Hikvision and AGM Analyzed

Hikvision faces numerous restrictions in the United States, including the NDAA ban (Sec 889), FCC ban, and export control sanctions, and is a DoD-designated "Chinese Military Company."

Meanwhile, AGM Global Vision has grown rapidly as a supplier of "cutting edge products" in infrared (IR) and thermal optics, including for the US military.

IPVM analyzed hundreds of AGM documents, bills of lading, court filings, product images, and marketing pages, finding extensive connections to Hikvision.

This report shares those details, AGM's response to us that they are not "affiliated" with Hikvision, and concerns about supply chain security.

Executive Summary

Connections we found between AGM Global Vision and Hikvision include:

• AGM's statement of a "partnership" with Hikvision subsidiary Hikmicro;
• AGM documents submitted to the FCC as recently as December 2024 with metadata that directly references Hikvision and shows Hikvision employees as authors;
• Records of shipments from Hikvision directly to AGM;
• Shipments from Hikvision routed via a Vietnam company to AGM;
• Numerous identical sections of AGM and Hikvision manuals;
• Hikvision duplicated FCC authorizations for AGM from 2020 to 2022.
• Identical specifications between numerous AGM and Hikvision products, with minor cosmetic differences between them;
• Similarities between Hikvision's Hikmicro Sight app and AGM's T-Vision app;
• AGM and Hikmicro use the same individuals and lab for FCC testing;

In multiple places, including a 2025 company overview, AGM says it is the manufacturer and designer of its products, which are labeled "Made in USA."

In recent years, AGM has engaged in significant US government sales, including 800+ GSAAdvantage listings and a recent US Navy contract.

Overview: AGM Global Vision LLC.

AGM sells thermal and infrared optics, including scopes, monoculars, binoculars, and goggles. Unlike visual light counterparts, these devices are costly, complex digital systems that commonly have wireless networking capabilities.

The company pursues US government and military sales—to US, NATO, and Ukrainian forces— with a dedicated page describing its technology as "battle tested," extensive military-focused marketing, and 873 product listings on the GSAAdvantage federal procurement portal via eight US government contractors. Update (03/24/25): GSAAdvantage listings have been removed.

According to a company presentation dated May 2022, AGM had already established "direct access...through multiple well-established channels" to the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Defense Logistics Agency:

Recently, AGM's direct sales include, in September 2024, to the Fleet Logistics Center at Naval Station Norfolk, the US Navy headquarters and acquisition hub for the Atlantic Fleet:

AGM claims $138 million in revenue in 2024, growing more than 10x in 5 years when it stated just $9.4 million in 2019 annual revenue. In 2023, AGM claims $30 million in Ukraine sales.

While IPVM cannot independently verify these figures, AGM Global Vision's prominence in forums, online retailers, and trade publications focused on thermal/IR optics is indicative of a substantial market presence.

Based in Arizona, AGM has offices in Florida and Texas, and its site lists 237 US locations at which its products may be purchased:

AGM also has an office and claimed assembly facility in Sofia, Bulgaria (image below from Google maps):

In 2022, AGM claimed 250+ dealers/distributors in 85 countries (in red):

The claims on the map may be inaccurate, as its coloring indicates distribution to countries covered by US embargoes or presumptive restrictions on weapons technology exports, such as Iran; AGM itself notes being subject to such restrictions.

Claims "Made in USA"

AGM says it designs and manufactures products labeled "Made in USA," touting how AGM's "skilled production team combined with cutting-edge manufacturing processes ensure industry-leading quality and performance."

Strict FTC guidelines for "Made in USA" claims make this atypical. In 2023, Aventura's CEO pled guilty to fraud involving false "Made in USA" claims for Hikvision products, while in 2022 a Uniview reseller pled guilty after making such claims for Uniview products.

AGM Founder/Employees

LinkedIn shows 40 AGM employees, with most in sales and three in technical roles. One with the title of "Lead Engineer" holds a non-STEM degree, while a "Production Technician" was an EMT until March 2024. AGM's Director of Engineering, Eduard Yakimakha, lists a degree from the Belarusian Polytechnic Institute, indicating a technical background.

AGM's founders are brothers Gary Taranakov (CEO) and Mark Taranakov (President), and their partner Allen Harding, now retired ("AGM" is an initialism of their given names). Previously, the Taranakov brothers both worked at Armasight, FLIR, and ATN in sales roles, according to online sources and Mark Taranakov's LinkedIn:

AGM Denies Hikvision Affiliation, Elsewhere States "Partnership"

In an email, AGM President Mark Tarakanov told us, "AGM is not affiliated with Hikvision." We requested clarification as to what "affiliated" means in this context and will update if we receive a response.

Nevertheless, a company overview document posted to AGM's EU site in March 2025 notes AGM is "establishing partnerships" with Hikmicro, Hikvision's thermal/IR-focused subsidiary, and "AGM has formed strategic partnerships...[including] HIKMICRO Technology":

This is the only reference to Hikmicro that IPVM found in AGM's materials.

AGM Received FCC Authorizations from Hikvision

FCC records demonstrate a connection between AGM and Hikvision dating back to 2020, shortly after AGM's incorporation, when both Hikvision and Hikmicro began duplicating FCC equipment authorizations for AGM via "changes in identification":

Changes in identification involve creating a new FCC ID for the same product, but do not cancel that of the original manufacturer (unless requested).

This process—inherently involving coordination between Hikvision and AGM from 2020 to 2022—occurred for a total of thirty-seven authorizations we found, with the last on November 10, 2022, just prior to the FCC finalizing its ban on new Hikvision equipment authorizations (including changes in identification) on November 28, 2022.

AGM Applications for "Original Equipment"

One year later, AGM began filing applications for "original equipment," i.e., new products. AGM has filed a total of twenty-nine such applications, including as recently as January 20, 2025.

The FCC requires that application to include a declaration under penalty of perjury that devices are neither produced by nor contain essential components from "covered list" manufacturers "deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security," including Hikvision and its subsidiaries or affiliates.

For each application, AGM CEO Gary Tarakanov has supplied such a declaration:

AGM FCC Filings Show Metadata From Hikvision

We obtained 354 documents submitted by AGM to the FCC, including photos, designs, and product manuals. For comparison, we also obtained documents from Hikmicro's FCC filings.

Metadata demonstrates numerous connections, including explicit references to Hikvision and substantially the same individuals authoring documents for both companies, including Hikvision employees.

For instance, Zhang Shujun (张书俊) is the author of multiple AGM documents pertaining to antennas housed within AGM devices, such as for AGM's RattlerV2 thermal rifle scope filed for authorization in September 2024. Zhang is listed in Hikvision's employee stock compensation plan and several Hikvision patents, including one for an antenna system housed within a camera:

In some cases, AGM documents authored by Zhang are tagged in metadata as "Hikvision security classification marking," with "HIK"—a common shorthand for Hikvision—in the "Company" field.

Moreover, the title field starts with "海康威视" which is Hikvision's company name in Chinese, excerpted below:

Hikmicro documents also authored by Zhang show an identical pattern:

Another is Yuxi Wang (王玉玺), author of a manual for AGM's AdderV2 thermal scope submitted by AGM to the FCC in September 2024:

A person by the same name is a technical writer and translator employed by Hikvision:

Numerous other authors of AGM documents are China employees of SGS Labs, a Swiss multinational of 90k+ employees and FCC-designated Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB). Many documents lack author in metadata, and we could not confirm the identity of all authors.

AGM and Hikvision Manuals Comparison

Numerous AGM product manuals display striking similarities to those of Hikvision beyond merely metadata.

For instance, the aforementioned AdderV2 manual authored by Yuxi Wang versus the Hikvision Stellar 2.0 manual:

With minor differences, the instructions contain the same steps and illustrations:

Notably, steps are the same even for the user interface, indicating identical software:

In other AGM manuals, similarities are less obvious, yet they often contain much of the same material as Hikvision manuals, albeit using different language and structure.

For instance, in AGM's manual below, instructions to record video appear in Section 2.1.10 as opposed to 6.2 in Hikvision's. AGM's manual uses different terminology, encases button icons in boxes, and labels images differently. However, both AGM and Hikvision use an identical sample image from their respective products:

Commonly, AGM assigns different numbers to parts and functions of devices, and uses its own versions of similar diagrams:

AGM Apps and Hikvision App Compared

A notable distinction between AGM and Hikvision manuals is that they direct users to different mobile apps for use with products. AGM directs users to T-Vision, while Hikvision's manuals direct them to HIKMICRO Sight.

However, the apps feature identical instructions and even icons:

The respective app pages show similar interfaces (with different color schemes), including identical sample images of deer:

Matching Specifications, Cosmetic Similarities

Numerous AGM products that obtained FCC authorizations after November 2022 have identical specifications and only minor cosmetic differences with Hikvision products; branded Hikvision products and OEMs of the same model commonly have cosmetic differences for non-electronic parts that are easily swapped out.

Such as the AGM TaipanV2—which obtained FCC authorization in January 2025—and Hikvision Lynx 2.0, both lines of thermal monoculars, with different casings:

Specifications for the Lynx 2.0 and the TaipanV2 are identical for all three products:

AGM's ObservIR thermal binoculars obtained equipment authorization in September 2024. They are substantially similar to Hikvision's Habrok thermal binoculars, a design so distinctive that it won an award:

Specifications for the AGM ObservIR and Hikmicro Habrok are again identical:

For AGM's AdderV2, one finds minor cosmetic differences in the buttons, lens caps, and textured grips on the parallax adjustment rings versus the Hikmicro Stellar 3.0:

Again, the AdderV2 and and Stellar 3.0 have identical specifications:

This same analysis is repeatable for numerous additional AGM and Hikmicro products.

AGM Shipments from Hikvision

Import records show that AGM Global Vision frequently receives large shipments of thermal optics equipment from Hikvision's subsidiary, Hikmicro, in China.

Between January 2023 and January 2025, Hikmicro (i.e. Hangzhou Microimage) sent AGM twenty-seven shipments totaling 173,938 kg of thermal equipment, according to data from ImportKey:

According to import records obtained via C4ADS, AGM also receives a high volume of shipments from Carve Viet Nam Technology Co., Ltd with AGM models lists and described as "100% new":

Sayari data provided by C4ADS shows Carve receives shipments of "Camera core module[s]" from Hikmicro in China that are "100% new" and "used in camera production."

Records show exports from Carve only to AGM Global Vision. The company was registered in Vietnam in 2023 as a "100% foreign owned enterprise," under Chen Junli, who listed a .cn email address.

AGM's Philosophy on "Cheap Fakes from China"

AGM regularly posts blogs, including several that make reference to the quality and even safety hazards of products from China.

An August 2022 article on hunting in Autumn warns of "cheap fakes from China...where the desire to make money prevails over the need to comply with international laws."

Optics are a costly part of your equipment. Naturally, we are talking about the optics that are not sold in a children's store. And, we do not mean cheap fakes from China, India, and other countries where the desire to make money prevails over the need to comply with international laws. We do not doubt that your choice will be a quality and reliable device from the best night vision device manufacturer or any other device you need. [emphasis added]

In another article, titled "Dangers of buying cheap night vision devices," AGM asked (rhetorically), "Is it safe to buy a cheap night vision device?" in a market where "You can buy whatever you want! And then find the same thing and buy it cheaper."

We bet that you never ask this question. Today's market can offer just crazy choices for any item, from hi-tech toothpicks to flying cars. You can buy whatever you want! And then find the same thing and buy it cheaper. And, let the happiness be short-lived (usually until the moment you start using the purchase). But, saving will be a great pleasure.

If we are talking about night vision devices, then all the statements noted above will be equally typical for this area. As soon as you have the urge to purchase this amazing device, you will drown in a variety of offers, among which there will be many cheap Chinese night vision goggles, cheap Russian thermal scopes, and cheap night vision optics. By going to the pages of stores that make such offers, you are ready to bear the risks that the desired savings will bring.

But, for an object constantly in contact with your eyes, just taking this moment into account is not enough. You need to figure out if this will be a test for your eyes. [emphasis added]

In another, AGM complains that "Chinese companies massively produce cheap products," but American companies are "producing things to be proud of."

AGM Response

IPVM contacted AGM Global Vision to inquire about how it relates to Hikvision. AGM's President Mark Taranakov replied:

AGM is not affiliated with Hikvision.

Referencing your e-mail, “Specifically, we were reviewing various public AGM documents and found in metadata that individuals at Hikvision or its subsidiary Hikmicro are listed as authors, such as in manuals submitted to the FCC for equipment authorizations like the attached. Metadata also included direct references to Hikvision and Hikvision model numbers.”

Appreciate you bringing this information to our attention. AGM will investigate this.

We replied asking for AGM to elaborate on what is meant by "affiliated,"

Hikvision No Response

IPVM contacted Hikvision to inquire about how it relates to AGM. We received no response.