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I watched quite a few videos on YouTube of them in use over the last few weeks, and it just didn't really grab me and impress me. I really wanted to like it, I really did. But I've decided to pass this deal up in favor of a true thermal unit.

I'm sure they would work well for CQB, but I'm looking for longer range detection. The other thing that I didn't really like was the "edge detection" look -- I prefer a brighter white heat signature.

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Alright gents, let me go ahead and put some end to some of this speculation before it becomes a raging conflagration.

BLUF: Safran/Optics1 is discontinuing the AN/PAS-29A, EuroOptic has purchased the program and all remaining parts and inventory. I do not have any additional information on what extent to which they will be continuing to support the program, however my understanding is that Optics1 will provide product support for a period of one year, after which responsibility will fall on EuroOptic to support or not support.

I do not, at this time have further information on when if ever the E-COTI will become commercially available again. The COTI program and the E-COTI program are separate programs, and TNVC is a vetted and authorized direct commercial distributor for Safran/Optics1 and those whom have communicated with me personally know that there are several lines of effort we have been working on directly with Optics1 that are ongoing.

Optics1 has been awarded several large-scale, but not necessary publicized heavily (besides the USMC SBNVG) military and government contracts based on the E-COTI architecture and is focusing on production and support of these products for the foreseeable future. However this demand from the government sector means that it is difficult to justify and divert production to the commercial sector—it’s not a “we’re better than you” position, rather one that is based solely on the current production demands of the manufacturer, as was the decision to finally discontinue for good the AN/PAS-29A.

Beyond that, my feelings have always been clear, I am a huge fan of the AN/PAS-29A COTI and it is a tremendous capability, and these units are fantastically priced, I would encourage anyone that is interested in this capability to purchase one at these prices.

However, as a company we were uncomfortable committing to purchasing the entire product line without any manufacturer support under these conditions, which is why we have discontinued the sales of these units and declined to take over the program. The E-COTI remains available at this time for government and agency sales to qualified customers—again, not because we, or Optics1 hates you, it’s simply the production demands at this time on already contracted orders and government needs.

While The COTI has been discontinued by Optics1, I remain more than happy to assist anyone that purchases one from any source in whatever way that I am able in terms of information and experience with these units, publicly or privately, I just cannot provide material support. For those customers who have purchased AN/PAS-29A COTIs from us in the past, I am still using units that were built in 2010, however, we will continue to try to provide the best support that we possibly can for these systems and more importantly our customers into the future.

~Augee

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I've watched every video I can find of COTI and when I contrast that with the variety of conditions and types of full thermal systems I've used, I also think COTI will be much more limited, but I think it's going to be really interesting to see what it can do with the way I hunt (or what it can really do in the case of 2 leg critters, if things keep heading down this clown world path we are on)

I am also not a fan of edge detection on any system I've used and so far only one person has demonstrated a part of edge detection that is even remotely interesting, otherwise I find it to be a whole lot of clutter, noise and false positives. Nice idea but at least in Texas there's just too much going on for edge detection to really work

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I've watched every video I can find of COTI and when I contrast that with the variety of conditions and types of full thermal systems I've used, I also think COTI will be much more limited, but I think it's going to be really interesting to see what it can do with the way I hunt (or what it can really do in the case of 2 leg critters, if things keep heading down this clown world path we are on)

I am also not a fan of edge detection on any system I've used and so far only one person has demonstrated a part of edge detection that is even remotely interesting, otherwise I find it to be a whole lot of clutter, noise and false positives. Nice idea but at least in Texas there's just too much going on for edge detection to really work

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I've watched every video I can find of COTI and when I contrast that with the variety of conditions and types of full thermal systems I've used, I also think COTI will be much more limited, but I think it's going to be really interesting to see what it can do with the way I hunt (or what it can really do in the case of 2 leg critters, if things keep heading down this clown world path we are on)

I am also not a fan of edge detection on any system I've used and so far only one person has demonstrated a part of edge detection that is even remotely interesting, otherwise I find it to be a whole lot of clutter, noise and false positives. Nice idea but at least in Texas there's just too much going on for edge detection to really work

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Asking because I am not sure, but my particular PAS 29 has two attachment rings, one is bigger for the 14, and the other has some plastic pieces that fit inside a bigger ring. Any idea what that fits exactly? I have seen a few things but not enough to be sure. I will have to try to take a pic tonight.

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It may work better for COTI but I've seen enough high end thermals where it definitely doesn't. Even the Skeet is cluttered on edge detect but maybe the advantage that COTI has is that it is much shorter ranged

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I know where you are coming from I own two that I've had for years that were almost twice as much. It happens unfortunately.

As I mentioned these units have been sometimes available to civilians and sometimes not. I jumped on my 2nd one buying it back from a customer that was going through a divorce and asked me to help. I paid considerably more for both of the units I have. Sometimes it's about sewing something up that isn't always available to us. Hell if you own one you know it's worth the $5800. or so original purchase price!!!

But I bought another couple myself cause for this price now everyone in the family will have one and a spare!

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Ordered yesterday from JRH and it arrived today. Can't ask for a better shipping time than that.

Mine has the 4 pin external power connection.

Only had a chance to play around in the basement with it mounted on my RNVGs for a few minutes, but so far it seems like an awesome addition.

Planning to take it out Sunday night for an urban hike on a trail through our neighborhood that runs behind houses on one side and the back of light industrial buildings on the other.

I don't yet have a thermal scope or handheld, but this price seemed too good to pass on.

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Ordered yesterday from JRH and it arrived today. Can’t ask for a better shipping time than that.

Mine has the 4 pin external power connection.

Only had a chance to play around in the basement with it mounted on my RNVGs for a few minutes, but so far it seems like an awesome addition.

Planning to take it out Sunday night for an urban hike on a trail through our neighborhood that runs behind houses on one side and the back of light industrial buildings on the other.

I don’t yet have a thermal scope or handheld, but this price seemed too good to pass on.

ETA: @smeeg will your two pin external battery packs work with the four pin connection on the COTI?

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Ordered yesterday from JRH and it arrived today. Can’t ask for a better shipping time than that.

Mine has the 4 pin external power connection.

Only had a chance to play around in the basement with it mounted on my RNVGs for a few minutes, but so far it seems like an awesome addition.

Planning to take it out Sunday night for an urban hike on a trail through our neighborhood that runs behind houses on one side and the back of light industrial buildings on the other.

I don’t yet have a thermal scope or handheld, but this price seemed too good to pass on.

ETA: @smeeg will your two pin external battery packs work with the four pin connection on the COTI?

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Per pbjunkie in smeegs ee thread:

"There is a 4 prong connector on the back of the pas-29 that this plugs into. If it doesnt have a little black and copper p pin plug next to the batter compartment it will not work."

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Ordered yesterday from JRH and it arrived today. Can’t ask for a better shipping time than that.

Mine has the 4 pin external power connection.

Only had a chance to play around in the basement with it mounted on my RNVGs for a few minutes, but so far it seems like an awesome addition.

Planning to take it out Sunday night for an urban hike on a trail through our neighborhood that runs behind houses on one side and the back of light industrial buildings on the other.

I don’t yet have a thermal scope or handheld, but this price seemed too good to pass on.

ETA: @smeeg will your two pin external battery packs work with the four pin connection on the COTI?

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So, will this work on my RNVGs?

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I’m looking to upgrade to dual tubes in the near future and so far the AIB DTNVG and the upcoming DTNVS housing interest me the most. Does the COTI mount to either of these platforms?

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Apologies if this has been addressed elsewhere, if it has I haven't found it.  Can anyone comment on the standalone capabilities of these units?  I understand this isn't the intended usage, but am curious about how these would compare to something like a Breach.  I'm torn between one of these and a Breach (or similar), and don't know enough about this subject to determine which would add more overall value to a PVS-14 setup.  

Thanks

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Apologies if this has been addressed elsewhere, if it has I haven't found it.  Can anyone comment on the standalone capabilities of these units?  I understand this isn't the intended usage, but am curious about how these would compare to something like a Breach.  I'm torn between one of these and a Breach (or similar), and don't know enough about this subject to determine which would add more overall value to a PVS-14 setup.  

Thanks

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Is there any manner in which a knucklehead like me could damage a NV tube using Coti?  I know they’re designed to work together, but I’m quite capable of screwing up simple tasks...

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I've watched a number of these videos out there showing the COTI and like another guy posted, it didn't jump out and grab me...does it just work/look better in person or what? The response to this deal makes me think that might be the case...

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If your running dual pvs14 on a bridge would it need two coti units, one on each pvs?

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No, running both would seriously mess with you, they have some lag and both of them separately would give you lag independently on each tube.

Sorry its hard to explain.

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But the Instagram flex would be insane.

@Ct1: Do it.

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I’ve watched a number of these videos out there showing the COTI and like another guy posted, it didn’t jump out and grab me...does it just work/look better in person or what? The response to this deal makes me think that might be the case...

Also, how is the weight once it’s clipped into a dual 14 or bino NVD? Is it worth the “full time” added weight or would it be better to have a handheld thermal for scanning areas in front of you?

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Im guessing it’s something you pick up with practice as Augee stated.

I would need a lot of practice bc it looks like a hot mess to me. If an I2 device needs help from thermal detecting a target, how is it going to ID said target?

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I’ve watched a number of these videos out there showing the COTI and like another guy posted, it didn’t jump out and grab me...does it just work/look better in person or what? The response to this deal makes me think that might be the case...

Also, how is the weight once it’s clipped into a dual 14 or bino NVD? Is it worth the “full time” added weight or would it be better to have a handheld thermal for scanning areas in front of you?

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Think about a deer standing motionless in thick brush in daylight.  

It could be challenging to see that there’s anything there.

If it were at night, with the best I2 device, equally challenging.

When you add the heat signature visible via thermal, you immediately identify the presence of something in the brush and it helps you break the visible camoflage  .