HIKMICRO Thunder 2 Clip on Advice

[MoreCreed]

Hi everyone. I’ve just joined this Forum. Really interesting info on here.

I wonder if someone can help me.

I have a HIKMICRO Thunder 2 Thermal Clip On.

My base scope has an illuminated reticule. It is zerod bang on at 100m and when the thermal is not attached, the fact that I may have attached the thermal and then removed it never affects the Zero.

My question relates to when the thermal clip on is attached. I have synchronised the thermal point of aim with the base scope point of aim (in my case an illuminated reticule) but sometimes this synchronisation is lost when I clip it on and off.

Does this matter? As long I place the base scope illuminated reticule at the point on the thermal image I want to hit, then is this all that is important?

I can see the attraction of having both POAs synchronised. Because otherwise the video clips (which don’t show the base scope POA) will show a different point of aim to point of impact. But I’m not fussed about that. All I care about is that the bullet will strike the place in the thermal image which the illuminated reticule is pointing at rather than the thermal POA. Am I right here?

Hope this makes sense to someone. Apologies not very easy to explain.

Thanks in advance.

MC

 

[mealiejimmy]

The zero on your glass scope will not be affected by having the thermal clip on attached or detached
You aim using the dayscope reticle. The thermal reticle should be switched off - it has no part to play when using the clip on
The thermal clip on is not zeroed by moving the reticle, it is zeroed by adjusting the position of the display
In case you don't have it, this is the manual for the clip on chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://webassets.hikmicrotech.com/global/asset/0864069ea8624dbf84399f549fd807e1.pdf
The relevant part is section 3.9 - Calibrate image
When you fire at a target at 100m with the clip on fitted and the point of impact is the same as with the clip on not fitted - then be very happy
More than likely, the point of impact with the clip on fitted will not be the same as when it is not fitted, and to get the point of point of impact the same with and without the clip on fitted, you need to go through the calibrate image procedure.
This basically involves shifting the bit of the display you see through your dayscope up or down and right or left until the point of impact with the clip on attached is the same as with it removed
Once you have done this make a note of the X and Y values in case you need to repeat the procedure
The major issue with the HIK clip ons is the scope adaptor - it's basically rubbish, and unless you leave it attached to your dayscope and fit the clip on to the adaptor you'll never hold an accurate zero.
The best, and IMHO only solution is to buy a Rusan adaptor which is a much closer fit to the size of the objective bell on your dayscope
This is the Rusan adaptor Rusan Q-R Adapter for Hikmicro Thunder
To get the correct version you need to measure the outside diameter of the objective bell of your day scope and pick the adaptor that is exactly the same size or at most 1mm larger than the diameter of your scope objective bell
Trust me, I've been down this road a few times with various people and if you want the Thunder clip on to give repeatable accurate results, a Rusan adaptor is the only way to do it.

Cheers

Bruce

 

[MoreCreed]

Thanks Bruce. I think I understand.

So basically am I right in thinking that unless the image is calibrated correctly the glass scope reticule will not be pointing at the point of impact on the thermal image? Because the thermal image does not appear in the same place in the glass scope as it would be without the clip on?

CM

 

[MoreCreed]

And one more Q - do concerned about the mounting sleeve also apply to the sleeve that is supplied with the thunder 2. This is much improved as I understand it and is specifically manufactured for my scope diameter and is very snug fit that feels pretty robust.

 

[mealiejimmy]

Thanks Bruce. I think I understand.

So basically am I right in thinking that unless the image is calibrated correctly the glass scope reticule will not be pointing at the point of impact on the thermal image? Because the thermal image does not appear in the same place in the glass scope as it would be without the clip on?

CM

Correct

Cheers

Bruce

 

[mealiejimmy]

If the HIK adaptor that you have been supplied is a snug fit over the objective bell of your scope without the need for any spacers or adhesive foam tape then it might be OK
The adaptors supplied with the original Thunder clip ons were designed to fit a range of scope objective bell sizes and came with adhesive backed foam tape in a range of thicknesses which was stuck to the inside of the adaptor and acted as a spacer between the adaptor and scope
That simply did not work well enough for the clip on to retain zero when it was removed and refitted

Cheers

Bruce

 

[Dari]

And one more Q - do concerned about the mounting sleeve also apply to the sleeve that is supplied with the thunder 2. This is much improved as I understand it and is specifically manufactured for my scope diameter and is very snug fit that feels pretty robust.

May I ask you which size of HIKMICRO adapter you have and what is exact outside size of your objective?
I expected that new version of HIKMICRO adapter for Thunder 2.0 will also have some kind of spacers for different objective sizes.
But it seems that this new version is made to be snug fit for precise size of objective.
What bothers me is the fact, that there are only few different size versions of adapters, which limits number of scopes that could be used with HIKMICRO adapter.
Rusan and Smartclip are offering whole range of adapters with size difference of only 1mm.
That way you can really choose perfect size to fit your objective.
My be that I am missing something here with HIKMICRO concept.
Or my be that HIKMICRO just doesn't understand how front add on adapters works

Cheers

 

[MoreCreed]

I have a Swaro Z8i 2.3-18 x 56. When I ordered the Thunder 2 clip on I was asked which scope it was going on and I was supplied with the correct adapter to suit the scope. No need for any spacer rings or other packing. The adapter fits perfectly and stays permanently on the rifle. Wheb the lever is closed it is tight on the bell of scope and simply won’t move.

When clipping the thermal on and off the point of aim through scope is same as through the thermal. No difference at all.

After what I was told by a few people I lost confidence in it and have double and triple checked Zero on the range at 50m, 100m and 200m with clip on on and off. Now I have total confidence in set up and am very pleased with it.

For zeroing with the thermal I use a 4” diameter steel disk hanging from a frame from heated with a blowtorch which works great. Some use heat patches but I prefer my more industrial solution

 

[Dari]

This is something that bothers me at the moment.

HIKMICRO is listing a series of different size adaptors for THUNDER 2.0, stating that number in the name of the model refers to “Mounting Diameter”.

Now if model HM-ADAPTER-50A can be mounted only on riflescopes with outer diameter objective body of 50mm, that significantly limits the number of scopes that can be used with it.

My Optisan EVE 3-12x44 has outer diameter of 53mm, and there is no such adapter on HIKMICRO webpage.

I expected that each of the adapters model will come with some kind of inserts to adapt it to a different range of scopes.

Model 44A/50A/56A for all riflescopes with 44/50/56 lens sizes.

I know it is not the best possible solution for zero repeatability, but it works with PULSAR PSP-B adapters for Krypton 2 series and I really wanted to compare HIKMICRO 2.0 adapter systems with Pulsar ones.

Maybe Mr. Blackwood is selling HIKMICRO adapters and can tell me more about what was the idea behind HIKMICRO original adapters for Thunder 2.0 series.



Thank you in advance.

 

[mealiejimmy]

The HM-50A adaptor fits both the original Thunder and the Thunder 2.0 HIKMICRO Scope Adaptor 50mm Clamp
Note that is supposed to be used with scope objective outside diameters in the range 55-59mm
I had a Thunder clip on and both 50 and 60mm adaptors
In each case the adaptor is supplied with several adhesive backed foam strips which are supposed to be stuck to the inner surface of the adaptor and fill the gap between the adaptor and the scope
HIK actually recommend that the adaptor remain on the scope at all times and the clip on simply be attached and removed from the adaptor as and when required
In that, case the foam strip "filler" might be OK, but it definitely does not work when the user wants to remove and re-fit the clip on with the adaptor attached and leaving the adaptor permanently attached to the scope reduces the effective diameter of the objective lens and exposes the locking lugs on the adaptor to damage
My experience is that a Rusan adaptor sized to fit the scope being used, is the only reliable way to ensure zero is retained when the clip on is removed and re-fitted

Cheers

Bruce

 

[Dari]

I was refering to this HIKMICRO Thermal Camera THUNDER 2.0 Adapter new series of THUNDER 2.0 adapters.

From specifications it seems that these are precisely matched with specific outer size of objective body.

If HIKMICRO decided to do it this way, then they should include all mounting sizes in 1mm steps, just like SMARTCLIP and RUSAN.

I am currently using SMARTCLIP 53mm adaptor with Thunder 2.0 and it can be removed and reattached without loosing zero. I have tested that on shooting range as well as in hunting situations.

I also removed adapter and attached eyepiece HIKMICRO Thermal Camera THUNDER 2.0 Eyepiece, to use Thunder as monocular. And after reattaching adapter to Thunder POI did not change.

I would like to clear this dilemma with HIKMICRO 2.0 adapters just for purpose of being able to give honest and solid advice to a friend or any other person who is in position to buy Clip On for two or more different rifles.

In case of Pulsar Krypton 2, I can advise anybody that he or she will be able to swap between different rifles just by using PSP-B adapter of correct size.

In case of HIKMICRO Thunder 2.0 it seems that my advice will be, buy one adapter for each scope and then swap the Thunder between adapters.


Just for the record, the Picture, battery, interface and other features in Thunder 2.0 are great.