Haha, I didn't see your words embedded in my "quote" ... until I re-read ... ok !
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Negatif, the thermal reticle is not relevant to using the thermal as a clipon. When using the thermal as a clipon, turn the reticle off.
To zero the thermal as a clipon, first zero the day optic at the desired distance with the desired rifle and ammo.
Then at night, mount the thermal clipon in front of the day optic and place some handwarmers on several targets.
Shoot a 3rd group to see where you are. if you are off, adjust the LEFT margin for horizonal alignment and the TOP margin for vertical alignment. Repeat until the alignment is complete.
If you want to remove the clipon and reinstall it, I recommend something to mark the rail section, like Larue rail clips. Using these ensures you get it back on in the same place each time. You may loose an inch of POI with the remount, but with hogs under 150yds, that's acceptable. It's been 3 years since I sold my Apollo 336(60) but I practiced putting it on 100 times before I used it seriously ... and could put it on and take it off with one hand. I also had a lanyard on it and could use it as a spotter.
The dark strap hanging down from the front in the gun is the lanyard attached to the Apollo. I could remove the apollo and throw it around my neck as a spotter.
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But I agree with the earlier post, I wound up using the apollo more as a dedicated thermal and spotter and not as a clipon.