Night Vision

This is a review of the brand-new Pulsar Axion XQ30 Pro, a pocket-sized thermal monocular. Unlike quite a few of the thermals we review, the price of this thermal monocular should also fit most people’s pockets. To begin with, the small size of this device has to be mentioned. Previously, a small-sized thermal has always meant a compromise in image quality, but modern technology and development can also put old truths and preconceptions to shame. Let’s see how the XQ30 Pro performs!

New for 2024, Trijicon has revamped their lineup of thermal weapon sights. The REAP-IR and IR-HUNTER thermals have improved image processing and onboard recording capability. As before, both versions are available with three sizes of objective lenses with the larger lenses having more base magnification.

James Reeves is at IWA 2024 visiting the PARD booth to discuss their new digital combo units – rifle scopes that use both digital night vision and thermal. The PARD TD32/TD62 are multi-spectral scopes that offer both thermal imaging and visible light sensors for daytime and nighttime use. These scopes allow for separate or combined use of thermal and night vision imagery, featuring Picture-in-Picture (PIP) mode for enhanced observation and identification. They use high-sensitivity thermal detectors with resolutions of either 384×288 or 640×512, and a NETD of ≤25mK. The TD32/TD62 models are equipped with an 800×800 IPS ultra-high definition circular display, offering a comfortable and clear visual experience similar to traditional optical scopes. They also feature a 100mm long eye relief for comfortable extended use, a 1200-yard Laser Range Finder (LRF) with ballistic calculation capabilities, and one-shot zeroing for thermal and night vision channels for precise shooting. These scopes are designed for durability, with an IP67 waterproof rating and 6000J recoil resistance, and they come with replaceable and rechargeable 21700 batteries for extended use.

This is a review of the Pulsar Merger LRF XL50 High Definition Thermal Binoculars. High definition thermals for commercial use started appearing last year, and in 2024 we will see more and more of them. This review is TFB’s second on the subject of HD thermals, and my first. The device reviewed here is a private purchase, and it’s been my companion since the spring of 2023. After almost 10 months of ownership, it’s time to conclude what I’ve discovered.

This is a review of the Pulsar Axion 2 XQ35 and XG35 Thermal Monoculars. These models are available with or without a side-mounted laser rangefinder. A thermal monocular can be any hunter’s best friend. Whether you’re hunting wild boar or coyotes at night, elk or deer, or perhaps trying to establish were your friend or your dog is located, these devices will help you spot any hot object a lot better than the naked eye.

A few years ago, Liemke Thermal Optics became a part of the Blaser Group. Liemke have been active in the market for thermal imaging technology since 2008, and for ten years they’ve been developing their own products and solutions. It’s now time for the introduction of the German-made Keiler 25.1 Thermal Monocular, which features a thermal sensor with 384×288 pixel resolution and an OLED display with 1024×768 pixel resolution. The base magnification is 2.4x, with a digital zoom up to 10x. There are five color modes and the unit is waterproof according to IP67. All this for an MSRP of $2,777.

Holosun has grown to be an industry leader in optics in recent years. Many of their red dots and reflex sights have become some of the most popular options on the market, following on from more humble reputational beginnings. They have also dabbled in the night vision game, with their product catalog including a selection of infrared laser and illuminator units. Around SHOT Show 2023, Holosun revealed that they were working on getting deeper into the low-light shooting market by virtue of a pair of upcoming digital prototype optics, one thermal and one standard NV. Now a year later, the night vision model is ready and heading to market soon. In a January 11th Instagram post, Holosun announced that their DRS-NV is slated to ship to dealers within a matter of weeks. Check out the text of their post copied below for details.

This is a review of the InfiRay Outdoor Mate MAH50 Thermal Front Attachment. There are many reasons to consider thermal “clip-ons” for your ordinary day optic, and the MATE MAH50 is one of the best on the market in terms of image quality.

Holosun brought a pile of night vision accessories to SHOT Show 2024, and TFB’s resident night vision nerd Hop checked them out. The night vision and thermal optics that were revealed last year are finally coming to market, alongside new weapon lights, red dot sights, and an IR laser aiming module. And brand new to the show this year was a miniaturized thermal fusion sight that can be mounted to a pistol. Suffice to say if even half of these new products come out on time and on budget, it will dominate the night vision market for the next year.

The sun is about to set on this Friday and you know what that brings, Friday Night Lights. Your source for night vision and thermal-related content. Tonight we take a close look at the Nocturn Industries UANVB-R, the metal ruggedized Katana dual tube night vision housing.

You are here so you know what tonight means, esoteric night vision content! We started this year’s Friday Night Lights looking at the B2 Spirit with cooled MWIR thermal imaging. Tonight we look at the Rheinmetall/Oerlikon LLM01 (Laser Light Module 01) which various European militaries use on their service rifles.

Thirsty for more night vision-related content? Well, drink up here at Friday Night Lights. Last week we took a look at EOTech’s premium thermal clip-on. Well, this week we take a look at a discontinued product from Insight. The ISM-IR is the integrated sighting module. It is a red dot with an integrated multi-function aiming laser (MFAL), basically a PEQ-15. Let’s take a closer look.

Welcome back to another weekly Friday Night Lights. Last week we took a look at some interesting grips from Wilcox but today we take a look at the new night vision housing from InfiRay called the J-31 or Jerry-31. Big thanks to Custom Night Vision for letting me borrow this unit for this review.

Arken Optics is moving into the night vision space with the new Zulus 5-20x digital day/night scope. It features an integrated IR illuminator and 1920×1080 resolution. Let’s take a closer look at the rest of the features.

Armasight has just announced the launch of their new Sidekick 320 handheld thermal optic. The Sidekick is a lightweight thermal imaging entry that features a great amount of adaptability in that it can be mounted to a headset for hands-free operation, as well as still image, and video capture functions.

Last week was a holiday so we skipped a week of Friday Night Lights. Need your fix of night vision and thermal content? Well, today is a big one. I went to the ECNS 4 (East Coast Night Shoot 4) in Ohio. It was bigger and longer than before. Two days and nights of firearms and night vision related goodies with more vendors and attendees than ever before. So let’s see what the hubbub was all about.

A little more than three years ago, Leica Sport Optics introduced their first thermals. It’s now time for an upgraded version called the Leica Calonox available in four different versions: Leica Calonox 2 View and Leica Calonox 2 Sight, both with Laser Range Finding versions.

Welcome back to another weekly edition of Friday Night Lights. Last week we took a look at the FLIR RECON M24, a thermal monocular used by Alejandro in the movie Sicario. Well, this week we continue to look at Hollywood night vision myths part 6. We will take a look at the use of night vision and thermal devices in The Covenant (2023), The Contractor (2022), Predator (1987) and Predator 2 (1990) movies.

Welcome back to Friday Night Lights. Last week I wrote about the AGM TB75, a thermal biocular with digital night vision fusion. Well, digital night vision seems to be getting better and tonight I will show you something new from DuskEagle. The DE916 is a digital night vision scope that is lightweight and can see in the dark better than expected.

We have the French company MIM&Tech and German GunWorks to thank for today’s Photo Of The Day. We all share the love for the Heckler & Koch MP5 SD I assume, and here it got a coat of MIM&TECH Anti-IR Temporary spray paint (TCC). Now it’s “silent” for the eyes as well, so cannot (almost) be heard or seen. I haven’t tried these products myself, but they do look quite interesting.

Hello there, are you a fan of low-profile night vision goggles? Well, today on Friday Night Lights it is PVS-21 revisited. I have written about the PVS-21 before but I was not satisfied with that article. The subsequent articles about the accessories and monocular version of the PVS-21 are better. Well, new information has come to light that I thought was worth sharing. You can bridge two LPNVM Monocles into a functioning bridge! Plus we will take a close look at some other PVS-21 accessories not previously mentioned in my other articles.

Thermal and digital night vision is making leaps and bounds within the firearms community when it comes to the capabilities they are now offering end users at much lower pricing than we’ve ever seen before. PARD, a European producer of digital and thermal night vision devices for observation, hunting, and shooting, is attempting to bring more awareness to its efforts to bring affordable and durable devices to the US market. That’s why I’m happy to have Derick from PARD on the podcast today to talk a bit about their current product lineup and what it offers to various users within the shooting community. Derick and I also take a minute to chat about some of the basic terminology of common specifications and features found on digital night vision and thermal devices, to give us a clear definition of what they mean, and how those numbers and figures relate to what you’re buying. Please give a warm welcome to Derick with PARD Technology!

We’re back at TriggrCon 2023, this time with Athlon Optics as they reveal their first ever Thermal Optic the new Cronus ATS Thermal system. Available in 3 objective/sensor size combinations, the Cronus ATS Thermal scope line starts pricing at around $2600 and comes loaded down with a ton of features including a long-lasting onboard rechargeable battery.

Is it Friday Night Lights already? Lucky you! Last week we took a look at my Frankensteined hacked JIM LR which allows me to see farther than ever before with cooled thermal. We switch gears today and take a look at a Chinese copy of a PVS-14 by Lindu Optics. Their LD-NVM1440 has some unique features both good and bad so let’s take a closer look.

Last June I wrote about my friends trying the 700-yard soda can challenge where we tried to hit a soda can 700 yards away with a .22LR. My friends were successful but we knew it was more luck than skill. We revisited the challenge and came to the same conclusion. So we decided to attempt it at night with a 700-yard water bottle. It was a bit “easier” but still comes down to luck.

You are back again? Just can’t stay away, can you? That is ok. We love night vision here and if you love night vision like we do, then you are welcome. Last week we looked at the Thales Sophie a cooled LWIR thermal biocular. Well, today we look at another night vision biocular by BelOMO in Belarus. It is called the NV/G-14 and it resembles something I reviewed before. Let’s take a closer look.

Aimpoint, EOTECH and SIG Sauer have all been awarded contracts to provide weapon sights for various weapon systems as a part of the UK’s wider Support Weapons Enhanced Sighting Systems (SWESS) program. Overall, the SWESS program is looking to acquire around 12,000 sighting systems for a variety of the British Army’s support weapons ranging from M2 Brownings to 84mm Carl Gustafs.

We looked at the Villain Weapon Systems diffuser for the DBAL-D2 almost a year ago. In that time he has been busy making other upgrades like focus lenses and diffusers for MFAL (Multi-Function Aiming Laser). Like a focus lens for the L3 ATPIAL-C and makes it useful. Well, now he is making an EFL (external focusing lens) to make the Streamtlight TLR-VIR II IR Illuminator more useful.

Hello nocturnal enthusiasts and welcome back to another Friday Night Lights. Last week we took a look at some alternative ANVIS systems. Well, this week we look at something you might consider unique, for the US market. The Theon Sensors MIKRON-D is their lightweight binocular night vision goggle. Let’s take a close look at this Greek goggle.

Do you have a Streamlight TLR-VIR II as your budget night vision aiming laser? Do you find the IR illuminator to be a little underwhelming? Well, Goonin Gear LLC and Villain Weapon Systems have been collaborating on an External Focusing Lens for the Streamlight TLR-VIR II.