Questions about Thermal Imaging Units

[jsimmon5]

I got to use someones PVS-15 at recent milsim and I have become obsessed with researching different NV solutions for airsoft. I want to go thermal because you can use it day or night and I would get way more return on investments (I only do a handful of milsims each year).

My questions for Thermal Users Out there are as follows:

1) What are the most important features for being able to track rounds down range for the thermal unit? Is there a minimum resolution or refresh rate I need to be aware of?

2) Do I need a milspec unit? Alot of units that are not milspec are rated for drops and are water proof. Do I need a milspec unit to with stand being shot or do I just need to put some protective shielding on the lenses or both?

3) Where can I try this shit out? Is there anywhere that has units for you to try out so you can see how the various unit handle to get a feel for the different refresh rates and fields of view?

4) How do you run your thermal? Head/helmet mounted, rifle mounted or hand held?

5) Fucking ITAR!?!?!?
a) I went to the DOD website and from what I read it is the distributor that has to have the export license. So if an American company is refusing to ship a particular unit to Canada is that because the company does not want to go through the process of getting the export license or does ITAR actually make it illegal to ship certain higher end units?

b)Is there any LEGAL way around it if there is a unit that I want (ATN Odin 31-c so sick check it out atncorp.com ) but American Technologies Network will not ship it to Canada?

6) What thermal do you use + any specs for it? How do you like it where did you get it?

[aZn_triXta07]

Originally Posted by jsimmon5

1) What are the most important features for being able to track rounds down range for the thermal unit? Is there a minimum resolution or refresh rate I need to be aware of?

The least you'd want is 320x20 you can still identify targets quite easily (not too hard when they are glowing) and ideally 60HZ refresh rate. Everybody knows when your frame rate is garbage in first-person shooters you're toast!

Originally Posted by jsimmon5

2) Do I need a milspec unit? Alot of units that are not milspec are rated for drops and are water proof. Do I need a milspec unit to with stand being shot or do I just need to put some protective shielding on the lenses or both?

Even with a MILSPEC unit you'd still need to put a protective lense/shield to protect it from being shot at with BBs.

Originally Posted by jsimmon5

3) Where can I try this shit out? Is there anywhere that has units for you to try out so you can see how the various unit handle to get a feel for the different refresh rates and fields of view?

You'll have to find someone who already has one.

Originally Posted by jsimmon5

4) How do you run your thermal? Head/helmet mounted, rifle mounted or hand held?

Some users here run them both helmet and rifle mounted for MILSIM.

Originally Posted by jsimmon5

5) Fucking ITAR!?!?!?
a) I went to the DOD website and from what I read it is the distributor that has to have the export license. So if an American company is refusing to ship a particular unit to Canada is that because the company does not want to go through the process of getting the export license or does ITAR actually make it illegal to ship certain higher end units?

b)Is there any LEGAL way around it if there is a unit that I want (ATN Odin 31-c so sick check it out atncorp.com ) but American Technologies Network will not ship it to Canada?

You'll have to find non-US products which are lower in spec or purchase from someone who already got their hands on one here.

Originally Posted by jsimmon5

6) What thermal do you use + any specs for it? How do you like it where did you get it?

You can find more images here, Thermal Equipment Gallery - AirsoftCanada

[ShelledPants]

Originally Posted by aZn_triXta07

Even with a MILSPEC unit you'd still need to put a protective lense/shield to protect it from being shot at with BBs.

You cannot put a lens infront as the Thermal Imaging Device will read the reflected heat signature from the lens, you require a thermally translucent lens, which is basically what is already on the front of the thermal device. For bb protection, the best we found was an Anti Reflection Honeycomb style protector.

To the OP: Don't go thermal. With the costs being so high, you are better off getting a PVS14 and a Class 1 IR laser. Way more fun than thermal.

[ThunderCactus]

I was gonna say, get ready to take out a loan lol
What killed thermals for me was the fact you couldn't use an IR laser with it....or at least not safely...

shine a 200mW IR laser at your target, you'll see the heat signature FOR SURE lol

[Zack The Ripper]

You could buy a new car for what you will pay trying to get a IR unit, although depending on your standard of vehicle, the same could be said about PVS-14/15s.

Stick with PVS-14s and an IR laser if you're truly set on getting something like this.

Honestly though, unless you are going to be doing a multitude of night ops and will be using them frequently, there is no point in getting them. That is a big thing to consider as these are a big purchase and aren't the easiest thing to get your hands on.

[ThunderCactus]

you could buy a fleet of ford festivas for the cost of gen3 LOL

[ShelledPants]

Originally Posted by ThunderCactus

you could buy a fleet of ford festivas for the cost of gen3 LOL

3k? It's not that much. I worked minimum wage when I bought mine. :|

It's all about priorities.

[TV-PressPass]

The optimal NV system uses both I2 and thermal technology.

There are options out there . . .