FLIR Navigator II

[LTCPACO]

I am installing a FLIR Camera on our sailboat. The most obvious place is on the pulpit. Has anyone seen one on a sailboat? What location?

[cantxsailor]

The ONLY one I have seen was at the mast head. Nice toy but lots of power. Very handy for busy harbours and such...........m

[LTCPACO]

I am re-posting this message from the Monohaul section of the Forum. I am asking for any feedback as we are installing a Flir Navigator II Thermal Camera on the pulpit our sailboat, on a piece of starboard(marine plywood) with cables running back to our E120. Has anyone seen a camera mounted on a sailboat? Any thoughts?

[VERTIGO]

We use FLIR on our helicopters, unbelievable system. I will be putting it in my budget, very spendy item but think the added safety is worth the price. I hate spotlights, kills my night vision all together. I have tried the cheapo Nods but you would have to spend about the same amount as a FLIR to get a decent pair and they still would not compare to a FLIR. They really do pick out everything!!! Think if the prices were closer to $3,000 you would see a ton more on boats.

[Talbot]

Originally Posted by VERTIGO

We use FLIR on our helicopters, unbelievable system. I will be putting it in my budget, very spendy item but think the added safety is worth the price. I hate spotlights, kills my night vision all together. I have tried the cheapo Nods but you would have to spend about the same amount as a FLIR to get a decent pair and they still would not compare to a FLIR. They really do pick out everything!!! Think if the prices were closer to $3,000 you would see a ton more on boats.

I know that a system is being fitted to a St Francis 50 Catamaran that is in the final stages of build.

[Endojoe]

The Navigator II (fixed mount) system can be had for around $3K, I looked at them a few months back and my first thoughts were that it would be very interesting to see how well it worked up on the Masthead. Although at 6 to 7 pounds, I'm unsure just how drastic the adverse effects on righting moment would be. There's a formula for that. But I can't seem to coax it out of the forum's search function right now. Also...it would be moving around an awful lot up there, and that could render it pretty ineffective, but it would be interesting to at least try out temporarily. Too bad the gyroscopically stabilized SeaFLIR weighs 150lbs and costs a cool $250K.

[VERTIGO]

The top of the Mast sounds good in theory but yes I would think it would be all over the place. I think I would place it where it was easy to access for maint, corrosion on the connections is a killer of these. We would pull the connections once a month to spray them down with CPC. I would also place it so I could put a dome cover on it when not in use, just keep it a bit out of the elements. Need easy access to clean the lens periodically as well.

[David M]

How about the idea of night vision goggles or a night vision scope? You would not have to mount them anywhere plus you could get a real quick 360 degree view of your surroundings. I think they are also less expensive than the camera system.

[VERTIGO]

They really are not less expensive, not for anything comparable, it is the IR verses Night vision. IR smokes night vision, the Army is now fielding a set with duel capabilities but I think around $20,000, but the picture is perfect. The crew uses night vision which has really come along way but when it is dark its DARK. Vision is 20/25 but still need a little light source, also not very good in weather. The goggle's also take away your night vision, not as bad as a bright light but the recovery time is 3-4 minutes. I have had goggle's on for over 8 hours and it gets old.

[David M]

Scopes and goggles are available in either infrared or the visible light spectrum. A monitor not dimmed way down also affects your night sensitivity. Monoculars which affect only one eye are also available. With something mounted on your head you can whip your had around and get an immediate 360 degree view which is not something a camera can do.

Hey, just throwing out some alternatives.