iRay RL25 Thermal Monocular

The iRay RL25 V2 RICO Micro is a compact multifunction thermal that does the job of four devices: a helmet-mounted scanner, a standalone thermal weapon sight, a handheld monocular, and, new to the V2, a clip-on you run in front of a day optic. It's the more affordable entry into iRay's RICO Micro platform, sharing the same versatility and V2 upgrades as the higher-resolution RH25 but built around a 384×288 sensor instead of a 640×480. For a hunter or operator who wants real thermal capability and the flexibility to move it between a helmet and a rifle without spending top-tier money, it's the practical pick.

At the core is a 384×288 thermal sensor with a 12µm pixel pitch and a ≤18mK NETD rating. NETD measures thermal sensitivity, lower is better, and 18mK means it picks up subtle temperature differences for a clean, usable image even in tricky conditions. The 25mm f/1.0 manual-focus lens pairs with that sensor to deliver 2x native magnification, so you get more reach out of the box than a 1x unit, with up to 4x digital zoom on top, and a detection range out past 1,300 yards on a man-sized heat source. The 60Hz refresh rate keeps the image smooth while you scan or track.

The V2 upgrades are the same ones that improved the whole RICO Micro line. You view through an enlarged 1440×1080 AMOLED display, 80% larger with 97% more pixels than the original, paired with a redesigned eyepiece that's more comfortable and supports clip-on use behind day optics up to 6x magnification. The housing is machined magnesium alloy to cut weight, it's IP67 rated, and it records to 64GB of internal storage with audio. A USB-C port handles fast file transfer and lets you run the unit on an external battery pack to extend the roughly 4 hours from the included rechargeable 18650.

It ships with a MUM rail and Picatinny riser to cover helmet, rifle, and handheld mounting. Browse the rest of our optics and night vision here.

RL25 V2 vs RH25 V2: Which One?

The two are the same multifunction platform with the same V2 features, the difference is the sensor. This RL25 V2 uses a 384×288 sensor and delivers 2x native magnification, which gets you into the RICO Micro platform at a lower price with more out-of-the-box reach. The RH25 V2 uses a higher-resolution 640×480 sensor at 1x native, which gives a more detailed image and a wider field of view, for more money. If your budget is the priority and you want some built-in magnification, the RL25 is the smart buy. If you want the sharpest possible thermal image and the widest view, step up to the RH25.

Thermal vs Night Vision: Which Do You Need?

The RL25 V2 is a thermal, which is a different tool than night vision. Thermal detects heat, so it sees a warm target through brush, fog, smoke, and total darkness with no ambient light at all, which makes it the best tool for detection. It won't show fine visual detail or let you read features the way a light-amplifying device does. If you want to identify detail and see a natural-looking image, that's where the DNT NVMD-C200 digital night vision comes in. Many serious users run both, thermal to detect, night vision to identify.

Build Out Your Setup

New to running thermal and night vision gear? Our NVG Cards are a quick-reference set covering low-light fundamentals to keep in your kit. If you run an IR laser setup under night vision, the Holosun IRIS-3 pairs aiming lasers with an IR illuminator for the night vision side.

Key Features

• Four roles in one. Helmet scanner, standalone weapon sight, handheld monocular, or clip-on.
• 384×288 12µm sensor. Thermal imaging with ≤18mK sensitivity.
• 2x native magnification. More reach out of the box, plus 4x digital zoom.
• 60Hz refresh. Smooth motion while scanning and tracking.
• 1440×1080 AMOLED. Larger, sharper display than the original RL25.
• Clip-on capable. New to the V2, works behind day optics up to 6x.
• 64GB recording with audio. Capture photos and video, transfer over USB-C.
• Magnesium housing, IP67. Lighter machined body, weather rated.

Specs

• Type: Multifunction thermal (scanner / sight / monocular / clip-on)
• Sensor: 384×288, 12µm pitch
• NETD: ≤18mK
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Objective lens: 25mm f/1.0, manual focus
• Magnification: 2x native, up to 4x digital zoom; clip-on behind optics up to 6x
• Detection range: ~1,375 yards (man-sized heat source)
• Display: 1440×1080 AMOLED
• Storage: 64GB internal, photo and video with audio
• Ports: USB-C (file transfer and external power)
• Battery: Rechargeable 18650, ~4 hours, external power capable
• Housing: Machined magnesium alloy, IP67
• Mounts included: MUM rail and Picatinny riser

FAQ

How is the RL25 different from the RH25?
Same multifunction platform and V2 features; the difference is the sensor. The RL25 V2 has a 384×288 sensor with 2x native magnification at a lower price. The RH25 V2 has a higher-resolution 640×480 sensor at 1x native, for a more detailed image and wider field of view at a higher price.

What's the difference between thermal and night vision?
Thermal detects heat, so it sees warm targets through brush, fog, smoke, and total darkness with no ambient light, the best tool for detection. Night vision amplifies light and shows fine detail for identification. The RL25 V2 is a thermal; many users pair thermal for detecting with night vision for identifying.

What does "multifunction" mean here?
It works in four roles: helmet-mounted scanner, standalone thermal weapon sight, handheld monocular, and clip-on in front of a day optic. The included mounts let you move it between a helmet and a rifle.

Can I use it as a clip-on?
Yes. Clip-on capability is new to the V2. It works behind day optics up to 6x magnification, so you can run it in front of an LPVO, prism, or red dot with magnifier.

What does the 2x magnification mean for me?
The 384 sensor on the 25mm lens gives 2x native magnification, so you get more built-in reach than a 1x unit, with up to 4x digital zoom available. The tradeoff versus the RH25's 1x is a narrower field of view and lower resolution.