AGM Global Vision Taipan TM10-256 Thermal Imaging Monocular for Hunting – 256×192 (25 Hz) High Powered Thermal Imager with Heat Vision

3 reviews for AGM Global Vision Taipan TM10-256 Thermal Imaging Monocular for Hunting – 256×192 (25 Hz) High Powered Thermal Imager with Heat Vision

1. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Daniel Taylor – September 25, 2022

   
   This is a well built thermal monocular that’s easy to use. The image quality is a clear step up from the 160 pixel sensor models, some of which actually cost more than this 256 pixel unit. It does not offer the same image quality or refresh rate as higher end units, but it also doesn’t cost thousands of dollars.Keep in mind that this is a true 1x device. A lot of thermal buyers are going to want more base magnification, but that also costs more. 2x digital zoom works well, 4x OK, but 8x is poor. You can’t expect much at 8x from a 256×192 sensor. Think of this as a 1x/2x device and you’ll be happy.The monocular housing and push buttons feel nice, and the battery life appears to be very, very good. The EVF image quality is good, and it’s a real EVF with a diopter adjustment. It’s not a ‘LCD in a tunnel’ like many low cost night vision devices have. I do not experience any eye fatigue while using this.The WiFi features work on Android devices. The current version of the iOS app seems to have a problem connecting. Hopefully this will be fixed soon. Once connected and logged in, the app is responsive and works well, and video transmission is solid.My complaints? I don’t like how they relied on long button presses for parts of the UI. You have to hold the power button down for several seconds to turn the device on/off. You also have to hold a button down for several seconds to get to the settings menu. And while photos take a single press, starting a video takes another multi-second hold (which means you cannot precisely start/stop video). I would have preferred a separate power switch, a dedicated video start/stop button, and faster access to the brightness and contrast settings. Note that with the WiFi app you can start/stop video and set brightness/contrast quickly.My only other complaint is that the Brightness setting is related to Contrast in how the thermal image appears. It does not actually control the EVF brightness at all. And the EVF is a little too bright at night. I suppose that’s preferable to being too dim in the daytime. But I wish they had included, or would add, an EVF brightness setting.One last note: once on, the single-press “sleep” mode just turns off the EVF. It still draws power and you can hear it periodically calibrating the sensor. Sleep mode is not something you can or should use overnight. It’s a mode you should only use for short periods. Not a complaint really, just an observation.I debated giving this 4 stars because of my complaints, but in the end gave it 5 because the complaints are minor against the performance and price.

   
2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Adam Connell – November 4, 2022

   
   I’ve had both this and the Micro 160 for a year now… don’t even bother with the micro 160 now that this is $550. I can’t remember what I paid but it was $700-800 at the time and I’m not even mad that they’re $550 now.You cannot beat this as far as I know for anywhere near this price… and at $550 I’m tempted to buy a second because I want binoculars 😅My only gripe is that I bought these units SPECIFICALLY to use with an external monitor… and even though it claims that with the correct cable you can use this to run a live real time wired video feed to a normal monitor or TV I have yet to find one that allows this to happen… I’ve spent around $100 on various cables and adapters trying to get this to connect to anything with a video in and I’ve basically given up.I’m a storm chaser and my plan was a to roof mount this for SAR wired to a normal backup cam monitor… it works phenomenally with the app for this, BUT I dont want to use the app because it won’t let me use it full screen without a border or frame.This thing is 100% functional from 10ft out to 150yds for seeing hot spots and 50-75yds for identifying moving animals…Be aware that sun warmed rocks look just like animals, and there is a specific learning curve to keep you from watching suspicious rocks under certain conditions… I’m still convinced that rock was up to no good.The FOV isn’t great for anything less than 10ft if situational awareness is necessary… still works phenomenally to see any and all spots including the squirrels nest sitting on top of the drywall in the attic.Seriously… I can actually see the squirrels nest through the ceiling drywall as well as where they have disturbed the insulation.You can also clearly spot aircraft at .5-.75 miles(my distance from the runway).On days like today where severe weather is doing it’s thing, the hot and cold clouds are VERY obvious. It can only see mass, but clouds are just fluffy water and it sees clouds phenomenally when conditions are right. I have no doubt that this could spot night tornados at 1-2 miles, but a more powerful unit would be better suited for clouds/weather. This thing is mostly useful for urban/suburban distances. I can make out regular Texas size feral cats at 100yds exactly.This works MUCH better with a portable tripod as a handle… the stability increase with a cheap folding desk tripod is unbelievable… two hands is much better than one for distance situations.The app works…Either way if you need to spot anything from terrorists to terriers, this thing rocks for the price… BTW you can also see who’s doing laundry, both dryer vents and hot water heater stacks are brutally obvious… and on color mode concrete foundations glow at night.Don’t forget to look into a mirror and at your dog prints/foot prints/wife prints… warm toilet seats… water leaks… you name it, if you haven’t seen the wild world of radiation yet prepare to be blown away.

3. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Tomahawk Tactical Supply Customer – February 18, 2024

   
   Great entry level optic, battery life is good very clear but at max zoom gets blurry and hard to identify what you’re looking at. I haven’t tried the recording feature or the wireless that’s not something I needed from this scope also the storage pouch that came with is too small and you really have to force it in.I definitely would recommend this if you’re looking for a thermal scope but don’t want to spend a grand.