Experiences with FLIR cams?

Like everything else it depends on how you use the boat. If you run at night a lot, and if you run from an enclosed PH yes it is very useful.

but to make the most of it, you really need it on a fairly large screen.

on the 84 skylounge I run, I have the FLIR output going to a full size monitor. During the day I use it for on board video camera and switch input to FLIR when I need to use it. In my opinion FLIR on a small MFD or worst on a split screen MFD is pretty useless

Hallo again,

What kind of FLIR system and what branch is it ? Is it a mobile system or fixed and intergrated into the Nav- system?

FLIR is a great onboard system both on boats / ships and on planes, if coupled with the Nav / bridge systems. The Raymarine FLIR 300 / 400 / 500 for example can be coupled to the RADAR coursor, means if You track and lock on a radar return with Your radar, the FLIR system looks and focuses automatically to this point. A great feature for MOB and night operations.

On bigger classed yachts it is almost neccessary for the safety and ease of operations. I have it both on my larger boat and on my larger aircraft. If You get used to it, You will not like to miss it ever again. Especially the IR head up display overlay in planes is great feature.

Maintenance of FLIR systems, if made in the US, is pretty expensive, as the FLIR technology is export restricted by federal law. Simple IR systems with low resolution and low range are a nice gimmic but not worth the money spend on it. The more advance systems, especially the multi sensor systems are very expensive to buy and if the IR sensor is cryogenically cooled, the system has to be returned to the factory in pretty short regular intervals.

My advice would be, use it as long as it works properly, if it breaks, sell it or throw it away. But check its calibration regulary.

+1 on Pascals remarks.

HTMO9

I will not own a boat that I might ever use at night without FLIR. I don't use it in place of other tools but in addition to them. In the example Mapism cites, radar would have been the primary tool. Where FLIR is of great benefit is if you ever find yourself entering a port or approaching a marina at night and also for getting starts on voyages at night.

Also, if anchored at night, tremendous for checking what is going on around you. Even just docked if you hear sounds on the dock you feel the need to investigate.

It's also useful in daytime as it picks up kayakers and paddleboarders well. And in MOB situations is a very useful tool for picking up the targeted MOB.

In other ways, we use FLIR for searching for leaks of all types from air to water. Great tools for problem solving.

I simply don't agree with your evaluation of overrated. Perhaps you never fully learned how to use it.

Again it depends on the boat. Open helm yes it s a gadget. Not needed. Enclosed pilothouse, yes.

If anything it eliminates the need to use a spotlight to spot day markers, something which is at the very least rude to folks coming the other way. I also find that messing with a spotlight joystick to be a lot more distracting. Our home marina as a fairly long and narrow channel with only 2 lit markers out of a dozen. I almost never have to use the spotlights. Yea the radar helps heading in the right direction but once within a couple of hundred meters the FLIR is very useful. Again, when in an enclosed PH

same in some of the unmarked narrow cuts in the Bahamas. I often come in Cat Cay cut at night and the FLIR makes it a lot easier when making the 90 degree turn along the tip of Gun Cay

but like everything, it s a tool but not the only tool to use. Plotter and radar and most importantly the good ole fashion eye ball

From what HTM09 mentioned " as the FLIR technology is export restricted by federal law" I'd be careful about that.

Well, I run with both a HD Flir for daytime and a thermal for nights. I rely heavily on radar, AIS, and my own eyes on the horizon, but having the Flir is a very comforting additional tool, very useful and great to have. I make several long runs overnight throughout the year, and I wouldn't want to go without it now that I have had it and benefitted from it. As Pascal stated I typically dedicate one of the displays on the helm to the camera view where it's on a large display. It provides an excellent additional reference for traffic, buoys, even crab pots.

The 232 unit is not that low budget, if it is the M version. It is just low range. New it costs about 4.000,- Euro. But compared to the multi sensor M400 for 300.000,- Euros or the multi sensor cooled M500 for 500.000,- Euros it is a bargin . As long as it works, I would use it. With its Joystick control and zoom function it is pretty practical. As long as it interfaces properly with Your Nav displays, keep and use it. Raymarine Germany or Nordwestfunk Emden can give You an estimate for a service of the unit, if its performance deteriorates.

I would use it during night or bad visibility for identifying radar returns or shadowy sightings in joystick controlled search mode and in centerline locked mode with only changing magnification, when operating in close quarters. And keep in mind, the Mk I Eyeball is always the number one source of navigation. Keeping the the sensor clean from salt spray also helps a lot.

I have it on the 84 Lazzara i run and being a skylounge it s a very useful tool as explained above.

I don’t have one on my 53 and not even considering it since i always run from the open FB. Not needed. My old eyeballs work just fine

i m not sure a log would be visible on these recreational FLIR unless it is dead calm and glassy

I agree with Pascal. Floating items in the water, especially when floating for longer times will not be recognized by this recreational FLIR systems unless You are quite close (if at all). For those minimal temperature differences, You will need a cooled IR sensor ($$$). But MOB will be visible pretty good. And anything is always better than nothing.

Here are a few real world shots I took tonight.

first one is at the dock. The spoil island is about 100/120 yards away

second one is approaching the entrance to Miami Beach marina, breakwaters are showing very well which is good since the lights are out

Last two.

first one was taken 1/4 mile (measured by radar) from the two day markers

second one shows a marker at close range and a sunken mast less sailboat tied to it

note that under certain conditions, hot humid muggy nights, visibility and contrast can be less than half of what it was tonight

Again that s on a full size monitor. Put the image on a smaller screen and these day markers at 1/4 mile will not be visible