Thermal optics have been a game-changer not only on the battlefield but also for hunters and homeowners protecting their land and animals from predators. Thermal weapon sights are a super weapon that no animal’s camouflage can fool, and they give you an unprecedented advantage.
New from Armasight, the Commander 640 is a dedicated weapon sight using the same ArmaCORE 640×480 12um thermal core technology that powers the Warden 640 monocular and Operator 640 clip-on. A complete package including thermal sight, weapon mount, batteries, and more the Commander 640 is ready to go from the box to the field.
- Detector Type: ArmaCORE™ 640 x 480 12um Thermal Core
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Thermal Sensitivity: NETD
- Detection Range: 1,300m on a Human Sized Target
- Field of View: 18° x 14°
- Optical Magnification: 1.5x
- Digital Zoom: 1x – 4x
- Display: XGA (1024 x 768) OLED
- Wireless: None
- Graphics: Active On-Screen Graphics and Iconology
- Lens System: F/1.00; 35mm manual focus
- Power Supply: 2 x CR123A (3V)
- Battery Life: 4 hours at 20° C
- Environmental Rating: IP67
- Operating Temperature: -40° C to +50° C (-40° F to + 122° F)
- Dimensions: 241 x 92 x 84 mm / 9.48 x 3.61 x 3.32 in w/ mount
- Weight: 632g / 1.39lbs
- Warranty: 3 years w/ registration
- Color: Gray
The process for zeroing a thermal is not hard, but it is a little different than a normal optical scope.
First, you need the right target. The Commander 640 comes with a thermal target to get you started but let’s assume you lost it or used it and need something else. For the money, the easy method is a pack of hand warmers like HotHands, a knife, and some tape.
Take some cardboard or thicker paper or even one of your old targets and cut a hole in it. The size can be as small or large as you want, but smaller is generally better for more precision. Don’t make it too small though or it will be a pain to see. Generally, 1 MOA will suffice. So for a 100-yard zero, cut a hole about 1 inch.
Activate the hand warmer and tape it to the back of the target over the hole you cut. Once you set up the target, you should be able to use the Commander to see the heat through the hole you cut.
Now that you have a precision target to zero on, you can start shooting.
To start, zero the scope as you normally would. To access the settings for the reticle, press and hold the middle button until the menu on the left side of the screen pops up (about a second). Select the “Boresight” setting, and adjust your windage and elevation there.
Easy to adjust, zero to zero, and easy to use. The Commander 640 is designed to be as user-friendly as possible and it nails it.
A good owners manual will give you everything you need to know about a piece of technology, but sometimes you just need to play with it yourself to really find what works best for you. The reticle options in the Commander 640 are exactly one of those times.
With so many options to choose from like chevrons, crosshairs, center dot, illumination, different colors of illumination, and more, you will find an option combination that is perfect no matter what. But to find that combination, it takes some time to sit down and just roll through the options.
What will be best for you will mostly be personal preference with a little bit of environment and what color overlay you choose for the imaging. The range of options and number of choices available might take some time to work through, but it’s worth knowing what works best for you.
The Commander 640 is an all-round thermal sight that performs exactly as you need. Easy to mount, easy to find good eye relief, and with the large display powered by the ArmaCORE detector, the images are crisp. Even in the Arizona desert where conditions are poor and animals are almost the same temperature as the brush and ground around them, the Commander 640 is able to cut through the noise and deliver outstanding thermal views.
The Commander 640 is a great addition to the Armasight lineup. Feature-packed, amazing thermal technology, and best-in-class electronics. An unstoppable optic that will deliver the goods when you need it most.
Thermal sights are the future and the Armasight Commander 640 is proof of that.
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