Hunting with thermal optics became popular in Europe well before it took off in the U.S., but with its growth here we’re now seeing some Euro brands becoming available on the U.S. market. One of these brands is Germany’s Liemke, which is announcing their new Luchs-1 and Luchs-2 thermal clip-on optics available through importer/distributor Blaser Group USA.

Given the substantial investment required to get into a good thermal optic, the utility provided by a clip-on is certainly nice. Instead of being a dedicated scope itself, which is typically the only optic on a firearm and must be sighted in for that firearm, a clip-on like the Luchs models simply mounts to the front of a daytime optic. It can be mounted at night and removed during the day as well as moved from gun-to-gun without requiring re-zeroing of the daytime optic. Additionally, the Luchs models work as a hand-held monocular.

Blaser Group USA’s press release follows . . .

Liemke Introduces German-Made Luchs-1 and Luchs-2 Thermal Optics

San Antonio, Texas (May 9, 2023) – Liemke, a leader in high-definition thermal imaging for hunting, is pleased to introduce the premium Luchs line of thermal optics. Made in Wetzlar, Germany, the Liemke Luchs (or Lynx as translated in English) incorporates the latest in thermal technology in these versatile devices that can be clipped onto any daytime riflescope or used as a handheld monocular. 

Fast and quiet with a startup time of only five seconds for both Luchs models, and a standby mode for immediate activation, the Luchs-1 has a 35mm lens with heat signature detection range of up to 1,750 meters while the Luchs-2 has a 50mm lens with heat detection up to 2,500 meters. 

Luchs thermals have a whisper-quiet calibration procedure with a rapid refresh rate of 50 Hz and are easy and intuitive to operate. Both models feature a 1024×768 OLED color display and a 640×512 12 µm VOx sensor for high contrast and detailed images. The Luchs-1 delivers a large field of view of 22 meters at 100 meters and an image that completely fills within the daytime riflescope at 2x magnification. The Luchs-2 has a field of view of 15.4 meters at 100 meters. Two image modes provide optimal detail rendition in varying weather conditions and there are five color modes, including an Extra Dark mode setting for glare-free images at night. 

Easy and intuitive to operate, the Luchs thermal units have internal memory of 32 GB and a Wi-Fi function for live streaming via an app. Users can capture photos and videos of their hunt on the internal memory even while streaming live, and these can be transferred later via USB-C port. The built-in rechargeable battery has a run time of up to 9 hours and the three-position switch – On/Standby/Off – can be used to extend battery life in the field. 

“Liemke is the top thermal optics brand in Germany, and the new German-made Luchs line raises the bar even higher when it comes to quality and performance,” said Jason Evans, CEO Blaser Group USA. “American hunters will recognize and appreciate the premium Made in Germany construction, advanced thermal technology, and high-definition performance the Luchs thermal optics deliver. Aptly named after the lynx, the Luchs-1 and 2 models deliver outstanding thermal night vision for hunters.”

Settings are easily adjusted on the Luchs units, and the hunter’s preference is saved when the device is turned off and available every time the device is restarted. The tough, shock-resistant aluminum housing is rain and dust protected in accordance with IP67, and the objective lens is protected by a scratch-resistant Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating for extra protection in the field. The Luchs-1 weighs 20.5 ounces and Luchs-2 weighs 22.4 ounces.

For more information, visit LUCHS-1 (liemke.com).

MSRP: 

Luchs-1 $5,554.00
Luchs-2 $6110.00

About Liemke Thermal Optics

Headquartered in Bielefeld, Germany, Liemke is the dominant thermal imaging brand in Germany trusted for its optical quality, reliability, outstanding customer service, and unsurpassed price-performance ratio. 

Liemke is at the forefront of thermal technology, and its optics are prized by hunters for their high-definition images with fast refresh rates and smooth viewing. For more information, visit: Liemke Shop

About Blaser Group

The Blaser Group is the official U.S. importer for iconic German firearms brands Blaser, Mauser and J.P. Sauer; English gunmaker John Rigby & Co.; Minox optics and Liemke Thermal Optics. Established in 2006, the company which is based in San Antonio, Texas works with distributors, wholesalers, and over 200 authorized Blaser Group dealers across all North American states, with this figure continually growing. Today the Blaser Group’s industry-leading product portfolio includes bolt-action, combination rifles and over-and-under shotguns designed specifically for game hunters and competitive target shooters. Its custom shop offers exclusive engravings, design work and custom finishing for bespoke guns. With recent innovations, Blaser Group has gone on to expand its product portfolio into cutting-edge optics and accessory lines. For more information about the company and product lines, visit: www.blaser-group.com.