Yeah, If that pricing is correct, $8k for just the FLIR & Camera Module, I would find it hard to justify, but I only fly for recreation, at this point.
However, if I was going to buy a UAS running a FLIR payload, then I'd skip the M2 Dual Ent (FLIR Lepton sensor) all together, as the clarity is just not there. It shows a blob of 'heat' but if you want to be able to decipher what your seeing w/o being 100 ft from it, then you'll need a Bosun FLIR at the least, IMO, which the Evo2Dual uses.
The Evo 2 Dual, besides running a better FLIR sensor, it also employs a larger resolution, I believe the options are 320 or 640 but verify this yourself. I have no idea which Resolution that the $8k figure will get you, but its likely the 320, which is still larger than the M2DE.
Clarity might not be the most important for all folks, but I really enjoy that clear, nearly HD view from the 640 Bosun module. Its crispy! So if I wanted one bad enough, and will at some point, then for the size of the AC and the Flight time available, I'd go with the Evo2Dual.
However there COULD be a downside, if your looking to do be able to edit your thermal footage (as I understand it, this is what is affected?), as both the M2DE and the Evo 2 Dual are non-radiometric. Something to take into account for that cost, but many FLIR module run 10's of thousands, so its a costly market.
Hopefully that changes a little with time? I'm trying to wait, but who knows.
I'm vaguely recalling a yt video of some guys called the Roswell drone test crew (maybe another term in place of drone?) but they tested all these FLIR modules and lenses, although it was the modules themselves, on their own AC, so it was without the awesomefeature that both M2DE and the Evo2Dual have where they can integrate the thermal image overlapped with the cameras image which makes for a nice looking image altogether, but the video helped me see the difference!
Good luck deciding!