Author Topic: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?  (Read 482255 times)

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Online tom66

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1200 on: September 17, 2014, 11:43:57 am »
4.4MB/s is just over 35Mbps, now you can theoretically achieve that with Wi-Fi 802.11g but it's going to be difficult in a crowded area, or in a home with a lot of other Wi-Fi devices.
 

Online Fraser

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1201 on: September 17, 2014, 01:36:44 pm »
Q. Do we really need 30fps in a thermal camera ?

A. In many applications ~9fps is plenty and the images produced are excellent. Where higher frame rates do become important are applications that involve a target that is moving. Such applications include wildlife imaging and machinery with moving parts that need to be captured. Any Drone type application would also benefit from a higher frame rate due to movement of the vehicle WRT the target. My 9fps E4 works just fine for most electronics type work that I do. I have the 60fps FLIR PM series cameras for applications involving wildlife mainly, and some automotive work involving moving targets.

Edited....some non Mu related waffle removed  :)
« Last Edit: September 17, 2014, 07:03:34 pm by Aurora »
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Offline Jay_Diddy_B

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1202 on: September 17, 2014, 03:55:39 pm »
Hi,
I would have thought that Mu would transfer the raw data from the sensor to phone, and use the application on the phone to do the interpolation / scaling.

So we have 160 x 120 x 30 x 2 = 1.1 M bytes second

This is a Mu's stated resolution of 120 x 160, 30 fps, 2 bytes per pixel


Have they talked about sensor resolution recently?

Regards,

Jay_Diddy_B
 

Offline kentuckyEE

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1203 on: September 17, 2014, 05:32:31 pm »
There's been some talk of the framerate. I'm unsure what the camera can deliver, but I am very sure both John and Mu's engineer said it would be capable of 30-50fps. Again, we have no proof.

They may have said something about the resolution, but I don't recall.

Also, the prototype case was 3D printed. John said the molding was being worked out.
« Last Edit: September 17, 2014, 05:34:03 pm by kentuckyEE »
 

Offline eneuro

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1204 on: September 17, 2014, 06:41:21 pm »
Have they talked about sensor resolution recently?
Have they (Mµ)  talked about sensor calibration between each image using bultin black body?  ::)
Here is Flir i3 60x60 pixels and should be easy to find out room building temperatures

However, how much does it really costs-they say on their web site only about gifts and $550 back for their new Flir ix series...  :-DD
« Last Edit: September 17, 2014, 06:43:15 pm by eneuro »
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Offline suoixon

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1205 on: September 20, 2014, 05:42:22 pm »
Here's another video from the IMTS:
 

Offline firewalker

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1206 on: September 20, 2014, 06:29:02 pm »
In this video it is much more responsive.

Alexander.
Become a realist, stay a dreamer.

 

Offline callipso

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1207 on: September 20, 2014, 07:55:32 pm »
Better, yet not even 9Hz r.r., so not even close to the original 60Hz claim (nor the current 30Hz).
I wonder... **BOOM
 

Offline ampakine

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Seek Thermal
« Reply #1208 on: September 25, 2014, 05:32:43 pm »
206x156 array, it's real, and only $199. This one could be a game changer.
There are two models, one for iPhone via the lightning connector, and one for Android via microUSB.
Frame rate looks good, and there are several online reviews w/ live video, showing a decent frame rate.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2687692/hands-on-with-seek-thermal-the-snap-on-camera-that-your-phone-predator-vision.html
http://www.thermal.com/
 

Offline CanadianAvenger

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1209 on: September 25, 2014, 07:55:23 pm »
Seek was announced a while back, but this is the first I've seen any real details. I don't know if Seek is actually delivering anything yet, though it seems to let you order as if they are. [but suspiciously does not provide a shipping time estimate, and the only available shipping method offered me was the free "online delivery" method, so unless they can teleport this thing, something is not right] Having said that Seek seems to be legit, and I have no doubt they will start delivering something soon. [At least more faith than Mu delivering... who seem to be back to their old silent treatment tricks with their backers]
 

Offline mikeselectricstuff

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1210 on: September 25, 2014, 07:56:29 pm »
That has to be the last nail in Mu's coffin
R.I.P.
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Offline miguelvp

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1211 on: September 25, 2014, 08:18:42 pm »
Just ordered mine (Android)
Quote
Thank you for placing your order. Your order number is 64X

Surprised is not in the thousands by now
 

Offline CanadianAvenger

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1212 on: September 25, 2014, 08:37:06 pm »
Just ordered mine (Android)
Quote
Thank you for placing your order. Your order number is 64X

Surprised is not in the thousands by now

Cool, keep us posted, I am interested in it, but am not willing to buy without knowing if they are actually shipping something.
 

Online PlainName

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1213 on: September 25, 2014, 09:21:28 pm »
Quote
Surprised is not in the thousands by now

USA-only ordering is preventing me from throwing money at them  >:(
 

Offline ampakine

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1214 on: September 25, 2014, 09:22:31 pm »
Here's another review with a couple of (bad) videos, and several photos:

http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/09/25/hands-on-with-the-199-seek-thermal-smartphone-infrared-camera-yes-really-actually-this-is-amazing/

and another video:

I read somewhere that Amazon is selling it, but it doesn't turn up yet when you search for it.

What do the experts here think of it? Is this a mu killer, or does it have a fatal flaw? I'm itching to order one, but don't want to get burned again.
 

Offline mikeselectricstuff

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1215 on: September 25, 2014, 09:58:56 pm »
Can we move Seek discussion to the dedicated thread please https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/yet-another-cheap-thermal-imager-incoming/
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Offline mvdswaluw

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Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1216 on: September 27, 2014, 08:40:59 pm »
While walking with the dogs in the dark I thought of something. If the hard and software work why not give backers the option to get it without the case. I don't mind building my own.

Edit/add: I probably woukd take it apart anyway.... (Dave-style)
« Last Edit: September 29, 2014, 04:30:01 am by mvdswaluw »
 

Online tom66

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1217 on: September 28, 2014, 10:49:32 pm »
Because it doesn't work - not in a $125 format, at least.
 

Offline CanadianAvenger

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1218 on: November 11, 2014, 05:35:55 pm »
No official update from Mu, but  backer named Eric Olson posted the following:
Quote from: Eric Olsen

I spoke with John last week by calling the phone number on the rethinkstudios.tv website, offering my assitance to make this project successful. John told me he learned a lot about the manufacturing process, project ups & downs and that the project cannot move forward without another significant cash injection (detector manufacture requirement). Since I really wanted an update, you might as well, here is his number:
Moderator removed contact details

If true [not surprising if it is], I wonder how long until Mu makes an official statement.
« Last Edit: November 11, 2014, 07:05:59 pm by Simon »
 

Online Fraser

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1219 on: November 11, 2014, 05:51:35 pm »
Not unexpected ...... "more cash needed please"

Who in their right mind would throw good money after bad with this ill fated project. Times have moved on and others are now producing affordable thermal cameras. Mu is long dead and I think that either John is in denial or hasn't the guts to come clean with his backers.

From what John has apparently stated,any backers who still have money invested in Mu have in fact just paid for John to get an education in how to not run a development project   :(

The SEEK is released, real and under ongoing development by both the manufacturer and members of this forum. A far better option for the budget conscious 'would-be' thermal camera owner.

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Offline EEVblog

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1220 on: November 11, 2014, 09:47:26 pm »
Quote from: Eric Olsen
I spoke with John last week by calling the phone number on the rethinkstudios.tv website, offering my assitance to make this project successful. John told me he learned a lot about the manufacturing process, project ups & downs and that the project cannot move forward without another significant cash injection (detector manufacture requirement). Since I really wanted an update, you might as well, here is his number:
Moderator removed contact details

And so the train wreck grinds to a halt.
 

Offline EEVblog

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1221 on: November 11, 2014, 09:49:16 pm »
If true [not surprising if it is], I wonder how long until Mu makes an official statement.

Why wold they bother?
It's not like they have a track record of expedient honest updates  ::)
 

Offline miguelvp

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1222 on: November 11, 2014, 10:00:14 pm »
I could always go have lunch at la sirena clandestina (the clandestine siren) which seems to be next door to his current work, it's only 5 miles from where I live/work :)

but since I have no interest nor participated on their campaigns I don't see the use for it.

But it looks like an awesome restaurant so I might go one day:
http://www.lasirenachicago.com/photos/
 

Offline Corporate666

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1223 on: November 13, 2014, 01:41:23 am »
There was a point at which the Mu guys realized they did not have the money to fund the production run of the devices.  If they are coming up short on paying for the sensors, it's even worse than that.  But either way, they have told their backers that everything is OK.  Not a good way to operate.

Finding angel or VC money is going to be next to impossible.  They have been beaten to market by much larger, more experienced and more established competitors.  They have a bad name in the industry having left 2,000 people high-and-dry without any information or explanation.  And, worst of all, they have an outstanding obligation to deliver 2,000 thermal cameras for which the proceeds have already been received, and spent.  If it costs them $150 per unit to manufacture and deliver, that's $300k gone just for the investor to get back out of the hole.  Not to mention being in the hole in the first place indicates they are not good with money or with cost estimating.

They are radioactive... I wouldn't touch the company with a 10 foot pole.
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Offline Rasz

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Re: Mµ Thermal Imager - real or fake?
« Reply #1224 on: November 13, 2014, 03:18:33 am »
well, "their" prototype from few pages back acted awfully similar to seek thermal imager (same banding, shutter etc). Could it be that they somehow got their hands on a pre production unit, put it in their printed case and pretended its their own?
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