Running an Offset Thermal Mount: The Scout 45 Explained
How a 45-degree offset mount lets you run thermal and a daytime optic on the same rifle without swapping glass. What The Scout 45 is built for and how to use it.
If you run a daytime LPVO as your primary optic but want thermal available without pulling it off the rail every time the sun goes down, a 45-degree offset mount is the answer. The Scout 45 is built for exactly that job.
What an offset mount actually does
A 45-degree offset mount holds a secondary optic — in this case, The Scout — angled off the top rail instead of stacked in line with your primary sight. Rotate the rifle slightly toward the mount and the thermal sight picture comes into view. Roll back and you’re looking through your primary optic again.
The advantage over swapping optics between hunts: your zero on both sights stays put, and you can go from daytime glass to thermal mid-hunt in about a second, without touching a single screw.
What The Scout 45 is made of
- 45° mount angle, Picatinny (MIL-STD-1913) rail compatible
- Aircraft-grade aluminum with a matte black anodized finish
- Knurled locking nut for a tool-optional grip that won’t back out under recoil
- 1.97in height × 2.64in length × 1.34in width, 4.26oz / 121g — it adds almost nothing to your rifle’s weight or balance
It’s purpose-built for The Scout, so the fit and eye relief are dialed in rather than approximate.
Who this is for
Anyone running a magnified daytime optic who wants thermal in reserve for last light, first light, or full dark — without giving up their primary sight picture during the day. It’s especially useful for hunters who move between daylight glassing and nighttime hog or predator work on the same outing.
Getting it mounted
Follow the same fundamentals as any rail-mounted optic: clean rail, even torque across the mounting screws, and a firm grip-and-shake check before you trust it in the field. Our full walkthrough on mounting and zeroing a thermal optic sight covers the process end to end, including offset-specific setup notes.
A note on availability
The Scout 45 is currently sold out as we restock — real demand outpaced the run. If you’re planning an offset setup, check the product page for current availability, or email us and we’ll let you know when it’s back rather than leaving you guessing.
By Merlin Team
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