Thermal optics have long been the domain of the, uh, not poor. While some people have a job that can justify the upfront cost, it has not been a realistic option for the masses. Granted, prices have gone down. But not down to the point of accessibility to the masses. Until now.
Decoding Darkness
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Hogster Stimulus: Best Value in Thermal Optics Today?
BY Clay Martin Published: February 28, 2022 { 7 comments }Affordable Handheld Thermal – InfiRay CBL19 Full Review
BY Austin Van Gilder Published: February 19, 2022 { 2 comments }The new infiRay Cabin CBL19 thermal monocular is now available to the US market, through a relatively new company, iRayUSA. It features a high-resolution display and a 384×288 sensor core. The result is a crisp, detailed image that’s able to detect heat out to 1,070 yards.
Farther into the Night: My Journey into Night Vision and Thermal Optics – Bering Optics Super Hogster
BY Steve Gaspar Published: November 1, 2021 { 3 comments }This article is the second of two on thermal optics. In part one I discussed night vision, how I decided to invest in thermal optics, and profiled the iRay MH25 thermal scanner. In this article, I cover the Bering Optics Super Hogster thermal riflescope.
Streamlight TL Racker – Light it Up
BY Travis Pike Published: October 31, 2021 { 2 comments }The Streamlight TL Racker casts a bright and wide beam that eats through the darkness and ensures you positively establish identification to a threat. The TL Racker is a powerful option that’s ergonomic and capable.
The Micro Rein By Cloud Defensive
BY Travis Pike Published: October 17, 2021 { 1 comment }The Rein Micro provides users a very potent and capable light that combines a high lumen count with a massive amount of candela. It’s a blinding bright light that will certainly blind a home invader and buy the home defender a second to react. The impressive ergonomics combined with the unbeatable power makes the Rein Micro an awesome option for defensive use.
Into the Night: My Journey into Night Vision and Thermal Optics
BY Steve Gaspar Published: October 4, 2021 { 8 comments }The first of a two part series, this article covers the scanning portion of thermal night hunting with a review of the IrayUSA Mini MH25 thermal scanner.
The Streamlight TLR RM2 – A Modern Long Gun Light
BY Travis Pike Published: August 8, 2021 { 2 comments }Weapon lights are pretty standard these days, right? Pack in a lot of lumens and candela, use a 18650 or a couple of 123s, and call it a day, right? Well, that’s mostly fine, but it’s always nice to see a company do something a little different. Streamlight did just that with the latest in [...]
New Baldr-S Laser Light Combo from Olight
BY Austin Van Gilder Published: July 25, 2021 { 11 comments }The Baldr lineup from Olight has received mixed reviews. When they told me they were announcing a new Baldr model, I was hoping they fixed some of the shortcomings of the previous versions. A week later the new light showed up at my door. Opening the package revealed the new Baldr-S laser/light pistol light.
SureFire X400 Vampire Delivers both Visible Light, IR Light, & IR Laser – Review
BY Ivan Loomis Published: May 9, 2021 { 2 comments }Additionally, this light in particular is the V model, standing for Vampire. Denoting the lights ability to produce infrared light as well. So the X400 Vampire is a pistol mounted light that illuminates in both the visible and IR spectrum and also has a IR laser.
The What & the Why: Flashlights & Long Guns
BY Doug Larson Published: April 11, 2021 { 1 comment }Since it is a fact that most deadly force encounters happen in dim light where it is hard to see, having a light source you can use to illuminate your target is essential.









