Just got back from SHOT Show. Amazed at how the thermal and NV market has taken off the last couple years. Every body and their brother is coming out with some "new" product in these category. Some cheap "fusion" (lite) products even coming out although the one cheap one that was supposedly to be such a big deal DID NOT WORK during 3 separate trips to look at it.
Either way, thermal imaging has come a long way in the last 5-10 years. Both better in quality and smaller and more lightweight.
Gone are the days when we just thought we would "hear a helicopter" and then somehow don a tarp, thermal cover, etc.
With thermal imagers starting at around $600. and thermal weapon sights (TWS) to be had for less than $2K, there is an above average chance that you will go up against these if SHTF.
Even the $600. model will detect a man in light brush at 100 yards. Higher dollar models will reach out further with better processing speed and higher resolution.
I feel like we are NEAR the bottom of pricing levels for this sort of thing- I mean really $600. for a thermal imager? Just 10 years ago you would have paid $10K for that technology. The little phone apps are cheaper yes but not exactly applicable to most tactical situations.
TWS or handheld?
Much discussion about which one is better to have- a thermal weapon sight (TWS) or a hand held scanner?
Advantages and disadvantages to each-
TWS-
* Going to be heavier and bulkier by it's very nature. The "core" has to be beefed up to survive recoil.
* Adds weight to the rifle (obviously) and unless a "clip on" device, would have to be used as the sole sighting system on the rifle once in place. A flip to the side type weapon mount might overcome this- such as the Wilcox mount used with the IR Patrol. I used one of the flip mounts for years and it worked great in conjunction with my 3X30 ACOG.
* Ability to immediately engage a target once thermal detection is achieved.

FLIR PRO PTS536 New model
Hand held-
* Very lightweight and compact. Something small like the FLIR TK will slide inside a pocket, or can be tucked inside your jacket when on a lanyard. Pull it out every so often, scan forward the next 100 yards and then move. Fish hook on the trail you've been following and sit and scan for a bit.
* Typically less expensive, but you may be sacrificing some durability with that (can't have it all for cheap).
* Some models will be able to fill multiple roles- some will be able to be helmet or head mounted as well as being used as a handheld.

New FLIR Breach 60 hz. Thermal Monocular- use as a hand held or head/helmet mounted.
IMPORTANT- DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE try to jury rig a weapons mount to any unit not specifically branded as a THERMAL WEAPON SIGHT. I can't tell you how many people asked me how to jury rig a Scout or a TK to a weapon mount and I practically yelled "don't do it!" Once again the core is not protected against recoil on these smaller handheld units. You WILL destroy your unit, you will void your warranty and they will know what caused the problem when you try to send it back with a colorful story of what happened.....
Either way, thermal imaging has come a long way in the last 5-10 years. Both better in quality and smaller and more lightweight.
Gone are the days when we just thought we would "hear a helicopter" and then somehow don a tarp, thermal cover, etc.
With thermal imagers starting at around $600. and thermal weapon sights (TWS) to be had for less than $2K, there is an above average chance that you will go up against these if SHTF.
Even the $600. model will detect a man in light brush at 100 yards. Higher dollar models will reach out further with better processing speed and higher resolution.
I feel like we are NEAR the bottom of pricing levels for this sort of thing- I mean really $600. for a thermal imager? Just 10 years ago you would have paid $10K for that technology. The little phone apps are cheaper yes but not exactly applicable to most tactical situations.
TWS or handheld?
Much discussion about which one is better to have- a thermal weapon sight (TWS) or a hand held scanner?
Advantages and disadvantages to each-
TWS-
* Going to be heavier and bulkier by it's very nature. The "core" has to be beefed up to survive recoil.
* Adds weight to the rifle (obviously) and unless a "clip on" device, would have to be used as the sole sighting system on the rifle once in place. A flip to the side type weapon mount might overcome this- such as the Wilcox mount used with the IR Patrol. I used one of the flip mounts for years and it worked great in conjunction with my 3X30 ACOG.
* Ability to immediately engage a target once thermal detection is achieved.
FLIR PRO PTS536 New model
Hand held-
* Very lightweight and compact. Something small like the FLIR TK will slide inside a pocket, or can be tucked inside your jacket when on a lanyard. Pull it out every so often, scan forward the next 100 yards and then move. Fish hook on the trail you've been following and sit and scan for a bit.
* Typically less expensive, but you may be sacrificing some durability with that (can't have it all for cheap).
* Some models will be able to fill multiple roles- some will be able to be helmet or head mounted as well as being used as a handheld.
New FLIR Breach 60 hz. Thermal Monocular- use as a hand held or head/helmet mounted.
IMPORTANT- DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE try to jury rig a weapons mount to any unit not specifically branded as a THERMAL WEAPON SIGHT. I can't tell you how many people asked me how to jury rig a Scout or a TK to a weapon mount and I practically yelled "don't do it!" Once again the core is not protected against recoil on these smaller handheld units. You WILL destroy your unit, you will void your warranty and they will know what caused the problem when you try to send it back with a colorful story of what happened.....
Comment