I finally got my hands on the infiray outdoor bolt tl35 v2, and honestly, it's a bit of a game-changer for anyone who prefers a traditional look on their thermal setup. If you've spent any time looking at thermal scopes lately, you've probably noticed they often look like clunky bricks or futuristic gadgets that don't quite sit right on a classic bolt-action rifle. The TL35 V2 changes that narrative by sticking to the 30mm tube design, making it look and feel like the glass optics we've all been using for decades.
But looks aren't everything when you're out in the field at 2:00 AM. You need to know if the sensor can actually pick up a hog in the brush or if the battery is going to quit on you just as things get interesting. After putting this unit through its paces, I've got some thoughts on where it shines and where it sits in the current market.
That Familiar Form Factor
The first thing you'll notice about the infiray outdoor bolt tl35 v2 is that it doesn't require some proprietary, weird mounting system. Because it uses a standard 30mm tube, you can use your favorite high-quality rings. This might sound like a small detail, but it means you can keep your cheek weld consistent and mount the scope at the perfect height for your specific rifle.
It's built like a tank, too. Despite having a lot of high-tech sensors and boards inside, it feels rugged. I'm not saying you should use it as a hammer, but it definitely feels like it can handle a bumpy ride in the back of a truck or a trek through thick overgrowth without losing its zero.
Image Quality That Punches Up
Under the hood, the TL35 V2 is rocking a 384x288 sensor with a 12μm pixel pitch. Now, I know there's a lot of hype around 640-resolution scopes right now, and yeah, they're great if you have the extra several thousand dollars to spend. However, for most hunters, this 384 sensor is the "sweet spot."
The image is surprisingly crisp, thanks in large part to the high-resolution OLED display. InfiRay has done some serious work on their image processing algorithms. Even in high-humidity conditions—which is usually the kryptonite for thermal optics—the infiray outdoor bolt tl35 v2 manages to pull out decent contrast. You can actually distinguish between a stump and a coyote, rather than just seeing a blurry heat signature.
The base magnification starts at 3x, which I find is perfect for most night hunting scenarios. It gives you enough of a field of view to scan the treeline but enough zoom to make a confident shot at 150 yards. When you do need to zoom in digitally, the image holds together better than the V1 did, likely due to that updated processing engine.
Tackling the Controls
One of my biggest gripes with digital scopes is usually the button layout. Trying to find a tiny, flat button with gloved hands in the dark is a recipe for frustration. The infiray outdoor bolt tl35 v2 uses a turret-style controller that feels very natural. You rotate the top turret to zoom in and out, which is way more intuitive than hunting for a "+" or "-" button.
The menu system is also pretty straightforward. It doesn't feel like you're trying to navigate a smartphone from 2010. It's snappy, and the icons are clear. I was able to zero the rifle in just a few shots using the "freeze" function, which basically takes a snapshot of your shot so you can align the reticle without having to keep the rifle perfectly still.
Let's Talk About Battery Life
There is nothing worse than a thermal optic dying right when you've finally spotted your target. The TL35 V2 handles power management pretty cleverly. It has a built-in internal battery, but it also accepts an additional 18500 replaceable battery in the turret.
In total, you're looking at around 10 to 12 hours of run time. What I love about this setup is that you can swap the external battery in the dark without the unit turning off. It draws from the internal power while you're swapping the cell. It's one of those "quality of life" features you don't realize you need until you've experienced it. If you're planning a long night out, just throw a couple of spare 18500s in your pocket and you're set until sunrise.
Recording and Extra Features
If you're the type who likes to show off your hunts or review your shots later, the infiray outdoor bolt tl35 v2 has you covered. It comes with 32GB of internal storage, which is plenty for hours of video and thousands of photos.
One feature that actually works well here is the recoil-activated video. You don't have to remember to hit "record" before the shot—the scope senses the recoil and saves the footage from right before and after the trigger pull. It saves a lot of storage space because you aren't recording 20 minutes of walking through a field just to catch 10 seconds of action.
It also has Wi-Fi connectivity so you can stream the view to a phone or tablet. This is great if you're hunting with a partner who wants to see what you're seeing, although I'll admit I don't use it much myself. I prefer to keep my eyes on the optic and stay in the zone.
How It Feels in the Field
Walking around with the infiray outdoor bolt tl35 v2 mounted on a lightweight bolt gun feels right. It doesn't make the rifle top-heavy or awkward to carry on a sling. The startup time is fast, too. You aren't sitting there for 30 seconds waiting for a boot screen while a sounder of hogs is moving into the trees. It's ready to go almost as fast as you can flip the lens cap.
The eye relief is generous as well. You don't have to smash your face against the rubber eye cup to get a full view of the screen, which is a big safety plus if you're shooting a caliber with a bit of kick.
Is it the Right Choice for You?
If you're a professional predator hunter who needs to identify the gender of a fox at 500 yards, you might still want to look at the higher-end 640 models. But for the vast majority of us—the guys out there clearing hogs off a farm or calling in coyotes on the weekend—the infiray outdoor bolt tl35 v2 is hard to beat for the price.
It bridges the gap between "affordable" entry-level thermals and the ultra-expensive "pro" gear. You get the aesthetics of a traditional scope, the reliability of a dual-battery system, and an image quality that won't leave you guessing what you're looking at.
In a market that's getting pretty crowded with digital optics, this one stands out because it doesn't try to reinvent the wheel. It just takes the wheel we already like and adds some really high-quality "night vision" to it. It's a solid, dependable piece of kit that feels like it was designed by people who actually spend time in the woods after dark. If you're looking to upgrade from a budget thermal or making the jump from traditional glass, the TL35 V2 should definitely be on your shortlist.