Preface
Our US Sporting Optics market has seen a flood of products over the last decade, to the point it would seem completely saturated. As I wandered through SHOT Show 2026 I was surprised with how many new optic suppliers there are, and they all seem to come from Asia. Today I bring you one of those options in the form of a thermal weapon sight. Our subject today is the GOYOJO GRS225RF Thermal Weapon Sight, a 1-8X digital zoom rifle scope with built-in laser rangefinder.
The GOYOJO GRS225RF Thermal
Perhaps it’s because I am old fashioned, but I often feel overwhelmed with thermal optics. There seems to be so many features, specs, and menus it can at times make me feel like the first WW2 vet to use an iphone. That being said, I do love thermal sights, and the covert ability they provide.
As I lifted the GRS scope from its box, I found out quite a bit just by looking at it. There is a large control pad on top of the occular eyepiece, from there you can perform rapid functions like power-up, start video or camera operations, and operate the laser rangefinder (LRF). Where you would normal find zeroing turrets, there are two knobs but not for what you’d expect. Where you’d expect a windage turret is actually a battery compartment to install a secondary CR123 lithium cell. The unit also has an internal battery that can be recharged. On top of the scope where an elevation turret would be, there is a free spinning knob that is used to navigate the menus inside the scope. This is done by turning the knob, and pressing down for select.
Specifications
Optical
- Objective Lens: 25mm
- Eye Relief: 65mm
- Optical Zoom: 3.5X
- Digital Zoom: 1X – 8X
- Field of View (FOV): 7.0° x 5.3°
- Diopter Adjustment: -5 to +5 Diopters
- Focus Range: 5m to Infinity
- Detection Range: 1300m (1.8m x 0.5m target)
- Rangefinder: Only CRS225RF – 905nm Infrared, 1000m ±5m
Infrared
- Detector Type: Vanadium Oxide Uncooled Focal Plane Array
- Resolution: 256 * 192
- Die Size: 12μm
- Frame Rate: 50Hz
- NETD, mK: <35mK @ 25°C, F/1.0
| Function | Details |
|---|---|
| Picture in Picture | Yes |
| Video | Yes |
| Photo | Yes |
| Reticles | Yes |
| Defective Pixel Correction | Yes |
| RAV & Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Only CRS225RF – Yes |
| Hot Track | Yes |
| FFC | Yes |
| Scene Mode | Yes |
| Shot Activated Recording | Yes |
| Thermal One-Shot Zero | Yes |
| OSD | Yes |
| Intelligent Ballistic Calculation | Only CRS225RF – Yes |
| Pseudo Color Modes | White Hot / Black Hot / Red Hot / Iron |
Display
- Type: OLED
- Dimensions: 0.49 Inches
- Resolution: 1440 * 1080
Power & Compatibilities
- Battery Type:
Build-In Battery: 18650 Lithium BatteryExternal Battery: CR123 Lithium Battery - Battery Capacities:
Build-In Battery: 3.7V, 3700mAh
External Battery: 3.7V, 450mAh - Operating Time: 7.9 Hours (1x 18650, 2x CR123)
- Charging Specifications: 5V / 2A
- Tube for rings: 2
Physical
- Net Weight (Built-in Battery):
CRS225RF: 57300 g / 5760g (Note: Value appears inconsistent in source) - Dimensions (without eyepiece):
CRS225RF: 288 * 81 * 75mm
CRS225RF: 288 * 85 * 75mm
(Note: Model name is repeated, dimensions differ) - Max. Recoil: 800 g/0.4ms
- IP Level: IP67
- Operating Temperature: -30°C to 50°C (-25°F to 125°F)
- Storage Temperature: -40°C to +60°C (-40°F to 140°F)
- SD Card: 32GB
- Materials: Aluminum-Magnesium Alloy
- Warranty: 1 Year
Included in the box was a few extras, like a battery, lens caps, and even a set of rings to mount the scope. Also included was an irritating amount of black fuzz, the box is lined with some kind of felt fuzz, and it covered everything inside the box. A quick blast of air got rid of it. Admittedly it took some time to figure out everything with this scope, as I said there is a lot going on here.
I also had to download the IR-Tracker V app for my phone, this allows you to view the scope display on your phone. As well as other options. Then it was time to mount the scope, in order to make it easy and inexpensive, I mounted the GRS to my custom 10/22. I figured the inexpensive and accurate shooting rifle would allow me to figure out the scope function and features on a budget before moving it to a larger rifle.
Zeroing Scope
With the scope mounted in the inexpensive rings, I set to zero the scope. This is usually done using a thermal or reflective type target. But I found it very easy to do by simply using the warm impacts of my previous shot to make an adjustment. The zeroing process is very intuitive, you can use the zeroing menu to freeze the screen right after a shot. Before freezing the screen, you put the reticle on your point of aim. Then you simply select the elevation or windage, and adjust the reticle from where it is, to where the last bullet impacted. In very short time, I had the scope zeroed and we were able to make very accurate shots within the range of the .22LR.
After which, I cycled through the menu using the top-knob. And selected a reticle and color that best fit my purposes. Additionally you can turn on a picture-in-picture (PIP) mode, so you can see a closer image of your center crosshair. You can even select where the PIP is located on the display.
Menus and Menus
There is a main menu as well as other sub-menus. All of them are accessed by the top turret, selecting them by pushing down on the turret. The back feature is always an option on each menu to move back to the previous menu. You can select everything from bluetooth and wifi options to connect to your phone, as well as functional options like the color palette shown on the display. Changing the refresh rate and other options for the thermal sensor can also be done this way.
There might be too much to go over when it comes to all the minutiae of sensory details, and technical data. More information if you are looking for specific information can be found on Goyojo’s website.
Heads Up Display
Using the different menus to select the features you want, changes the data displayed on the heads up display (HUD). The HUD gives you all kinds of external data like compass bearing, angle indication and the cant of your rifle. Date and time are handy for the photos and video recorded by the GRS and they are listed as well as available memory storage.
Information on the scope itself is also displayed. Both the internal battery and the extra battery power level are displayed so you can keep an eye on them. The zoom setting is also listed on the HUD, as is the aiming profile. Aiming profiles essentially being a setup for a particular firearm or barrel.
Part of the HUD is your reticle, and you can select the reticle under the same menu as zeroing the scope. There are a variety of reticles to choose from, some very simple and others with various subtension points marked. You can also select a reticle color, which is probably better done after selecting a color palette. The differing color palettes show different terrain better or worse, some things show up better on one vs. another.
Video and Photo Features
With the ability to record videos and snapshots, the Goyojo GRS offers some great viewing. You can take snapshots using the main keypad, or record video. Additionally, the GRS has the option for recoil initiated recording. This ensures you get all your hits on video if that’s what you are after.
Capturing images using the button is as simple as pressing it to grab a shot, or push and hold to start or stop a recording. When connected to your phone using the app, there are also photo and video controls that can be commanded from your phone. Some of the display features can also be changed from your phone, like digital zoom, color palettes, reticles etc.
When connected to the scope with your phone, you can download the videos and save them or airdrop them to a laptop. Pictures and videos both are accessed in the Document section of the IR-Tracker V application. I did have some troubles getting videos in a format I could edit and use them, but I expect that is more about me not understanding technology than anything.
On the Range
With the rifle zeroed, we set to shooting with the GRS thermal scope. Picking out targets can be a little more challenging with this scope. Depending on ambient temps and conditions like sunshine can make things hard to identify. I often compare thermal images to ultrasound images. When looking at a thermal image you have to understand what you are seeing and what you aren’t, like a photo negative image. Once you understand this, you can better understand what you are seeing.
Obviously if you are looking at a warm animal moving on the display, it is much easier to identify. But picking out things like a box, or rock that mimics the ambient temperature is a little more challenging at times. But once you do get a good understanding, and can see and identify what you are shooting at it becomes much clearer.
Shooting at small rocks in distant dirt was easy, because the rock was warmed by the sun while the soil was cold and wet from the melting snow. Seeing bullet splash in the cold soil was easy to identify misses, while seeing a white flash on the rock would show you clear hits. After a great deal of practice like this, we swapped the scope to another rifle to repeat the process.
Centerfire Use
I decided to mount the GRS225 thermal scope to my Desert Tech MDRX, which I’d configured to a 20-inch .223. This would be perfect for pursuing coyotes, raccoons or any other pest that needed eradication.
I again followed the zeroing procedure, getting a solid zero at one-hundred yards. And practiced shooting at a variety of distances holding over using the reticle.
Pros and Cons
I expect that many of my issues figuring this scope out are more about me than anything. I’ve had the same experience with other thermal scopes as well. One of the main positive things about this optic is its price. Similar optics in the thermal department at Optics Planet go for three to four-hundred dollars more if not three to four-thousand more. Of course, as we have come to know in life, the cheapest option isn’t always the best one. And when you consider this scope comes from a relatively unknown manufacturer (at least in America), that might make it a bit of a concern as well. For some people, the 中国制造 alone is reason enough to avoid it. Preferring something manufactured domestically, which I can totally understand.
Value Proposition
Considering that the thermal scope market is quickly becoming littered with options, this scope has many competitors. As I mentioned earlier though, many of those competitors cost significantly more than this one for similar if not the same basic features. For the MSRP of $760 this seems like a very affordable option. Though I must say the sensitive nature of electro-optics, especially those that run on software can be a little scary. By that I mean; even if this scope costs half the price of others, $760 is a lot of money to lose if the scope simply shuts off for good. Therefore the durability of products like this one are very important. It has worked great for me so far, but time will tell if its is worth the price. Check back here in the future as I will update this as the product ages and is used.
Concluding Thoughts
It can be challenging and a little intimidating to get into some of these new tech items. But we’ll all have to do it at some point. I have been impressed with all the bells and whistles of this scope, and provided its quality hold up, I expect to use it for many years to come. Chasing varmints and predators in the darkness where they hide.
The Goyojo GRS 225 thermal scope is an affordable option with great features that hunters are going to enjoy. I will continue to update this article as my relationship and use of it develops.
