Skip to main content

The FLIR Breach PTQ136

The Breach PTQ136 is FLIR's most compact thermal-imaging monocular.

The FLIR Breach PTQ136
The FLIR Breach PTQ136 is small enough to be used daily. It is especially useful for spotting living or warm objects both day and night. $2,500

Once reserved for gadgets demanding five-­figure prices, companies like FLIR are now bringing thermal, electro-­optic technology within reach of the average consumer.

In 2010, FLIR released its first hand-­held thermal monocular Scout product, the TS series. Then came the value-­priced Scout PS retailing for $2,000. The Scouts were performers and proved very useful in hands of law enforcement officers for investigative purposes, hunters searching for downed game and civilians who may have just been curious as to what tipped over their garbage can. The subsequent Scout II and Scout III were light, easy to use and compact. Then, in 2018, FLIR released the Breach.

For nearly the same money, the Breach beats the pants off the Scout in every way. Officially designated “Breach PTQ136,” it is one the most rugged, compact and lightest FLIR thermal-­imaging monocular currently available. It weighs just 7.4 ounces and measures only 5½ inches in length.

//content.osgnetworks.tv/gunsandammo/content/photos/FLIR-Breach-PTQ-1.jpg
People interpret thermal images differently, so FLIR offers seven thermal color palettes in the Breach.

Startup takes less than 1½ seconds and one CR123A lithium battery powers the thermal for 90 minutes while offering the ability to record 1,000 still images and 2½ hours of video at the push of a button.


The Breach is outfitted with FLIR’s latest Boson thermal core, a circuitry producing 12-­micron pixels and a 60-­hertz, 320x256, VOx Microbolometer detector. Translation? This tech produces a bright, high-­definition display with exceptional image clarity and resolution, a quick refresh rate and the ability to recognize features such as body shapes, hair styles, clothing type and even some facial features out to 300 yards. Detection ranges double that.

The Breach can be comfortably carried in a pocket and be used as a handheld unit or it can be helmet mounted by way of a Red Queen Effect (RQE) universal bridge mount. This mount allows it to be mounted alongside a PVS-­14 night-­vision monocular. Mounted together, you’ve got quite the system with a thermal over one eye and night vision over the other. (Never over both eyes at the same time as your brain cannot fuse the images.)

//content.osgnetworks.tv/gunsandammo/content/photos/FLIR-Breach-PTQ-2.jpg

Users can choose between seven color palettes, creating a customizable viewing experience and quicker detection in specific environments. This feature allows us to tailor the unit to our preference. (I generally select sepia or white hot.)


If you’re curious about what’s roaming the woods during the day or night, how long a car has been parked on the street corner or where the dog went — through smoke, haze, rain or fog — the applications of a thermal are many. Visit flir.com for more information.

Current Magazine Cover

Enjoy articles like this?

Subscribe to the magazine.

Get access to everything Guns & Ammo has to offer.
Subscribe to the Magazine

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

The Judge has been promoted! Meet the all-new Taurus Judge Executive Grade, a revolver featuring a hand-polished satin f...
Handguns

Wilson Combat SFX9 5” Full Review

The Judge has been promoted! Meet the all-new Taurus Judge Executive Grade, a revolver featuring a hand-polished satin f...
Learn

Guns & Ammo Magazine: May 2023 Issue

The Judge has been promoted! Meet the all-new Taurus Judge Executive Grade, a revolver featuring a hand-polished satin f...
Industry

Guns & Ammo Magazine: March 2023 Issue

The Judge has been promoted! Meet the all-new Taurus Judge Executive Grade, a revolver featuring a hand-polished satin f...
Rifles

New Stocky's Rifle Stocks for 2023

The Judge has been promoted! Meet the all-new Taurus Judge Executive Grade, a revolver featuring a hand-polished satin f...
Rifles

New for 2023: Christensen Arms Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR)

The Judge has been promoted! Meet the all-new Taurus Judge Executive Grade, a revolver featuring a hand-polished satin f...
Handguns

New for 2023: All-American RIA 5.0 Sporting Pistol

The Judge has been promoted! Meet the all-new Taurus Judge Executive Grade, a revolver featuring a hand-polished satin f...
Suppressors

New for 2023: FN Rush 9Ti Pistol Suppressor

The Judge has been promoted! Meet the all-new Taurus Judge Executive Grade, a revolver featuring a hand-polished satin f...
Handguns

New Big Bore Pistols for 2023: FN 510 Tactical and FN 545 Tactical

The Judge has been promoted! Meet the all-new Taurus Judge Executive Grade, a revolver featuring a hand-polished satin f...
Rifles

New for 2023: FN SCAR 15P Rifle Caliber Pistol

The Judge has been promoted! Meet the all-new Taurus Judge Executive Grade, a revolver featuring a hand-polished satin f...
Handguns

New for 2023: TaurusTX 22 Compact

The Judge has been promoted! Meet the all-new Taurus Judge Executive Grade, a revolver featuring a hand-polished satin f...
Handguns

First Look: Taurus Raging Hunter 460 Magnum Revolver With 10.5-Inch Barrel

The Judge has been promoted! Meet the all-new Taurus Judge Executive Grade, a revolver featuring a hand-polished satin f...
Handguns

New-for-2023 Taurus Judge Executive Grade 410/.45 Colt Revolver

Guns and Ammo Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Guns & Ammo App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now