General Inquiry: Thermal imaging.

[BigBear]

So, I've been watching some stuff online and I'd like y'all's input on something.

In regards to thermal imaging, would you prefer the greyscale or the actual color (blue = cold, red = hot) imaging?

And please provide an answer to WHY.

I would think you'd be able to see more detail in greyscale, but with some of the FLIR technology now available in color... I'm not so sure.

How would you identify insignia/etc with thermals to make sure it's a good shoot, etc?

Just curious as to y'all's thoughts.

[Hoosier]

It depends on what I'm using the imagery for. Live video to form my sense of vision in a dark night, I'd use greyscale. If I'm trying to analyze the heat signature of a machine, I'd use the false-color.

The neat stuff is the hybrids. Has both white-light and thermal-infrared (and on high end mil stuff, light-amplification) and you can adjust how much of each is used to produce the final image. When contrast in a given feed is low it's used less, ie: it's dark so white-light gets very little, more of the video is automatically produced by combining thermal infrared and light amplification.

H.

[BigBear]

Interesting... I haven't heard of that? Happen to have any video available?

On a sidenote, I don't know your job or anything but why would someone want to "analyze the heat signature of a machine"?

[Hoosier]

Interesting... I haven't heard of that? Happen to have any video available?

On a sidenote, I don't know your job or anything but why would someone want to "analyze the heat signature of a machine"?

http://www.atncorp.com/fusion-imaging-systems Just the first google result I got that matched, there may be others... starting price $14k

Thermal Imaging System can be combined with Image Intensification Technologies for Nighttime low-light and adverse weather conditions observation. The combination of the channels allows the user to take full advantage of both technologies by dichoptically creating a “Fused” image for enhanced Night Vision observation. The results are a fused image that allows you the benefits and capabilities of both technologies. You will be able to detect both the Image Intensified Night Vision Scene and the Thermal Imaging Scene so you will not miss anything that you would have been unable to see by either technology separately.

Here's the best video I found, not exactly what I meant, but closeish http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHEGlLPNHRY

In that sample video you see people looking at machinery to see where the heat is. It's not something I do for my job, but many people do. Everything from a computer to the exhaust system on your car has had people stare intently at it with thermal infrared cameras. Many times buildings have people come in with thermal infrared cameras to find places where the insulation isn't performing.

I'd love to get a thermal infrared camera to play with.

H.

[BigBear]

Very neat...

I need to do a lot more reading as I often get confused between all the different types of vision, i.e. NV vs. Thermal vs. Infrared vs. spatial x-ray vs. etc...


"One of these days" I'd like to own a set too. Maybe a thermal weapon sight with a NV binocs for backup or something... I don't know.... Of course by the time I could afford some of the toys I'd like, I'll be dead! HAHAHA.


But back to the intent of this topic: In a "war time" situation in complete darkness, would someone want thermal in greyscale or color? I would think in a situation where miliseconds count, that a color screen could give a false image. Like maybe there is a man hiding behind a water heater but the actual S-pipe cause the color to be more dense there and the form of the water heater masks the man... whereas in greyscale, the hand hanging over would be "plainly" seen and the pipe would be seen for what it is...

Hope that wasn't too confusing. Yes, I have an overactive imagination...

[sniper7]

I like the color. I like to see the orange/red for the hot and blue for cold.

I wish I had the $$ for an actual scope. would be a ton of fun.
I am still saving to buy a night vision set up!

[Sixgun]

I hope this will help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umm3jIlSPg8

[Anton]

I hope this will help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umm3jIlSPg8

That answers the question about target recognition. Shoot the gasy ones.

[Elhuero]

ever see the video shot in FLIR from a police chopper where the perp is about to get caught and eats a shotgun?

[Anton]

ever see the video shot in FLIR from a police chopper where the perp is about to get caught and eats a shotgun?

You sure you don't mean the Stalker one with the zombies chasing the guy then he shoots himself?