Frasers Thermal Camera Collection - The list !

[Fraser]

Whilst discussing camera case formats..... what do I see coming in terms of new formats ?

Well most readers will have seen the Go-Pro and 'Bullet' shaped helmet cameras that abound these days.
I imagine thermal camera manufacturers will look at this 'action cam' format with a view to producing thermal cameras for users who want to operate such 'hands free'. Goid examples would be the Military, Police and Fire fighters. All need their hands for other tasks yet would benefit from the insight a thermal camera can provide.

The headcam format has already been used for fire fighters. E2V produced a thermal camera mounted inside the fire fighters helmet. Others were attached to the side of the helmet. More modern technology enables miniaturisation of the camera and the EVF. There are already models available to the fire brigades of the world. I suspect models will also become available for consumer use by electricians, building inspectors etc. The units could be controlled by a wireless arm mounted control panel to capture still images, video, or adjust settings. The technology is already available, it just needs a company to put it together in a useable package at an affordable price.

Fraser

[Fraser]

I wouldn't mind one of these......

An Arsenz product containing a FLIR thermal sensor. IIRC, it uses a Lepton 2. Why not a Lepton 3 though ? Pity 

http://www.arsenz.com/thermoglass/thermoglassspec/

[Fraser]

Well it has been quite some time since I added anything to this threads list so a quick update.

I stopped searching for thermal cameras but I still stumbled upon the odd auction that caught my eye. The prices were irresistible !

Another FLIR E40 and a very nice condition FLIR PM695 have come into my care. The E40 needs replacement side door catches and will be upgraded to E60+ spec

These two cameras were too hard to resist as I have a huge soft spot for the FLIR PM series and the E40 is a very nice camera that is easily upgraded

The PM695 is likely the best condition example I now own. It is capable of full auto focus and contains a large high quality microbolometer/optical block. It was the most advanced PM series camera produced and I am very comfortable with the internal electronics design.

Happy days for me. Now to go back to avoiding thermal camera auctions !

Fraser

[Fraser]

I forgot to mention two 'patients' awaiting my attention on the operating table.

One is a FLUKE Ti110 and the other is a 'Monroe' branded ISG Elite that is factory configured for building thermal survey work rather than the more usual Fire fighting role. It is quite an uncommon version of the Elite. The FLUKE has a power rail issue and the ISG Elite fails to boot.

Fraser

[Ultrapurple]

I wouldn't mind one of these......

An Arsenz product containing a FLIR thermal sensor. IIRC, it uses a Lepton 2. Why not a Lepton 3 though ? Pity 

http://www.arsenz.com/thermoglass/thermoglassspec/

Predator vision is real...

Interesting that they chose a low resolution core (size and power reasons?) but I suppose if you're looking through a transparent 'screen' at the real world in front of you, it's essentially a FLIR Fusion view.

I guess that a low res display device also eases some of the other design constraints. Either way, I think it's a harbinger of things to come and I look forward to whatever the future holds.

[Fraser]

A Bullard Eclipse LD compact thermal Fire fighting camera is joining my family 

It looks to be in excellent condition and I just could not resist it. I have wanted one of these for ages. Most are in the USA with no overseas shipping (high frame rate), poor condition or too expensive. I think I got lucky with this unit though. In the UK, great condition and excellent price  it comes with a battery and the charger.

These cameras are interesting as the designer has put thought into how the unit will be used. The case has been shaped to be ergonomic for a heavily gloved hand. It may look a bit 'weird' but for a compact personal thermal imager, I like it. My unit is the LD version, meaning "Large Display". It has the larger 3.5" LCD display.

On the specifications front, the Eclipse LD is decent. It uses either a 160 x 120 or 320 x 240 pixel ASi microbolometer and the stated NETD is 50mK. The frame rate is 30fps. A spot temperature and vertical temperature graph are provided on the display. The unit has some configuration options that may be accessed via a USB link and "myBullard" software (free download).

This is the Bullard camera stables equivalent to the venerable AVON ARGUS MiTIC. I like them both 

Fraser

Word of warning .... the Bullard Eclipse standard model with smaller (2.5" ?) display comes in two resolutions.... 80 x 60 and 160 x 120 pixels. The 80 x 60 pixel version would not be my choice as an example of this camera. I saw several for sale in the USA but the lower resolution was a deal breaker for me.

[Fraser]

The Bullard Eclipse has arrived and it is "fully loaded"   

The unit includes the "Thermal Throttle" and "Scene capture" DVR options. It also included the expensive battery charger/analyzer that enables PC analysis of the battery condition etc. The camera is in really great condition.

Very pleased with this unit 

Fraser

[Ultrapurple]

Excellent news.

That brings the total to how many functioning thermal cameras?

I have only seven or eight so I'm a long way behind you (and not attempting to compete).

[Fraser]

Too many ! 

I have disassembled the Eclipse LD to find out what core is within it and also the pinout for its USB connections as I did not get the PC Communications lead with it.

The core is a really nice compact L3 Nanocore 320
That core provides 320 x 240 pixels at a high frame rate with a NETD or better than 40mK The camera construction is excellent. I am really impressed with its design. I will post pictures of its disassembly in a new thread soon.

Fraser

[Fraser]

The Bullard Eclipse LD has been rehomed so is no longer in the collection.

[Fraser]

The following have been added to the collection

Signaal-USFA FICAM60  Fire Fighting camera. Scanning mirror technology and uncooled sensor array.
My thanks to Roman for rehoming this interesting piece of thermal imaging history with me.

360-Vision Eclipse Thermal CCTV camera - Contains a FLIR TAU2 324 QVGA core and provides composite video output.
Sold "untested" on eBay as a conventional external CCTV camera in housing. I recognised the FLIR TAU2 lens poking out of the front panel 

GEC-Marconi PYRO 2000 thermal scope - Uses the Uncooled GEC-Marconi 100 x 100 pixel PST FPA plus Microscanning chopper wheel to increase Horizontal and Vertical optical resolution. Very "Cool" physical resolution enhancement technology 
My thanks to "Chanc3" for bringing the PYRO 2000 auction to my attention 

Fraser

[Ben321]

Wow! Fraser, you have a LOT of thermal cams. Have you managed to get a thermal camera used for targeting aircraft exhaust, from the nose-cone of a decommissioned heat-seeking anti-aircraft missile yet? I assume when older models of missiles get superseded by newer models of missiles, that the military decommissions the old ones and scraps them for parts, some of which may end up in military surplus equipment sales.

In one episode of Pawn Stars there was somebody who was literally trying to sell one of these to the pawn shop guys.
https://pawnstarsthegame.fandom.com/wiki/Infrared_Heat_Seeker

[Fraser]

Ben321,

I have several very nice fully operational BAE 500 imaging cores that were designed for use in Heat Seekers. Mine did not come from the military though. In the UK you do not see guidance parts from such weapons as they are deliberately destroyed during decommissioning for obvious reasons. The only Heat Seaking weaponry that might be found for sale are dummy display models that are non functional. Even then people are a bit wary of selling them ! Also, be aware that early decommissioned thermal guidance cameras are likely to require cooling. Due to the nature of the deployment, and its short active life expectancy !, this could be something like a Argon gas Cryostat system as found in the early Hughes Probeye 650 cameras. A Mechanical cooler is not something you want as waitng 5 minutes for cool down to engage a target with your weapon could be ‘inconvenient’ 

Fraser

[Fraser]

Another camera added to the collection that I forgot to mention because it is not your typical ‘thermal’ camera.

Electrophysics 7290A NIR plus SWIR (400nm - 1900nm) Vidicon based camera. This uses the well known Hamamatsu N2606 1” SWIR sensitive vidicon tube. Commonly used without a lens for imaging laser beam shape in the SWIR band above the 1100nm silicon sensor limit. With a lens fitted these cameras find uses in science and artwork forensics. Mine is a beautiful ‘as new’ example with no vidicon damage or wear evident.

An unusual ‘thermal’ camera but it is capable of thermal imaging of a target that is hotter than 250C. It can image such heat even through glass. Standard good quality optical glass CCTV lenses may be used on the 400nm to 1900nm model of 7290A camera but specialist lenses are recommended on the extended range 7290A-06 in order to maintain performance up to 2200nm. My 7290A is fitted with an excellent Fujinon 25mm F1.4 Television lens.

Fraser

[Fraser]

The updated list of my thermal camera collection. I have multiple examples of some cameras. More details about some cameras are contained in this thread or on the forum in my previous posts.

Some of my collection have been re-homed so are not included in this updated list.


Model List V2.0 - January 2019


360-Vision external Thermal CCTV camera (contains a FLIR TAU2 324)

AGA Thermovision 680 (Cooled)
AGEMA Thermovision 510
AGEMA Thermovision 570

AMBER (Raytheon) Radiance 1 (cooled)

AVON ISI nVISION XT 160 (AKA ISI 3500)

BULLARD T3 MAX+ 320

DEWALT / IRISYS DCT-416

DRS ULTRA 6000 CCTV VGA Pan/Tilt
 
EEV ARGUS 1
EEV ARGUS 2
EEV ARGUS 3
E2V ARGUS 4 160
E2V ARGUS 4 HR320
E2V MiTic 320

ELECTROPHYSICS MicronViewer 7290A (NIR-SWIR)

FLIR Autoliv AUDI  camera
FLIR DUO-R
FLIR E4 (Upgraded to E8+)
FLIR E40 Mk1 V2
FLIR E40B Mk1 V2
FLIR ETS320
FLIR FireFLIR FF110
FLIR HS324 PRO
FLIR M324L
FLIR MS224 (upgraded with Scout II 320 motherboard & VGA EVF)
FLIR One Generation 2 Android
FLIR One Generation 2 iOS
FLIR Thermovision A40
FLIR Thermovision PM570
FLIR Thermovision PM575
FLIR Thermovision PM695
FLIR Thermovision S40
FLIR Thermovision SC500
FLIR Thermovision SC3000 (Cooled)

FLUKE / IRISYS VT02
FLUKE / RAYTEK Ti30
FLUKE Ti110

Ganz C-AllView Dual Tech CCTV "Metal Mickey"

GEC-Marconi Pyro 2000

IDEAL (IRISYS) 61-848 Heatseeker 320

INFRAMETRICS PM280 (Cooled)
INFRAMETRICS ThermaSnap 525

IRISYS IRI 1011
IRISYS IRI 4035

ISG Talisman Classic (Pyro-Electric vidicon version)
ISG Talisman Wasp (BST version)

JENOPTIK IR-TCM384

KEYSIGHT (Agilent) U5855A

MIKRON /NEC Avio MikroShot / F30S

Military Long Range thermal camera with reflector lens
Military Long Range thermal camera with refractor lens

Monroe HeatFinder Jr (ISG Elite)

NEC Avio TH7102W
NEC Avio TH7302W
NEC Avio TH9100

RAYTHEON 300A
RAYTHEON CADILLAC Deville Night vision

SATIR MinIR 80

SCOTT Eagle-X 160

SIGNAAL USFA FiCAM 60

SNOOP-IR Surveillance kit - Contains an INDIGO/FLIR OMEGA/A10

[Ultrapurple]

What? No Therm-App?

I'm mildly pleased to note that, current cameras aside, I have an eVet and an MSA that don't presently appear on your list. The eVet is 320x240 15fps BST (I think) with NTSC 30Hz output; the MSA is probably VOX (it has a shutter), 320x250, also 30Hz. I have a lot of accessories for the eVet including the original wired remote, software, manual and so on. It has a very early CF card socket that it can write images to and read them back, unfortunately I haven't had any luck reading the data on anything else.

[Fraser]

  Therm App was too expensive as I buy most of my cameras on the used market at very good prices 

I bought a very nice FLIR E40Bx for £580 and all recent purchases have been “bargains” so paying more for a dongle camera did not really appeal. The Therm App and Thermal Expert are very nice cameras, but having used the FLIR One G2, I have found that I am not a fan of the dongle+phone combination. Just personal preference really.

The eVet sounds interesting. If intended for veterinary examinations (its name suggests such) then it may have been used for looking at race horse legs as such was/is a common check for soft tissue inflammation and damage. Interestingly there is an eVet branded version of the FLIR One G2 dongle for such animal inspections.

MSA have used all manner of other companies cores in their cameras. A model number or picture of the camera would likely be enough for core identification.

Fraser

[Fraser]

Ultrapurple,

I just found a picture of your camera collection, including an Argus 2 

I recognise the eVet and the MSA cameras. I will need to check my archives but IIRC the eVet camera is a Raytheon/L3 product.

Fraser

[Fraser]

The eVet camera is a variant of the Raytheon PALM IR-250D known as the eMerge Vision DTIS500. 320 x 240 pixel BST sensor array. It has a more rounded front lens assembly to make it appear curvaceous and pleasant to the eye.

http://spi-wholesale.com/shop/dtis500-0068-infrared-camera/

Fraser

[Fraser]

Trapurp,e,

Your MSA camera looks to be an Evolution 4000. This uses a BAE imaging core.

This EEVBlog forum thread may be of interest if not already seen 

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/(repair)-help-needed-msa-evolution-4000/

Fraser

[Fraser]

FLIR-Indigo SC4000 SWIR-MWIR Wideband Science Camera added to the collection (Cooled)

MSA Evolution 5600 added to the collection.

Fraser

[parkerg]

For some research that I'm doing on fire service cameras

The ISG Talisman with PEV sensor, I have the year that it was introduced as 1993 (was the PEV camera named K90? or just a ISG Talisman?) and what year was it discontinued? Is that also the same cameras that was marketed in the USA as the ISI Vision?

Was there another Talisman model between the PEV camera and the ISG Wasp (K90 Talisman XL)?

Also - What year was the ISG Wasp (K90 Talisman XL) introduced? and I have the year that it was discontinued as 2012

Thanks

[Fraser]

Hi Parkerg,

From memory the model name chronology was as follows:

Talisman - Pevicon tube
Talisman K90 - BST core
Talisman K90 XL - BST core
Talisman K90 Wasp - BST core

I will share with you a research technique that I use for all my cameras after I add them to my collection.

Search the internet for a datasheet relating to an early version of a camera. Find the WWW address of the manufacturer and use the Wayback Machine internet archive to visit the manufacturers site in each year since the camera model of interest was produced. Look for the presence of the camera, any introduction of it as a new model and new versions of it. Download user manuals and data sheets where available as these can have publication dates on them. Note when a model changes name in a year and when it is retired from the manufacturers range of products. This data builds a picture of the release and retirement of each model and any advancement in the design of the replacement model. This technique works well for me and I enjoy browsing the historical archive of a manufacturers web site. The web sites can change URL so keep an eye on the datasheet manufacturer web addresses if the internet archive suddenly stops providing web pages in a particular year.

Have fun

Fraser

[Bill W]

Hi Parkerg,

From memory the model name chronology was as follows:

Talisman - Pevicon tube
Talisman K90 - BST core
Talisman K90 XL - BST core
Talisman K90 Wasp - BST core

ISG press release dated March 1994 for the tube version of Talisman.  It was still called K-90
This would tie up with their first camera release after they formed from ex-EEV people.

There was also a Raytheon 2000AS version, perhaps not that public.

The changeover in shape came with the 'Talisman Elite' (early ULIS sensor ) and 'Talisman Spirit K-80' (using the Raytheon 2000AS)

The K-90 shape may even not be dead yet, for special customers.

Bill

[parkerg]

Thanks for the assistance, from what I have found out-

ISG – Talisman (PEV) sensor. Introduced: 1993 Discontinued:? <2001

ISG –Talisman K90C (UK market) & K90 Talisman (BST) sensor (also marketed as "Talisman") Discontinued early 2003 - also sold by Drager

ISG – Wasp (UK market) (K90 Talisman XL -USA market) (BST) sensor and "digitek 2" software, introduced: (Wasp) 2005 (was still marketed in the UK as a Talisman) - K90 Talisman XL 2003. Discontinued: 2012.

PEV sensor camera was distributed in the USA as the ISI-Vision 1, the K90C was also marketed as Talisman & Talisman K90
 
May be some minor errors, but I think it is ok (the UK web site didn't update info on the Talisman once the Talisman spirit was introduced until later in mid 2005

Not sure when the first BST K90/K90C camera was introduced? (by <2001)