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Please will someone explain the technical difference between the below-mentioned ..................

C

Cam

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............ FLIR (Forward Looking Infra -Red) and, for example, my PARD NV007v.

Cam
 
FLIR is a brand , they make all sorts .

Pard nv007v is a specific product .

Is there a FLIR model you want to compare ?
 

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The term FLIR stands for the abbreviation Forward Looking InfraRed. The abbreviation FLIR originated in the course of the further development of the infrared camera at the beginning of the 1960s. Originally a one-dimensional downward or sideways looking system on aircraft, it was then replaced by forward looking scanner cameras that no longer relied on movement of the carrier system for imaging.
 
Jimmypie said:

Shop the FLIR Store | Teledyne FLIR

Shop the official FLIR online store. Free shipping and returns. Hundreds of products available, including thermal cameras, handheld optics, riflescopes, sUAS cameras and test & measurement tools. Get your FLIR here!
www.flir.co.uk www.flir.co.uk
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Many thanks for your links.

However, given the the price difference between my PARD NV007v and the prices of the 'FLIR' offerings, there must be a difference in performance?

Hence my OP question.
 
Jimbobjones said:
The term FLIR stands for the abbreviation Forward Looking InfraRed. The abbreviation FLIR originated in the course of the further development of the infrared camera at the beginning of the 1960s. Originally a one-dimensional downward or sideways looking system on aircraft, it was then replaced by forward looking scanner cameras that no longer relied on movement of the carrier system for imaging.
Click to expand...
Many thanks, but what is the technical difference between my PARD NV007v (which can see in the dark) and a FLIR unit that costs shed loads more? IMO, there must be some technical reason, hence asking.

Cam :)
 
Cam said:
Many thanks for your links.

However, given the the price difference between my PARD NV007v and the prices of the 'FLIR' offerings, there must be a difference in performance?

Hence my OP question.
Click to expand...

Pick a FLIR model , then I’ll help , as per my original reply :)
 
FLIR Systems was formed in 1978 to develop infra red intensifiers (thermal imagers) for the US military. Their initial project was the "FLIR (Forward Looking Infra Red) Cobra Night" system to direct Apache helicopters cannon and missiles by movement of the pilots helmet / head. Other military systems followed and commercial devices were also released, however for a long time civilian equipment was restricted to 9Hz by the US government. Devices up to and above 50Hz are now freely available, and although some Teledyne FLIR units now go up to 60Hz they seem to have lost a lot of market share and at least outside the US have more or less fallen off the radar.

Basically FLIR devices detects thermal radiation and all thermals are "expensive" while your "cheap" Pard detects normal and infra red light, which is just beyond what your eye can see. Because everything emits thermal radiation all the time thermal devices can be used in complete darkness while night vision units always needs some level of illumination hence IR illuminators. Although we use night vision and thermal for the same thing, performance really isn't comparable, chalk and cheese if you like.
 
There used to be Armasight who made some of the best NV . The Drone Pro for example and FLIR bought Armasight and changed things that effectively down graded them.

Some sellers of Armasight stopped selling them due to it . One closed down if I remember right due to it. If you ask in the NV section you may get more information.

Edit .

Night vision Gear UK ceased trading as they were not willing to sell the downgraded units if I remember right.
 
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JoeHeugh said:
FLIR Systems was formed in 1978 to develop infra red intensifiers (thermal imagers) for the US military. Their initial project was the "FLIR (Forward Looking Infra Red) Cobra Night" system to direct Apache helicopters cannon and missiles by movement of the pilots helmet / head. Other military systems followed and commercial devices were also released, however for a long time civilian equipment was restricted to 9Hz by the US government. Devices up to and above 50Hz are now freely available, and although some Teledyne FLIR units now go up to 60Hz they seem to have lost a lot of market share and at least outside the US have more or less fallen off the radar.

Basically FLIR devices detects thermal radiation and all thermals are "expensive" while your "cheap" Pard detects normal and infra red light, which is just beyond what your eye can see. Because everything emits thermal radiation all the time thermal devices can be used in complete darkness while night vision units always needs some level of illumination hence IR illuminators. Although we use night vision and thermal for the same thing, performance really isn't comparable, chalk and cheese if you like.
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Many thanks for this! :)

Am I correct in saying that FLIR is forward looking in that it detects thermal radiation emitted from a forward source WITHOUT the need for any other source of illumination?

Cam
 
Bighit said:
There used to be Armasight who made some of the best NV . The Drone Pro for example and FLIR bought Armasight and changed things that effectively down graded them.

Some sellers of Armasight stopped selling them due to it . One closed down if I remember right due to it. If you ask in the NV section you may get more information.

Edit .

Night vision Gear UK ceased trading as they were not willing to sell the downgraded units if I remember right.
Click to expand...
Ah, was that what caused it? I've got a Vampir 3x from them that's classed as a Gen 1, but doesn't perform like it.
(In case I'm too obtuse, it walks all over any other Gen 1 unit I've used and several Gen 2 - while the IWS had better light amplification, the image sucked)
 
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When FLIR took over Armasight, they down graded some of the units and I seem to remember Carl at Night Vision gear was not happy about it. It may not be the full reason he ceased trading but one of the reasons.


Night Vision gear was the Armasight distributor for the UK.
 
Cam said:
Am I correct in saying that FLIR is forward looking in that it detects thermal radiation emitted from a forward source WITHOUT the need for any other source of illumination?
Click to expand...

I don't know, it would be easy to assume "Forward Looking" refers to the weapons following where the pilot is looking but your idea of it being due to there being no need for illumination could also be correct. The only real way to know would be to find some original documentation or speak to someone who was involved at the time, may be worth checking the US patients.

It's one of the problems with history, an assertion is made then others repeat it until it becomes an established fact, much like "Hiram Maxim invented the silencer"!
 
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Cam said:
Many thanks for this! :)

Am I correct in saying that FLIR is forward looking in that it detects thermal radiation emitted from a forward source WITHOUT the need for any other source of illumination?

Cam
Click to expand...
Yes mate. No illumination required. You must have a difference of temperatures between the objects or surfaces though
 
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JoeHeugh said:
I don't know, it would be easy to assume "Forward Looking" refers to the weapons following where the pilot is looking but your idea of it being due to there being no need for illumination could also be correct. The only real way to know would be to find some original documentation or speak to someone who was involved at the time, may be worth checking the US patients.

It's one of the problems with history, an assertion is made then others repeat it until it becomes an established fact, much like "Hiram Maxim invented the silencer"!
Click to expand...
My synopsis is that FLIR LOOKS forward, but does not illuminate forward?
 
Cam said:
My synopsis is that FLIR LOOKS forward, but does not illuminate forward?
Click to expand...
Exactly mate, no need for any infra red illumination with thermal sights. Completely different technology, one needing infra red whilst the other only needs body heat. In other words, if you were to buy a thermal suit that completely covered your body or even hid behind a thermal layer of glass you can hide quite effectively. Not so with IR…

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How to Avoid Thermal Imaging Devices

A lot of people don't know the principles of passive infrared technology. In this article, we'll reveal it, tell how to become invisible and hide from thermal imaging devices.
www.agmglobalvision.com
 
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Cam said:
My synopsis is that FLIR LOOKS forward, but does not illuminate forward?
Click to expand...

Agreed, that describes what thermal does but is that why they chose "Forward Looking Infra Red", theres nothing about illumination in there? All I'm saying is I haven't seen any source describing the meaning or reason it was chosen.
 
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