You can now also find thermal devices from the company Conotech on the shelves of the GPSpro store. Medības magazine had the opportunity to try out two of them – the Night Arrow NRA650LIIR thermal sight and the Aqila 6D 25/50 thermal monocular. Both are devices with a classic design that pleasantly surprise with their technical capabilities.
Thermal sight
The manufacturer emphasizes that the Night Arrow NAR650LIIR is designed to provide hunters with a reliable and effective scope that will serve in various conditions, offering high-quality thermal imaging and modern functionality.
And it has succeeded, because the device combines a 50 mm lens, a 640×512 pixel thermal sensor with a pixel size of 12 microns and a thermal resolution of 20 mK. This allows you to obtain a sufficiently detailed image even in weather conditions when the temperature of environmental objects is very similar. Of course, warm objects are visible very accurately. The device can switch image modes, which allow you to view the image in muted tones. Thus, the sunburst effect when looking at the scope display is significantly reduced. As with modern devices, this one also has several color schemes, so all you have to do is choose the one that suits you best.
The scope has an optical magnification of 2.7 times. This is enough so that at a reasonable shooting distance you do not have to use digital magnification, which degrades the image quality. Interestingly, the laser rangefinder is built into the top of the front lens. This is an advantage, because the rangefinder is located as close as possible to the optical axis of the scope. It is capable of measuring distances up to 1200 meters. The device also has a ballistic calculator.
You need to get used to the device's control switches a little. For example, the power switch is located where the day optical sight has the upper ballistic turret. In turn, the digital magnification is changed with a ring, which is in the same place as the magnification change ring for the day sight. With this same ring, you can change the device's settings in the menu.
The scope is powered by a built-in and removable battery. In addition, when you connect the device to the charger, only the internal battery will charge in three hours, and the energy in it will be enough for 12 hours of device operation. The removable one must be charged separately in the charger.
The scope has 32 GB of internal memory for recording images and videos, as well as WiFi connectivity for data transfer. There is a mode that turns on video recording at the moment of the shot. In addition, five seconds before the shot will also be recorded.
The scope can be connected to the Conotech app on a smartphone. It is very convenient to change the scope settings, especially the image color schemes. You can watch the image in real time and view the recordings.
Thermal monocular
The biggest advantage of the Aqila 6D 25/50 thermal monocular is the dual lens. That is, the user can choose the most suitable focal length according to the observation needs and choose the optical magnification. Of course, the device also has a digital magnification.
There is a convenient roller for adjusting the focus, which is operated with one finger. There is also a convenient roller for digital magnification, and the same is used to switch the device modes.
The monocular also has a built-in battery and a removable battery. When connecting the device to the charger, only the internal battery will be charged. The removable one can be charged in the same cassette in which it is inserted into the monocular. The cassette must be connected to the charger separately.
NOTE
Conotech thermal sights are manufactured in China, where the company's research and development center and headquarters are located.
Pros and cons
Night Arrow NRA650LIIR pros
Pros:
- 50mm lens
- In-lens laser rangefinder
- Clear image
- Ability to turn on muted image tones
Cons:
- You need to get used to the device's controls
Aqila 6D 25/50 pros
Pros:
- Dual lens
- Clear image
- Convenient controls
- Easy to understand user interface
Cons:
- The lens cap makes unnecessary noise when it hits the body in the fully open position
| Night Arrow NRA650LIIR | Aqila 6D 25/50 | |
| Thermal sensor size: | 640 x512 px | 640 x512 px |
| Pixel size: | 12 μm | 12 μm |
| Sensitivity (NETD): | ≤20 mK | ≤20 mK |
| Optical zoom: | 2,7 x | 1,4 x un 2,7 x |
| Detection range: | 3540 m | |
| Digital zoom: | 1–6 x | 1,1–7,3 x un 2,7–14 x |
| Battery life: | ≥12 h | ≥10 h |
| Protection class: | IP67 | IP67 |
