Meet The Safran Optics 1 Thermal Augmentation Device (TAD) — SHOT Show 2023

in Mitchell Graf, SHOT Show 2023
Meet The Safran Optics 1 Thermal Augmentation Device (TAD) -- SHOT Show 2023
The Safran Optics 1 Thermal Augmentation Device (TAD)

This is an exciting year for tech and accessories within the industry. Products are continually getting smaller, lighter, and more capable.

The Safran Optics 1 Thermal Augmentation Device or TAD is no exception. Built as a Clip-On Thermal Imager or COTI for existing night vision devices, the TAD is an improvement over the older AN/PAS-29B ECOTI and is now available for civilians.

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Meet The Safran Optics 1 Thermal Augmentation Device (TAD) -- SHOT Show 2023
The tower part of this device is what sticks in front of a night vision device and overlays a thermal image into the NV tube.

One of the most useful aspects of the TAD is the ability for it to be attached to almost all MIL-SPEC night vision devices.

It will come with an adapter that will attach to the objective of night vision devices such as PVS-14s, DTNVGs, GPNVGs, or other similar devices.

While I don’t have any pictures showing how this actually works when paired with night vision, it is very cool. COTI systems basically overlay a thermal image onto the existing image the night vision device is providing creating a sort of fusion system.

Meet The Safran Optics 1 Thermal Augmentation Device (TAD) -- SHOT Show 2023
The TAD attached to a pair of GPNVGs.

This COTI system will also be able to be used as a handheld. It will come with an adapter that allows the user to mount an eyepiece to the TAD.

This creates a very small and lightweight system that would be easy to store in almost any pocket for those who would like to have some thermal capabilities on hand.

Meet The Safran Optics 1 Thermal Augmentation Device (TAD) -- SHOT Show 2023
Eye-piece attached for use as a thermal scanner.

While TNVC said they are currently working on remote power options, the TAD will also take a single CR123A to provide around 3.5 hours of runtime.

As with most thermals, the TAD will have multiple display options such as Outline, Black Hot, and White Hot. These can be toggled between quickly as well.

While I typically prefer to run White Hot when I am using thermals for scanners or scopes, I think the outline mode looks great when the TAD is mounted to night vision.

Meet The Safran Optics 1 Thermal Augmentation Device (TAD) -- SHOT Show 2023
Picture taken on my phone of outline mode on the TAD.
Meet The Safran Optics 1 Thermal Augmentation Device (TAD) -- SHOT Show 2023
Picture taken on my phone of black hot mode on the TAD.

Sold exclusively through TNVC, the Safran Optics 1 TAD will be available to the commercial market sometime around Q2 with an MSRP of around $6,500.

The TAD will feature a 672 x 544 10μm sensor with a 30-degree field of view. It weighs only 4.3oz and provides a lot of capability for stand-alone night vision systems.

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About the author: Mitchell Graf is passionate about hunting and competition shooting. During college he was the shooting instructor for Oklahoma State’s Practical Shooting Team, and these days he spends as much time as he can chasing after pigs and coyotes with night vision and thermals. You can follow Mitchell’s adventures over at his Instagram @That_Gun_Guy_

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