Got my FLIR RS-64 on Thursday and was able to come out and play tonight. Sky are dark and air clear, temperature is in low 50s. The only animal I had visiting was bunny at about 80-100 yards. The only reason I was able to spot him was his eyes shining through NV since I was using it with IR illuminator.
All 3 units failed to "pinpoint" bunny and you would not see him unless you know exactly were to look That was a major disappointment. I had extremely high hopes for RS-64 insta alert - but no such luck I1 mode was not picking rabbit up unless you were digitally zoomed at him. I2 mode was painting half of my backyard red. I guess we had pretty warm day and rocks were still hot.
Now - on detection , picture and features.
Picture - Pas 13 was able to produce most legible picture despite being only 320 core unit in running. I guess having largest lenses of the bunch helped. IT has a 1.6 built in optical so with 2x digital it goes to 3.2
It totally wiped the floor in that mode as compared to RS-64 and M24 in 4x digital - which is strange considering they all have same amount of pixels in this mode. I guess PAS-13 has much better interpolation software.
It also had slightly better picture in 1x mode - seemed to be less pixelated than both units in 2X digital or than RS-64 in 1X
Interesting to compare M24 vs RS-64. M24 has very small display so picture looks smaller than 1x and can look sharper. Besides it - it's just better - better contrast and better ability to see the "whole picture". But this smallish display is driving me nuts mitigating most of advantages of 640 core.
Features.
M-24 is super simple - almost like an idiot-proof. On/Off/Zoom and brightness. Dedicated button to switch White/Black hot. does have a video out.
RS-64 is rather full featured and has "cool" pallets/color modes. We especially liked "The Predator" Blue/Red mode - all the guys I handed it over to started to make a breathing noises.)) Insta Alert seem to be very useful in principal but so far it failed to make things truly pop.
PAS-13 has more settings than RS-64 and very important - manual contrast/Temperature setting accessible through joystick. you can play with it and it will do more for your detection than Insta Alert. I was able to dial this setting precisely to have rabbit stand out. So I take it over RS-64 color modes at any time
Reticles - M24 has none. RS-64 has few simple reticles but most importantly it has them in contrast color. I chose green German Post Reticle -it's stands out just perfect. I rely wish PAS-13 had colored retiles. Now PAS-13 has a ranging reticle with ballistic drop - much nicer type of reticle. I'm not sure how usable it is for distances Thermal can work - had no chance to do a long distance detection.
Batteries - M24 is winner with single CR-123 and PAS-13 requires 4 AA and likes special Lithium versions to get good life. Battery life is about the same according to specs. RS-64 is a clear looser with internal rechargeable battery. Yes you can carry small USB charger with you - but I like my batteries to be user serviceable.
Ergonomics and feel - M24 has awesome ergonomics and size weight almost as small as PVS-14. If it had slightly bigger screen I would call it a perfect handheld. PAS13 is bigger than RS-64 BUT seems to be just a bit lighter. It also much more convenient to operate while looking through it and more convenient to hold. Eye relief also seems to be right and auto-standby mode based on eye proximity is worth it's weight in gold RS-64 auto shutoff based on timer and is royal PITA.
Conclusion. M24 is awesome handheld and will get chosen as spotter because of size/weight. I would look to add SPI 3x detachable magnifier to it for completeness.
From 2 weapon mountable - PAS-13C V1 - better image in manual contrast mode, and just better overall feel, etc. If it only had contrast color reticle
RS-64 was a disappointment - I had really big expectations for it. While it is a good Thermal scope it just failed to blow away 10 year old 320 core based military unit. Maybe I should sell them both and get latest PAS-13G????
All 3 units failed to "pinpoint" bunny and you would not see him unless you know exactly were to look That was a major disappointment. I had extremely high hopes for RS-64 insta alert - but no such luck I1 mode was not picking rabbit up unless you were digitally zoomed at him. I2 mode was painting half of my backyard red. I guess we had pretty warm day and rocks were still hot.
Now - on detection , picture and features.
Picture - Pas 13 was able to produce most legible picture despite being only 320 core unit in running. I guess having largest lenses of the bunch helped. IT has a 1.6 built in optical so with 2x digital it goes to 3.2
It totally wiped the floor in that mode as compared to RS-64 and M24 in 4x digital - which is strange considering they all have same amount of pixels in this mode. I guess PAS-13 has much better interpolation software.
It also had slightly better picture in 1x mode - seemed to be less pixelated than both units in 2X digital or than RS-64 in 1X
Interesting to compare M24 vs RS-64. M24 has very small display so picture looks smaller than 1x and can look sharper. Besides it - it's just better - better contrast and better ability to see the "whole picture". But this smallish display is driving me nuts mitigating most of advantages of 640 core.
Features.
M-24 is super simple - almost like an idiot-proof. On/Off/Zoom and brightness. Dedicated button to switch White/Black hot. does have a video out.
RS-64 is rather full featured and has "cool" pallets/color modes. We especially liked "The Predator" Blue/Red mode - all the guys I handed it over to started to make a breathing noises.
)) Insta Alert seem to be very useful in principal but so far it failed to make things truly pop. PAS-13 has more settings than RS-64 and very important - manual contrast/Temperature setting accessible through joystick. you can play with it and it will do more for your detection than Insta Alert. I was able to dial this setting precisely to have rabbit stand out. So I take it over RS-64 color modes at any time
Reticles - M24 has none
. RS-64 has few simple reticles but most importantly it has them in contrast color. I chose green German Post Reticle -it's stands out just perfect. I rely wish PAS-13 had colored retiles. Now PAS-13 has a ranging reticle with ballistic drop - much nicer type of reticle. I'm not sure how usable it is for distances Thermal can work - had no chance to do a long distance detection.Batteries - M24 is winner with single CR-123 and PAS-13 requires 4 AA and likes special Lithium versions to get good life. Battery life is about the same according to specs. RS-64 is a clear looser with internal rechargeable battery. Yes you can carry small USB charger with you - but I like my batteries to be user serviceable.
Ergonomics and feel - M24 has awesome ergonomics and size weight almost as small as PVS-14. If it had slightly bigger screen I would call it a perfect handheld. PAS13 is bigger than RS-64 BUT seems to be just a bit lighter. It also much more convenient to operate while looking through it and more convenient to hold. Eye relief also seems to be right and auto-standby mode based on eye proximity is worth it's weight in gold
RS-64 auto shutoff based on timer and is royal PITA. Conclusion. M24 is awesome handheld and will get chosen as spotter because of size/weight. I would look to add SPI 3x detachable magnifier to it for completeness.
From 2 weapon mountable - PAS-13C V1 - better image in manual contrast mode, and just better overall feel, etc. If it only had contrast color reticle
RS-64 was a disappointment - I had really big expectations for it. While it is a good Thermal scope it just failed to blow away 10 year old 320 core based military unit. Maybe I should sell them both and get latest PAS-13G????
