I have an opportunity to pick up one of these for a decent price.  While info abounds on the newer TACS-M, I can't find shit on the TACS.

Use would be frivolous, i.e., no real "need".

IF anyone knows the timeframe that they were offered, any relevant info, good or bad, I would appreciate it!

You can go dig through ebay feedback for the Tacs-M seller for when they were selling the original TACS.  I think it's Texas first products or something like that.  Dig down through the feedback looking at the product purchased.  If I remember right, they were blowing those original tacs out at $1,900 OBO.  So its safe to assume they  were selling for less than that.

All i ever heard was that the originals were much heavier and bulkier than the Tacs-m or PAS 29.

Original Tacs

I should add that I looked at buying an original Tacs at one point so I called Nivisys to ask about it and if they could service it if something went wrong.  Guy told me they don't have any spare parts for them and don't support them any more.

First products and Nivisys are the same company, both share the same address in Texas.

Exactly.  I went back and it looks like there's three that have feedback where they sold that first version for Best offer, so less than the listed $1,900.  When I called, I asked the guy what he thought the value of the the old, original TACS might be and he said under $1,000.

thanks guys!!  I will start looking for something else.

PM'd you on info on a TACS-M

They were made by optics 1 out of California..

Ive had two of them crap out on me.. Neither could be fixed. They are awesome when they work.  I may a point of not trash talking products on here but I will tell you both that I bought went Tango Uniform in under 12mo. Luckily one company helped me, the other said sorry.

Nivisys down in south Texas is a GREAT company. When no one would help me they gave me a great deal on another thermal which my daughter shoots now days.