Night Vision Camera to nav screen

N

nzfisher

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 26, 2009
Messages
593
Fluid Motion Model
R-25 SC
Vessel Name
Swims with Tuna
I recognize that this topic is a little esoteric but I was wondering if any Tugnutters have one and what is their opinion about usability. Flir makes one that is military drop off (old technology that military no longer uses). They also have the patent for the this technology, therefore a price monopoly on their unit. Are there others worth talking about? I would use it getting in and out of a busy harbor at night and avoiding buoys, crab pots etc. but just looking for opinions at this point. Probably a little over the top unless I hear some positives.

Thanks
 
Captain Mac has one on Passage Weaver, the last time I spoke with him he loved it.
 
Yep-

We had a T253 Fixed Mount FLIR intergrated into our E-127 Raymarine Chartplotter system.

It is pretty expensive, but does work pretty well. I found it useful running my narrow channel at night. I could see the pilings / markers very clearly - just like a daytime video camera image right on the chartplotter. Crab pots & such were harder to spot - you had to go very slowly to pick them up before running them over.

The zoom feature wasn't very useful, it did not add clarity. I also did not like the fixed mount - I wish I could have turned it side to side to look around the boat and not just dead ahead. That would have made it helpful during docking too.

It does not work at all in the fog

Mac
 
CaptMac":3l00lo0v said:
Yep-

We had a T253 Fixed Mount FLIR intergrated into our E-127 Raymarine Chartplotter system.

It is pretty expensive, but does work pretty well. I found it useful running my narrow channel at night. I could see the pilings / markers very clearly - just like a daytime video camera image right on the chartplotter. Crab pots & such were harder to spot - you had to go very slowly to pick them up before running them over.

The zoom feature wasn't very useful, it did not add clarity. I also did not like the fixed mount - I wish I could have turned it side to side to look around the boat and not just dead ahead. That would have made it helpful during docking too.

It does not work at all in the fog

Mac
Click to expand...


Hey captain Mac,

So the video integrates on the screen and you have night vision, radar and navigation on split screen? Or? how do you view the video? I find too much information at night is as bad as not enough or do you get used to all the brain input?

Thanks
 
Typically I ran a vertical split screen - one side video, one side chart (with radar overlay) when entering a narrow channel.

When out in open water, I ran three screens - one side was video, the other side had two charts (one zoomed in for hazard detail, one zoomed out).

And you are correct - mostly I was looking out the window with only occasional glances at the display. By running on autopilot, with a heading line, it was easy to stay on course and know where I was headed.

Mac
 
I'm looking into the FLIR. Used one a while back and it was very nice. Pan/tilt on my wish list for sure.
 
I don't know if it's robust enough for your needs, but have you looked at the FLIR One - "thermal imaging for the rest of us"?

Cheers,

Bruce
 
Bruce Moore":1wobdluo said:
I don't know if it's robust enough for your needs, but have you looked at the FLIR One - "thermal imaging for the rest of us"?

Cheers,

Bruce
Click to expand...

Hi Bruce,

Yes I saw this cute little guy and thought about it then realized it would be one more complex variable in a nighttime scenario that is already disconcertingly complex. Part of the problem with going out at night is too many things to worry about and not having enough experience to prioritize all the information. A unit that does not offer high quality readily accessible imagery and is easy to integrate into the information flow would probably be a distraction. Thanks for the suggestion though. Looking at a Flir MD324 if I decide it is worth it to hit the fishing grounds that early and stay out overnight.

Kurt
 
I am not expert but a few philosophical notes:

-Danger of technology overload: the U.S spent billions on advanced electronics for the F4 Phantom fighter, and the pilots turned off the units because it was a distraction from the basics of flying the plane (a pilot's first priority).

-The more risk you take out of a behavior, the more you engage in risky behavior. (people drive more recklessly with seat belts, anit lock brakes, and airbags).

I'm no luddite, but I would guard against information overload and make sure that the use of any technology makes me safer, not more of a risk taker.
 
I agree with distractions. Plus I just went to http://goo.gl/zb66dE to get some pricing and WOW. I was thinking maybe $6-8k for a pan/tilt zoom system but not from what I can tell. The control unit alone is several thousands, plus camera, plus install. At those prices I'll simply make very calculated night time voyages (moon evenings), not travel at all during dark nights, and/or consider a used handheld unit (won't be a priority on-screen device).

Again, I really agree with user H28: Stop texting and look outside... (sorry I was talking to my kids)...
 
Bringing back an old thread....

For those folks who have installed one of the FLIR cameras, how do you like it? I intend to install one on my R-31S as soon as the boat arrives from the factory (in 2 more months, I think/hope), and would love to hear from folks who currently have one of the cameras.

I understand and agree with the concerns about distractions. I had an uncle who was a retired Navy submarine commander, and according to his post-retirement crew, on his pleasure boat he relied too much on the screens, and not enough on actual observation. Came close to hitting more than a few things that didn't show up on radar according to the crew.

I'm also interested in a rear view camera for the RT, and am hoping the Garmin rep at the rendezvous this weekend will have some suggestions as to a model and installation location.

Thanks for your input.
 
I'm thinking of doing the same on my rt29.

I went to the seattle boat show, and Garmin had a couple of options. the garmin guy told me (on the down low) not to go with the wireless camera. it might be "post-worthy" to get any input on wireless vs. wired....but I don't see running a wire as a huge deal......
 
H28":2ivsiv6z said:
I'm thinking of doing the same on my rt29.

I went to the seattle boat show, and Garmin had a couple of options. the garmin guy told me (on the down low) not to go with the wireless camera. it might be "post-worthy" to get any input on wireless vs. wired....but I don't see running a wire as a huge deal......
Click to expand...
Correct me if I am wrong, but it was my understanding that the "wireless" cameras needed a wire for power anyway, so why not run a video wire as well.
 
that was my thinking as well when I talked to the Garmin guy. I should have specified that....

good catch
 
Mr. Ed":1bblhk6f said:
Bringing back an old thread....

For those folks who have installed one of the FLIR cameras, how do you like it? I intend to install one on my R-31S as soon as the boat arrives from the factory (in 2 more months, I think/hope), and would love to hear from folks who currently have one of the cameras.

I understand and agree with the concerns about distractions. I had an uncle who was a retired Navy submarine commander, and according to his post-retirement crew, on his pleasure boat he relied too much on the screens, and not enough on actual observation. Came close to hitting more than a few things that didn't show up on radar according to the crew.

I'm also interested in a rear view camera for the RT, and am hoping the Garmin rep at the rendezvous this weekend will have some suggestions as to a model and installation location.

Thanks for your input.
Click to expand...

We have the FLIR MD-625 fixed camera. Its resolution is far superior (Double) the new cameras FLIR has released.

We love the camera and find it extremely valuable for night travel. Other vessels and even items in the river can be seen clear as day.

We leverage the Garmin GC-12 cameras as a rear-view and down to the Swim Platform. Wish they had a wider angle than 68 degree's, but they have a great picture



 
H28":2j7abt6k said:
I'm thinking of doing the same on my rt29.

I went to the seattle boat show, and Garmin had a couple of options. the garmin guy told me (on the down low) not to go with the wireless camera. it might be "post-worthy" to get any input on wireless vs. wired....but I don't see running a wire as a huge deal......
Click to expand...
Thanks. I agree about avoiding a wireless camera... too many other wireless devices in and around the boat.
 
super helpful. thanks
 
I bought a Garmin 360 camera (mostly because I wanted to use it for several things) and use it wireless. I use mounting bracket to secure it to bimini top or can put it on the mast. Picture quality is great and obviously get a 360 degree view when on that setting. I normally run it with a 180 view. I have not yet brought power back to it, Batteries only last 1 1/2 hours so I have 4 charged up at any one time. Eventually will run power to it but wanted to try it for awhile first.
 
Two years ago I ran into this group at the Boston Boat Show. Sionyx. They make the aurora night vision camera. Very reasonable and compact. it does still shots and video. Has 3 settings for Day, twi, and night. Does still shots and video and is quite portable.
It does not have a video output, but it does connect to wifi and can be use on a phone.
Stuart

https://www.sionyx.com/
 
Stuart,
You say, "It does not have a video output, but it does connect to wifi and can be use on a phone."
Can one fix mount the unit and use the phone as a viewing screen? I've been using a Yukon Gen 1 night vision monocular with a head mount. For the little night boating I do it works for me to keep from driving into something.
 
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