SHIELD Sights announced new distribution partnerships with Sports South and Zanders Sporting Goods, joining its longstanding partnership with RSR Group. The expansion makes SHIELD's micro red dot optics available through these major wholesale distributors' dealer networks across the United States.
Kinetic Development Group announced a significant update to its SideLok optic mount line, shifting to a footprint-based product structure that expands compatibility across red dot optics from manufacturers including Aimpoint, Trijicon, Leupold, Holosun, SIG Sauer, and Steiner while maintaining core performance features.
Kinetic Development Group (KDG) introduces its Optic Hub system, a purpose-built mounting and stabilization platform designed for Precision Rifle Series (PRS) competitors. The modular solution addresses key PRS demands including spotting scope stability, optic protection, and streamlined workflow for faster target acquisition in high-pressure competition environments.
Steiner Optics introduces the MPS-C, a compact red dot sight designed for concealed carry and compact-frame pistols. Featuring an enclosed emitter, hard-anodized aluminum housing, and weighing just 1.13 ounces, the MPS-C offers 46,125 hours of battery life with shake-awake technology at an MSRP of $574.99.
ZeroTech introduces the THRIVE HD Digital 1x22 Red Dot, a compact red dot optic featuring digital brightness controls, auto on/off functionality, and Aimpoint® Micro compatibility. Built for fast target acquisition with a 2 MOA dot, shockproof and waterproof construction, and up to 50,000 hours of battery life.
Zanders, a national distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, has added SHIELD Sights' innovative micro red dot optics to its product lineup. The partnership expands dealer access to SHIELD Sights' rugged, compact optics designed for concealed carry pistols, duty firearms, and competition platforms.
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. announces the release of the M&P9 M2.0 Metal with a direct-mount Aimpoint ACRO slide cut. The 9mm striker-fired pistol features a 7075-T6 aluminum frame, ClearSight Cut technology, optic-height night sights, and includes two 17-round magazines with interchangeable palmswell grip inserts.
When Infitac dropped the FMP13, it shook things up by cramming real thermal into a pistol-sized package with a (relatively) skimpy price. Now they’ve stepped it up with the new FML19, the bigger brother in the Fast Mini series that upgrades to a 384×288 sensor and a 19mm lens while keeping the same feather-light footprint.
Priced at around $1,199 MSRP (and $1,099 street price), it promises sharper imagery and longer detection without adding any bulk. I've had one for a couple months now and have run it hard through low-light drills, suppressed work, and perimeter walks to find out if the resolution bump over the FMP13 makes it worth the price jump.
Durability: IP67 waterproof, AL7075-T6 aluminum housing, rated for heavy recoil
Mounting: Native RMR footprint with adapters available for various pistol and rifle platforms
Features: Multiple reticles and color palettes, InstaWake instant-on, touchscreen swipe controls, auto brightness
Operation:
Just like the FMP13, the FML19 is dead simple to operate. With the two buttons, you're a bit limited. The touch screen however, is easy to operate despite the smallish screen. Swapping thermal modes is an up/down swipe, while left and right swipes change the reticle type or color.
Straight out of the box, the FML19 looks and feels almost identical to the FMP13 from the side—compact, low-profile, and tiny for what it is. Mounting it to the Rost Martin's RMR cut slide was dead simple: torque to spec and you're done.
It sits low enough, keeping the pistol balanced without that front-heavy feel. The aluminum body feels bombproof, the buttons are positive, and the touchscreen responds cleanly. Power on is lightning fast thanks to InstaWake. No waiting around when you're in a hurry. Auto brightness handles transitions well enough.
Range Days:
Just as with the FMP13, zeroing is a little different than with a traditional optic, but isn't terribly time consuming and goes fast with the excellent touch screen. Using the included thermal zeroing pack, this necessary job was handled in a couple minutes.
Since then, I've put a couple hundred rounds through the setup over multiple sessions: 115gr FMJ at my usual 0 to 25-yard lineup of steel during daylight hours, and a little shooting done at dusk and full dark. The zero held tight the whole time...no worries there.
The 60 Hz refresh rate makes movement buttery smooth. Tracking and transitioning between targets feels natural, with none of the stutter you see on slower thermals. The 384×288 sensor delivers noticeably crisper detail than 256-res models. Residual heat from rounds passing through the Infinite Defense self-healing target showed great edge definition, and target identification is simply easier.
Detection on heat sources out past 200 yards in brush was solid. I don't have a good 1,000 yard range handy, but for such a small optic to be showing heat signatures at the ~400-yard range I had available was pretty impressive.
At 1X magnification the view angle is slim. I'd recommend using the .5X under 10 yards, and 1X beyond that.
I took it handheld on some property perimeter walks. The rechargeable CR2 battery setup is a nice upgrade. I got consistent 5+ hours per charge. I really like the lack of "stutter" compared to more expensive thermals I've used before.
Bottom Line
The Infitac FML19 takes everything that's good about the Fast Mini platform and sharpens it with higher resolution, better sensitivity, and a longer-reaching lens while staying at that magic four-ounce weight. It delivers fluid 60 Hz imagery, solid durability, and genuine multi-role versatility—pistol mount, handheld scanner, or canted backup—all in a small enough package that you’ll actually carry it. Battery life is very respectable with the included rechargeables and the build quality holds up under real recoil and weather.
If you want thermal capability on a carry pistol or as a lightweight auxiliary optic on a rifle, the FML19 is an awesome choice. This is beyond an entry level thermal and the performance justifies the cost.
