Questions about Flir Photon/TAU and DRS tamarisk cores

[cejoba]

Hi, I'm going to get a better thermal camera, and after recall all my experiences, I realized the bottleneck to produce a detailed image is usually contrast and software processing. (Not resolution as we may assume by read datasheets)

I found a few products that have functions to enhance image, give enough control to user, while not insanely expensive. But I still have a few questions remain even after read all documents I can find.

1. For anyone have experiences with both, does TAU or Tamarisk give better image, assuming tuned to extreme by software?
2. Can someone gives a little history on DRS, especially the timeline of all it's products? I almost can draw a picture for every other major brand, but no information on DRS.
3. Do DRS cores have a control GUI software like FLIR? I can find a complete command set in document, but no mention of GUI.
4. Are the firmwares in those cores user-upgradeable? They do seem to have many different versions, but I cannot find the instruction to update them.

That's all I can think for now, maybe I'll add something later, thanks all!