First Impressions – Sightmark Wraith
The scope is small and light. Sightmark’s website told me it measured 6.299 inches long and weighed a mere 21.6 ounces. When I pulled the optic from the box, I immediately noticed the rugged, gritty-feeling aluminum body material. The Sightmark Wraith objective and ocular lenses come with protective, fold-away caps. Both caps remove easily, and I recommend adding the included longer ocular eye cup, especially if nighttime hunting is the main objective. Each end cap is easily removed for those who want to add their own lens protectors or want to remove them before heading afield. I also like the included and attached focus throw lever. The tall peg is easy for the finger to find, and I appreciated the three-ring upper build on the lever, which boosted the finger feel. The Sightmark Wraith scope comes with four CR123A Lithium batteries. Two are required for operation, and the spring-loaded battery door opens with only an inward push on the raised-dot panel.
Power On
I took a deep breath before pushing the center Power button in the middle of the Wraith 4K Mini’s single control wheel. Things were going smoothly, and if I had to give the $800 day/night scope a grade based on first impressions, I would brand it with the alphabet’s first letter.
It immediately came to life after pushing the power button while looking through the scope. I was on the range but had yet to attach the scope to my rifle. It was 8:57 a.m. the first time I turned it on, and the clarity was remarkable. Resting the scope on a shooting bag, I used the focus throw lever to achieve a perfect downrange image.
Next, I pushed the power button again to enter the main menu. From the single main menu, I could change scope brightness, choose from one of 14 reticle options with nine colors, use the Playback mode, change settings, and access the Weapon Select menu. The Weapon Select menu allows the shooter to input and save five caliber/grain weight options, making this scope which can handle recoil up to a .308 Win. much more than a nighttime-only predator optic.
Mount It
Mounting this scope is a breeze. Turn the knob counterclockwise to open the wings of the Picatinny rail mount. Next, attach the optic to the rifle’s rail mount and tighten it down. So far, so good! This contrasts with my first experience with a different brand of nighttime scope, and it wasn’t a good one. The optic was challenging to mount, and the setup process caused me to break out a bottle of Ibuprofen. The instruction manual was novel-thick, and the scope had more controls than a pilot’s navigation panel. Sightmark Wraith mounting proved to be remarkably easy!
Find Your Zero
I loved the functionality and ease of use of Sightmark’s Wraith 4K Mini, but I will admit that I’ve had some issues with other nighttime-style optics’ sight-in process, which gave me some pre-shot PTSD.
NOTE:
Before the sight-in process, I recommend taking your time and scrolling through the many reticle options. I chose each one and then looked down the range with that reticle before deciding on the one I favored most. Sightmark gives shooters 10 second-focal plane reticle options and four first-focal plain reticle options.
The good news: I wasted time worrying about nothing. This rifle-mounted optic is ultra-easy to sight in. After powering the unit, press the power button again to access the main menu. Once inside the main menu, use the down button to access the Reticle settings tab and press the power button again. Press the power button down quickly, twice, to choose Reticle Zero. Then, press the power button again.
Take three shots with your rifle on a bench to ensure accuracy. The shots don’t have to be fast. Take your time and execute properly. Now, use the arrow keys (up, down, left, right) on the single control panel to walk the crosshair to the point of impact while keeping the main reticle on the point of impact. You won’t believe the optical clarity, no matter the lighting conditions.
The sight-in process reminded me of an old-school bore-sight session with modern-day technology.
Once satisfied, click the power button to save zero on the current profile. Before calling it a day, shut down the scope, power it back up, and confirm your zero.
My first three shots after sighting in with the Wraith 4K Mini attached to my Savage AR-10 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor produced a Nickel-sized group at 100 yards.
After sighting my 6.5 Creedmoor, I saved the profile and repeated the process with my AR-15 chambered in .223 Rem. I had no trouble toggling between profiles and achieved exceptional accuracy with both rifles.
Don’t Stop Playing
This was one of the most straightforward day/nighttime scopes I’ve tested. I credit this to the design and, of course, the day/night functionality.
For grins, I took the scope to the range at night. To switch from day to night mode, power on the optic, don’t enter the main menu, and push the left button once. The single push transforms the scope to night mode, and a second push puts it back in day mode. It’s that easy.
Another significant benefit of the scope is the built-in 4K video recording with audio capabilities. To record video, first insert a mini SD card up to 256GB, press power, and push the right arrow to record video or capture photos. This is one of the most straightforward day/night scopes I have ever used.
NOTE: While the scope’s battery life is impressive, recording video and taking photos will shorten battery life.
Wait, There’s More
Sightmark claims the Wraith Mini 4K has a nighttime detection range of 300 yards. I can confirm this and will write that it’s slightly beyond 300. On two evenings, I used a thermal monocular with a rangefinder to range calves while sitting in a local rancher’s pasture. Most bovines were between 175 and 250 pounds and set in nighttime mode; the scope had zero trouble picking up animals up to the 300-yard mark. I favored the black/white color setting, but be sure to play with them all to find the one that looks and feels best to you.
Another feature I love is the inclusion of the IR Illuminator. Like the scope, the IR Illuminator runs on a pair of CR123A batteries. Attachment is simple: give the dovetail clamp a counterclockwise turn, and attach the illuminator to an accessory rail on your firearm. You can adjust the angle of the light by applying pressure on the front or rear of the illuminator. The IR Illuminator offers three brightness levels (low, medium, high). The unit operates like a flashlight; push the button on the backend to swap through light modes.
What I Loved
- I can’t stress the simplicity of this scope enough. The Wraith 4K Mini is elementary to set up but still gives the user top-end technologies.
- The daytime clarity of this scope is remarkable, and I was pleasantly impressed with its nighttime detection ability.
- I appreciate the extended eye cup for better nighttime viewing, HD video recording, and the inclusion of the IR Illuminator, which boosts nighttime visibility without spooking predators.
- Being able to create five weapon profiles was impressive.
- Amazing day/night scope for the money.
What I Didn’t Love
- Both the front and back end caps are flimsy. I recommend removing them both, especially the front, as it interferes with the focus lever throw knob.
- No on-board zoom ability
Features
- 4K Digital Imaging
- 2-6x magnification, 8x digital zoom
- 300-yard night detection range
- Night vision mode
- Daytime color mode
- Built-in video recording with audio capabilities
Specs
- Type of sensor: CMOS sensor
- Display type: FLCOS
- Built-In video recorder availability: Yes
- Format of video clip: AVI
- Sensor resolution, pixels: 4K (38420×2160)
- Display Resolution, pix: 1280×720
- Maximum memory card supported, GB: 256
- Resolution of video clip: 1080/4K
Why Would You Buy a Sightmark Wraith scope?
Sightmark’s 4K Mini Digital Riflescope is perfectly priced and offers hunters a quality day/ night optic. The 4-power magnification is fixed. However, it serves its purpose when hunting hogs over feeders, calling predators, or set on a straight-wall rifle caliber designed for close-range whitetails. The scope is clear, and Sightmark’s nighttime detection range of 300 yards is valid. The scope holds zero, and its aluminum build is solid. You’ll also love the 4K Mini’s built-in recorder that produces .AVI-format videos in 1080p and/or 4K resolution. This means you can capture and share every moment of your hunt. Also, if a marginal hit is made, being able to review the footage is always helpful.
FAQs
What is the difference between a nighttime scope and a thermal scope?
A night vision scope amplifies existing light from available nighttime light sources like the moon, stars, and even lights from a town or distant tower. The amplified light is translated into an image that our eyes can perceive.
Thermal optics detect heat given off by an animal or object and needs no existing light to create an image. Different temperatures often appear as different shades in the thermal image.
Do I have to mount my Wraith 4K Mini Digital Riflescope to an AR-style platform?
No. You can mount a Picatinny rail to your favorite bolt or lever gun and attach the scope.
Should I use the included riflescope eyeshade?
This is up to you, but it will enhance optical clarity in bright sunlight and when chasing critters at night.
How do I install the riflescope eyeshade/cup on the Wraith 4K Mini Digital Riflescope?
Remove the plastic cover on the lens. Apply a little bit of pressure on the top and bottom, it pops right off. Now, separate the two spacers on the lens. Hold pressure on one spacer and spin the other off the optic. Next, run your middle finger up the center of the eyeshade/cup and work it around the lens.
Does the Wraith 4K Mini Digital Riflescope have wifi capabilities?
No. Some first-generation scopes may have wifi icons in the menu, but there is no wifi capability.
What is the nighttime detection range on the Wraith 4K Mini Digital Riflescope?
Sightmark brands the scope with a 300-yard nighttime detection range. Testing confirmed this.
What kind of battery life can I expect from the Wraith 4K Mini Digital Riflescope?
The unit uses a pair of CR123A batteries. Battery life depends on/off time and outside temperature. The unit also has an external power port. The USB C port is under the rubber cover on the side of the optic.
Final Thoughts – Sightmark Wraith
As you can tell, the pros of this scope GREATLY outweigh the cons. This is the finest day/night scope I have reviewed to date, and with an under $1K price tag, you can afford to give it a test run.
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