Man what a crazy year 2016 has been in the thermal market. First, ATN leaves behind their tried and proven THOR thermal line which after years of production had matured into a solid product by 2014/2015. They gambled in favor of the cheaper production/price HD line, at this time I'm not sure that has paid off for them.
Next, FLIR buys out Armasight and we all wait to see how that is going to turn out in the long run. I hope good fingers crossed.
Now, Trijicon buys out IRD and here we go again.
New products out of these mergers would be interesting I just hope pricing doesn't rise also. Trijicon is a great company, but they never have been "cheap price wise" so I'm really concerned IRD could see price changes in the future. That said IRD said nothing will change price wise at this time.
Not being a trusting fellow, I went ahead and ordered a IR Patrol this week. I like the IR Patrol "as is" for a viewer and choose not to gamble on rising prices,changing specs or new models arriving needing time to mature/prove themselves before I care to be a early tester.
Plus the BAE 640 12 micron cores in the IRD systems are still and should still be top end cores at least for the next year or so. FLIR seems to be moving towards the newer 12 micron Boson cores which makes me a little unsure about buying a 17 micron flir system right now fearing it will be outdated with a few months.
Just a crazy market right now a guy doesn't know if its best to buy now or wait to see new products hitting the market next 6 months.
Next, FLIR buys out Armasight and we all wait to see how that is going to turn out in the long run. I hope good fingers crossed.
Now, Trijicon buys out IRD and here we go again.
New products out of these mergers would be interesting I just hope pricing doesn't rise also. Trijicon is a great company, but they never have been "cheap price wise" so I'm really concerned IRD could see price changes in the future. That said IRD said nothing will change price wise at this time.
Not being a trusting fellow, I went ahead and ordered a IR Patrol this week. I like the IR Patrol "as is" for a viewer and choose not to gamble on rising prices,changing specs or new models arriving needing time to mature/prove themselves before I care to be a early tester.
Plus the BAE 640 12 micron cores in the IRD systems are still and should still be top end cores at least for the next year or so. FLIR seems to be moving towards the newer 12 micron Boson cores which makes me a little unsure about buying a 17 micron flir system right now fearing it will be outdated with a few months.
Just a crazy market right now a guy doesn't know if its best to buy now or wait to see new products hitting the market next 6 months.