We Test DIY Thermal Targets

Published on January 31, 2024
Duration: 7:07

This video tests various DIY thermal target materials to improve visibility for thermal optics. It compares the effectiveness of thermal blankets, aluminum tape, hand warmers in a box, and heating pads attached to metal targets. The instructor highlights that standard metal targets can be difficult to see in cold, snowy conditions, necessitating heated or thermal-reactive solutions for better identification.

Quick Summary

DIY thermal targets using hand warmers or heating pads offer the best heat signatures for thermal optics, significantly improving visibility in cold conditions. Standard metal targets blend with cold backgrounds, making them hard to see. MRE heaters can enhance steel target visibility up to 700 meters.

Chapters

  1. 00:00The Problem: Cold Targets
  2. 00:05Testing DIY Thermal Targets
  3. 00:16Aluminum Tape & Blanket Targets
  4. 00:37Hand Warmer Box Target
  5. 00:50Testing Thermal Blanket
  6. 01:04Testing Aluminum Tape
  7. 01:18Testing Heating Pad Target
  8. 01:25Shooting the Targets
  9. 01:58Aluminum Tape Results
  10. 02:02Target Visibility Analysis
  11. 02:34Thermal Blanket in Black Hot
  12. 02:56Homemade Hand Warmer Target
  13. 03:11Heating Pads on Metal Target
  14. 03:36DMR with MRE Heater
  15. 03:55Night Vision vs. Thermal
  16. 05:05Fusion Device Concept
  17. 05:08Testing Dedicated Thermal Target
  18. 05:38100m Shot with No Thermal Target
  19. 06:06The Problem Recap
  20. 06:13Steel Targets in Snow
  21. 06:36Best Thermal Targets Ranked
  22. 07:01Outro

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best DIY thermal target options for improving visibility with thermal optics?

The most effective DIY thermal targets utilize active heat sources like hand warmers or heating pads attached to the target. A contained box with hand warmers can also create a visible heat signature. Thermal blankets also showed good visibility.

Why are standard metal targets difficult to see with thermal optics in cold weather?

In cold weather, standard metal targets do not generate their own heat and blend in with the equally cold background, making them difficult to distinguish with thermal imaging. Heated targets are necessary for better contrast.

Can MRE heaters be used to enhance steel target visibility for long-range shooting?

Yes, MRE heaters taped to the back of steel targets have been shown to keep the target well-visible and significantly improve contrast, even at distances up to 700 meters.

How does aluminum tape perform as a DIY thermal target material?

While suggested as an easy option, aluminum tape did not perform as well as other DIY methods like hand warmers or heating pads in terms of heat retention and visibility under thermal observation.

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