Re: FLIR T-50 Initial Set-Up
T-50:
Setup:
Hooper Ordnance Built 5.56 AR 16" 9 twist
Hooper Ordnance Multi Purpose FEMUR .30 cal suppressor w/ 1/2x28 adapter
Aimpoint Comp M2 4moa dot
YHM Rifle length handguard
T-50 mounted out front
Ammo: M193 SA ball 55gr
Lag:
Yes, there may be a slight lag and enough to miss running hog shots vs. real time night vision. However, if you get to know the lag, and learn it, it should be little issue. Not an optics expert, but from what I have read, 30 hertz would present some frame dropping when panned quickly.
Time with the unit will tell, but this may be a situation where you may want the target to run into the reticle, not follow the target with lead. Just need to learn it.
First shot kills:
Should be easily enough with stationary targets.
Target ID:
With an M24 FLIR spotter, it is hard to determine Deer vs. Hog past 150 yds. Usually Deer have their head down as a hog would and the pixilated image presents identification issues @ distance. FLIR T-50 gives more distance to this equation. I was able to identify Deer vs. Hog out to and beyond 300 yds. The unit allows you to see the deer's neck and ears more clearly. Negates the need to walk closer with NV. The digital zoom really helps on id. Presents a zero shift issue so you will not have much luck shooting on zoom.
Distance kills:
I killed 2 Yotes with this unit. Both were approx. 150-200 yds. The dot on my aimpoint covered the entire blotch of hot I was shooting @. Both dogs were in peanuts that went 2/3 up the body of the animal. Both dogs had first shot hits, one mid body gut, one front shoulder. One had a follow up after the dog ran about 55 yds and was walking. Both dogs had misses as well.
Can't say I was at my best marksmanship wise, but with an aimpoint trying to make running distance shots @ hot spots, this is not the best test of equipment as there is a huge human error issue to get past.
This yote was approx 150 yds out. First shot hit and about 6 misses as it jumped out and about trying to figure out where his guts went. Again, high peanuts.
Here is Mr. Bill reading his Last Rites.
This is what a 55gr M193 does @ 150 yds. SA Ball.
This yote was called in and was with a bigger yote. Thermal was the only way to see them as there was little light and an IR light would have blinded due to the high humidity haze.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Summary:</span>
This is a great unit.
It does not have an internal shutter. So to calibrate the unit, I found the best way was to place my hand in front of the objective, turn it on or hit the NUC button and it is good to go. This gives a consistent hot spot for the unit to calibrate against. I found the rubber lens cover did not do well for this as it seemed to give a ghost haze image. I kept wondering why it had a haze in the picture. My curiosity and troubleshooting allowed me to find the problem and fix it.
The mount is stable and fits a rail just fine.
Magnification:
Again, I used an Aimpoint and had no issue as this is what I am used to. This is a true 1x thermal. Target ID can be made with the zoom, and shoot on 1x. It does fine with a 1-4x. Past 6x and you get too much resolution loss. I did set up a Leupold 3.5x10x40 M3 on a rail and did some visual tests. This would be a great setup on a dedicated precision .308.
Size/ weight:
24 oz.
I normally use a PVS14 and an illuminator.
Illuminator 13 oz.
PVS14 12-15 oz.
So, this did not really add weight to my setup.
The unit is rugged and has high quality lenses.
The only issue that I had was the button layout. There needs to be more distinct dividers between the buttons. In the dark I found it time consuming to find the right button I needed.
This unit does have an offset objective. This may present a ballistics issue. More time on a static range would allow me to give better feedback.
Even with more to learn on this unit, I give it a way cool thumbs up.
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