Night Vision Thermal Comparison/Review

[Delta4-3]

So, A couple months ago TEXASLAWMAN came up with the idea to round up as many commercially available thermals as possible and do a thermal comparison video and review. There reviews were done by people with varying experience and no ties to the industry so that it could be as objective as possible. The conditions were probably the worst conditions that I have ever encountered for using thermal. But, I feel like that is a good thing, because so many video's found online are recorded in perfect conditions, leaving the consumer shaking his head when he compares how his thermal looks compared to video's of it online. I2 devices were struggling as well, but it made for some great commentary while driving around with NODs on!
The only down side was that the ATN, the FLIR RS32 and the LWTS did not come with cables. I really wish they did because I think it would have been an eye opener. Anyways, rather than retype all of it here, the link to the comparison can be found below.
THERMAL SCOPE SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON. | Lone Star Boars

All in all I thought it was a great event, mainly because I haven't seen where that many thermals were compared side by side by people who don't start out partial to one or the other. Not to mention it was a blast!
And for your entertainment...

 

[Phantom223]

Interesting review, it's funny how many different options you can get in a group of guys. I compared a couple of rented thermal systems plus thermal systems I own and my hunting buddy owns earlier this month. We had over a half dozen systems and three guys comparing. Controls / buttons, everyone never agreed which was the best it seemed everyone had a different favorite in that aspect. One thing we did agree on was if it was your scope,you used it several times a month , all of them would become easy to use in the field with practice.
Performance, some guys like a bright high contrast eye pleasing screen, another guy pointed out that's all just a distraction he liked a more muted back ground image where only the hot items jumped out to your eye.
One thing we all agreed on was LCD /OLED screen we all thought bigger was better.
In the end it seems like we all had features important to each of us, but that wasn't the same between all three guys present.

 

[TEXASLAWMAN]

Very good point Phantom each person is different most of the units have settings to adjust the brightness and contrast custom to your liking. Some guys cant live without all the extra settings and features then others want it to be quick and simple. The main reason I put this together is no one ever shows all the units side by side at the same time, and when they do show a unit its normally optimal conditions. I did not get all the units requested the flir rs and the thor came at the last minute with packing slips showing higher end models but not containing them, also some video cables were left out, the irhunter was unavailable. If people like this and there is enough interest generated then I hope to do It again in a few months with better cooperation from all manufactures.

 

[Phantom223]

Yep, it's great to get to view several systems at once I wish everyone had such a chance. I always enjoy reading reviews like this from end users in real field conditions not controlled lab like settings
People have to take away the facts and figure out which features, magification and etc works best for their way of hunting or use. As you know a lot of guys like low magification with big FOV, while others like high magification where they can see hair on a critter. Heck 50% of the property we own you can only see 50-75 yards do to the thick brush/timber so a 6X scope isn't the best idea for such a area maybe 1X or 2X would be best.

 

[cake5150]

Excellent writeup, thank you to all involved. I nearly bought the FLIR RS in February but wound up waiting a bit longer and buying an LWTS. The more I use it, the more I love it and the more I can't figure out what I would change about it. Latest tidbit from this last weekend was how big a range one can adjust the LED brightness... from nearly invisible to almost obnoxiously bright even while I was using it in bright midday direct sunlight. This review would've made my decision much easier, this will be unimaginably helpful to those on the fence.

 

[fiveoshooter]

Excellent job - thank you guys for all the work and time involved.

 

[Delta4-3]

Excellent job - thank you guys for all the work and time involved.

It was a good time! I just wish we had the video cables for the ATN, the FLIR RS32, and the LWTS. Maybe next time...

 

[Colt250]

If people like this and there is enough interest generated then I hope to do It again in a few months with better cooperation from all manufactures.

Great review guys. Glad to see a diverse comparison done by a variety of people with varying experience. Really gives the new guys like me a little more to think about than just comparing specs off the dealer sites and getting opinions from guys with access to only a few units to compare. The review is really appreciated and I'm sure that any future reviews like this would be very well received. Thanks to everyone involved and keep it up, looks like a blast.