Home Built Thermal Imager / Viewer (Part 2)

[@crawford323]

Who are the leading manufacturers of thermal imaging sensors? I expect the super clean room manufacturing equipment cost is beyond most of the, for example, thermal rifle scope brands which are offered within the price range of farmers and ranchers with hog problems. Who supplies the sensors and or even the optics for these complies like Pulsar, ATM, AGM and so forth?

[@leakedazaz]

Wow I’m just about to do the same thing. Just got a seek mosaic core, any tips?

[@thebeautyinbeyond6933]

Great video man, about how much are the parts to build something like this? Is it more economical to make one than just buy one?

[@PhoenixRising62]

I made this a couple of years ago, and had around $500-$600 (USD) in it, most of it ($350) for the Raytheon 300D imager module, which is 320x240 30hz. I did it more to be able to see if I could than to be practical. But this is Old Technology with RCA Video out and a pinwheel style NUC (which is why you hear a hum when it's on, and why it takes so long to start up). If I were to build something today I would investigate some of the smaller drone type modules etc and likely base it off of something different. All of that being said, you can get something like a Seek Thermal handheld for about the same price (and they have different refresh rates and resolutions up to 320x240 though I believe 15hz), or a Leupold Tracker 2 HD which is lower resolution and frame rate but is very nice for around $1,000 (I have video's on the Tracker and a Mod to use it like a Monocular in the Channel), and both of these units can be held in your hand or fit in your pocket. So if you can find a used Vehicle camera like the 300D (and the D is better than the A!) for a good price it's cheaper, but the benefits of having something pocketable and new more than justify the cost IMO.

[@PhoenixRising62]

Oh, I forgot to add that I visited Leupold's Website a couple of days ago and the discontinued production of the Tracker series (and the Quest which was like a Seek Handheld with Leupold Branding), so it you're interested in the Leupold I wouldn't wait too long to get one!

[@SURGE101]

Hi I bought a Chinese brand thermal camera. It’s the rc10 thermal image camera made by mijing irepairbox. The software is rubbish and the drivers don’t work. So I’ve got this camera that I can’t use. It connects to the pc via usb. Is there a way of using this any other way than the manufacturer software? Or is there a way of modifying this? Or on other software and drivers. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks rich

[@PhoenixRising62]

I wish I had some answers for you, but other than searching forums or perhaps looking for the technical specs to see what imaging chip is used and perhaps looking for similar drivers / utilities I don't have any answers. Not knowing what you have tried, if you're using a windows based machine you can try different compatibility modes for the software or see if you can change I/O settings / options in the driver, or even try different USB ports etc (I have found some devices that acted up based on the speed of the USB port or even using the front vs. back (direct on MB) ports. Sometimes different other drivers or Software that are running in the background can interfere with things as well, and lastly perhaps try on a different machine with a different version of Windows. (sorry if this sounds too basic, not meant to be insulting, just thinking about what I would try). That's the problem with many Connected Thermal devices and Thermal in general... You're kindof stuck when it comes to flexibility and being able to change much or use different software etc. because of how specific each design is (not like scanners etc. where there are somewhat generic output standards that allow for aftermarket software to go between your device and Computer, and that's not likely to change due to the limited market / people who would buy a given product). The other thing is often smaller companies will build drivers but then not update them as operating systems patch and upgrade so we get left with white elephants, and I've had several Scanners and specialty devices that were fine physically that I had to replace due to lack of support over time. In the case of the Thermal Imager in this video the reason that I could build it is because it's old school / stand alone with an analog output for an early vehicle mounted system... Supply 12v to the Camera, take the analog output and route it to a Digital Screen with Analog input and the rest was just a matter of adding in additional wiring and ports for added flexibility in power source or output to a separate analog monitor, with a large Loupe to give a better view of the screen.

[@SURGE101]

@@PhoenixRising62 honestly thanks so much for this, I really appreciate you taking the time to try and help me with this. I’ve now managed to solve the issue. Turns out the flex connecting the two cameras inside the housing wasn’t plugged in and just loose. When I opened it up it was just a case of plugging it in. Must of been a factory mistake. As soon as I plugged it in , it changed from being recognised as a microphone to being recognised as a thermal camera, which then allowed the drivers to be installed. It was an absolute nightmare because I paid nearly £500 for it but it’s finally sorted, no help to the company who make them. Honestly thanks so much

[@PhoenixRising62]

@@SURGE101 Cool, Glad you got it working! ... I hadn't even though about something coming loose in shipping, etc., but have to admit if I was out of options I likely would have disassembled it if for no other reason than to see what was inside and if there might be something obvious. Thanks for the Feedback!

[@garybyley8940]

Sir, I have made one out of a Infrared L3 Thermal-EYE 2000AS Core. 160x120 resolution 50 degree germanium lens, it works great on a 7" car backup monitor, my question to you is that if you know if an android smart phone can be used as a monitor. If so can you tell me how to do it?

[@PhoenixRising62]

I don't believe so, as from what I have read there aren't any options for video converters to adapt other than specific devices video output to smartphones (like the Seek Thermal Cameras, which might be an option and are relatively inexpensive). If your L3 has Analog Video Out (like RCA style / Old VCR) there are other options for display and you can find small LCD panels in different resolutions with analog inputs (in the one I build I used a 320x240 display, which I chose because it matched the resolution of the sensor so I didn't lose any detail going from the sensor to the display).

[@garybyley8940]

@@PhoenixRising62 I certainly appreciate your response, I purchased a seek thermal and I, am sending it back. It works great only when the app allows, their technical support has been non responsive. The DIY device that I have put together out performs it! If I could somehow use my smart phone as a monitor it would be a very cheap thermal with the application I desired. Again thank you, and I really enjoy the ideas that you can create.

[@lifeai1889]

yes u can use av usb capture card and otg

[@Sabnock-Gaming]

what sensor do you use?

[@The_abdelhafid]

How complicated to make such Thermal imager?

[@PhoenixRising62]

The build isn't that complicated, mostly simple wiring. The hard part is finding the Camera unit (which is for an older vehicle thermal system) that has an NSTC video output, then finding a small LCD screen that has NSTC input. So the hardest part is scavenging and finding the parts and coming up with an assembly. I wanted flexibility so I added external power jacks as well as a switch to turn off the screen and run the video signal to an external monitor as additional features, but those are not really necessary depending on how you want to use it.

[@justinpilon2185]

From what I gather, heat sensors don’t go through glass. But looking at your video I see it reflects off mirrors. I wonder if you can make it zommable using mirrors like a telescope. 🤔

[@gamingcriminal6664]

Hi can u help me to bulied a camera like that

[@PhoenixRising62]

Sorry but I can't, but if you can find the right older gear it isn't that hard to do. Just do your research.