Originally Posted by
TV-PressPass
Just some thermal facts here fellas:
Because you're seeing radiation, not light, these devices cannot "cowitness" behind any glass optic. You can certainly mount in front, as long as you're comfortable magnifying in on what is essentially a tiny TV screen.
These devices will not work with an IR laser. IR lasers are meant to worth with image intensified night vision (the green stuff) not thermal imaging.
When we talk about detection range, remember there's a big difference between "that is a heat source" and "that is a coyote." An experienced user can pick out hot spots for further investigation through the primary optic.
The 45 offset pictured in the original post is a solid setup for these little guys.
Now the cool stuff: thermal can also see through dust, fog, and most kinds of smoke and camouflage.
For under $1000 these things are miles beyond what you could get in the past 10 years. Especially with the reticle and zeroing software that other manufacturers are so hesitant to export. But 200 yards would be pushing it, unless your heat source is something exceptionally large...like a tank?