FLIR R-Series ThermoSight

FLIR is one of the world’s leading developers of infra-red or thermal sighting systems. What was once a purely military technology, infra-red sighting options have been growing in law enforcement for several decades now. However, those FLIR units have typically been large optics mounted to helicopters, vehicles, or robots. The hand-held units have been more directed at area searches to simply locate a person’s body heat in dark or thick terrain.

The new R-Series ThermoSight from FLIR is one of the first optics truly designed to give law enforcement the ability to “see” potential targets in conditions that would normally leave officers blind, or worse, exposing their position by the use of external lighting.

The R-Series ThermoSight is just slightly larger than a normal scope, and made with materials that keep the overall weight low. These features make the R-Series mission ready to be added to an existing rifle and optic, allowing the sniper or patrol rifle officer to use the same optics they’re familiar with, and just add the benefit of seeing objects in the dark.

In addition to being able to greatly increase an officer’s ability to see in the dark, the FLIR R-Series has a zoom feature with high-resolution. With the current scrutiny that law enforcement is under the FLIR R-Series offers another feature that may be even more critical in after action reviews – a video out recording option.

For perhaps the first time in law enforcement history, technology allows us to see what the officer sees at the moment the trigger is pulled. This type of video evidence could be crucial in verifying that police use of deadly force was legally justifiable, despite highly politicized conjecture.

The video capability will also provide outstanding training feedback.

FLIR R-Series ThermoSight Features

• Lenses – Multiple resolution and lens options
• Eye Relief – 3.0″
• Magnification – 1x up to 16x
• Advanced Image Correction
• Shock Reduction System (providing continued use even with heavy recoil)
• Function – Easy, 4-button operation
• Reticle – (3) settings with repeatable and dependable zero
• Rifle Capability – Semi-auto up to and including .30 caliber.

Though the R-Series comes in a small package, FLIR has made sure that they manufactured in the durability of this optic to be used on rifles up to and including .30 caliber. This is very important, as highly sophisticated optics tend to be very touchy to shock and recoil.

There are six different models of R-Series ThermoSights with varying magnifications for each selection.

FLIR R-Series ThermoSight Specifications

• Height – 3.3″
• Width – 2.9″
• Length – 8.0″
• Weight – <1.8lbs (RS32 4-16x and RS 64 2-16x model are <2.4lbs.)
• Reticles – Duplex, Fine Duplex, German
• Reticle Colors – Black, White, Red, Green
• Weapon Interface – MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny Rail
• Battery – Internal Li-Ion
• Battery Life – > 4 hours continual use
• Battery Charging – Standard USB with included wall charger
• Warranty – 2-year standard, 3-year (with registration), 10-year on thermal detector
• MSRP – $3500.00.

FLIR R-Series ThermoSight Technical Data

For those of you who are much more into the technical data on highly complex equipment I’ve included the following on

• FPA – 240×180 VOx up to 640
• Frame Rate (HZ) – 30Hz or 60 Hz
• Lens Focal Length – 13 – 60mm
• Lens Horizontal FOV – 5 – 20 degrees
• Focus – Fixed or Manual
• Video Out – Yes (except on RS24 model)
• Electronic Zoom – Up to 4x or 8x (except on RS24 which has none)
• Display – Active Matrix LCD
• Display Resolution – 640 x 480.

Infra-Red vs. Night Vision

The benefits of infra-red optics over night vision optics is the ability of the infra-red to see through intermediate barriers. Infra-red (or thermal) is not quite as powerful as the thermal sight in the 1990 movie “Navy Seals”, where a Seal sniper sees terrorists behind a concrete wall.

However, the infra-red optics will absolutely see through vegetation, light cover, and even extremely dark areas that night vision (or sky light) optics cannot penetrate. The infra-red optics highlight and magnify infra-red waves, or the heat produced from living beings. Since humans in motion tend to be very hot, their body heat stands out very quickly on an infra-red optic, especially at night when the surrounding terrain is actually cooling well below the temperatures of a human body.

Night vision optics rely on ambient light to be present, and then magnifies that light through the optic to allow the user to have a clearer picture of what is going on in the darkness. Night vision cannot, however, see through vegetation and light intermediate barriers, because there simply is not enough light to bring out those images.

In essence, the night vision optics are simply enhancing the ability of the human eye to see in the dark. Infra-red optics, on the other hand, are actually highlighting a visual spectrum that is invisible to the naked eye, but illuminates the heat that will be present from human bodies.

With the FLIR R-Series Thermal Optic being priced at around $3500, this type of technology is actually within reach of many police departments.