ClearView Thermal Imaging Optics: What to Do First (Crosshair Display & Zeroing Setup)

By the GTGuardHunt team · Reading time: about 8 minutes

The box is open, the battery is charged, and you’re itching to take your new ClearView thermal imaging optic outside. That excitement is great. But a few minutes of setup before your first real outing will make everything that follows easier.

Our support team gives new owners the same advice: complete the crosshair display settings and the zeroing settings in advance. This guide shows you how to bring up the crosshair icons, how the zeroing process works, and why these two steps matter so much for the experience you get from the product.

Note: The steps below are based on the ClearView X350 instructions we send to customers. Menu names and button behavior can differ slightly between models, so always read the manual that came with your unit.

Key Takeaways

• Do your setup before the first outing. Crosshair and zeroing settings are easier to handle at home than in the field.
• Two quick button combinations bring up the crosshair icons. The first icon takes one press-and-hold; the second takes two.
• Zeroing aligns what you see on screen with where the optic is actually pointing. Done properly, it’s the foundation of an accurate, confident experience.
• Reticle 1 is fixed; Reticle 2 is adjustable. That’s the core idea behind the whole process.
• Always save your settings. An unsaved adjustment is a lost adjustment.

Why Setup Matters More Than You’d Expect

Thermal imaging optics are advanced tools. Out of the box, the display shows you a clear thermal picture, but the crosshair on the screen is only a reference. Whether that reference lines up with your real point of aim depends on how the optic is mounted, the host device it’s attached to, and your viewing distance.

Skipping setup is the number one reason new owners feel the product “isn’t accurate.” In most cases, it’s a calibration step, not a product problem.

Spending ten or fifteen minutes on setup gives you:

• A clean, personalized display. You pick the crosshair style and color that read best against your typical backgrounds.
• Alignment you can trust. Your on-screen reference matches reality at a known distance.
• Less guesswork in the field. Fewer adjustments when conditions are poor and time is short.
• A better first impression. Most “it’s off” complaints disappear after proper alignment.

Step 1: Bring Up the Crosshair Icons

There are two quick shortcuts for the crosshair icons. Both use the Up and Down buttons together.

First crosshair icon:
Press and hold the [Up] + [Down] buttons together one time to bring up the first crosshair icon.

Second crosshair icon:
Press and hold the [Up] + [Down] buttons together two times to bring up the second crosshair icon.

Think of it as a simple sequence: one press-and-hold for icon one, two for icon two. If you don’t see the icon at first, release, pause a moment, and try again, since the timing of the press-and-hold matters.

Prefer the Menu? Use the Crosshair Menu

You can also display both reticles from the on-screen menu:

1. Press and hold the MENU button.
2. Go to the Crosshair Menu.
3. Select Reticle Switch.
4. Choose Display to show Reticles 1 and 2.

The menu route is useful when you want to adjust styles and colors at the same time.

Understanding Reticle 1 and Reticle 2

This is the single most useful idea in the setup process, so it’s worth a moment.

• Reticle 1 is fixed. It sits in the center of the screen and serves as your reference for initial aiming. It never moves.
• Reticle 2 is movable. You adjust it using its X and Y axes, and this is the one you align during the zeroing process.

In practice, you’ll see both icons on screen. Reticle 1 stays put as your reference, while Reticle 2 moves to the spot that reflects your real point of impact at a given distance. Once saved, Reticle 2 becomes your working reference.

Step 2: Personalize Your Display

Before you align anything, set up the look of your crosshairs so they’re easy to see.

• Select your profile. The settings list includes a profile option labeled A through J. Choose the one that matches your setup, as described in your manual.
• Choose a reticle style. Several styles are available for each reticle. Pick the one that’s clearest to you.
• Choose a color. Several colors are available. The goal is contrast: a color that stands out against both warm and cool parts of the thermal image.
• Adjust brightness. A five-level brightness setting helps you keep the crosshair readable in dim and bright conditions.

A good rule of thumb: pick styles and colors that you can see instantly, without hunting for them. If it takes more than a glance, change it.

Step 3: The Zeroing Process, Step by Step

Zeroing is the process of aligning your on-screen reference with where the optic is actually pointing at a chosen distance. Here’s how the process works in plain language, based on the ClearView instructions.

Safety first: Complete any live testing only in a legal, safe, supervised location, with the host device secured and pointed in a safe direction at all times. Follow all local laws and safety practices, and never skip the manual’s safety guidance.

A. Prepare and choose your distance

Secure the host device so it can’t move, and choose a test distance where you can clearly see your target through the optic. Pick a distance that matches how you expect to use the product. Your alignment is accurate at that distance, so choose thoughtfully.

B. Get a clear picture

Settle into a stable position and rotate the optic’s objective focus wheel until the target looks sharp. A blurry target makes alignment guesswork.

C. Display both reticles

Press and hold MENU, go to Crosshair Menu, then Reticle Switch, and choose Display so that both reticles appear.

D. Make a test and note the impact point

Aim at the center of your target using the fixed reticle (Reticle 1) and make one test, as described in your manual. Then, keeping the optic steady, look for the bright spot or marker showing where the test actually landed on the target.

E. Move Reticle 2 to the impact point

With the optic still steady, go back to the Crosshair menu:

1. X-axis: tap OK, then use the Up or Down arrow keys to move the reticle left or right. Press OK to exit.
2. Y-axis: tap OK, then use the Up or Down arrow keys to move the reticle up or down. Press OK to exit.
3. Keep adjusting until the center of Reticle 2 sits right on the observed impact point.

F. Save and exit

Confirm the style and color you prefer, then save. Short-press the Power button to exit the Crosshair menu.

That’s it. From this point, wherever you place Reticle 2 on a target at that distance, you’re aiming at the spot your alignment points to.

What If Things Still Look Off?

Even after setup, small misalignments can happen. Here are the most common causes and fixes.

• Results are off to the top, bottom, left, or right. This is exactly what the alignment function is for. Repeat the process and move Reticle 2 to the correct spot.
• Alignment drifted after a bump. Any impact to the host device or mount can shift things. Re-check after rough handling or transport.
• You changed distance. Alignment is tied to the distance you chose. If you move to a very different range, re-check.
• The image is blurry. Re-adjust the focus wheel before doing anything else.
• You forgot to save. If settings reset, repeat the steps and confirm the save before exiting.

When in doubt, redo the process slowly. It only takes a few minutes, and the second time is always faster.

A Real-World Scenario: The First Weekend Out

Imagine a new owner, we’ll call him Mark, who unboxes his ClearView X350 on a Friday evening. He’s eager to try it that weekend.

On Saturday morning, he skips the setup and heads out. The image is clear, but the crosshair doesn’t seem to line up with where he’s aiming. By the afternoon, he’s frustrated and wondering if the product is defective.

Back home, he reads the instructions, brings up both reticles with the button shortcuts, picks a color that stands out, and walks through the alignment steps at a safe, legal test location. Ten minutes later, Reticle 2 sits exactly where it should, and he saves the setting.

The next weekend, the same optic feels like a different product. Nothing about the hardware changed. The only difference was fifteen minutes of setup.

Checklist: Your First Hour With a ClearView Optic

Print this out or save it to your phone.

1. ☐ Charge the battery and read the manual.
2. ☐ Mount the optic securely on its host device.
3. ☐ Bring up Crosshair 1 (hold Up + Down once).
4. ☐ Bring up Crosshair 2 (hold Up + Down twice).
5. ☐ Set profile, style, color, and brightness.
6. ☐ Choose a test distance and get a sharp focus.
7. ☐ Complete the alignment steps and move Reticle 2 to the observed impact point.
8. ☐ Save, exit the menu, and re-check.
9. ☐ Note your settings so you can restore them if needed.

Explore the ClearView Series

If you’re still deciding which model fits your needs, here are two options to compare:

Compare the full specifications on each product page and confirm which one suits your setup and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I bring up the crosshair on my ClearView optic?

Press and hold the Up and Down buttons together once to bring up the first crosshair icon, and twice to bring up the second. You can also use the Crosshair Menu and select Display to show both reticles.

Why do I need to complete zeroing before first use?

Zeroing aligns the on-screen reference with where the optic is actually pointing. Without it, your crosshair is only an approximation, which can feel inaccurate in the field.

What’s the difference between Reticle 1 and Reticle 2?

Reticle 1 is fixed in the center as a reference. Reticle 2 is movable, and you adjust its X and Y position to match the observed impact point.

Do I need to save after adjusting?

Yes. Always save your settings before exiting the menu so your changes remain in place.

Do I need to re-check after changing distance?

Yes. Your alignment is tied to the distance you used. If your typical range changes significantly, re-check.

Are these steps the same for every ClearView model?

The steps here are based on the X350 instructions. Other models may differ in menu names or button behavior, so always follow the manual for your specific unit.

The Bottom Line

A few minutes of setup is the cheapest upgrade you’ll ever make to a thermal optic. Bring up the crosshair icons, personalize the display, complete the alignment steps carefully, and save your settings. You’ll head out with a tool that matches what you see, and that confidence is worth far more than a rushed first outing.

If you have questions at any step, reach out to our support team, and keep your manual handy. We hope you enjoy using your ClearView optic.

Always follow local laws, safety practices, and your product manual. Features and menu options may vary by model.