First Impressions – Sightmark Wraith Mini for Crossbow

When I first unboxed the Sightmark Wraith Mini 🛒, three things immediately came to mind: small, light, and rugged. Before I even had it in my hands, though, my first thought was—a thermal scope on a crossbow?

The more I thought about it while waiting for the delivery, the more excited I became about the possibilities. The idea of combining advanced thermal technology with a crossbow opened up a whole new level of hunting possibilities. Weighing just 19.3 ounces and measuring a compact 6.6 inches, the Wraith Mini seemed like the perfect fit for crossbow hunting, where keeping gear lightweight and streamlined is important. If I had to pick my favorite type of hunting, it would be a tough choice between bowhunting whitetails in the fall and predator hunting. I love calling coyotes into close range, whether I’m using a shotgun or a rifle, and whether it’s daytime or after dark. With those two passions in mind, I couldn’t wait to test the Wraith Mini on my crossbow. Bowhunting coyotes at night? Absolutely! It will also be an excellent upgrade for the upcoming whitetail deer season.

One of the first things I noticed was the aluminum body. It has a gritty, durable texture, and the flip-up lens caps are a nice touch. They protect the lenses well, though I recommend using the included extended eye cup if you plan to hunt mostly after dark. The quick-detach mount and the built-in focus throw lever—easy to find and intuitive to use—show that this optic was designed with the hunter in mind. The Wraith ships with two CR123A lithium batteries; it only needs two to run, but like with an electronic game call, extras are recommended. A quick push on the spring-loaded battery door made me ready to roll.

Power On

Powering up was simple. A single press of the middle button on the control wheel instantly awoke the Wraith Mini. Whether in white hot mode or rainbow mode, the image through the scope remained impressively crisp, making it easy to identify the game and aim before making a shot. Crossbows demand precision optics, and resting the scope on a well-balanced tripod confirmed that the Wraith’s optical clarity was more than adequate for the task. I easily fine-tuned the focus using the throw lever.

The Wraith’s main menu is intuitive. A push of the power button opened up options for brightness, ten different reticle designs in nine color choices, video playback, settings, and a weapon select menu. This last feature lets you save five different profiles—perfect if you’re running different bolts or broadhead setups.

Mount It

Mounting the Wraith Mini on my crossbow’s picatinny rail was incredibly easy. Just loosen the knob, position the optic, and tighten it down. No fighting, no frustration. This was a breath of fresh air compared to my previous nightmares trying to mount other digital optics. For my testing, I mounted it to a Wicked Ridge Invader 400 crossbow with a pic rail design. Sightmark clearly considered the mounting experience, and it shows.

Find Your Zero

Sighting in the Wraith Mini was straightforward. After mounting, I powered up the optic, entered the reticle settings tab, and selected Reticle Zero. I began at 20 yards, the sweet spot for my crossbow’s first aiming point. For a solid and accurate rest.

After three carefully placed shots, I used the arrow keys to move the reticle to my point of impact while keeping the original reticle position fixed. It felt like old-school bore-sighting, just much faster and more accurate. They say that with two shots, you can be zeroed in, yet I felt more comfortable with three shots. After saving the zero, I fired another three-shot group and achieved a half-dollar-sized cluster. Crossbow-friendly and dead-on accurate!

Pro Tip:

Take time to test the different reticle designs. Some are better suited to crossbows than others, depending on your bolt trajectory and preference for aiming precision. Also, choose the reticle that best identifies your target.

Don’t Stop Playing

Switching between day and night modes is simple: press the left button once for night mode and again for day mode. There is no menu diving. I spent a few evenings target shooting in the backyard. While there were no hunting seasons during my review period, I tested the thermal on cows, dogs, deer, and any other animals I could find at night. The Wraith clearly picked up animals and easily identified each one.

The built-in video recording with audio is another crossbow hunter’s dream and was probably one of my favorite features of this thermal scope. It’s simple: insert a mini SD card (64 GB recommended), power on, and press right on the control wheel to start recording. Video and photo functions do drain the battery faster, so plan accordingly. This feature offers a great additional angle for filming hunts, capturing the harvest with a child, or when hunting yourself.

Wait, There’s More

Sightmark advertises a 1400-yard nighttime detection range, although I did not use it at that long of a distance, I can confirm it up to 500 yards. At night, I was able to pick up deer-sized animals, even slightly beyond 300 yards, in open fields. I preferred the black-and-white setting, but Sightmark offers several options to suit your eyes and hunting style. However, being mounted on a crossbow for this review, I did not worry too much about distance, as I could only shoot seventy-five to eighty yards. Most of my shots were taken at thirty yards or closer.

What I Loved

• Insanely simple operation and mounting
• Clear daytime image and excellent nighttime performance
• Video recording with audio (perfect for recording your hunts)
• Ability to save multiple bolt/broadhead profiles
• Rugged construction that can handle real hunting conditions

What I Didn’t Love

• Front and rear lens caps feel flimsy; I’d remove them before heading afield.
• Battery life drops quickly when recording video

Features

• Lightweight & Compact
• OLED Display
• 5 Color Palettes
• 9 Reticle Colors
• 10 Reticles
• Built-In Recording With Sound

Specs

• Display Resolution1024x768
• Sensor Resolution 384×288
• Magnification 2x Optical
• Objective Lens 35mm
• Mount Type Picatinny
• Detection Range 1400 Yds
• Display Type OLED
• Video / Audio Recording
• Battery 2xCR123
• Dimensions 6.6×3.03×2.9 in
• Weight 19.2 oz
• Battery Life 3.5 Hrs Video Mode / 4.4 Hrs Preview Mode

Why Would You Buy a Sightmark Wraith Mini for Your Crossbow?

If you’re a crossbow hunter who wants to extend your effective hunting hours into twilight and full darkness, the Sightmark Wraith Mini 🛒 is a no-brainer. It’s easy to mount, intuitive to operate, crystal clear in both day and night settings, and rugged enough to withstand field abuse. The ability to record video with sound is a significant bonus. Whether you’re chasing hogs, predators, or even setting up for whitetails, this optic keeps you in the game when the sun dips below the horizon.

FAQs

Can I mount the Wraith Mini to my crossbow?

Yes! You’re good to go as long as your crossbow has a standard picatinny rail.

Will the recoil from my crossbow hurt the Wraith Mini?

No. Crossbows generate less recoil than rifles, and the Wraith is rated for calibers up to .308 Win., so it’s tough enough for any crossbow.

How does the Wraith differ from a thermal optic?

Night vision (like the Wraith) amplifies existing light to form a visible image. Thermal optics detect heat signatures without needing any light.

What is the battery life?

With standard CR123A batteries, expect around 3.5 to 4.5 hours of runtime, depending on conditions and the amount of video recorded. If going on a lengthy hunt or when you expect to use it for several hours, pack extra batteries.

Where is the best place to buy?

The lowest price found with the best shipping is on Amazon Prime 🛒
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Final Thoughts

The Wraith Mini is hands down one of the best day/night optics I’ve ever tested, especially for a crossbow. Lightweight, simple, durable, and producing stunningly clear images, make low-light and nighttime hunting practical and exciting. This is a great optic to have on your crossbow for hunting deer, turkey, or something more interesting, such as predators or hogs at night. It is important to remember to check your local game regulations regarding which animals can be hunted at night and with thermal technology. For under $1,500, it’s an incredible value and worth every penny.