AGM is one of the leaders in thermal optics, making some of the highest quality thermal scopes available today. We’ll closely examine the AGM Fusion T25-384 and the AGM Rattler T35-384.
We’ll break down how they compare to each other and what the crucial differences are. In the end, we’ll give you a list of all the hard numbers for each optic system so that you can compare some of the data points that we simply didn’t have room to go into detail on.
How The AGM Fusion T25-384 & AGM Rattler T35-384 Compare
What’s Different?
Use & Overall Features
The most significant difference between the Fusion and the Rattler is their form factor and method of use. The Fusion is designed as a thermal optic monocular, while the Rattler is designed as a thermal optic riflescope. This difference can be the deciding point for many shooters who may not want the added hassle of thermal optics that do not directly attach to their rifles.
The Fusion T25-384 can pack in a significantly more extensive list of features since it doesn’t have to withstand the recoil that the Rattler T35-384 must. However, it also uses a significantly larger battery, which gives it an average of one more hour of continuous runtime over the Rattler T35-384.
Objective Lens
The Rattler T35-384 houses a beautiful 35mm germanium lens that gives you an image quality unmatched by other entry-level thermals. In contrast, the slightly smaller 25mm Fusion T25-384 still does the job efficiently.
Rangefinding Abilities
While the Fusion T25-384 is designed as a monocular and has a built-in laser rangefinder, the Rattler also has rangefinder abilities. The difference is that the Rattler T35-384 uses a stadiametric rangefinder, which relies on an object of known size to estimate the distance between the shooter and their objective.
Visual Elements & Reticles
The Rattler T35-384 and the Fusion T25-384 have radically different visual elements. The Fusion T25-384 offers a range of different thermal palettes to make viewing comfortable and effective, including three different options for highlighting hot and two additional modes that combine visible light with the thermal functions for daytime use. The Rattler T35-384, on the other hand, has features that are more at-home on a scope, such as five different reticle styles and four colors for those reticle options, including black, white, red, and green.
Magnification
Another drastic difference between the Fusion T25-384 and the Rattler T35-384 is their vastly different magnification abilities. Since the Rattler T35-384 is designed as a riflescope, it tops out at a 2.14x optical magnification, coupled with additional 2x, 4x, and 8x digital magnification settings. The Fusion T25-384, however, has a staggering 3.5x to 28x optical magnification, as well as 2x, 4x, and 8x digital zoom options.
Field Of View
One surprising difference between the Fusion T25-384 and the Rattler T35-384 is the field of view for each. While the Fusion T25-384 has a far greater optical zoom capability, the field of view is limited to 7.5° vertical and just 5.7° horizontal. The Rattler T35-384 has a vertical field of 10.0° and a horizontal field of view of 8.0°.
What’s The Same?
Onboard Display
Both the Rattler T35-384 and the Fusion T25-384 have an onboard 1080 OLED screen, which gives an absolutely gorgeous image.
Waterproofing Standard
Both models are also waterproof to the IP67 standard. They are incredibly complex and sophisticated thermal imaging devices that, while they shouldn’t be submerged at any time, can still stand up to fog, rain, snow, and any other normal operating conditions you take them out in.
Ease Of Use
When it comes to ease of use, and with the obvious exception of one mounting to a rifle and the other needing to be held or tripod-mounted, both the Rattler T35-384 and the Fusion T25-384 have a relatively straightforward operation. They are both highly ergonomic to use and don’t have an overabundance of buttons. The buttons they have are in comfortable and easy-to-access locations so that you can adjust and configure them without curling your hand into uncomfortable claw-like positions.
Onboard Media Storage
The Fusion T25-384 and the Rattler T35-384 have identical onboard storage for stills and video. They both feature 16GB of storage, with no option to expand the storage via a microSD card.
Wireless Capability
Considering many people will quickly fill the 16GB of onboard storage, a common concern is expanding the storage capabilities. Both models have Wi-Fi capability, allowing fast transfer of onboard data to another digital device for editing or archival purposes.
CVBS Output
Another way to quickly send video from either model is via CVBS or Composite Video Baseband Signal. Both models offer this as a way to pipe video directly to another device without needing Wi-Fi transfers. Both the Rattler T35-384 and the Fusion T25-384 can transfer video via CVBS through the use of a USB cable.
AGM Fusion T25-384 Specs
- Palettes: Black Hot, White Hot, Red Hot, Fusion Visible, Image Fusion
- Working Temperature: -20°C to 55°C (-4°F to 131°F)
- Dimensions: (LxWxH) 168 × 87 × 74 mm (6.6 × 3.4 × 2.9 in)
- Distance Measurement: Yes (Laser Rangefinder: up to 600 m ±1 m accuracy)
- Scene Modes: Jungle, Recognition
- Hotspot: Yes
- Detector Type: 12 μm VOx Uncooled Focal Plane Arrays
- Response Waveband: 8 μm to 14 μm
- Optical Image Sensor: 1/2 Wavelength 400-1000 nm
- FFC (Flat Field Correction): Auto, Manual, External Correction
- Highest Temperature Spot Tracking: Yes
- Standby Mode: Yes
- Refresh Rate: 50 Hz
- Aperture: F1.0
- Resolution: 384 × 288
- Laser Wavelength: 905 nm
- Detection Range: 1,650m/yd
- Optical Magnification: 3.5x – 28x
- Lens (focal length): Thermal Lens Focal Length - 25mm, Optical Module Lens Focal Length - 22mm
- Power: 5 VDC/2 A, USB Type-C interface Supports external power supply
- Field of view: (H × W) 7.5° × 5.7°
- Digital zoom: 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x
- Monitor: 1024x768, 0.39 inch, OLED, 50Hz
- Storage: Built-in 16 GB EMMC
- Record Video: Onboard video recording
- Capture Snapshot: Yes
- Battery Type: One 18650 rechargeable battery (removable)
- CVBS Output: Yes (via USB)
- Battery Operating Time: Up to 5 hours continuous running (@25°C, WiFi and CVBS off) Up to 3 hours continuous running (@25°C, WiFi and CVBS on)
- Battery Capacity Display: Yes
- Weight: 520 g (1.15 Ib)
- Protection Level: IP67 (Waterproof)
- Thermal Detector: 12μm
- Display: 1024×768 OLED
AGM Rattler T35-384 Specs
- Shock and vibration: 750 g/ms
- Detector type: 17μm, Uncooled, 50Hz
- Standby Mode: Yes
- Resolution: 384x288
- Detection Range: 1750m/yd
- Snapshot: Yes
- Lens system: 35 mm; F/1.0
- Optical magnification: 2.14x
- Field of view (H × W): 10.0° x 8.0°
- Digital zoom: 2x, 4x, 8x, PIP
- Eye relief: 45 mm
- Imaging palettes: Jungle, Recognition
- Display: 0.39-inch, OLED, 1024 × 768
- Storage: Built-in EMMC (16 GB)
- Record Video: Yes
- Battery Type: Two CR123A (3V) Lithium or two RCR123 (up to 4.2V) Rechargeable Batteries
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Battery Life (Operating): Up to 4.5 hr
- External power supply: 5V USB
- Operating Temperature Range: -20°C to +55°C (-4°F to +131°F)
- Degree of Protection IP67
- Weight: 511 g (1.13 lb)
- Overall Dimensions: 226 × 62 × 82 mm (8.9 × 2.4 × 3.2 in)