Thermal cameras

[Trakker]

I see some relatively cheap thermal cameras out there now. Say sub $1k.
Would these work in conjunction with a spotting scope?


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[brando]

Cheap thermal is crap. Quality thermal starts closer to $8k and goes up to twice that.

Thermal works a lot different than image intensification (ie night vision). If you placed a thermal camera up against the ocular lens of a spotting scope you would see a blank image. The same exact thing happens even with the best thermal imager when trying to look through windows. You would need some kind of clip-on style thermal like the T75 (for a MIL example) that sits in front of the objective, but again - that's crazy expensive. You could probably frankenstein some ****ty hunting thermal to a spotter like that, but I doubt it would be useful beyond a 150m.

[Squ1dward]

So, would money be better spent on night vision for a weapon and then handheld thermal optic?

[brando]

In most cases yes. Thermal is much better at detection because it contrasts whereas night vision really just makes it easier to see at night. If you're hunting, having a thermal handheld will be a big advantage for spotting critters.

[MrPlink]

Cheap thermal is crap. Quality thermal starts closer to $8k and goes up to twice that.

Thermal works a lot different than image intensification (ie night vision). If you placed a thermal camera up against the ocular lens of a spotting scope you would see a blank image. The same exact thing happens even with the best thermal imager when trying to look through windows. You would need some kind of clip-on style thermal like the T75 (for a MIL example) that sits in front of the objective, but again - that's crazy expensive. You could probably frankenstein some ****ty hunting thermal to a spotter like that, but I doubt it would be useful beyond a 150m.

Good info. What exactly is the phenomenon that causes this?

[brando]

Modern thermal imaging uses uncooled thermal receptors that essentially measure heat radiated from objects within it's FOV. If something blocks the path of heat energy to the receptor, it won't register - even something transparent.

Photons on the other hand will pass right through transparent materials and still be properly intensified by a night vision imaging tube. That's why with thermal imaging you can see through fog but not through glass.

[Dubious_Beans]

Good info. What exactly is the phenomenon that causes this?

Many types of glass don't transmit IR well. It's both reflected and absorbed by the glass. Good optical glass may also have coatings that help it reject wavelengths outside of the desired (visible) band.

[hermosabeach]

The sniper hide forum has a great sub forum on night vision and thermal.
Lots of videos of guys hog hunting with them. Comparing and contrasting different models.

[hermosabeach]

http://snipershide.scout.com/forums/5512-night-vision-devices?s=541

[OpticsPlanet]

The new FLIR Scout II is the cheapest thermal unit I would go with:

http://www.opticsplanet.com/flir-systems-scout-ii-240-handheld-monocular-thermal-imaging-night-vision-camera.html

Its a great unit for detection, FLIR states it will detect heat signatures up to 550 yards away. Of course you wont identify what you have detected at that distance but you will know something is out there.

Tim G.