RICO 2: The Future of Thermal Hunting Has Arrived

Every predator hunter knows the truth—when the sun goes down, the real hunt begins. Whether you’re stacking hogs on the back of a flatbed or calling coyotes out of wide-open country, your optic is the difference between seeing heat on the horizon and actually punching tags. That’s why our team has been spending long nights in the field with the new RICO 2 series, putting it through the same conditions that hog hunters and predator hunters  face every night.

The first thing you notice is the clarity. The flagship S75R runs a 1280×1024 thermal sensor behind a massive 75 mm f/1.0 lens, producing detail that was unheard of just a few years ago. Combined with a 60 Hz refresh rate—double the frequency of the first-generation 1280 thermal ever released—the image is fluid, lifelike, and razor sharp even when multiple hogs break cover at a dead sprint. And here’s the kicker: while that first 1280 optic cost nearly $18,000, the S75R brings better sensitivity, better imaging, and more features at less than half the price. That’s progress hunters can put to work.

Many hunting situations (especially at longer distances) require great image quality and magnification, but not necessarily higher resolution. That’s where the H75R shines. It uses the same 75 mm glass, but with a 640×512 thermal sensor—a combination that still pushes detection out past 2,800 yards. For predator callers working fence lines and wide cattle pastures, it’s become the sweet spot: a long-range, high-resolution optic with all the benefits of the RICO 2 platform, at a price that’s easier to swallow than stepping up into 1280.

Both of the 75s are fantastic, but which one is right for you? Ultimately it is a tradeoff. If you want more range and more magnification, the H75R will be great. If you record a lot of content or just want the very best resolution possible, the S75R is the way to go. 

But raw image quality is only part of the story. What makes the RICO 2 series so effective in the field is how it ties everything together. Each model carries an integrated 1,200-yard laser rangefinder, which pairs directly with the onboard ballistic calculator. Just plug in your load’s velocity and ballistic coefficient, and the scope does the math for you—automatically dialing drop correction when you range a target. That means no more guessing holdovers across a field or second-guessing yourself on a coyote that hangs up at 350. You get range, adjustment, and a clean shot in one seamless step.

The user interface is built around speed and simplicity. The oversized 2560×2560 AMOLED display gives a crisp, round sight picture that keeps your eyes comfortable for hours. A top-side focus dial makes fine adjustments easy even with gloves, while the zoom control steps in precise 0.1x increments so you’re never over- or under-magnified. Add in recoil-activated video, 32 GB of onboard storage, and wireless app connectivity, and you’ve got an optic that does it all while staying intuitive.

Another detail hunters will appreciate is the thought put into durability. The L42R and H50R, the two smaller models in the lineup, ship with a rugged dual-locking Picatinny rail mount—fast, secure, and proven. Step up to the bigger glass, and the S75R and H75R ship with a specialized recoil-reducing mount that protects the optics even further, ensuring your investment holds zero and runs reliably on hard-kicking rifles. Combined with a T-6063 aluminum housing, IP67 waterproofing, and a 5-year warranty, the RICO 2 is built to hunt as hard as you do.

And power management? Covered. The system runs off a rechargeable IBP-5 lithium battery with over 5 hours of runtime, and every optic ships with a spare. Swap them in seconds, or charge via the magnetic port in camp. Startup is near-instant, so you’re never waiting when it’s time to move.

After weeks of testing, the conclusion from our crew is simple: the RICO 2 S75R and H75R represent the next evolution of thermal hunting optics. They’re sharper, smarter, and tougher than anything that came before. Whether you want the bleeding edge clarity of the S75R or the balanced power of the H75R, you’re getting a tool that gives you more confidence, more range, and more capability in the dark than ever before.

The night doesn’t give second chances. With the RICO 2, you won’t need one.