Steiner CQT Red Dot/Thermal Sight Rifle 1-4x18mm 2.5 MOA Illuminated Red Multi-Reticle/Thermal Mode Black Hardcoat Anodized

Steiner QCT Close Quarters Thermal Sight: Unlocking Unseen Advantages in Any Environment

In the demanding world of tactical operations, law enforcement, and serious predator hunting, having an edge in low-light or obscured conditions is not just an advantage—it's a necessity. How do elite professionals and dedicated outdoorsmen gain superior situational awareness when visibility is compromised by darkness, smoke, fog, or dense foliage? The answer lies in advanced thermal imaging technology seamlessly integrated into a familiar optical platform.

Introducing the Steiner QCT (Close Quarters Thermal) Sight, a revolutionary optic engineered to provide unparalleled visibility and rapid target acquisition. This isn't just another red dot sight; it's a dual-capability system that combines the instinctive speed of a traditional reflex optic with a customizable overlay of real-time thermal imagery. For operators who need to identify hidden threats, track elusive game, or navigate complex environments where conventional night vision might struggle, the QCT offers a transformative solution.

The Steiner QCT is designed for those who ask: "What's the most effective way to detect targets hidden by darkness or heavy cover?" It answers by merging two critical sighting technologies into one robust, mission-ready device. Unlike purely thermal scopes that require you to look at a screen, the QCT allows you to maintain direct line-of-sight through a high-quality glass optic while simultaneously receiving a vivid thermal overlay. This unique "see-through" design means you retain peripheral vision and depth perception, crucial for dynamic close-quarters engagements and precise shot placement.

The Hybrid Advantage: Reflex Optic Meets Thermal Vision

What sets the Steiner QCT apart as a truly innovative piece of tactical equipment? It’s the ingenious fusion of a high-performance daytime reflex sight with a powerful thermal imaging sensor. This allows users to seamlessly transition between traditional optical targeting and advanced thermal detection without switching devices or losing focus.

During daylight hours, the QCT functions as an exceptionally capable reflex sight, featuring a crisp 2.5-MOA red dot. This precise red dot allows for fast, accurate engagements, making it an ideal primary optic for carbines and other tactical firearms. However, when light conditions deteriorate, or when targets become obscured, the thermal imager comes alive, giving you the power to see heat signatures.

The core of its thermal prowess is a sophisticated 320 x 240 uncooled microbolometer sensor, boasting a 12-micron pixel pitch. This advanced sensor detects long-wave infrared radiation (8-14 µm), revealing thermal energy emitted by people, animals, and even recently used machinery, making them stand out vividly against cooler backgrounds. The benefit? You can quickly identify living beings even when they are camouflaged, concealed by smoke, or hidden within dense brush—situations where traditional optics or even night vision devices might fail.

Experience Fluid Thermal Imagery: Modes, Reticles, and Zoom

The quality of thermal imagery is paramount, and the Steiner QCT delivers with a smooth 60 Hz refresh rate. This high refresh rate ensures that the thermal feed is fluid and responsive, minimizing lag and motion blur, which is crucial for tracking moving targets and maintaining situational awareness in fast-paced scenarios. A choppy or delayed thermal image can lead to critical errors, but with the QCT's rapid refresh, you'll experience a nearly real-time representation of the thermal landscape.

To adapt to diverse operational needs and environmental conditions, the QCT offers three distinct thermal display modes:

• Outline Mode: Provides a clear thermal outline of objects against the optical view, ideal for quickly identifying targets without obscuring the background. This mode is excellent for maintaining a balance between thermal detection and optical awareness.
• Patrol Mode: Offers a more detailed thermal image with a degree of background thermal information, suitable for general surveillance and target identification in varied environments.
• Full Mode: Displays a comprehensive thermal overlay, providing the most detailed heat signature information. This mode is invaluable when maximum thermal contrast is required to differentiate between subtle heat sources or when operating in extremely low visibility.

Beyond these modes, operators can select from five distinct digital reticles, allowing for customization based on mission requirements or personal preference. This flexibility ensures that the chosen reticle provides optimal contrast and precision against both the optical view and the thermal overlay. The overlay itself is presented on a high-brightness 800 x 600 green OLED display, ensuring clarity and visibility even in bright ambient light or extreme darkness. This vibrant display ensures that the thermal information is always easy to interpret.

Furthermore, the QCT features up to 4x digital zoom. While the optical magnification remains at 1x for close-quarters speed, the digital zoom allows you to get a closer look at distant thermal signatures, helping to confirm targets or assess situations from afar. This capability extends the utility of the QCT beyond immediate close-quarters ranges, offering flexibility for varied engagement distances.

Engineered for Extremes: Uncompromising Durability

When lives are on the line, or success hinges on equipment reliability, compromise is not an option. The Steiner QCT is built to meet and exceed the rigorous demands of military and law enforcement operations, making it equally suitable for the most challenging hunting expeditions.

Constructed from robust aluminum, the QCT's housing is not merely durable; it's engineered for extreme resilience. How tough is the Steiner QCT? It boasts an impressive water resistance rating, being fully submersible to 66 feet (20 meters) for up to two hours. This means it can withstand heavy downpours, accidental drops into water, and even deep water crossings without compromising performance. For professional users who might face maritime operations or highly unpredictable environments, this level of waterproofing is a non-negotiable feature.

In addition to its water-resistance, the QCT is designed to be highly shock-resistant. It can absorb the recoil of powerful firearms and endure the bumps, drops, and impacts that are commonplace in field operations. This rugged construction ensures that the optic maintains its zero and continues to function reliably even after significant abuse, providing unwavering performance when it matters most. Its factory focus from 16.4 feet (5 meters) to infinity ensures clear imagery across a broad range of distances.

Powering Your Mission: Exceptional Battery Life

Reliable power is critical for any optical device, especially one integrating advanced thermal technology. The Steiner QCT is powered by two readily available CR123A batteries, offering an excellent balance of performance and convenience. Users often ask, "How long will my thermal sight last in the field?" The QCT addresses this concern with impressive runtimes:

• Thermal Imaging: Provides up to 8 hours of continuous operation when the thermal imager is active. This substantial battery life ensures that you have ample time for extended patrols, surveillance, or hunting trips without constantly worrying about power.
• Red Dot Sight: When using only the red dot, the QCT delivers an astonishing 1000 hours of runtime. This means you can rely on the red dot for an extremely long period, making it a dependable primary optic even when thermal capabilities aren't immediately needed.

This dual-tier battery performance maximizes operational readiness and minimizes the need for frequent battery changes, a significant advantage in critical situations.

Versatility and Compatibility: Enhancing Your Setup

The Steiner QCT is designed not just for standalone performance but also for seamless integration into existing tactical setups. With its 1x optical magnification, it is specifically optimized for close-quarters engagements, providing a wide field of view (12 x 9.6°) that allows for rapid target acquisition and excellent situational awareness. The ample 90mm eye relief ensures comfortable viewing and compatibility with various shooting stances and eyewear.

One key aspect of its versatility is its compatibility with flip-up magnifiers. Should your mission or hunting scenario require a closer look at more distant targets beyond the QCT's 4x digital zoom capability, you can easily pair it with a magnifier. This modularity allows operators to quickly adapt their optical setup from close-range speed to extended-range precision without changing optics.

Applications: Where the Steiner QCT Excels

The Steiner QCT Close Quarters Thermal Sight is an invaluable tool for a range of professionals and enthusiasts:

• Military and Special Operations: Provides a decisive advantage in night operations, urban combat, and reconnaissance. It enables faster threat identification, improves target discrimination against complex backgrounds, and enhances overall force protection. Its ability to detect heat through smoke or obscurants is critical in battlefields.
• Law Enforcement and SWAT: Essential for suspect apprehension, search and rescue, and perimeter control in low-light conditions. It helps officers locate individuals hiding in buildings, dense vegetation, or after dark, improving safety and effectiveness.
• Serious Night Hunting (Predators/Hogs): For hunters pursuing elusive predators like coyotes or feral hogs under the cover of darkness, the QCT offers a clear advantage. It allows hunters to efficiently locate and track game that would be invisible to the naked eye or traditional night vision, leading to higher success rates and more ethical harvesting. Its reflex sight capability is perfect for the fast-paced nature of hog hunting.
• Personal Defense and Home Security: While primarily a professional-grade optic, its capabilities translate to advanced home security applications, allowing for detection of intruders or animals around property perimeters in complete darkness.

Why Choose the Steiner QCT from DEGuns?

When you invest in advanced optical technology, you're not just buying a product; you're acquiring a critical capability. The Steiner QCT Close Quarters Thermal Sight represents the pinnacle of hybrid thermal-reflex optics, offering unmatched reliability, performance, and versatility. This is a tool that provides a true competitive edge, allowing users to see what others cannot and react with precision and speed. Available at DEGuns, you can be assured of receiving an authentic Steiner product backed by knowledgeable support.

Whether you are a professional operator seeking a tactical advantage in the most challenging environments or a dedicated hunter committed to maximizing your success and safety during nocturnal pursuits, the Steiner QCT delivers. It's an investment in superior situational awareness, faster target acquisition, and uncompromising reliability.

Steiner QCT Close Quarters Thermal Sight: Key Specifications