"We’re investigators who founded Proven Optic and Proven Justice—an optic research company dedicated to finding and selling the best, field-tested optics, with every purchase helping support victims of crime."
CJ Sahr - CEO
Essential Performance Parameters
Premium Performance Metrics
Independent field analysis by the Proven Optic team
Every thermal scope reviewed by Proven Optic is evaluated across seven technical categories — three Core performance categories scored 1–4, and four Utility categories scored A–D. Each specification is scored independently and manually reviewed to produce a section rating. The overall rating combines Core and Utility scores into a single grade so you can compare scopes at a glance.
| Attribute | Value | Score | Implications | How Obtained |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-Number | F/1.0 | Tier 1 - Elite performance | MANUFACTURER — AGM datasheet: '25 mm; F/1.0 | |
| Lens Shape | Not specified | Tier 3 - Solid, practical performance | INFERRED (Med) — Standard for 256-class budget scopes at this price; no design documentation available | |
| Lens Elements | Not specified | Tier 3 - Solid, practical performance | INFERRED (Med) — Engineering norm for 256-class 25 mm LWIR lenses; AGM does not publish element count | |
| Focal Length | 25 mm | Tier 3 - Solid, practical performance | MANUFACTURER — AGM datasheet: 'Lens System: 25 mm | |
| Field of View (FOV) | 7.0° × 5.3° (37 ft @ 100 yds) | Tier 1 - Elite performance | MANUFACTURER — AGM datasheet & product page |
| Attribute | Value | Score | Implications | How Obtained |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor Resolution | 256 × 192 | Tier 4 – Entry-level performance | MANUFACTURER — AGM datasheet | |
| Pixel Pitch | 12 µm | Tier 2 – High performance | MANUFACTURER — AGM datasheet: 12μm VOx Uncooled Focal Plane Array | |
| NETD | < 35 mK (@ 25°C, F#=1.0) | Tier 3 – Solid, practical performance | MANUFACTURER — AGM datasheet: 'NETD: Less than 35 mK (25°C, F#=1.0)' | |
| sNETD | Not published | Tier 3 – Solid, practical performance | INFERRED (Med) — Not published by AGM; estimated from native NETD + F/1.0 gain for this sensor class | |
| Absorber Layer Material | VOx (Vanadium Oxide) — confirmed | Tier 1 – Elite performance | MANUFACTURER — AGM datasheet: '12μm VOx Uncooled Focal Plane Array' | |
| Refresh Rate | 50 Hz | Tier 2 – High performance | MANUFACTURER — AGM datasheet & product page |
| Attribute | Value | Score | Implications | How Obtained |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor Tier | Application SoC / Smart SoC (Mid-Range) | Tier 3 – Solid, practical performance | INFERRED (Med) — Consistent with sub-$1,200 LWIR SoC implementations; AGM does not disclose processor details |
| Target / Task | Distance (yds) | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Human — Detection | 1250 m (stated as max detection on 6-ft object — confirmed human-class) | Tier C – Adequate, with notable gaps |
| Human — Recognition | ~300–400 m (estimated from Johnson criteria + 256×192 IFOV) | Tier C – Adequate, with notable gaps |
| Human — Identification | ~150–175 m (estimated from Johnson criteria + IFOV) | Tier D – Basic utility only |
| Medium Game — Detection | ~900–1000 m (estimated from sensor + lens IFOV for ~1 m tall target) | Tier C – Adequate, with notable gaps |
| Medium Game — Recognition | ~300–400 m (field-confirmed: 300–500 yd range is typical user-reported recognition) | Tier C – Adequate, with notable gaps |
| Medium Game — Identification | ~175–225 m (practical shot-decision threshold per user reports) | Tier C – Adequate, with notable gaps |
| Small Game — Detection | ~550–650 m (estimated for ~0.5 m target height) | Tier C – Adequate, with notable gaps |
| Small Game — Recognition | ~175–225 m (estimated) | Tier C – Adequate, with notable gaps |
| Small Game — Identification | ~100–125 m (estimated) | Tier C – Adequate, with notable gaps |
| Attribute | Value | Score | Implications | How Obtained |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproof / Dust Rating | IP67 | Tier A – Exceptional real-world capability | MANUFACTURER — AGM datasheet: 'Protection Level: IP67' | |
| Operating Temperature | -30°C to +55°C (-22°F to +131°F) | Tier A – Exceptional real-world capability | MANUFACTURER — AGM datasheet: 'Operating Temperature: -30°C to +55°C' | |
| Storage Temperature | Not specified on V2 datasheet | Tier C – Adequate, with notable gaps | INFERRED (High) — V2 operating range matches industry storage norm; original TS-256 had -40°C to +60°C storage spec | |
| Housing Material | Polycarbonate | Tier D – Basic utility only | INFERRED (High) — Multiple retail listings list 'Polycarbonate' material; AGM datasheet omits material class | |
| Lens Protection Coating | AR coated — hard coating type not specified | Tier C – Adequate, with notable gaps | INFERRED (Med) — AGM does not specify DLC on 256-class lenses; consistent with this peer class | |
| Dimensions | 219 × 68 × 67 mm (8.5 × 2.7 × 2.6 in) | MANUFACTURER — AGM datasheet | ||
| Weight | 490 g w/o mount & battery (1.08 lb) | Tier A – Exceptional real-world capability | MANUFACTURER — AGM datasheet: '0.49 kg (1.08 lb)' |
| Attribute | Value | Score | Implications | How Obtained |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Runtime | Up to 11.5 hours (25°C, Wi-Fi off) — two NE-4400 Li-Ion batteries included | Tier A – Exceptional real-world capability | MANUFACTURER — AGM datasheet & product page: 'Up to 11.5 hours (25°C, with hotspot off)' |
| Attribute | Value | Score | Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integrated LRF | No — Stadiametric rangefinder only (manual reticle measurement) | Tier C – Adequate, with notable gaps | |
| Ballistic Calculator | No — multiple zeroing profiles only (up to 5 profiles for different calibers) | Tier C – Adequate, with notable gaps | |
| Digital Zoom | 1×, 2×, 4×, 8× (discrete step zoom) | Tier B – Strong, above-average capability | |
| Reticle Options | 10 types, 4 colors (black/white/red/green), on/off | Tier A – Exceptional real-world capability | |
| Video Recording | Yes — onboard 1080p video + audio + image capture; 16 GB EMMC storage | Tier A – Exceptional real-world capability | |
| Wi-Fi / App Streaming | Yes — Wi-Fi hotspot; AGM Connect app; live view + remote control | Tier A – Exceptional real-world capability | |
| Picture-in-Picture (PiP) | Yes | Tier B – Strong, above-average capability | |
| Hot-Spot Tracking | Yes — automatic hot-spot highlight/tracking | Tier B – Strong, above-average capability | |
| Recoil-Activated Recording | Yes — Shot Activated Recording (pre/post-shot clips triggered by recoil) | Tier A – Exceptional real-world capability | |
| Scene / Color Modes | 4 palettes (Black Hot, White Hot, Red Hot, Fusion) + 2 scene modes (Cold, Warm) | Tier B – Strong, above-average capability |
"We’re investigators who founded Proven Optic and Proven Justice—an optic research company dedicated to finding and selling the best, field-tested optics, with every purchase helping support victims of crime."
CJ Sahr - CEO