Review: Optics 1 TAD (Thermal Augmentation Device)

Did you check out the previous Night Chenanigans? That ADNV G14P2 is a remarkable device. Well this week we get to take a close look at the relatively new clip on thermal imager (COTI) by Safran Optics 1. Their TAD, Thermal Augmentation Device, is a simpler and smaller version of the ECOTI.

TAD vs ECOTI

TAD on the left, ECOTI on the Right

As stated, the TAD is smaller than the ECOTI. It is about 1/2 an inch shorter in length. Like if you cut off the battery cap on the ECOTI. that is how long the TAD is.

The ECOSI is slightly longer than the ECOTI. But looking at the TAD vs the ECOTI, you can really see the desig differences. The TAD buttons are directly below the fiber optic periscope and the mount catch release is just in front of the battery cap. The TAD objective lens also sticks out past the main body of the TAD whereas the ECOTI is flush with the body.

The TAD is so small that it is almost the same size as the option eyepiece.

I find it odd that they relocated the release button for the TAD. You can see the position of my hand when I try to remove the TAD from my PVS-31A.

Compare that to the ECOTI below. I am holding the ECOTI like a paper airplane. This feels more secure.

There is one design change that I found odd and that is the battery cap threads are different on the TAD. They are a finer thread pitch so cross threading is easier to do. Also if you have the CUBA (COTI USB Battery Adapter) it will not thread onto the TAD. You might be able to get the maker of the CUBA to make a new battery cap to fit the TAD.

In order to bring the price down on the TAD, Optics1 removed the 7 pin connection point on the side of the housing. You cannot run the TAD on a Y-split cable and power it off an L3 PVS-31A or GPNVG battery housing. Optics1 also changed the TAD so it cannot be powered by a rechargable CR123 while the ECOTI can run of an RCR123/16340 li-ion battery.

The TAD is lighter by one ounce.

Since the objective lens of the TAD protrudes forward, the lens cap can flip up or down and rest on the lens.

Looking Through The TAD

I recall early rumors that the TAD would have almost 39º FOV to cover most of analog night vision which has a 40º FOV. However it just has the same 30º FOV as the ECOTI. The fiber optic projector is a different color than the COTI and ECOTI. The COTI projects a red image while the ECOTI and ECOSI project a green image. The TAD projects a white image.

The COTI image is an old one but you can see the difference below.

L-R: COTI, ECOTI, TAD

I did notice a slight increase in contrast and detail while looking through the TAD vs my ECOTI. To confirm, I went to by friend Kevin and we compared his ECOTI to mine and the TAD. His ECOTI was even worse than mine. There was almost no contrast. We even checked the ECOTI settings and they were the same.

Final Thoughts On The SAFRAN/OPTICS1 ECOTI

First of all I want to thank my friend Gary for letting me borrow his TAD to do this review. At the time he bought the TAD, second hand ECOTI were being sold for less than the TAD. And after this review, I think he should have bought one of those and saved about $1k. Used ECOTI go for around $5,500 while the TAD retails for $6,500.

At those prices I think there are diminshing returns. Lets forget the fact that the ECOTI can be used as a display device for ATAK, which isnt that great anyway, the purpose of a clip on thermal imager for night vision goggles is to merely detect heat. People chase after resolution and the TAD, as well as the ECOTI, are both 640. The TAD is actual 672 but that is not enough of a bump in resolution to make any significant difference. These are used for detection. TNVC mention s the TAD can detect a human at 450m if it is clear. I suspect that is actually further. Detection is merely seeing a hot spot in your thermal image. can you recognize the shape or behavior to determine it is a person or an animal? That is where the distance differs. Recognition would be closer but based on the movement and behavior, you might be able to distinguish a person from an animal at further distances. However you certinaly are not positively identifying it beyond the limits of your analogn night vision goggles. PID of a person, using analong night vision goggles is only 175M according to TNVC's own Night Fighter's Course. You analong night vision goggles are a lot higher resolution than your thermal, so don't fool yourself that you can see further with a TAD or ECOTI. You might be able to see further with a handheld thermal device for a lot less money if you do not need to have a pseudo fusiuon system like a TAD or ECOTI. And at the time of this article, I have an inside source who claims that the TAD is having software issues. However I cannot confirm this problem and I have not see anyone post issues regarding their TAD systems. I will keep my ears and eyes open for such reports.