FLIR Systems’ Breach

By Tom Beckstrand

Thermal scopes evolve much like a computer or cell phone. At a recent FLIR Systems, Inc. media event, one of its employees highlighted just how significant the field of thermal optics has improved over the last 10 years. He pointed out that the FLIR One (a cell phone attachment that retails for $200) had better capability than an old thermal riflescope that cost $15,000 only a decade prior. That quickly got my, and other attendees, attention.

FLIR System’s latest thermal monocular designed for both law enforcement and civilian use is the Breach PTQ136. The Breach is one of the company’s smallest and lightest handheld or helmet-mounted thermal device. The infra-red (IR) unit features FLIR’s latest circuitry featuring 12-micron pixels that give the unit its excellent resolution.

Looking through a thermal used to yield blobs recognizable only by their general shape. Now, the Breach allows the user to identify people by body type, haircut, to an extent, facial features. The resolution is simply incredible.

During the event, I used the Breach to locate small stuffed animals that had handwarmers stuffed inside. In a daylight exercise, even though the stuffed animals …Read the Rest

Source:: Guns and Ammo