<img class="aligncenter wp-image-412 size-full" src="https://www.amtacshooting.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_1452.HEIC_-e1521594005226.jpg" alt="" width="3790" height="2136" />

I don't normally get very excited about new gear.  This thermal weapons sight changed that, not because it is better than anything else out there but because it brings a useful thermal sight into working man's prices.

It is still not cheap ($2,199.00 on the <a href="http://usnightvision.com/thermosight-pro-pts233/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.usnightvision.com</a> web page), but it puts it at a price point that is cheaper than good glass for a precision rifle.

<em>Use coupon code 'AMTAC' to get $50 0ff the FLIR Thermosight Pro PTS233 at <a href="http://usnightvision.com/thermosight-pro-pts233/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.usnightvision.com</a>.</em>

[caption id="attachment_423" align="alignnone" width="640"]<img class="wp-image-423 size-full" src="https://www.amtacshooting.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG019.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="512" /> Man with AK at 25 yards[/caption]
<h3>Setup</h3>
The scope comes with a hard case with a QD mount, a USB cable, two battery sleeves and instructions.  Mounting the thermal is easy with the included QD mount.  I mounted the scope on a 16 in carbine.  Just aft of the scope I mounted an Aimpoint T1 on a Larue 45 degree offset mount.

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[caption id="attachment_419" align="aligncenter" width="640"]<img class="wp-image-419 size-full" src="https://www.amtacshooting.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG006.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="512" /> B/C steel at 50 yards[/caption]
<h3>Zeroing</h3>
Zeroing was simple and is pretty intuitive on the menu.  A cool side note is that you can pick multiple guns out a sub-menu and zero for each individual rifle.

When I started zeroing I used a can of spray paint to make a dot over my target, this was enough of a temperature differential to have an aiming point and get on paper at 25 yards.  A few days later I had time to do a proper zero at 100 yards by pouring water on a normal paper target and then shooting at the top of the temperature differential.

Other ways to get a temperature differential include stapling hand warmers to the bulls eye of your target or heating a piece of steel up with a torch.
<h3>Capability</h3>
For the test I had access to a little over 500 yards.  At that distance I was able to tell the pick up movement and distinguish between a person and a dog.  Closer in I was able to identify a rifle at 100 yards and identify gear/ clothing at 25 yards.  I had no problem hitting B/C steel at 250 yards with <a href="https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1339912049/black-hills-ammunition-556x45mm-nato-77-grain-sierra-matchking-hollow-point" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blackhills 77 Gr. OTM</a>.

[caption id="attachment_784" align="aligncenter" width="640"]<img class="wp-image-784 size-full" src="https://www.amtacshooting.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG045.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="512" /> Man and dog at approx 500 yards[/caption]

Pros and Cons

Pros:
<ol>
 	<li>Price point.  I always say that logistics are important and this scope allows for more people to own a serious piece of equipment.</li>
 	<li>Ease of use.  The menus are very intuitive and it is simple to scroll through the different reticle and color options.</li>
 	<li>It uses 3v lithium batteries.  This is a very common battery that also does well in the cold.</li>
 	<li>Everything you need is in the box, no need to buy separate mounts or cables.</li>
 	<li>Size.  I would not call it small, but it is manageable.</li>
 	<li>Picture and video ability with internal memory.</li>
</ol>
Cons:
<ol>
 	<li>Price point.  At a little over $2k it is still expensive.</li>
 	<li>30 Hz refresh rate.  This means there is a slight lag time as you are panning.</li>
 	<li>No focus ring.</li>
 	<li>No drop down reticle.</li>
</ol>
Summery

This FLIR Thermosight Pro PTS233 thermal is a game changer.  Way to many "gun guys" have a safe full of rifle and pistols and have zero night vision or thermal capability.  Sell a couple of those "safe queens" that are just collecting dust and improve your capability with NVG's/ Thermals and quality training!
<h3>At 50 Yards</h3>
[caption id="attachment_425" align="aligncenter" width="640"]<img class="wp-image-425 size-full" src="https://www.amtacshooting.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG022.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="512" /> Man at 50 yards with AK across chest[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_427" align="aligncenter" width="640"]<img class="wp-image-427 size-full" src="https://www.amtacshooting.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG024.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="512" /> Man at 50 yards with pistol in right hand[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_430" align="aligncenter" width="640"]<img class="wp-image-430 size-full" src="https://www.amtacshooting.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG027.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="512" /> Man at 50 yards walking away with AK in left hand[/caption]

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<h3>At 100 Yards</h3>
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[caption id="attachment_438" align="aligncenter" width="640"]<img class="wp-image-438 size-full" src="https://www.amtacshooting.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG008.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="512" /> B/C steel at 100 yards[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_431" align="aligncenter" width="640"]<img class="wp-image-431 size-full" src="https://www.amtacshooting.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG029.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="512" /> Man standing with AK in hand at 100 yards[/caption]

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<h3>Around 200 Yards</h3>
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[caption id="attachment_433" align="aligncenter" width="640"]<img class="wp-image-433 size-full" src="https://www.amtacshooting.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG034.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="512" /> Man at 210 yards at the edge of a forest[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_434" align="aligncenter" width="640"]<img class="wp-image-434 size-full" src="https://www.amtacshooting.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG035.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="512" /> Man at 225 yards, 15 yards into the forest[/caption]

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<h3>And 250 Yards</h3>
[caption id="attachment_439" align="aligncenter" width="640"]<img class="wp-image-439 size-full" src="https://www.amtacshooting.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG015.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="512" /> B/C  steel at 250 yards[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_417" align="aligncenter" width="640"]<img class="wp-image-417 size-full" src="https://www.amtacshooting.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG004.jpeg" alt="" width="640" height="512" /> Highly visible snowmobile track[/caption]

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