Great versatility and functionality in a very compact thermal imager - Armasight Q14 640 1x19mm Thermal Imaging Multipurpose Monocular

The Armasight Q14 provides not only great functionality, but with all the available accessories, it has some impressive versatility too with the ability to be used as a small handheld monocular or as a head/helmet mounted hands-free monocular, or mounted to a rifle with the included picatinny mount, and all this in one of the smallest form factors for a 640x480 thermal imager.

The 640x480 resolution provides enough resolution to make the digital 8x zoom usable for identification purposes. Anything with a heat signature pops out like a neon sign.

In addition, there's an optional screw-on optical doubler accessory available that turns the Q14 from a 1x to a 2x which increases its effectiveness as a monocular or rifle mounted optic.

The native 1x allows for positively ID'ing a hog vs a dog at about 150 yards with detection possible out to 700+ yards. The 2x doubler doubles that effective distance. I can't wait to take this hog hunting down South.

The added versatility of the doubler makes me wonder why Armasight doesn't provide this option to swap lenses or add a doubler with their other thermal imagers.

Before purchasing the Q14, I contacted Armasight and asked if the Zeus had the option to swap between different lenses, i.e. if I bought the 2x, whether I could purchase a 4x lens to change the magnification, but apparently, there aren't any options like that for the Zeus.

The tactical goggle rig included with the Q14 640 has pretty good adjustability for a comfortable fit, but when the shroud is centered on my forehead, there isn't enough adjustment range in the mounting arm to center the monocular in front of my right eye. I have to shift the position of the whole rig on my head slightly to center the monocular in front of my eye.

As far as the imager itself goes, the sensitivity is high enough to be able to navigate a basement in total darkness. It actually clearly showed a sheet of paper that was laying on the carpet, along with a stack of cardboard boxes.

With the ability to focus as near as 20", I've used the Q14 to inspect electronics to see where the hottest components/sections are and where adding cooling fans could be beneficial to increase MTBF.

I've also used the Q14 to inspect the house looking for subpar insulation and sources of heat loss.

Another use for this or any thermal imager is for setting up a track car for roadcourses. Take a few hot laps and pull into pit lane and a quick look at the tires with the thermal imager will show if the suspension setup could use more camber.

I'm hoping that Armasight can add the Ironbow 1&2 palettes with a firmware update.

One additional thing to add: there's a YouTube video comparing the Q14 to a few other thermal imagers, and in the video, the reviewer notes what looks like rain spots in the image of the Q14 that he says always appear when the imager is first turned on. They disappear when the imager has warmed up.

On my Q14, there are no such spots evident. What DOES happen though, is that as the imager warms up, it gradually develops tunnel vision. What I mean by this is that the image narrows from clear from edge to edge of the full square, to clear only in a circle approximately 40% of the total area in the middle of the full frame.

I have to perform a NUC/FFC to normalize the uniformity. Once the NUC/FFC is performed after the imager has warmed up, it no longer produces the 'tunnel vision' effect.

Overall though, I'm extremely pleased with the Q14.