Night Vision Another HD Thermal Thread (maybe this time?)

rlsmith1

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  • May 1, 2019
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    In the past the HD thermal discussion has boiled down to cost and sensor sizing. Well, it looks like DJI may have figured something out with the cost side at least?

    They launched their new Zenmuse H30 Series gimbal a few months back and it sports a 1280 sensor and 45 deg FOV with some other image processing modes that seem cool. It would be interesting if this had slightly narrower FOV to really increase the range of the sensor, but nothing is perfect (and 45deg FOV with resolution equivalent to ~22.5deg FOV 640 cores is sweet).


    What’s interesting, is even though the gimbal has a 905nm rangefinder, night vision camera (sounds like an IR illuminator too), and a high quality day camera, it costs under $10k at the one place I see with a price. Which leads me to believe the thermal sensor has to to be under $8k right?

    Are we finally marching towards a useable / affordable HD sensor? I understand a drone gimbal and a weapon mounted clip on are meaningfully different, but seeing a COGS reduction should benefit everyone right?
     

    That didn’t take long haha. Fingers crossed they make a 75mm version to take advantage of the HD sensor. Not sure a 17.5deg FOV unit excited me because the 8.8deg 640 units pair perfectly with my MK5 2-10. Now something that could handle the 2x on my 2-10 and the 18x of the 3.6-18 would be very interesting
     
    If this thing isn't dog shit, and has the option for a rail mount, it will be sweet.

    I’ve got their 50mm 640res unit that’s a different design (TA 651) and while it isn’t perfect, it’s a great deal for what @SkyScrapin is selling them. The eyepiece is great, handles magnification really well, and the ADM mount they had built is exactly what you’d expect.

    This unit has a sensor that is supposed to be more sensitive (18mk vs 40mk netd) and I’d guess their software has been updated a bit as well.

    Curious what optic you’d run with this one?
     
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    I'd throw it on my accurate bolt guns and M107A1. Steiner Predator 8 4-32s, T6Xi 5-30, S&B 5-25 w/ BORS. I would stay in the lower mag range with the optics. Seems like this with Steiners MPVO 2-12 would be a great combo.
     
    So one thing it looks like Guide did right was a high-res output screen. In theory the pixel density is good... But how much demag does one of these units have? It looks they provide a flat 1x output... Part of the reason the higher end units support way more magnification is the amount of demag they have built in.
     
    It sounds like you'd prefer a 1550nm lrf over a 905. Out of curiosity, can you tell me why?
    Not restricted as far as power (doesn't damage eyes) so it can range further more accurately. The only benefits of the 905 in my opinion are lower cost and ability to see the laser through NV to verify laser boresight
     
    Not restricted as far as power (doesn't damage eyes) so it can range further more accurately. The only benefits of the 905 in my opinion are lower cost and ability to see the laser through NV to verify laser boresight
    For me the biggest benefit is that 1550 is not as easily absorbed by water vapor and other atmospheric particles. So they tend to perform much better in foggy and/or rainy conditions.
    However, for me, i cant justify the substantial additional cost. Especially since the 905's of today are performing so well.
    The cheapest 1550 laser engine, not a whole device, just the internal engine is between $2500-$3500. A comparable 905 engine can be had for well under $200 and probably under $100.
     
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