NEC AVIO F30S Thermal Camera - nice camera at a great price

[Fraser]

For anyone wanting a real thermal imaging camera of good build quality and performance, you may wish to consider the NEC Avio F30S that is available in its Mikron guise here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mikron-Mikroshot-B-160x120-Thermal-imaging-camera-imager-flir-/261584855972?

Note that the seller has the Mikron Mikroshot 'B' version so the upper limit is 100 Degrees C but it is apparently more sensitive. This model was designed for building inspection use but should also be fine for PCB work.

The UK service agent for NEC Avio thought I had found a bargain when I told him how much I paid for a pair of these from that seller. The frame rate is 8.5fps with 160x120 resolution, but that is good enough for my needs and the camera has manual focus down to 10cm which is great for PCB work. Power is from 3 AA Ni-Mh cells and storage is via SD card. Software for PC download is freely available from Mikron and NEC Avio.

Worth thinking about as I made an offer that was accepted and I can say it was significantly less than the BIN price. It wouldn't be fair on the seller to say exactly how much though. He's a really nice chap and has 5 more cameras available for sale.

Mine is presently in UK customs with delivery due shortly. No export/import issues as less than 9fps   

If you want one, you could mention my name (Fraser of Aurora_communications) to him and ask if he is willing to offer the same deal as I had. No harm in asking.

I have no connection with the seller but found him to be a really good person to deal with. I mentioned the cameras to Mike in case he was interested but he already has what he needs so no video teardown I am afraid.

Aurora

[Fraser]

The two thermal cameras arrived today. Perfect timing 

I have quickly fired them up and taken some quick and dirty pictures of the cameras and the displayed image. I will need to install an SD card to do some decent thermal image captures but you will get an idea of what the camera can do from these prelim pictures.

The cameras are smaller and lighter than I had expected and are perfect for discrete mobile use as they look like a standard digital camera. Great for when crossing borders into countries that are fussy about certain technology  The camera can behave just like a normal visible light digital point and shoot as it has a visible light camera installed and a mode for just such pictures.

I have taken a close up of the lens. Its close focus capability is excellent as shown in the pictures of a small PCB. The pictures I have taken do not do the image on the camera justice as it is pin sharp. Look at the lens design though....it is like no other thermal camera lens that I have seen..... its some sort of concave/convex hybrid  Concave lenses are common but the convex outer rim is a little unusual.

Pictures show the cameras as received, the Sony Video light that is used to illuminate dark scenes for the visible light camera, an image of a Sony PSU, Images of a small 1"x2" PCB and the close up of the lens.

[Fraser]

Some pictures of the small 1" wide PCB, captured using the internal SD card capability. Camera was just switched on and used with no fine tuning beyond focussing.

Camera starts in the full auto state but may be manually configured if desired.

I weighed the camera without batteries installed and it weighs only 210g which would make it good for drone aircraft applications, just like a thermal version of the Go-Pro visible light camera. The F30S has both USB and composite video outputs.

[marshallh]

Can this record thermal video to SD?

[Fraser]

No I don't think video recording to SD card is supported. I have not investigated video to PC via USB yet and there is the benefit of composite video output, unlike the FLIR Ex series. In a remote application a video sender can send the images from the camera to a DVR or PC connected receiver. This is common for FPV on drone aircraft.

I bought a really neat miniature DVR that Mike previously reviewed. Its smaller than a packet of cigarettes and takes a composite input. Also has a 2.5" LCD display    Cost me around GBP30 from China. It is called 'angel eyes' and contains a DVR and CMOS pinhole camera disguised as a button or screw head.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portable-2-5-Mini-Button-Spy-Cam-Camera-Pocket-Video-DVR-720P-Angel-Eye-/121338549736?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c405755e8

[Fraser]

NEC Promotional Sales Video

[Fraser]

My teardown of the F30 is to be found here:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/thermal-camera-teardown-nec-avio-f30-compact-camera-aka-mikron-mikroshot/msg512006/#msg512006