Thermal camera options

[GQshayne]

G'day viewers,

I do not know much about thermal stuff, simply because I am not real interested in using a thermal scope. I read the reviews, but not seriously. So of course there are products that have been available but I was unaware of.

So last week I see a video of someone using a thermal camera mounted on a spotlight mount, that sent an image to be displayed on a tablet. It was a Hikmicro thermal costing many thousands of bucks, and providing high level images at over 1000m ranges. Highly impressive, and if you were using it to shoot it would give good identificatin ofyour target.

So that got me thinking, if I could use something similar to help spot animals that otherwise would be missed when driving tracks. I could then stalk into that area on foot. So I would not need an 1800m range, and ultra high level definition. If I could spot something that "might" be a target at 500m or so that would be ok.

Anyone have any suggestions for something that would do this job without costing over $1000? If you reckon too cheap will be no good I will listen to those opinions too.

[Peterwho]

I had a look through a pulsar xm30 mono a month ago down in the bondi state forest. Surprising what you could pick up and would definitely help. Not quite down to $1000 but getting closer to $1500 when on special in a few places

[GQshayne]

Looks good but pretty pricey too.

[niteowl]

$1000 will not get you anything. There is some exaggeration with videos on line (surprise, surprise), but we use thermal as contractors to the Govt. for animal control and can reliably see and identify cows against horses at 2000 m. (measured) Not something you need though, especially at the price. But $1000 sorry, no way.
NO we do NOT shoot long distances, more like under 2 hundred m. but the image is as good as daylight.

[GQshayne]

I have had a look at the Infiray AP13, and while the definiation is not very good, it will identify a heat source at reasonable ranges. Rec retail is $799. I saw one for about $650.

Only average though, so you certainly get what you pay for.

[Die Judicii]

Hi Mate,
As it's been said sooooooo many times regarding so many products,,,,, you simply get what you pay for, in so many ways.
But,,, for what you are looking to be able to achieve, I'll say that probably the biggest reason why the unit you mentioned was mounted on a tripod and transmitted to a tablet is that "thermal" cannot see through glass.

So I would venture to say for your needs,, maybe look at IR equipment which can achieve that vision,,,,,, and is also at the end of the day, CHEAPER.
Cheers

[GQshayne]

Yep, it seems if you want to see an undefined object, or only use it at up to 100m, then the budget stuff has its place. They seems to work as intended, but I would rather not go walking off in the scrub whn I have only been looking at non-target animals.

But if you want to use it to identify something at 250m onwards, then you need to go up in specification.

[Die Judicii]

Yep, it seems if you want to see an undefined object, or only use it at up to 100m, then the budget stuff has its place. They seems to work as intended, but I would rather not go walking off in the scrub whn I have only been looking at non-target animals.

But if you want to use it to identify something at 250m onwards, then you need to go up in specification.

Yep, agreed. I had two different IR units before going thermal,,,,,,,, and tbh, they were pretty abysmal.