Thermal Monocular

Thermal imager monocular product description

Thermal imager monocular is a monocular observation device that uses infrared thermal radiation detection technology to capture the heat energy (medium-wave infrared or long-wave infrared band) emitted by the object itself and convert it into a thermal image visible to the naked eye. It does not rely on ambient light and can clearly image in harsh conditions such as complete darkness, smoke, mist, and foliage, revealing the thermal world that is invisible to the human eye. It is a revolutionary tool in the fields of night observation, search and rescue, security monitoring, industrial inspection, etc.

Core working principle and technical advantages:

1. Thermal radiation detection:

1.1 The core is an uncooled infrared focal plane detector (mainstream is vanadium oxide or amorphous silicon microbolometer), and the detection wavelength range is usually 8μm - 14μm (long-wave infrared).

1.2 All objects with a temperature above absolute zero (-273°C) will continuously emit infrared radiation, and its intensity and wavelength distribution are related to the temperature and surface characteristics of the object.

2. Thermal image generation:

2.1 The detector converts the received infrared radiation into a weak electrical signal.

2.2 After complex signal amplification, processing and correction (such as non-uniformity correction).

2.3 Finally, a grayscale or pseudo-color image representing the temperature distribution is generated on the micro display (OLED/LCD) in the eyepiece. Different colors/grayscales represent different temperatures.

3. Disruptive advantages:

3.1 All-weather and all-black imaging: the biggest core advantage! No ambient light is required at all, and clear imaging can be achieved in absolute darkness, thick fog, smoke, and dust.

3.2 Perspective obstruction capability: It can penetrate light obstructions (such as mist, smoke, sparse leaves, and grass) to a certain extent, and find human bodies or heating objects hidden behind them.

3.3 Excellent detection of living targets: It is extremely sensitive to high-heat source targets such as warm-blooded animals (humans and animals) and running machinery, vehicles, and electrical equipment, and is easy to find even at a long distance or with good camouflage.

3.4 Passive covert observation: It does not actively emit any light or energy (unlike active infrared night vision devices), and it is completely hidden during observation and will not be discovered by countermeasure equipment.

3.5 Temperature visualization: It intuitively displays the temperature difference between the target and the background, which is used to identify overheating fault points, find heat sources, etc.

Core features and application areas:

1. Form and design:

1.1 Handheld: The most common, light and flexible, easy to scan quickly and observe on the move.

1.2 Head-mounted/helmet-mounted: With a bracket, free your hands, suitable for long-term patrols and operations.

1.3 Mounted: Can be installed on weapon rails (auxiliary observation, non-primary aiming), vehicles, drones and other platforms.

2. Key performance parameters:

2.1 Resolution: The core resolution of the detector (such as 384x288, 640x480, 1024x768). The higher the resolution, the clearer and more delicate the image, and the farther the recognition distance.

2.2 Thermal sensitivity (NETD): One of the most core indicators! Indicates the minimum temperature difference that can be distinguished (such as < 40 mK, < 25 mK). The lower the value, the higher the sensitivity, the less image noise, and the clearer the image in a small temperature difference or low temperature environment.

2.3 Field of view (FOV) and magnification: A wide field of view is good for searching, while a narrow field of view/high magnification is good for observing details. Some models have continuous optical zoom or digital zoom.

2.4 Detection and identification distance: The distance at which a target (such as a human figure) can be detected and the distance at which details can be seen (such as whether it is a person or an animal) under certain conditions (such as atmospheric transmittance, target size and temperature difference). Affected by resolution, lens focal length, and NETD.

2.5 Lens (objective lens): Focal length determines field of view and magnification. Wide-angle, standard, and telephoto lenses are commonly available.

3. Image processing and display:

3.1 Multiple pseudo-color palettes: White hot (white = hot), black hot (black = hot), rainbow, iron red, etc., to adapt to different scenes and target preferences.

3.2 Image enhancement: Digital detail enhancement (DDE), contrast optimization, noise reduction, etc. improve the viewing experience.

3.3 Highlight/Isotherm: Highlight areas above/below the set temperature, or a specific temperature range.

4. Function integration (mid- to high-end models):

4.1 Video recording and photo taking: Standard features! Record thermal video (sometimes visible light video can be recorded simultaneously) and thermal images for evidence collection, reporting, and analysis.

4.2 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/USB connection: Connect to mobile phone APP for real-time image transmission, remote control, file management, and firmware upgrades.

4.3 Picture-in-picture/fusion mode: Some models can superimpose visible light images (if equipped with visible light cameras) or provide a local zoom window.

4.4 Point temperature/area temperature measurement (some models): Measure the average temperature of a specific point or area in the picture (usually less accurate than a professional thermometer).

4.5 Electronic compass/GPS (some models): Provide direction and location information.

4.6 Laser rangefinder integration (high-end hunting/tactical models): Provide target distance information.

5. Robustness and environmental adaptability:

5.1 High protection level: Waterproof (IP67/IPX7 or higher), dustproof, shockproof, impact-resistant, adaptable to harsh outdoor environments.

5.2 Wide temperature range: Can work stably in extremely cold (below -20°C) and high temperature environments.

5.3 Battery life: Usually uses rechargeable lithium batteries (such as 18650), with a battery life of several hours.

Main limitations/notes:

1. Image feature limitations:

1.1 Non-"optical" image: Displays temperature distribution map, cannot show the target's true color, texture, details and text information. Target identification relies more on thermal profile and behavior.

1.2 Temperature difference dependence: Image quality is highly dependent on the temperature difference (ΔT) between the target and the background. The smaller the temperature difference, the harder it is to separate the target from the background (such as when body temperature is close to ambient temperature).

1.3 Cannot penetrate transparent obstacles: Cannot penetrate dense objects such as glass and metal to observe the target behind (glass reflects its own thermal image).

1.4 "Cold target" detection is difficult: The detection ability of "cold targets" that are close to or lower than the ambient temperature is weak.

2. High cost: The core infrared detector is very expensive, especially the high-resolution, low-NETD models. Professional-grade monocular thermal imagers are usually much more expensive than top-level digital or I² tube night vision devices.

3. Resolution and recognition distance: Compared with high-resolution optical devices, thermal imaging still has a gap in detail resolution (especially at long distances) at the same volume and weight.

4. Power consumption: The detector, screen and processing unit consume high power, so attention should be paid to battery life and backup batteries.

Summary:

The monocular thermal imager is a disruptive perception tool that gives users the ability to "see" heat. It breaks through the limitations of traditional optics and low-light night vision, and has irreplaceable advantages in completely dark, bad weather, lightly obscured environments, as well as in detecting living targets and heating equipment, and the observation process is completely passive and concealed.

It is the core equipment in the following fields:

1. Search and rescue (SAR): Quickly find survivors at night, in dense forests, and in ruins.

2. Security and law enforcement: Night patrols, border monitoring, anti-poaching, anti-infiltration, covert surveillance, and evidence collection (showing recent activity traces).

3. Hunting: Tracking prey at night, penetrating grass and leaves, and discovering hidden targets.

4. Industrial inspection: Overheating detection of electrical equipment, mechanical fault diagnosis, building heat loss inspection, and pipeline blockage location.

5. Firefighting: Penetrating smoke to locate the source of the fire and find trapped people in the fire scene.

6. Outdoor adventure and security: Night navigation, camp alert, and wildlife observation (without disturbing).