#ThermalVision

As part of TFB’s Photo Of The Day, we have today some 2BCT Thermal Night Optics on show. Here we have a Soldier from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, engaged in a night live-fire using the L3Harris ENVG-B at Range 22. The ENVG-B provides unique optic capabilities bridging thermal vision with night vision. Location: Fort Drum, NY, United States.

Thermal imaging used to be the exclusive preserve of the military, big businesses, or deep pocketed Law Enforcement departments.  Back when I started shooting, a thermal optic cost tens of thousands of dollars.  In recent years, however, thermal imaging has come down greatly in cost due to advances in cooling, image processing, and digital displays.  The ATN ThOR 4 is coming in between $1999 and $3499 MSRP, depending on lens size.

Back at SHOT Show 2017 I got a chance to check out the Leupold LTO Thermal Tracker. Click here to check out the article. The LTO is an entry level handheld thermal monocular. On Leupold’s website the LTO is $909 but it retails regularly for $699.99 and can be purchased for close to $600 if you shop around. I picked up this one second hand for close to $500.

Flir is making a mini thermal sight. It is a triple threat. It can be used simply as a handheld and since it is so small and light, it is easy to put in a pocket for hiking or outdoor activities. It can be clipped onto an optic or worn on a helmet like a monocular. It can also be rail mounted on a gun.

At the FLIR party, they brought along some of their latest products. One of them was a quad copter drone fitted with a FLIR thermal camera about the size of a GoPro.