Night Vision FLIR T-50 Initial Set-Up

Here is a more representative NV photo of the awesome Larson Electronics 850nm IR Blaster out on the cattle pasture grade, it is 1/2 mile to the reflector out there on the road....


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Here is one a hundred yards back into the live oak hammock before entering the pasture:

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Pretty much turns night into bright daylight!
 
Installed the SPI 720X480 waterproof mini DVR recorder so that I can record stalks and kills from the cab from the FLIR M-324 thermal video camera using a series of BNC connectors to a final RCA jack.

Also, you can see the the lite up RED LED warning that the powerful 850nm IR Blaster is ON.


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Finally finished the entire install today when I hooked up the primary battery to the auxiliary battery with the 10 foot 2 AWG power cable.

This baby is all setup and ready to rock and roll FLIR style!

The auxiliary battery powers all the FLIR electronics and equipment whether or not the engine is running, the 35Ah auxiliary battery easily runs the FLIR M-324XP for 12 hours without voltage dropping below 12.5 volts. It also powers a marine waterproof USB dual port connector in the dash to charge up cell phones, Garmin GPS, FLIR scopes, FLIR handheld scanners, etc whether the engine is on or off.

Whenever the engine is running it automatically charges the auxiliary battery.

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This thermal bitch is awesome and ready to hunt night and day.


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And of course, a final obligatory pic of my professional escape vehicle in front of the log cabin at the hunt camp!


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The reason I am detecting so much thermal WIN here is this was after three hours of thundershowers in the middle of a downpour with a full length rain jacket on in hot humid conditions, I was thinking it would hardly work under those conditions.

Can't wait for this fall when it is cooler out and the leaves are off the trees and the brush is knocked down!
 
Finally finished installing the professional Walker Evan rear shocks and they totally refined the ride on the UTV to a new level.

These are the same shocks that come standard on the Polaris RZR 1000 Baja Race UTV except I talked to the people at Walker Evans and had them re-valve them for rock crawling and trail riding instead of high speed racing.

Really smooths out the view on the FLIR M-324 thermal camera when cruising around 10-15 mph, eliminating the shake and vibrations!



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LOL, this is getting too easy....

I'm cruising down the forest road out back in the UTV with the FLIR M-324 running and see two distinct hot spots about 250 yards ahead, cut the engine and watch them darting out of the thick cover on the side of the road. Decide to exit the UTV and stalk up a little closer on the road with the FLIR T-70 to see if it is a couple of coons or possibly some hogs?

Take a sitting position in the middle of the road (full moon coming up bright) and watch them in the thermal scope, decide they are in fact some hogs and about to get up to mosey in a bit closer when suddenly they both take off running right down the middle of the road towards me?

Caught a little off balance but watch them keep coming, at 125 yard coming right at me I decide to take out the one on the left with a frontal head shot as this is too good to be true and don't want to have them run off into cover.

BAM, he drops in his tracks with bullets between the eyes!

Other dude halts in his tracks and looks his buddy over and three seconds later BAM - head shot and he drops in his tracks.

Couple of 90 pounders are in the sausage grinder!


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Awesome!
 
Installed a beautiful Larson Electronic 27 Watt RED LED spot blaster and man is it totally professional first class all the way.

The Red LED Light knocks your socks off and I will be using this cruising around at night with the FLIR thermal on when not using 850nm NV IR LED lights!

I had another 2-Rigid Industries White 4" LEDs with four LEDs with a Rigid Industries Red Plastic Lens covering the white LEDs, it pretty much suxed as you were hard pressed to see 100 feet in the dark with the weak filtered red light.

The real RED LEDs are 10X better and blow the red lens covers away.

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FLIR T-70 ends this song dogs singing career at 175 yards behind the barn tonight, called in two dogs and killed this one and tried to get the other but he was moving out to fast after his buddy dropped dead in his tracks!

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I sent in my authorized purchase receipt for the FLIR M-324XP Pan/Tilt thermal marine video camera to their rebate program and they immediately sent me my rebate check for almost 20% off the purchase of the entire setup including the computerized microprocessor joystick controller and the HD Color Video screen!

What a freaking great deal this instrument is with their rebate on top of it all.

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I am glad that I got the 336 Tau2 core for this unit instead of the 640X512 core because I can detect virtually everything over 3/4 of a mile with no problem.

The 640 core was another $4k and would not have added any detection distance or range, just would have better ID.

But I don't need ID when I am cruising around picking things up.

Thank You FLIR!!!
 
I was out on a powerline grade tonight with the 4X ACOG and T-70 and could easily make a shot at the 3rd powerpole 300 yards out with the T-70 on 1X digital magnification, I would still make a shot at the 4th pole at 400 yards too with it on 2X digital magnification. The view of the entire grade one mile long and 100 feet wide is amazing at the 0.5X digital mag of the T-70 though, I could easily make out two deer over 1/2 mile away and close to 3/4 mile out.

Will be nice to try out the T-75 in front of the 1.5-6X ELCAN soon and see how it measures up.
 
The FLIR M-325 Pan/Tilt thermal camera and the FLIR T-70 are a deadly combination!

I was out on a feeder for two hours keeping it covered and watching all the deer and coons all over it and drove the Honda Pioneer UTV back the three mile ride to the house after dark. As I round the last curve headed for my house I saw a large hog about 300 yards ahead of me on the side of the forest trail grade in the FLIR M-324. Shut off the engine and doused the Larson Electronics RED LED super blaster headlamp and turned on the T-70 and took one shot below his ear from the driver's seat @ 175 yards with my SIG 556 and IMI 77 grain Razor ammo. He did not seem to notice the super bright red led at all....

Hog dropped dead with a severed spine at the nape of his neck, wish I had turned on the video as it would have been a great thermal video kill, he weighed 325 pounds....


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I first mounted the T-75 on my 556 in front of my Truijicon TA02 LED 4x-32mm, it was real difficult to do.

First I unclipped the LaRue mount on the T-70, clipped on the T-75 LaRue mount, and turned on the T-75 and fired a bullseye @ 100 yards ten seconds later!

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I loaded up 50 tracers to try out filming the trajectory of the bullet flight using the T-75:

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These are the military red top tracers bullets:

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Tried it out tonight, it is incredible to say the least, very long range thermal instrument.

I filmed a thermal view of a large hog on a powerline grade out back of the house @ 500 yards, tried to stalk him but he disappeared into the brush before I could get setup to get a shot as I did not have my tripod or shooting stick with me tonite. Will work on the video later on...

Did I say this thing KICKS SOME SERIOUS ARSE in the dark?
 
Using the 4X ACOG TA02LED-32mm, it has a little bit less than 1/2 the FOV of my T-70, which is disturbing when first observing this, but I am getting used to it.

Obviously this beast is designed for accurate long range shooting and anything under 200 yards will be difficult to zero-in on when first trying to pick it up after seeing it with my LS-64 first.

I will try it in front of my ELCANs soon, that should work even better as I can quickly switch from 1.5X to 6X in an instant for a much larger FOV.

Here is a nice FLIRONE pic of the UTV, you can see the FLIR M-324XP shows up as hot, this is due to the electro-servo motors keeping the unit aligned. There are different motor torque setting to prevent deviation or movement of the thermal while crossing rough terrain, I keep the torque settings on low to conserve battery power when I am hanging out observing for long periods of time....

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It has 1X, 2X and 4X digital magnification, at 2X with the ACOG is 8X through the ocular and at 4X it is 16X.

16X is pixelated but still valuable and right on the money, 8X is real strong, and of course 4X is super strong.

Should be more versatile using the 1.5-6X-42mm ELCAN since I can flip to 1.5X for WFOV and 6X for massive magnificaiton.

Have not tried it in standalone mode, but it does have the same reticules the T-70 does.

It is impossible to shoot at 8X without a rest or tripod.

It is way more powerful that the majority of my needs as it really comes into its own past 250 yards out 1/2 mile +.....it was easy to see and target a hog at 500 yards tonite.
 
The T-75 mounted on my 556s in front of the 4X-32mm ACOG TA02 really left allot to be desired in the way of FOV as it was less than half that of my T-70s/ACOGs FOV. For my 556mms, the T-70/ACOG is still my preferred thermal weapon scope setup, it is perfect, powerful, lightweight, quick action, easy to use, and deadly.

This powerful long range FLIR T-75 is way better off on my 7.62mms than my 5.56mms, you cannot even take advantage of a long range thermal scope with the 5.56mm caliber as it's lethal kill zone stops about where the T-75 really comes into its own, ie out past 250 yards.

It looks nice mounted on the 7.62mms and works extremely well with my ELCAN 1.5-6X-42mm scopes with the 7.62mm NATO BDC reticules, in fact it works so nice for me that I would not want any other scope for my hunting purposes.

Basically, the Elcan flips from 1.5X to 6X and back instantly and easily, while the T-75 Thermal comes on in 1X unity mode and also has 2X and 4X digital magnification.

This great feature of the Elcan allows me to use the 1.5X for a WFOV about the same as my T-70/ACOG, which is highly appreciated for my kind of swamp hunting. Also, turning on the T-75 internal digital magnification allows me to view through the ocular at either 1.5X (unity), 3.0X (2X digital), or 6X (2X digital).

And for long range, which this thing is specifically designed for, at 6X with the Elcan the FOV is less, but I am reaching much further out in complete clarity. Doubling the T-75 digital magnification to 2X gives me through the ocular 12 power and 4X digital gives me 24X power. That is just incredible and targeting a coyote at 1/4 or a hog at 600 yards just got simple.

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The other dynomite feature of the FLIR T-75 Long Range Thermal Weapon Sight is that it is the top of the line of it's kissing cousins, the FLIR M-18 RECON, and the FLIR T-70 Short Ranger Thermal Weapon Sight and each of these incredible instruments works exactly the same, switching over from one to the other is a total no brainer as they are all basically the same platform. Since I have all of these kits, it is super simple to use anyone of them....
 
Okay, here are a couple of representative thermal pics from the FLIR T-75 taken as small snapshots out of the thermal video stream from the unit at night.

Conditions were terrible, worst possible thermal conditions for any kind of emissivity, ambient temperature 84*F, 100% humindity in thick air after a thunderstorm.

Remember, these low res pics are coming out of the FLIR t-75 thermal camera at either 1X, 2X digital, or 4X digital.

I am looking at these same scenes at either 6X, 12X, or 24X through the ocular of the Elcan scope, so basically everything is 6X larger and enhanced from what you view in these pics.

Coon @ 175 yards, I am seeing him 6X this:

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Coon @ 175 yards, I am seeing him at 12X this and he fills the entire ocular view like I am sitting right on top of him:

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Coon @ 175 yards, I am seeing him at 24X and he is larger than the ocular view, crosshairs on his eyeball:

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Now this was pretty interesting and simply amazing, I was out on a powerline clear cut that is two miles long and previously mowed with my bush hog.

Each telephone pole is 120 yards apart from the other.

I am sitting in the UTV watching the FLIR M-324XP Pan/Tilt thermal camera on the LCD TV when I pick up some thermal signature out almost a half mile down the line,

Turn on the T-75 and at 1X unity with the Elcan behind it, I can clearly see a boar hog at 550 yards without a problem!

Boar Hog @ 550 yards, remember I am view this at 6X what you see here:

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Now I turn on the T-75 to 2X digital magnification and instantly I am on top of the boar at 12X ocular and could easily take a precise shot on him:


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Flip the FLIR T-75 to 4X internal digital and suddenly I am seeing him at 24X though the ocular and he covers the entire view as if I am sitting on top of him:

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I did not have my tripod with me and the grass was too tall for a bipod, so I started walking towards him to try to close down the distance some for a good shot.

It was a LOONNGG walk, five minutes later I am laying down trying to get a bead on him when he walks into the brush and disappears.


This was his photo on the game cam that I picked up a couple of weeks ago and have been stalking him since then:


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The FLIR T-75 is one bleep of a powerful bleep bleeping awesome Long Range Thermal Rifle Scope!
 
Very impressive, even with digital zoom. Wouldn't the optimal setup be to use a high quality scope, like an SB 3-12 or 5-25, and run the T75 at 1x, eliminating the annoying pixilation? Thanks for the pics Skypup, you are a great resource!
 
Actually, I do not believe that you would require a high end scope as all the scope is looking at is the thermal microbolometer, any medium quality scope would suffice.

As far as actual scope magnification goes, the T-75 will handle an 8X scope on 1X digital zoom without any pixelation, pixelation is still remarkably acceptable at 12X.

However, having a scope of 8X and above would severely limit your FOV even at 1X, so if you are banging steel on a range, yes it would be good to use a high power scope, if you are out in the middle of nowhere at night banging hogs and dogs, NO.

In fact, the ELCAN Specter Dr 1.25X-6X-42mm that I am using are virtually perfect for my hunting applications, as I can quickly and easily flip between 1.5X and 6X.

At 1.5X, the FOV and functionally basically duplicates my fantastic 4xACOG/T-70 in providing me a WFOV and bumping up the digital zoom to 2X and 4X makes it zoom in very nicely, this pretty much covers and exceeds ALL the usefullness of the ACOG/T-70 with the Elcan on 1.5X.

With the Elcan on 6X, it is a completely different story, you have much less (less than 1/2) the FOV of the ACOG/T-70 on 1X, but a beautiful sharp 6X magnified view. And with the T-75 digital zoom on 2X you have an awesome 12X ocular view with acceptable pixelation that puts you right there on top of your target.

Plus, with the T-75 on 4X digital zoom you have 24X ocular zoom for taking eyeball shots.

Anything over 6X is going to require a tripod or some sort of dedicated rest to be able to make any kind of shot possible, however with the proper shooter and gear, basically any kind of night shot is possible with this fantastically powerful FLIR T-75 long range thermal weapon scope.

Forget using 556 though, this scope goes way beyond that cartridge capability.
 
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Skypup:

I have a question for you. I'm looking at your photo taking with the T-75 - 1X @ 175 yards and I understand you're viewing it 6x through the elcan. That said, relative size looks very similar to pictures you've posted through a T-70 @ 4X through an ACOG. http://www.phossil.com/thom/Night Vision/FLIR T70/ACOG Gray.jpg
I would have expected 4X Digital on the T75 to have similar sizes as 4X through the ACOG of the T-70.

Why is there such a difference between the two?
 
Still don't know why the image seems to be magnified more with the T75 (which I believe is a picture straight from the sensor - ELCAN/Scope doesn't matter) vs the 4X ACOG looking at a T-70 @ 1X. Don't see how FOV impact perceived magnification.
 
I have NOT taken any photos through the T-75 ocular with either the ELCAN or the ACOG, all ocular photos are through the ocular of ACOG or ELCAN using the T-70 only, not sure but you are confused about something? No T-75 thru ocular photos have been taken by me, only T-70.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[emoji102]
 
I was out on the powerline grade out back tonight hanging out in the middle of a huge thunderstorm after dark with lightning and heavy rain in massive quantities...water gauge had 4 inches when I pulled back up to the log cabin.

Spotted a sounder group while sitting in the UTV watching the FLIR M-324 about 3/4 mile down the road rooting.

Turned on the engine and the Larson Electronics Red Led blaster headlamp and slowly made it down to the third telephone pole from the hogs, poles are 120 yards apart, so about 325-350 yards.

It was about 85*, 110% humidity, teaming rain and when I turned on the T-75 it looked like I was sitting right on top of them!

First 7.62mm 130 grain Barnes TSX shot killed this sow and then I hit two more, it was raining so hard that I only had time to pick up the sow and bring her back with me, will go out and get the other two tomorrow morning.

Both thermals worked excellent in the rain, not a problem as the hogs all stood out like a sore thumb. Also turned on the miniDVR to video tape the hogs going down so will work on that later....


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Here is the video from the three hog shoot out, unfortunately the video connection died the second I pulled the trigger, but you can see the FLIR T-75 thermal response at 300 plus yards up until then at 1X, 2X, and 4X in the pouring down rain at 84*F, remember, I am seeing what you see in the video at 6X through the Elcan ocular:

http://www.phossil.com/thom/Night Vision/FLIR T75/T75 Sow/T75 Sow.mp4

12MB MP4 file so will play on Mac, IPad, or PC...