zoom (1x/2x/4x/8x, amplified up to 16x)
– Focus Range: 5 yards to infinity (focus-free)
– Battery: Replaceable 18650, up to 6 hours runtime
– Weight: Approximately 18.3 oz
– Durability: IP67 waterproof/dustproof, rated for 1200g recoil, operating range -4°F to +122°F
– Mounting: Picatinny QD mount; supports standalone, clip-on (1.5″ height), handheld, and 45° offset RMR red dot
– Features: Super Resolution Engine (SRE) AI enhancement, multiple palettes and reticles, flash killer (anti-reflection hood), shuttered eyecup, multimedia recording (photo/video/audio) with 32GB storage, IoT connectivity option
First Impressions
The box comes stuffed with gear: the IOL25 itself, a Picatinny QD mount, 45° offset RMR adapter, tools, two rechargeable 18650 batteries, a rubber eyeguard, objective lens cap, a flash killer, heated zero targets and more.
The optic itself is noticeably compact—under six inches long with a pretty small profile. It’s about the size of an ACOG. Build quality is solid aluminum, buttons and controls are positive, and the shuttered eyecup plus flash killer show they thought about real-world concealment and use.
Power-up is quick, menus are straightforward once you spend a few minutes learning them, and the focus-free design means you’re ready to go without fiddling.
I ran initial handheld checks first: scanning treelines and open ground at dusk showed strong detection of heat sources. The SRE processing helps pull out detail beyond raw pixel count, making targets identifiable at practical ranges. This is pretty necessary since the 384 sensor’s resolution is…a little underwhelming without it. Battery swaps are simple and the included heated targets speed up zeroing.
I0T System
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the IoT wireless system. The IOL25 can transmit a wireless signal to the Infitac DNVS-14 digital night vision, giving a thermal picture-in-picture from your thermal optic’s POV. I don’t have a DNVS-14 to test this with yet, but it’s a promising feature. I have a DNVS-14 inbound and will update this article.
The App
Infitac offers a mobile app for the IOL25. Usually these OEM-offered apps feel pretty tacked on, but Infitac got this one right. Connect to the optic via local WiFi, and you can either download saved media or get a live feed of the IOL25’s view. To my great surprise, there was very little lag in the app while swinging from target to target.
You can also manage some settings through the app, which is faster than using the IOL25’s built-in settings wheel to short press/long press/hold/spin your way through all the options. Seeing a live view on the phone is handy when you’re coaching new shooters as well.
Well done, Infitac.
Range Time
I logged a couple of hundred hundred rounds across multiple sessions in varying light, from daylight through to full darkness. Steel drills at 25 to 100 yards, some movement work, and suppressor use all went smoothly. Before that, though, I simply used the Infitac IOL25 as a handheld unit, going on a few hikes in the area looking for game.
The 50 Hz refresh rate keeps the image usable during swings and transitions with minimal lag. It’s fairly smooth.
Hot targets stand out clearly against cooler backgrounds and the ≤20 mK sensitivity helps in light fog or brush where other units might struggle. The IOL25 is definitely practical for field use—good enough for ethical shots on game once zeroed.
Detection range impressed for the size: dogs, hogs, or coyote-sized heat signatures popped cleanly out to a couple of hundred yards with room to spare. The digital zoom let me refine identification without losing too much smoothness. Image resolution isn’t award winning here, but it gets the job done.
Real-world quirks showed up, too. The narrower field of view requires more panning than wider thermals for broad scanning. Close-range work (under 10 to 15 yards) can look a bit softer due to the focus-free setup that’s optimized for infinity. Some users note occasional menu navigation preferences (like scroll wheel feel for right-handers), and while maintaining your zero was solid after proper torquing, I always double-check mounts, even on light-recoiling setups, because I’ve been made a fool for assuming factory units will work right in the past.
Battery life hovered around the claimed six hours, but that drops with heavy recording and zoom use, which is expected.
Later in testing, I paired the IOL25 with a Griffin Armament MK2 AR-15, a well-built, ambidextrous 5.56 braced pistol that serves as my go-to test gun. The QD Picatinny mount locked on securely with no play, keeping the overall package secure. Balance felt natural on the MK2’s chassis. It didn’t turn the handy carbine into a front-heavy club. Running suppressed added minimal heat soak issues to the optic and zero held until it was time to take the IOL25 and box it back up.
The combo shone in low-light, naturally. I move around a lot, so using a thermal optic to navigate isn’t as handy as the naked eye in twilight, or night vision after dark. For target acquisition though, a thermal like the IOL25 is simply unfair.
Here’s a side-by-side daylight/thermal shot at 125 yards, of me hiding behind a bush.
Bottom Line
The Infitac IOL25 delivers. It’s one compact thermal that handles thermal optic duties without major compromises. Image quality benefits from the SRE enhancement, making the 384 sensor punch above expectations for detection and identification in real field conditions.
Build toughness, use of common 18650 batteries, and thoughtful features like the flash killer and quick mounts make it a strong option for hunters, home defenders, or anyone needing versatile night capability on a (relative) budget.
It’s not flawless. Narrower FOV, focus-free close-range softness, and image quality that’s good, but not class-leading for the price are fair notes—but the versatility and lightweight design often outweigh those for practical users. On the Griffin Armament MK2, it turned a solid carbine into a capable day/night performer that stays fun and very shootable.
For my money, if you want a do-it-all thermal that won’t break your back or your bank while delivering reliable performance across a range of roles, the IOL25 is worth serious consideration. It’s the kind of tool that expands what you can do after the sun goes down without forcing you to choose between scanner and shooter. The IOL25 comes in at $1899.
A special thanks to Savior Equipment for providing the Apollo ear protection.