Guide MobiIR M8 Thermal Camera - An interesting design

[Fraser]

I no longer actively hunt for thermal cameras to add to my collection…. but I still have an interest in unusual thermal cameras, or those that I can use for my electronics repair activities and hobbies. Whilst browsing used thermal cameras on eBay the other day, I stumbled upon an unusual model that I had seen in the past.

Some years ago I purchased a used Guide “MobiIR M2” thermal camera that resembled a Motorola Razr mobile phone. It is a 160x120 pixel high frame rate compact camera that was in an unusual camera case format for the time. Whilst researching that MobiIR M2 camera I saw that Guide also produced a more advanced model called the “MobiIR M8“ and that camera is the topic of this post.

When I first saw the Guide MobiIR M8 I thought that it looked more like something that would appear as a prop in a sci-fi series, such as Star Trek ! The design is basically a flat ‘brick’ with an LCD display panel section that tilts to the desired angle and the camera lens looking out of the end panel. Guide were clearly looking to create an impact with their unusual camera case formats.

I saw one of these Guide MobiIR 8 cameras for sale last week and placed a sensible bid on it. I was pleasantly surprised to be the only bidder and I won it for £50. A bargain in my opinion. As we shall see, the Guide MobiIR M8 is an impressive little beast.

Let us start with the important specifications, but remember, this is a Microbolometer thermal Camera from Circa 2010.


Make: Guide China
Model: MobiIR M8
Release date: 2010
Display: 2.47" Touchscreen LCD
Thermal Resolution: 160 x 120 25um pixels
Thermal Frame rate: 60fps NTSC / 50fps PAL Thermal
Lens Field of View: 20.6 Degrees Horizontal X 15.5 Degrees Vertical
Thermal lens: Germanium autofocus with option of OEM supplemental lenses
Thermal lens Focus: Motorized True Autofocus / Manual focus (10cm to Infinity)
NETD: 100mK
Temperature measurement range: -20 to +250 Celsius (option for +350 Celsius)
Accuracy: +/- 2 Celsius or 2%
Palettes: 8
Radiometric still image saving : Yes
Visible Light camera: Yes
Visible Light camera resolution: 1600 X 1200 pixels
Image modes: Thermal only/Visible Light only/Image fusion/PiP
Video recording: Yes
Audio recording: Yes
Storage: Mini SD card
Image Analysis PC Software: Yes - "IRAnalyzer" (supplied with camera)
Battery: 3.7V / 3500mA Proprietary LiPo providing 4 hours of run time.
RRP: US$6995

Whilst the thermal resolution of the MobiIR M8 is only 160x120 pixels, this camera is more than capable of decent high frame rate thermal imagery using its quality Microbolometer and Auto Focus Germanium lens. User control is via a combination of buttons and a touch screen. From memory the Microbolometer used in these cameras is a ULIS, France device as this predates large scale production of quality Microbolometers by China.

With a price of around ~US$7000 this was not really an inexpensive camera, yet it was advertised as an affordable alternative to the more expensive models of the time from FLIR et al. The casing is made of a satin black painted Magnesium-Aluminium alloy and this gives a feel of quality, yet sadly Guide decided to use bright Chrome effect trim and buttons that cheapen the appearance of the unit in my opinion (I do not like bling). Its looks are “of its time” I suppose.

The unit came to me in used, but well cared for, condition complete with its hard carry case and accessories. The LiPo battery supplied with the camera has sadly seen better days and has “pillowed”. Whilst the battery expansion lifted the metal lid of the battery case, no damage was done. A replacement protected LiPo cell has been ordered and will be quite simple to fit.

Guide provide a free image analysis program for the PC. This program enables the user to view the saved images and video on a larger screen and to access the temperature of every pixel in the scene. Such software used to be a chargeable accessory so it’s inclusion at no additional cost is welcome. These days, it is common to receive free image analysis software with thermal cameras, but this was not always the case and such could be an expensive extra.

The Guide MobiIR M8 was also sold under the SPi brand as the "RazIR Nano" and is better known in the West than the Guide branded version.

I am pleased with what my £50 bought ? Most definitely. The M8 is an interesting thermal camera and welcome addition to my collection.

I attach the PDF brochures for the M8 produced by Guide and DIAS.

Fraser

[Fraser]

Pictures of my MobiIR M8 camera .....

[Fraser]

My MobiIR M8 pictures, continued ...

[Fraser]

My MobiIR M8 pictures, continued ...

[Fraser]

My MobiIR M8 pictures, continued ...

[Fraser]

The failed LiPo cell and its cell casing.....

The original cell is marked as follows

NL 925068H
S9304-1-0490

This translates to a cell of dimensions : 9.2mm thick x 50mm wide x 68mm long
Original cell capacity is claimed to be 3500mAh.

[Fraser]

The replacement LiPo cell arrived today so it was time to install it in the M8 battery casing 

The job went smoothly and I elected to connect the protected cell to the original protection PCB as that was soldered to the battery contacts. Such an arrangement of cascade cell protection is not normal, nut neither is it a problem  I just have two protection boards monitoring my cell, rather than just the one. This decision made connecting the new cell very simple indeed. Once the new cell was connected to the original protection PCB I saw no voltage at the battery terminals. I had to reactivate the original protection PCB by placing the cell in the desk charger. This is not an uncommon occurrence. The new cell charges and discharges in the camera perfectly. The cell was secured inside the battery case as with strong  double sided tape, as per the original, to stop it moving around.

With regard to the cell that I fitted, I chose a slightly lower capacity cell that is a little thinner and shorter than the original. This ensured that it would fit into the M8 battery casing with the original protection PCB still in place. I also could not find a 3500mAh LiPo cell of the required dimensions from common UK suppliers.

I attach pictures of the whole process. The battery casing was reassembled and 3M double sided tape used to reattach the label that holds the battery case together. I am very pleased that the original owner of the M8 camera did not bin the bulging battery as then I would have had to 3D print a replacement casing.

Original LiPo cell : 3.7V / 3500mAh Size 92 50 68
New LiPo cell: 3.7V / 3100mAh Size 75 50 60

The new LiPo cell cost £11.99 delivered from a UK supplier.

Fraser