InfiRay Outdoor M6T Review: The Rooftop Sentinel for Night Hunters

When it comes to night-time hunting or surveillance, a robust thermal imaging system is essential. The M6 Thermal PTZ Camera System, or InfiRay Outdoor M6T, stands out with its innovative vehicle-mounted design. It excelled in spotting warm-blooded animals during my testing and provided a significant edge in hunting wild pigs. This device mounts easily on a vehicle roof and, through WiFi, streams clear video to a display inside the cab, offering seamless integration and enhanced situational awareness for any night-time endeavor.

InfiRay Outdoor M6T Specifications

Out of the Box

The InfiRay Outdoor M6T system arrives with an antenna, remote control, and wiring bundles. Although I used a demo kit for my review, customers will find all necessary components included, except for a display. With built-in WiFi, the M6T seamlessly streams thermal footage to a phone, iPad, or tablet. I recommend using a larger display mounted in the front of the vehicle, as this setup allows everyone to view the thermal feed simultaneously, providing a more convenient experience than passing around a handheld thermal device.

Setup and Installation Of The InfiRay Outdoor M6T

Installing the InfiRay Outdoor M6T system is relatively straightforward. The setup process takes approximately five minutes, which includes mounting the unit to the vehicle roof using the provided suction cup mount. Although effective, I found the suction cup an interesting choice for a vehicle-mounted system. A magnetic mount could potentially offer a more secure and hassle-free alternative, providing more peace of mind for securing a nearly $7,000 thermal. Nevertheless, the suction cups performed reliably, holding firm at speeds up to 75 mph and even on rough pasture terrain. For those preferring a more permanent solution, the included base allows for bolting to a custom mount, trading off quick setup for enhanced security.

The 10-foot cables are just long enough to run from the roof-mounted camera to the vehicle’s interior, typically through a sunroof or a back middle window. This length is adequate for most setups, but an extra few feet would add flexibility for more complex configurations or larger vehicles. 

Performance and Image Quality

Once installed, the InfiRay Outdoor M6T impresses with its performance. The image stability is notably smoother compared to helmet-mounted thermals or handheld devices, especially when driving. The 640×512 thermal sensor and fixed focus f1.0 lens deliver clear and detailed thermal imagery. The system’s full 360° pan and 180° pitch rotation offer a sweeping view, making it easy to scan all directions without having to reposition the vehicle. The M6T can also rotate continuously in any direction without causing the cords to tangle.

The integrated laser rangefinder is a nice addition, providing accurate target range information. When scanning, it is often helpful to know how far away what you are looking at is. You lose your depth perception, and sometimes a small thing at a closer distance seems to be something larger that is actually further away. Thermal can play tricks on your brain when displaying a flat image, but knowing the distance can help clear up any misconceptions. 

Another interesting feature is a built-in green laser. Although the laser pointer’s practical use was limited in my experience, it can be handy for marking targets or points of interest during group activities. If the laser isn’t needed, a simple piece of tape can effectively lock it out to prevent accidental activation, which is a practical workaround. While thermal doesn’t emit any IR or visible light, a green laser will quickly alert any wild pig of your location. 

Connectivity and Controls

The M6’s connectivity features are straightforward. The WiFi antenna allows for wireless control and video streaming via the InfiRay Outdoor mobile app. The WiFi antenna screws onto the middle port on the back of the thermal housing. My only real issue during this test was pairing issues. However, these ended up being more of an iPad issue than a thermal issue. What happened was that the iPad we were using as a display was trying to connect to the pickup’s WiFi diesel tuner instead of staying on the M6T’s WiFi network. For a smoother experience, especially with an iPad, turning off the WiFi auto-join feature is advisable. This prevents the iPad from constantly attempting to switch networks, maintaining a stable connection with the M6T.

The control system is user-friendly, featuring a wired remote with a thumb joystick for precise pan and tilt adjustments. For those gamers out there, this controller is very similar to a Wii nunchuck. This wired connection offers reliable and precise control. However, users also have the option to move the thermal around using the mobile app for added versatility. The app is slightly harder to control and makes much faster movements than the included joystick. The controller also has two front buttons that can be configured to do different things, but the one I received was programmed to activate the green laser. 

App Functionality and Video Recording

The InfiRay Outdoor mobile app enhances the M6’s functionality, providing access to video streaming and recording features. Unfortunately, I encountered occasional glitches while using the app. Pressing the video recording button sometimes caused the app to crash, forcing a reconnection process that disrupted our scanning. It would then take about a minute to reconnect and get everything up and running again. I think connecting to an analog screen via a BNC cable would help resolve this, but the WiFi seemed to occasionally glitch on me. 

On the upside, the 64 GB internal storage is generous, allowing for plenty of video and photo recording without needing immediate transfers or data management. The ability to store recordings directly on the device is practical, especially in environments where network stability may be a concern. The one downside here is that some videos were corrupted when the connection was lost. This seemed to mainly happen with the long videos we made where we would park the truck, set the camera to record, and then stalk up on pigs from a distance. While it worked great for detection and scanning, not getting a video from some spot and stalks was still frustrating. 

Practical Use and Field Experience

In practical field use, the M6T shines by enabling coordinated viewing for a group. During multiple night hunts with my buddies at Black Sheep Outdoors, the ability to project the thermal feed onto an iPad mounted in the truck’s front was a significant advantage. Everyone could see the same thing simultaneously, improving communication and strategy during the hunt. This shared viewing capability enhances the overall experience, making the M6T a valuable tool for team-based activities. It also seemed to provide a much smoother and more stabilized image than what I could see using a helmet-mounted thermal when driving through rough pastures. Here, I think the suction cup mount offered a great dampening feature. One last advantage is that it is mounted to the top of a vehicle so the M6T provides a higher vantage point. This can be helpful when scanning in places with tall grass or other obstructions.

SEE MORE: InfiRay RH25 Multi-Purpose Thermal Monocular

The system’s durability and weather resistance, with its aluminum housing providing IP56 protection, ensure reliable performance under various conditions. While driving, the M6 remained stable and delivered consistent image quality, although there was a minor whistle when the camera was panned 30 degrees off-center. This noise was not overly disruptive but to avoid the whistle either aim it backward or directly forward. 

Conclusion Of The M6T

The M6T PTZ Camera System is a robust and effective solution for vehicle-mounted thermal imaging. Its clear image quality, comprehensive scanning capabilities, and group viewing features make it an asset for night hunting and surveillance. The M6T delivers on its promise of enhancing night-time scanning and target detection, making it a compelling investment for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Its blend of functionality and rugged design ensures it can withstand the rigors of outdoor use while providing a high-quality thermal imaging experience. For those who cover a lot of ground, or hunt in groups, the InfiRay Outdoor M6T will help you catch things you would have otherwise glanced over. With an MSRP of $6,999, this thermal provides a great image, in a versatile purpose-built package.