InfiTac Fast Mini FMP13 review: thermal in a red dot footprint

By the OpticVerdict Editorial Team.
Research-based review · Updated 2026-10-03

How we reviewed it: a research-based review built from InfiTac's own product page, FAQ and support article, the retailer listing and all 25 owner reviews on OpticsPlanet, read lowest rating first. We have not used this sight ourselves; the score is our editorial opinion and owner ratings are shown attributed to their source. Claims we could not confirm on InfiTac's site are left out. See how we evaluate.

What the FMP13 is

InfiTac calls the Fast Mini series “The World’s First Multi-Function Thermal Pistol/Rifle Sight”. The series has two models: the FMP13 reviewed here (256x192 sensor, 13 mm F1.0 lens) and the larger-lens FML19 (384x288, 19 mm F1.2), which InfiTac sells at a higher price and which we cover in our InfiTac FML19 review. Both use the same 1.4 inch 360x300 display, the same 60 Hz refresh rate and the same body size on InfiTac's comparison table.

It is not a clip-on and not a conventional thermal riflescope. It bolts to anything cut for an RMR, and the box includes an RMR pistol adapter, mounting screws and a spanner tool, two heated targets for zeroing, two CR2 batteries and a USB-C cable, per InfiTac's in-the-box list. InfiTac sells separate pistol adapters for RMSc, DPP and Glock MOS cuts, and rifle mounts for a Picatinny rail, a 30 mm ring, a 45 degree offset and an Aimpoint Acro mount. The OpticsPlanet listing sells the Black and Tan units on their own, plus one kit with a protective cover and one with the PM01 Picatinny rail mount; confirm which row is in your cart.

The base magnification is 0.5x, with digital zoom to 1x and 2x. Our reading rather than an InfiTac statement: below 1x, the scene looks smaller on the screen than it does to the naked eye, which favors a wide view over distant detail. InfiTac lists a 13.5° x 10.1° field of view.

Why owners rate it: size, price and an easy interface

Of the 25 reviews, 21 give four or five stars, and 21 of the 23 reviews in the main list say they would recommend it. The praise is about value and form factor. One reviewer mounted it on a suppressed Ruger and describes it as the size of a red dot; others report running it on a 22 mag for raccoons, a Volquartsen ENV-9, an offset mount and a scout pistol, and one ordered a second unit for an AR-15. Three reviewers mention color modes or a color setting, and one lists reticle, color, thermal choice and magnify among the touch-screen settings.

“Resolution is very good for its size.”

Most helpful positive review, via OpticsPlanet

One verified owner has a note for first-time thermal users: you are not looking through the sight the way you would with a traditional red dot, and they add that you catch on quickly.

“Think of it more like watching tv.”

tizz19 (PA), verified owner, via OpticsPlanet

InfiTac adds two features that matter on a carry or bedside gun. InstaWake uses an integrated gyro and accelerometer to wake the sight on motion without pressing a button, and auto brightness adjusts the screen. For toughness, InfiTac lists IP67 to 33 ft (10 m) and a maximum recoil of 1200 g/s², and its FAQ, written for the Fast Mini series rather than the FMP13 alone, says the Fast Mini survived two chest-high drop tests from 5 feet and was recoil-tested on firearms including a SCAR MK17, a Desert Eagle .50, a Beretta 1301 12ga and an AR10 .308. Those are InfiTac's own test claims. One owner reports 40 rounds of 350 Legend on a scout pistol with the sight in place.

Range: what you can see versus what you can hit

InfiTac lists a detection range of 740 yards (680 m) and a recognition range of 110 yards (100 m). Owners are clear that aiming distance is much shorter. Seven reviewers describe it as a close-range sight or give a short working distance: 20 yards (two reviewers), ideally 50 yards, 100 yards and in (two), 150 yards and closer, and one who lists "close range only" among the cons.

“Keep in mind this is only good up to 20yds.”

FdeRob (FL), verified owner, via OpticsPlanet

At the other end, two reviewers report seeing heat sources far beyond aiming range: one at 500+ yards for a human-size source, another identifying an MRE heater at 300 meters. The second reviewer, a verified owner zeroing at 75 meters on an offset setup, reports sub three-inch groups and adds a useful middle figure.

“Easy to id type of animal out to about 150 meters, aka dog vs deer.”

Brandon (NC), verified owner, via OpticsPlanet

The honest catches

Battery life. Five of the 25 reviews name battery life as a downside, from about an hour and a half per battery to two to four hours. InfiTac rates the Fast Mini series at up to 5 hours on a CR2, and its Fast Mini FAQ notes that runtime may vary with conditions and that the battery may drain faster in bright sunlight, when the ambient light sensor holds maximum brightness. The two CR2 batteries in the box are non-rechargeable, and InfiTac warns not to recharge them. InfiTac's comparison table lists the FMP13 with "1 x CR2 battery" (the larger FML19 with a rechargeable CR2), while the series FAQ says the Fast Mini is compatible with CR2 rechargeable batteries and has a USB-C input for an external battery pack. One reviewer bought rechargeable batteries and a USB-C power bank, and another says runtime can be extended with an external battery and a USB-C cable. Three others find the runtime adequate.

“It doesn't do well in high-humidity or fog, and eats through batteries fast.”

Michael B (LA), verified owner, via OpticsPlanet

A small screen. The single one-star review calls the screen too small to aim with, and a second reviewer lists a small screen among the cons. Another owner finds the screen more than adequate for a pistol sight.

“The screen is ridiculously small and so you cannot effectively use it for aiming.”

Disappointed (TX), verified owner, via OpticsPlanet

Heat protection that can blank the image. InfiTac's blog article on sun and fire exposure describes Sun Burn Protection on the FMP13: pointed at a high-temperature source such as the sun or flames, it closes an internal shutter and the screen goes grayish-white. The article gives 3 seconds closed in the latest version before the shutter reopens (closing again if the radiation is still too high) and tells owners to look away and wait approximately 10 seconds. The most helpful negative review on OpticsPlanet describes, in the reviewer's own words, a sun protection mode that freezes the image:

“the sun protection mode comes up and freezes when a hot surpressor comes into view.”

Most helpful negative review (two stars), via OpticsPlanet

Weather and small gaps. One reviewer reports the image getting blurry once the sight is cold, and another reports poor results in humidity and fog. One owner lists no thermal protection for the sensor when the unit is off as a con, and one notes that a cover is not included (the OpticsPlanet listing sells a kit with a protective cover).

Trade-offs, plainly

• It is a close-range aiming sight. InfiTac's recognition range is 110 yards, and owners aim from 20 to 150 yards.
• Battery life is the most common complaint: five reviews, with real-world figures well below InfiTac's up-to-5-hour rating.
• The screen is 1.4 inches; two reviewers call it small and one finds it too small to aim with.
• InfiTac's Sun Burn Protection blanks the image around very hot sources such as the sun or flames, and one reviewer reports a "sun protection mode" freezing the image around a hot suppressor.
• It is not a daytime red dot. InfiTac's FAQ says the Fast Mini does not have a regular red dot daytime function.
• The box includes an RMR pistol adapter; on a rifle you need one of InfiTac's separately sold rifle mounts, or the kit row that includes the PM01 Picatinny rail mount.

Key specifications

Specifications are InfiTac's, from its Fast Mini product page, comparison table and FAQ; the "Version carded" row is the OpticsPlanet listing's. No editorial award is claimed.

Buying notes

The OpticsPlanet listing carries a notice that begins "ITAR Product", refers to its "Export Policy" and includes the statement "I am a U.S. Person, and I do not intend to export this product." We do not interpret export rules; read the retailer's Export Policy before you order. InfiTac's warranty is a 3-year limited warranty, and InfiTac offers an extra 6 months if you register the sight.

Should you buy it?

• Buy it if you want a thermal aiming image on a pistol, a rimfire or a rifle offset mount for close-range work such as varmints, hogs or property protection, and you will manage batteries or run an external pack.
• Look at a full-size thermal scope if you need to identify game well past 100 yards. Our AGM Rattler V3 review covers a magnified rifle thermal, and the best thermal scope guide ranks the field.
• Choose a clip-on if you want to keep your day scope and its reticle: see best clip-on thermal.
• Skip it if you want a daytime pistol red dot. Start with our best pistol red dot guide instead.

FAQ

More thermal: best budget thermal scope · best thermal monocular · thermal vs night vision · Trijicon RMR vs SRO (the RMR footprint).