Vern Evans
The Armasight Jockey 640 Compact Thermal Clip-On offers a high-performance solution for those looking to expand their day hunting setup into a seamless nighttime operation. It’s the ultimate tool to add versatility to your shooting platform for predator hunters and hog hunters. What makes a thermal clip-on so great for many hunters is how it is designed to attach directly in front of your existing daytime optic, allowing you to use the same hunting setup you’re accustomed to, without the need for re-zeroing, but adapted for nighttime operations as well. And unlike when you use the digital zoom on a dedicated thermal device, which can significantly degrade image quality, using the optical zoom of your daytime scope in conjunction with a thermal clip-on, you lose very little clarity.
Features & Benefits
Easy Integration with Day Optics: The Jockey 640 attaches directly in front of your existing scope—a 1-6x LPVO works best—without requiring additional zeroing, making it a versatile option for use with .223/.556, .308 Win., 300 Blackout, 6.5 Creedmoor, additional centerfire cartridges, rimfires and even crossbows if so inclined. It performs best with optics set under 5x magnification, preserving your sight picture and reticle. Armasight Director of Marketing Steve Lemenov explains, “The optimal kind of magnification is a one to six. You don’t need to re-zero your optic—you just mount the clip-on in front of your daytime optic, align it per instructions and save the profile. This capability makes it ideal for hunters who want to use a single setup across different firearms and calibers.”
ArmaCORE™ 640 Thermal Core: Powered by the ArmaCORE™ 640 thermal core in 640 resolution, the Jockey 640 provides exceptional image clarity, particularly for a thermal device at this price point. Combined with a fast 60Hz refresh rate, it delivers smooth visuals and precise target identification, even in challenging conditions. Lemenov highlights its advantage: “The technology has advanced to the point where it’s great for detection and recognition—you can tell a coyote apart from a dog or identify critters like woodchucks and groundhogs that might be causing issues on your property.”
Superior Visual Performance: Built on Armasight’s Iron Wolf thermal technology platform, the Jockey 640 offers image detail enhancement for crisp and clear thermal images. This is especially useful during low-light conditions or when scanning for heat signatures in light cover. As Lemenov notes, “With thermal, you’re seeing a different light spectrum—the heat signatures from everything, not just animals but also trees, cars and more. This makes it incredibly versatile in various environments, including light fog or light foliage.”
Multiple Color Palettes: Select from various thermal display color palettes to optimize viewing based on your environment and personal preference, providing flexibility during diverse hunting scenarios.
Quick Detach (QD) Mount: The included American Defense QD mount ensures a secure attachment that maintains zero when detached and reattached, making it easy to switch between daytime and nighttime setups or to a different caliber rifle for different types of hunting.
Multi-Functional Design: The Jockey 640 isn’t limited to clip-on use. With its versatile rear collimated eye piece, it transforms into a handheld monocular, offering greater versatility in the field. Ideal in scenarios where you don’t want to sweep an area with your firearm but need to identify people or animals in a darkened or thick coverage area.
Video & Image Capture: Record your hunting sessions with built-in video recording and image capture capabilities. Easily transfer files via the USB-C interface, allowing you to review and share footage on external devices such as computers or TVs.
Intuitive 3-Button Control: Operate the device with ease using the simple 3-button layout. The central menu button and side adjustment buttons make navigating settings quick and hassle-free, even in the dark, even when wearing gloves.
Durable & Lightweight: Constructed with an ULTEM composite body, this thermal is both lightweight, but solid, keeping your setup nimble without sacrificing durability. This design ensures minimal added weight, maintaining a balanced rifle, but can handle the rigors and beating around common to being carried in the field or rugged environments.
Extended Battery Life: A thermal is worthless if it isn’t operating when you need it. This one boasts up to 4 hours of continuous operation at 20°C using two CR123A batteries. That means the Jockey 640 can last as long as most hunts. It also supports the use of a 16650 battery for even longer runtime and external power via USB-C.
Bottom Line
The Armasight Jockey 640 Compact Thermal Clip-On is an ideal choice for hunters looking to extend their capabilities into nighttime or low-light environments without changing their primary scope setup. With its high-resolution thermal core, quick detach mounting and multi-functional use, it offers an impressive blend of flexibility and performance.
“We want our customers to focus on their hunt, not on fiddling with complicated gear. The Jockey 640 is built to deliver a seamless experience, offering thermal performance that adapts to diverse conditions, whether you’re detecting predators or managing varmints,” says Lemenov. It’s a worthwhile investment for shooters who value advanced thermal imaging and smooth transition between day and night operations and that won’t take opening a home equity line to buy. The Jockey 640 Compact retails for only $3,499 and can be purchased directly from Armasight on their website.
For more great thermal imaging and night vision options, visit Armasight online.
Check out the Night Goggles review of the Armasight Jockey 640 Compact Clip-On on YouTube.
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