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Posted: 12/1/2023 2:54:30 PM EDT
[Last Edit: TNVC_Will]
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
DO WANT!
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"Never half-ass two things. Whole-ass one thing."
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This will be handheld/head only, right? man... I've been hoping for years that they would release an updated Q14 with a reticle included.
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
Any other observations?
Menu usability? Comparisons to other similar products? |
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Originally Posted By TNVC_Will: Here are some shots taken through the eyepiece. I just took these. Conditions are 40F and 83% humidity. These are on the way and will be in stock soon ![]() https://i.ibb.co/sqYfXCF/IMG-8104.jpg https://i.ibb.co/bBGMJHp/IMG-8105.jpg https://i.ibb.co/vQk0zKS/IMG-8100.jpg View Quote Image has an interesting look. Thinking that isn't a BAE core. Any insight on the sensor/core manufacturer? Will the screen margins be movable like the old school breach? |
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Originally Posted By Gatorvet: Any other observations? Menu usability? Comparisons to other similar products? View Quote Housing is extremely well made. I'd have ZERO concerns breaking it. My favorite thermal palette is the Breach's "Outdoor Alert" mode. The Sidekick has what's called "Target". It's nearly identical but less obtrusive. The algo is better. It doesn't hit on everything although with the OE settings. Buttons are intuitive. Easy operation of core functions. Menu is okay. Not great not terrible. Easy to figure out if you've used other thermals. Has setting adjustments such as contrast, gain, gamma, etc. to tweak your heart away. Objective and ocular lenses are firm but easy to turn. You can disable auto-NUC and manually NUC it. I really like that feature. So far I find I get the best image having it on for a few minutes and performing several NUCs. Since it's a simultaneous press of the 2 end buttons it sometimes turns on video recording (button by your face) or goes to 2x zoom (button by objective) ![]() I confirmed myself that it can run off 1x CR123A or 2x CR123A as well as 16650 (with the extender). 16650 is the way to go IMHO I'm using the protected Orbtronic 2500 mAh. Has a USB-C if you want to run a remote pack. Screen can be adjusted L/R/U/D I haven't had a ton of time on it (schedule, life, and weather) and need to use it a bit to give more info. |
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
Originally Posted By GreenMushroom: Image has an interesting look. Thinking that isn't a BAE core. Any insight on the sensor/core manufacturer? Will the screen margins be movable like the old school breach? View Quote They're hush-hush on the core. They guarantee it isn't from China and isn't FLIR. Perhaps after enough folks ask they'll be more forthcoming lol |
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
Chinesium 100%
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Hopefully it looks much better in person.
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
Originally Posted By TNVC_Will: Again not chinesium lol. These pics are snapped with my phone through the eyepiece. Here’s another one I took just now. https://i.ibb.co/4WyT5jb/IMG-8126.jpg View Quote I know for the most part the built-in internal photo/video capturing is usually lower quality than what you can see via the eyepiece but maybe it will help with getting in focus footage and that would give a better clarity of what it can do. |
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Originally Posted By TNVC_Will: Again not chinesium lol. These pics are snapped with my phone through the eyepiece. Here’s another one I took just now. https://i.ibb.co/4WyT5jb/IMG-8126.jpg View Quote That does look more like an American core imo I’m a big fan of the Chinese cores but I’ll be the first to admit that they don’t produce as much of a realistic image as that. Chinese cores look more like a high definition video game I know this is definitely subjective and not a data point but here’s a photo from my RH25 for comparison ![]() |
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Originally Posted By Jstokes1: Agreed. Im a big fan of BAE cored units for this reason; due to the ultra realistic image they produced. I can tell from the pictures that this is going to be a great HMT with depth perception due to the image density. Here's one from my Voodoo S, and what I'm going to use as a "control" in the video review I'm going to shoot on the Side Kick 640. https://ibb.co/dfm5KKH View Quote Looking forward to that review. Post it up if/when you can. |
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NETD ?????
![]() My first reaction was thats a modified FLIR core, but if its not it must be BAE (and its not PRC e.g. dimensions). The font, location of WHITE HOT, battery indicator, video and photo numbers are very, very FLIR like. Its not clear to me why they wouldn't say who manufactured the core, like IIT thats a no go from my perspective. |
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Veni Vidi Vici
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The official NETD is <40mK for all ArmaCORE thermals.
I suspect the Sidekick 640 is 20-30mK but the official spec is <40mK. Here’s a short clip of the Target palette. It works extremely well with virtually zero false hits. The truck was sitting for about an hour or so. 40 degrees and 55% humidity ![]() Armasight Sidekick 640 Target palette |
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
Another one for ya. This taken just now daytime at 1630,
63F, and 38% humidity. These are the default settings. I like the default it gives a softer more pleasant image. You can adjust the sharpness and contrast if you prefer a crisper image. Shot through the eyepiece. Image looks very close to the actual. The camera loses some detail but is a far better representation than the on-board. ![]() Armasight Sidekick 640 footage to 75 yards |
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
Another showing off the Target palette. Same time/conditions as above.
Shot through the eyepiece. Image looks very close to the actual. The camera loses some detail but is a far better representation than the on-board. ![]() Armasight Sidekick 640 Target Palette 75 yards |
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
Looks good. TARGET looks very similar to OUTDOOR ALERT but dialled back a little. Nice FOV.
Would be great if you get the chance to compare against the Breach, with double the focal length it should be a really nice improvement. Is there any inbuilt adjustability e.g. sharpness or automatic gain control. |
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Veni Vidi Vici
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Originally Posted By GroundhogOZ: Looks good. TARGET looks very similar to OUTDOOR ALERT but dialled back a little. Nice FOV. Would be great if you get the chance to compare against the Breach, with double the focal length it should be a really nice improvement. Is there any inbuilt adjustability e.g. sharpness or automatic gain control. View Quote Yessir, you have adjustments to contrast, sharpness, gain, gamma, and brightness. Also shutter control auto or manual. When you manually NUC you don’t have to close the lens. It also has PIP. |
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
Wen?
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
I assume base mag is 1x? What's fov?
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Veni Vidi Vici
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
Weight of Ravyn rail?
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
Originally Posted By TNVC_Will: Another showing off the Target palette. Same time/conditions as above. Shot through the eyepiece. Image looks very close to the actual. The camera loses some detail but is a far better representation than the on-board. ![]() View Quote That's much better than the same palette in my MH25 which just makes the warmest thing in view orange it seems. |
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Here's some YT links for ya'll
This is my overview video ![]() Armasight Sidekick 640 Thermal Monocular This is a teaser so keep an eye out for the full video ![]() Armasight Side kick 640 Teaser This is another review that also compares the FLIR Breach ![]() Armasight Sidekick 640 overview. The 640 core FLIR Breach we have always wanted? | Code 4 Defense |
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
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Originally Posted By MtnRoamer: YaThermalBoi's review is out. He's got some of the best thermal footage out there IMO. YouTube View Quote thanks! |
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Originally Posted By MtnRoamer: YaThermalBoi's review is out. He's got some of the best thermal footage out there IMO. YouTube View Quote Great review, right on the money. |
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Veni Vidi Vici
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Anyone else got one yet? I got mine last Thursday, but it's been rainy/ high humidity so I don't wanna judge it yet. Hope to be getting out this Friday to hunt with it!
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Originally Posted By Hodgi_: Anyone else got one yet? I got mine last Thursday, but it's been rainy/ high humidity so I don't wanna judge it yet. Hope to be getting out this Friday to hunt with it! View Quote My 320 sidekick will be here tomorrow, I missed the 640 preorder so once these get back in stock I will pick up another. |
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Originally Posted By TNVC_Will: RAYVN GROUP Rayvn Rail. We have these in stock for anyone wanting to snag one at the same time as a Sidekick ![]() ETA for those not familiar - the Rayvn Rail is articulating bridge with horizontal IPD adjustment. The Sidekick's display remains rectangular. All metal and MADE IN THE USA. https://i.ibb.co/3rRv8Fy/IMG-8160.jpg View Quote for anyone on the fence, i highly highly recommend the rayvn rail. very solid with smooth articulation. i am able to achieve fusion with my breach due to the IPD adjustments - i cant imagine trying to achieve ghetto fusion without IPD... |
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Audentes Fortuna Iuvat
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Originally Posted By Infamous: for anyone on the fence, i highly highly recommend the rayvn rail. very solid with smooth articulation. i am able to achieve fusion with my breach due to the IPD adjustments - i cant imagine trying to achieve ghetto fusion without IPD... View Quote Agreed! ![]() |
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Took my 640 out last night. Was about as I expected quality wise. Much better detail than my breach, the detection was good. Couple things I noticed was I have it set up to nuc automatically, and it seemed to nuc often. Really doesn't effect me much just an observation.
I recorded and took some pics. Getting onto my pc was simple enough, however since I have it mounted on a rayvn rail, the video is transfered upside down. Idk how to rectify it. To me it seems like a kind of software issue, like the monocular doesn't recognize to flip the video when transferring it. |
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Originally Posted By Hodgi_: Took my 640 out last night. Was about as I expected quality wise. Much better detail than my breach, the detection was good. Couple things I noticed was I have it set up to nuc automatically, and it seemed to nuc often. Really doesn't effect me much just an observation. I recorded and took some pics. Getting onto my pc was simple enough, however since I have it mounted on a rayvn rail, the video is transfered upside down. Idk how to rectify it. To me it seems like a kind of software issue, like the monocular doesn't recognize to flip the video when transferring it. View Quote In the menu change the setting so it auto rotates. IIRC It’s the 3 button menu on the right hand side the very bottom option. That should do it if you haven’t done that. |
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
Originally Posted By TNVC_Will: In the menu change the setting so it auto rotates. IIRC It’s the 3 button menu on the right hand side the very bottom option. That should do it if you haven’t done that. View Quote Yup I have that enabled. And the screen flips when it should while using the mono. But when I record a video and transfer it to my laptop, the video file from the sidekick is upside down while viewing it on my laptop |
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Originally Posted By Hodgi_: Yup I have that enabled. And the screen flips when it should while using the mono. But when I record a video and transfer it to my laptop, the video file from the sidekick is upside down while viewing it on my laptop View Quote This happened to me as well. When you preview it on the unit it’s the correct orientation but once you transfer it to your computer it’s upside down. ![]() |
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Originally Posted By -KentuckyWindage-: This happened to me as well. When you preview it on the unit it’s the correct orientation but once you transfer it to your computer it’s upside down. ![]() View Quote It's gotta be something with the software, where the sidekick might invert the view on the screen but whenever it records it only records in a fixed position. Which is weird bc why would the fixed position be opposite how it would sit on a helmet mount |
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You’ll have to use a video editor until they can get that fixed.
I thought that did the trick but I recorded all of my video with it clamped in a Pig Saddle or hand held since I was also shooting through the eyepiece at the same time. I sent it off for someone else to T&E after I did the video so unfortunately can’t check the unit I had to confirm it’s the same. It’s most likely the same as yours. I’ll ask him to check. |
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
Originally Posted By TNVC_Will: You’ll have to use a video editor until they can get that fixed. I thought that did the trick but I recorded all of my video with it clamped in a Pig Saddle or hand held since I was also shooting through the eyepiece at the same time. I sent it off for someone else to T&E after I did the video so unfortunately can’t check the unit I had to confirm it’s the same. It’s most likely the same as yours. I’ll ask him to check. View Quote I figure it was an oversight. Hopefully it's something that can be fixed and downloaded in a software update. Idk how that stuff works tho. Very annoying as I don't have any video editing stuff on my laptop. |
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The unit I used is confirmed to be the same. The onboard captured video doesn’t rotate with the screen.
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
Am I the only one who feels like the processing lag seen in the videos is subpar?
Maybe some of you guys that have one can confirm if it looks the same in person as it does in video? |
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Originally Posted By ReRun7: Am I the only one who feels like the processing lag seen in the videos is subpar? Maybe some of you guys that have one can confirm if it looks the same in person as it does in video? View Quote What do u mean by processing lag? U mean like the refresh rate when panning left and right? |
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Massive amounts of running hogs are killed daily with 50hz units, and I know from experience that not even 30Hz causes misses/vehicle crashes. This is 60Hz, so even if your eye detects a delay initially, you'll get used to it in about 5 minutes, and will never see it again. Also, Cell Phones have their own processing delay while recording another devices screen.
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Heads up for Sidekick owners. This is regarding info posted elsewhere that I want to address here.
1. Software Update for Sidekicks I have confirmed with Armasight that they have a software update that is awaiting final testing that will resolve the latency issues. This update requires the Sidekick to be sent back to Armasight. You will have to contact Armasight Customer Support directly. Use the contact form https://armasight.com/contact/ call 888-504-ARMA or email [email protected] 2. Rechargeable 16650 batteries I have personally used Orbtronics 2500mAh batteries. The battery is a tight fit. What I did was unscrew the battery extender, insert battery, and then reinstall the extender over the battery. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. @chosos I think I can post this link since it's not ours and support related? Let me know if I need to remove it. |
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
Originally Posted By TNVC_Will: Heads up for Sidekick owners. This is regarding info posted elsewhere that I want to address here. 1. Software Update for Sidekicks I have confirmed with Armasight that they have a software update that is awaiting final testing that will resolve the latency issues. This update requires the Sidekick to be sent back to Armasight. You will have to contact Armasight Customer Support directly. Use the contact form https://armasight.com/contact/ call 888-504-ARMA or email [email protected] 2. Rechargeable 16650 batteries I have personally used Orbtronics 2500mAh batteries. The battery is a tight fit. What I did was unscrew the battery extender, insert battery, and then reinstall the extender over the battery. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. @chosos I think I can post this link since it's not ours and support related? Let me know if I need to remove it. View Quote it is a support link, so i dont have an issue with it. |
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Originally Posted By TNVC_Will: Heads up for Sidekick owners. This is regarding info posted elsewhere that I want to address here. 1. Software Update for Sidekicks I have confirmed with Armasight that they have a software update that is awaiting final testing that will resolve the latency issues. This update requires the Sidekick to be sent back to Armasight. You will have to contact Armasight Customer Support directly. Use the contact form https://armasight.com/contact/ call 888-504-ARMA or email [email protected] 2. Rechargeable 16650 batteries I have personally used Orbtronics 2500mAh batteries. The battery is a tight fit. What I did was unscrew the battery extender, insert battery, and then reinstall the extender over the battery. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. @chosos I think I can post this link since it's not ours and support related? Let me know if I need to remove it. View Quote Any idea if the update will fix the issue where a recorded video will flip upside down when importing from the sidekick to a pc? |
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