In the highly competitive technology market for optoelectronic thermal imaging, the Conothec brand is enjoying growing awareness and market share. This is hardly surprising for a young technology company (active since 2017) that operates in a growing market with innovation, customer focus and high quality standards. As an exhibitor at the relevant trade fairs, Conothec presented a range of new products this year. These include the models Aquila Pro, Night Arrow Max, Polaris 650F, Vagon LRF and the Avata series.
The Avata 335 from Conothec at a glance
As a newcomer in an established market, it is important to be convincing as a company. Price and performance should be competitive, even better. This is exactly what the young Conothec brand strives for with its philosophy. Its own slogan "Precision without compromise" is intended to emphasise this. The unboxing alone turns anticipation into a product experience that lives up to its brand promise. As a premium product, it uses correspondingly high-quality packaging. The company clearly wants to present itself to the customer in the best possible light, even before they even hold the device in their hands – very nicely done. The sturdy cuboid box with magnetic flap closure and high-gloss printing contains "nothing more" than an oval zip case with a rubberised carrying strap. This is certainly a valuable plus. It is not a repurposed, run-of-the-mill EVA bag, but a cleverly designed EVA foam zip case, specifically shaped to hold the device and its accessories. The main compartment's contoured design provides a padded nest for the clip-on. The product designers at Conothec have also thought of the space for the required mounting adapter for the riflescope (the only required accessory not included) and filled this empty space with a foam cube for delivery. Once combined with the attachment adapter, this can then be stored together in the zip pocket of the Avata when mounted. The company has also thought of useful little details, such as a strap tab attached to one side to aid removal. The high-quality carrying case also has a padded divider between the lid and the main compartment to protect the device. A really well-rounded package.
Conothec Avata 335 thermal imager in detail
Once removed from the opened "Snow White coffin," a perfectly crafted and compact accessory, the size of a smartphone (length and width), fills the user's hand. The matte black magnesium housing exudes a cool, high-quality feel. Noticeably smooth surfaces, no sharp edges or corners anywhere. Where necessary, however, there are non-slip functional surfaces that are very pleasant to hold.
The solid adaptation is made with the two-part adapter from Präzise Jagen. A corresponding adapter with matching fine thread is simply added to the clamping sleeve remaining on the riflescope objective lens. Using the Avata's alignment aid, align it to the crosshairs, tighten it with torque and you're done!
The device is supplied with a comprehensive range of basic accessories: two 18500 rechargeable batteries in a practical plastic box, USB charging cable, a microfiber cloth with the company logo and a counter ring key.
The following accessories are also available as options: an eyepiece with magnetic holder for using the Avata as a handheld device for 149 euros and a Bluetooth finger remote control for 99 euros.
Controls of the Conothec Avata 335
There are only 5 controls on the Avata:
- A distinctive 3-position switch with the OFF / S / ON positions
- A handy focus adjustment turret above
- Arranged in line with the scope, two tactile and fingertip-sized multi-function keys for the middle and ring fingers
- In front of it is a controller wheel, a combination of rotary wheel and pushbutton for the index finger
After switching on the 3-position switch, the entire menu operation of the Avata is carried out exclusively using three main operating elements: 2x multi-function keys and the controller wheel. The linear arrangement of these controls in the top center of the device was deliberately designed for two-handed operation. The size, arrangement and texture also allow good operability with gloves in the cold season.
The operating concept with just 3 controls
The two multifunction keys are pre-set with direct functions: Photo/video (camera pictogram), as well as an assignable quick function key (building block pictogram). The color palette proved to be a very helpful direct function. Repeatedly pressing the key with the middle finger then switches directly through the various color palettes.
The easiest way to describe the controller wheel is to use the analogy of the scroll wheel on a computer mouse with an additional "mouse click" by pressing the controller.
The menu navigation works as follows:
- Short click with the wheel -> opens the short menu with the 6 essential display settings
- Long click with the wheel -> opens the settings menu with a further 11 device functions
When in a menu, the two multi-function keys change their function to scrolling up or down in the vertical menu tree. Turning the wheel changes the possible parameters of the currently selected menu item (on/off, 1-10 value, etc.).
Exiting the two menus back to the basic screen is achieved by a long wheel click.
Display options in Avata 335
The Avata 335 is the smallest model in Conothec's portfolio in terms of specifications, but also in terms of price. This is not a drawback, but an opportunity: hunters can get started with sophisticated thermal imaging technology for as little as 1,699 euros. An open-ended price, as so often. The current flagship is the Avata 650 LIIR (640-mm sensor / 50-mm lens / integrated laser rangefinder) at 2,999 euros (RRP).
The question when choosing the right model should be: what do I need for my application? For a pure wild boar hunting scenario from a hide, the Avata 335 is a real price-performance recommendation.
Even the entry-level device comes with the four standard color palettes: Black Hot / White Hot / Red Hot / Rainbow. In addition, three different picture modes are available to improve contrast under special weather conditions: Rain / Clear Night / Foggy.
We found the combination of a small sensor with high temperature sensitivity (NETD) to be very powerful and useful.
This is how the Conothec Avata 335 is supplied with power
The Avata series is based on the concept of a removable power supply using two lithium-ion round cells of the compact 18500 type. These are stored in a battery compartment, which provides further benefits. On the one hand, the cells in the battery compartment can be quickly charged in just 1 hour via a USB-C connection. Secondly, operation is also possible with just one of the two cells supplied (for whatever reason you want to do this). For wild boar hunting in winter night shifts, you could purchase an additional battery compartment for 159 euros RRP plus two additional batteries, thus doubling the specified continuous operation of 7 hours (at 22° Celsius). Alternatively, the device also has a USB-C port for external power supply via power bank. The power-saving standby center position of the 3-position switch is an included and free option for extending the battery life. Simply switch it back to ON and the Avata is immediately back in operation.
Photo and video recording with the Conothec Avata 335
By pressing the pre-set "Media" function key, the Avata 335 takes a photo of the current display screen with a short press and starts video recording with a long press. The device has 64 GB of internal memory available for storage. After pairing the device with the free Conothec app via Wi-Fi, it is possible to view the recordings on the internal memory as well as save them on the mobile device for further utilisation.
The Avata clip-on range features the automatic ShotCapture recording option. The shot recognised by the motion sensor triggers the video recorder to record the 10 seconds before the shot is fired and the 10 seconds after. This can provide valuable information when hunting, enabling you to interpret the signs of a shot correctly and track the game's direction of flight in a targeted manner, even without a direct track.
Conothec Avata 335: equipment and features
As a relative newcomer to the market, the Conothec brand offers competitive products and prices.
Conothec's slogan "Precision without compromise" is the common thread running through this product test. The perceived value of the product packaging, zip case and the product itself is rated 9/10 on the scale.
The operability of all switches, keys and rotary wheels is very tactile and defined throughout. The battery compartment snaps into place with a resounding "click". However, it can also be closed and locked silently by opening and pretensioning the latches.
The imaging performance of even the small 380 thermal imaging sensor with a pixel pitch of 12 µm and a <15 mK NETD value is remarkable. By selecting a large 640 sensor (635/650 models) with the same sensitivity, the image becomes even finer and more differentiated.
Conothec Avata 335 thermal imaging clip-on technical specifications and price
| Model: | Conothec Avata 335 |
Objective Lens: | 35 mm |
Sensor Resolution: | 384x288 px |
Pixel Pitch: | 12 µm |
NETD: | < 15 mK |
Screen: | OLED 1024x768 px |
Field of View at 100 m: | 13.2 m |
Basic Magnification: | Clip-on mode: 1x / Monocular: 1x / 2x / 4x |
Battery: | Battery compartment with 2x 18500 type |
Internal Memory: | 64 GB |
Waterproof Rating: | IP 67 |
Laser Rangefinder: | no (also available with LRF, model: 335LIIR) |
Weight: | 450 g |
| Price
(RRPin Germany): | 1,699 euro |
The Avata 335 from Conothec in practice
We took the opportunity to test the Avata 335 near the edge of the forest next to a neighbouring maize field while hunting for wild boar. Even though the wild boar didn't materialise, we were able to see the capabilities of the "little" Avata in the field at night and practise on roe deer in wet and adverse weather conditions.
An observation during test shooting, even before hunting: a daylight optic with 3x at the lower end is already too much to be able to see the full display in the image circle of the daylight optic. Thankfully, the engineers at Conothec have provided the option of reducing the screen status displays to fit the image circle by turning the controller wheel even before the user reaches the menu.
For zeroing: in the included operating instructions as well as in the menu of the shooting profiles, the amount is given in millimeters per adjustment unit. This is because this adjustment distance per click (which of course does not click in digital mode) differs between the models. In the case of the Avata 335, it is 16.7 mm per 100 meters. So far, so good. However, when it came to check-firing before hunting, the practical question arose as to which direction to adjust. Unfortunately, neither the menu nor the instructions answered the question of whether positive or negative values are associated with up or down, or left and right. After successful "trial and error", we made do with a self-made ruler that not only indicates the number of clicks, but also the correct direction. So you don't have to try it: positive values mean an adjustment to the right on the X-axis and downwards on the Y-axis.
With daylight optics with optical magnification and a stable support, the scope can be adjusted from the center hold point to the bullet hole after the test shot has been fired: done. We found the described procedure really difficult with a 1x magnification of the captured sensor image on a "cold" bullet hole.
While writing this review, the author consulted the marketing manager of the parent company Wuhan Cono Technology in China. In line with our expectations, they were open to constructive criticism of the product and want to incorporate this into product improvements via the specialist departments.
All in all, however, you get a really high-quality, useful thermal imaging clip-on. Even the small shortcoming when firing does not change this. The Avata 335 from Conothec is a real price-performance winner, especially for hunters who want to get into thermal imaging technology.
