The Infitac Fast Mini was one of the new things that people were most interested in at SHOT Show 2025. A lot of you asked James Reeves from TFBTV to look into it. That's what Infitac calls it: the "world's first compact thermal optic designed specifically for pistols." At about $700, you have to wonder what that means. We're checking to see if this small thermal optic is really useful, especially on a pistol, or if it's just a cool thing to look at.
First Look: TFBTV Intrigued by the Infitac Fast Mini's Unconventional Design
The Infitac Fast Mini is small, that's the first thing that stands out. It's only 1.5 inches long and 3.2 ounces heavy. It's about the same size as a lot of other red-dot sights because of this. It was made so that it can be put on a gun without changing how it balances or how it fits in a holster. By default, the Fast Mini has an RMR footprint, which is a common mounting system that makes it easy to connect to slides or adapter plates that are compatible.
Infitac says the Fast Mini is designed to be streamlined. Even so, experienced reviewers like TFBTV's James Reeves were initially unsure what to make of it. "I swear to God I don't even know what fing Booth this is and I don't know what I'm looking at," he said, adding with a laugh, "I was just hoping this played Nintendo." This reaction from someone who sees a lot of gear shows how different the Fast Mini is from typical optics.
Core Technology: Thermal Sensor and Display
The Fast Mini uses a 256x192 thermal core. This sensor is important for getting clear images from heat signatures. It also has a 60Hz refresh rate. Ryan from Infitac told TFBTV this means "you're not going to see the lagging that you've seen in the past with other products." A fast refresh rate like this is important for tracking moving targets smoothly, which is essential in dynamic situations.
It's important to understand that the Fast Mini offers a digital thermal display only; you can't see through it like a regular scope. This means you are completely relying on the electronic image it produces. The device offers several viewing options, or palettes, like black-hot (where hot things look black), white-hot (hot things look white), and various color modes. This lets users choose the best mode for seeing targets in their current environment.
Infitac Fast Mini: Controls and How to Use It
You control the Fast Mini using a combination of its touchscreen and buttons, giving you different ways to operate it. During the TFBTV demo, Ryan showed how the touchscreen works: swiping up or down changes the color palette, and swiping side-to-side adjusts the reticle's size and color. The original product information also mentions "touch and button dual operation," which suggests there are physical buttons for those who prefer them, perhaps when wearing gloves.
The system has some smart features. These include different reticle options designed for pistol distances and an ambient light sensor – Ryan pointed to it on TFBTV as a "little white divot" – that automatically adjusts the display's brightness depending on the light. The RMR adapter makes setup easier, and Infitac also mentions optional mounting plates for other pistol types and even rifle mounts, suggesting it could be used in other ways beyond just handguns.
Thermal vs. Night Vision: Key Differences
To get a better sense of the Fast Mini, it helps to quickly look at how it works with regular night vision (NV). As long as the Fast Mini can pick up heat, it can see objects in complete darkness, smoke, and light foliage. On the other hand, night vision makes light brighter, so it needs at least some light to work.
This makes them different, so they work well in different places. There is no light that can hurt the Fast Mini. It can see through smoke and fog and is not hurt by bright lights like gun flashes. It looks more natural at night, helps you judge distance better, can see through glass (if there's enough light), and, based on the light, can work at farther distances. The Fast Mini can find things up to 100 yards away, so it's better for use up close and when there isn't much light. According to Infitac's own comparisons, NV might be better for longer distances or when you need to see features more clearly. These comparisons show that NV is better at detecting depth.
TFBTV's Real-World Test – Image Quality, Durability, and Battery Life
How well an optic performs is key. This includes its image quality, how tough it is, and its battery life.
Image Quality and Detection Range
The Fast Mini is said to provide "crisp imaging even in total darkness, fog, or light foliage." James Reeves from TFBTV agreed that its image was "actually very smooth." Infitac claims it can detect human-sized targets up to 100 yards away. That's quite a distance for such a small device, though actual range will depend on conditions.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The Fast Mini is made to be tough and handle bad weather, with an IP67 waterproof rating. Ryan from Infitac explained this means it's water-resistant at a depth of about 33 feet. Its ability to handle recoil is also strong. It’s officially rated for up to .50 AE caliber recoil. Ryan also shared some strong stories about its toughness, saying, "it's been on an mk7 scar... it's been on a beta 1301 shotgun with 3-in mag slugs... it's been on a 45-70... 10mm and all flavors of 9mm." Testing it on such a variety of powerful firearms shows it's well-built.
Battery Life and Power Options
The Fast Mini uses one CR2 battery, which Ryan described as "a little bit smaller than a one two three." It lasts about 4 to 5 hours, according to both Infitac and Ryan, though this can change depending on the temperature and how much the light sensor is working. To use it longer, there's a USB-C port for an external battery pack. Ryan said this could power the unit for "every bit of 15 20 hours." Importantly, the external pack "will not charge the battery inside the unit"; it uses the external battery first, then the internal CR2.
Is This $700 Pistol Thermal Actually Useful? – TFBTV Notes Specific Pistol Advantages
Regarding the actual usefulness of this $700 pistol thermal, TFBTV's review offers crucial insights. Their exploration points to a multifaceted answer: while the Infitac Fast Mini provides unique advantages in specific handgun scenarios, its use as a primary pistol optic has notable operational considerations. However, TFBTV's discussion, particularly with Infitac's representative Ryan, also highlights a more compelling case for the Fast Mini's versatility and effectiveness as a secondary rifle optic, where its capabilities truly shine.
Pistol Sights Fast Mini FMP13
On a Handgun: Expanding Sighting Capabilities
The Infitac Fast Mini presents intriguing possibilities for enhancing handgun sighting in challenging conditions. Infitac suggests valuable applications, like aiding law enforcement with crucial thermal visibility during night operations or suspect tracking. For concealed carriers, it can offer beneficial situational awareness in low-light environments, while hunters may appreciate its utility in varmint control or for safer navigation after dark. Speaking on TFBTV, Ryan from Infitac highlighted its usefulness for quick environmental checks, like "blinking out in the backyard," and its potential in "home defense kind of type of situation," where rapidly identifying a heat signature offers a clear advantage.
When using the Fast Mini on a pistol, its nature as a digital thermal imager means it has unique operational characteristics. Ryan from Infitac noted that, as a digital display, the sight picture is lost if the unit loses power—an operational aspect to keep in mind. Furthermore, like all thermal technology, it detects heat signatures, meaning it shows heat reflecting off glass instead of providing a view through it. These are characteristics to consider when weighing the distinct advantages of adding compact thermal imaging to a handgun.
On a Rifle: A Versatile Secondary Optic
The Fast Mini's versatility truly shines on a rifle, especially as a secondary or offset optic. Ryan from Infitac enthusiastically detailed this application, noting it "can also be used on a 45 [degree offset] to put on something like your AR." He clearly expressed his preference for this setup: "I primarily like it on other Firearms such as AR and a 45 offset because now you can run your lvp a red dot of your choice and flavor and then have that on the side." This innovative configuration lets shooters maintain their primary optic (like an LPVO or red dot) while gaining immediate access to thermal imaging's powerful benefits. Such capability has understandably drawn attention from professional users; Ryan mentioned, "I've actually got a lot of SWAT teams that looking at this because again you can run that lvp or your typical Red Dot that have this functionality." This offers a clear advantage over previous methods that often required bulky, dedicated thermal scopes to add this capability to a rifle.
Define Its Role in Your Setup!
For handgun owners, the Infitac Fast Mini is geared towards specialized roles rather than universal sighting solutions. It becomes a strong contender for police, serious tactical operators, or certain hunters, especially as a compact secondary rifle thermal. On a handgun, its utility shines in very specific situations like home defense in absolute darkness or smoke, or for particular hunting applications. For the average user seeking an everyday sighting solution, it's likely more an interesting piece of technology than a practical necessity.
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