The article "Night Vision or Thermal: What’s Better for Your SWAT Operation?" examines the question at hand and steps through the darkness to offer up some insight. (Officer.com/20997069) Quote:
"They both serve good purposes, but it’s best to select the right tool for the job, and the 'right tool' depends on the job at hand."
There are times night vision will be the choice for your mission, others a device with thermal imaging capability, another may call for infrared technology. While it matters most on the job at hand, each provides different advantages and each product provides unique features better suited for one task vs. another. As such ...
Here are 17 Night Vision, Thermal & Infrared Products
As featured in the Law Enforcement Product News September 2019 issue.
Multi-purpose, multi-activated red dot reflex sight
Made to withstand harsh weather and temperature conditions, the MEPRO MOR PRO easily withstands the user’s physical stress or extreme firing situations. It features a large 30 diameter lens that allows a large field of view for rapid target acquisition with four reticle options: bullseye, triangle, open “x” and 2.2/4.3 MOA.
The MEPRO MOR PRO, built to the highest of military standards, has a Constant and Momentary PTL mode and an automatic PTL failure detection. The sight also has a two-battery compartment for redundancy and to extend operational hours
Rail-mounted with an infrared LED
The TLR-VIR II is a lightweight, compact rail-mounted tactical light with a high intensity white LED, an integrated infrared (IR) LED illuminator, and Class 1 “Eye Safe” IR aiming laser with windage and elevation adjustment controls. The light securely fits all long guns with MIL-STD-1913 rails and M17/M18 pistols.
The light, which is powered by a single CR123A lithium battery, uses the latest in LED technology for ultra-bright visible light, providing 5,000 candela, 300 lumens and a 1.5 hour run time. For IR lighting, the TLR-VIR II uses an 850-nanometer LED emitter with 600mW/sr radiant intensity, providing optimum illumination when using night vision equipment; it delivers a run time of 12 hours. Its IR aiming laser has fully adjustable windage and elevation settings.
The TLR-VIR II has an ambidextrous momentary/steady on-off switch. Like other TLR models, the light has a rail clamp that can be easily attached and tightened with one hand, without the use of tools. The IR illumination/laser mode selection also features a tactile indicator on the light housing for switching modes with ease.
The TLR-VIR II is constructed from machined aircraft aluminum, with a coyote anodized finish body and a high-impact, chemically resistant polymer black switch housing.
The compact light weighs only 3.82 ounces and measures 3.30 inches long and 1.40 inches high. It uses a high temperature, shock-mounted, impact-resistant Borofloat glass lens.
Featuring extensively live-fire tested construction, the TLR-VIR II has an IPX7 rated design for waterproof operation to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
Made modular for a fast install
With a focus on modular design, the X Plus series is one of the fastest cameras to install, service, and upgrade saving installers time and money. X Plus cameras also feature in-camera audio messaging playback, extended temperature handling, removable color skins, and PTRZ (pan, tile, rotate, zoom) for ultimate flexibility.
- Increased operating temperatures from -58° to 140°F (-50° to 60° C)
- Tilt angles increased to 85 degrees for wider coverage with low ceilings
- PTRZ enables view changes remotely simplifying installation and additional adjustments
- New gyro-sensors provide shock detection
- Camera modules are available with options such as PTRZ, IR, and a heater. Housing choices include indoor, outdoor, and a new compact plenum-rated flush mount. Removable skin covers available in white, black, and ivory allow easy changing of colors to blend in the décor of the room. Custom painting is also made easy since the skin easily separates from the camera.
- Features enable pre-recorded audio messages to be triggered by in-camera analytics. These messages are played out of the camera’s audio out connection. The audio files are stored locally on the camera’s SD card.
A covert infrared LED emitter for undercover operations
The LED-CVT-IR940-AF-V3 is a compact 2” by 2” LED emitter that features an infrared bulb with a wavelength of 940 nm, that produces a wide flood beam. This discreet monitoring and surveillance LED emitter mounts on conventional air vents as well as inside vehicles with a 4-way rubber mounting mechanism. 12V DC +/- wiring leads are included allowing officers to wire the feed through the air vents for power, without the wires being detected.
Next-gen thermal monoculars with next-gen tech
The FLIR Scion OTM
Designed to increase situational awareness in a full range of outdoor applications such as wildlife observation, scouting, game recovery and keeping track of others in one’s camp or party, the FLIR Scion OTM Series is packed with advanced features such as Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi video streaming and onboard GPS. Picture-in-picture mode and a variety of color palettes combined with digital zoom, onboard video and picture capturing allows for superior viewing and documentation. Powered by FLIR’s Boson core and 60Hz or 9Hz refresh rates, the Scion OTM Series demonstrates clean thermal imaging for excellent detection and classification of people and animals, day or night.
The FLIR Scion PTM
Designed for first responders, the new FLIR Scion PTM Series incorporate all the features of Scion OTM and integrate with FLIR TruWITNESS for location awareness and transmitting of real-time thermal video directly to a command and control center during surveillance, emergency response or rescue situations.
High-resolution thermal security camera
Night vision maintenance tool
The Pulsar TSD1 Torque Screwdriver is the perfect tool to prevent overtightening and stripping. Designed to help mount Pulsar DFA scope adapters, the screwdriver is constructed of a heavy-duty, ergonomically designed plastic T-handle, complete with finger grooves and a durable aluminum driver shaft.
Head mount accessory
Thermal with range finder
Trail LRF units deliver vivid thermal imaging by taking the same thermal technology found in Pulsar Trail thermal riflescopes and adds a useful integrated laser rangefinder. Pulsar Trail LRFs feature a detection range between 875 and 2,000 yards and are compatible with the Stream Vision App allowing you to stream live video through the Trail’s integrated Wi-Fi. Pulsar offers five LRF models: XQ28F LRF, XQ38 LRF, XQ50 LRF, XP38 LRF and XP50 LRF.
Use your monocular with your smartphone
Emitting IR to 32.8 feet
Focused on the unique needs of correctional facilities and detention centers, the IP-based camera features a corner mount design that provides broad room coverage. IR (infrared) is emitted at a higher wavelength than traditional ‘red glowing’ IR emitters, making it invisible to the human eye so as not to disturb inmates at night.
The TNV-7010RC housing is vandal resistant with an IK10+ rating and also includes shock detection to alert operators if the camera is subject to abuse. Ingress protection is rated at IP66 and IP6K9K. In addition to shock detection, a built-in suite of Wisenet video and analytics is also included featuring Tampering, Loitering, Directional Detection, Defocus Detection, Fog Detection, Virtual Line, Enter/Exit, Appear / Disappear, Audio Detection, Face Detection, Motion Detection, and Sound Classification.
Additional features particularly applicable for in-cell use include a built-in microphone and audio line out for two-way communication. Multiple privacy-masking zones can also be configured.
FLIR's most affordable thermal imaging camera
FLIR's K1 handheld thermal imaging camera (TIC), their most affordable TIC for first responder officers and fire investigators detects heat and provides visibility through smoke and in total darkness to enhance situational awareness for use in wildland fire control, search and rescue missions, structure damage evaluation, and investigative work.
The dual sensor K1 is powered by the FLIR Lepton thermal microcamera, FLIR’s smallest and lowest cost thermal camera core. The K1 uses FLIR’s patented MSX technology, which extracts high-contrast details from the images taken by an onboard visible light camera and superimposes them onto the thermal images. The K1 simultaneously captures thermal and visible images of a scene and stores up to 10,000 image sets to create post-scene reports, analysis, and evidence.
A pistol grip design allows users to view the scene from their line of sight for improved safety and situational awareness. The spot thermometer easily identifies unseen hot and cold spots for instant troubleshooting. The K1 carries an IP67 rating for water resistance and can withstand a 2-meter drop onto concrete. An integrated, rechargeable battery lasts up to five hours on a single charge, and it also includes a 300-lumen flashlight that lends additional visibility of a scene.
The LExion thermal monocular
- Frost-resistant 640x480 AMOLED display (XP Models)
- 8-color palette for imaging customization
- Range of detection of up to 2,000 yards
- Built-in photo and video recorder
- Stream Vision App compatible
- Three different models: XP28, XP38 and XP50
80-foot by 80-foot LED infrared light LED
Larson Electronics LLC's 12-watt infrared LED emitter was designed for covert surveillance operations and security systems. This discreet monitoring device is just 2 inches by 2 inches and emits 940 nm infrared wavelength in a flood beam configuration, ideal for law enforcement and military operations, and anywhere discreet surveillance and nighttime monitoring is desired.
The LED-CVT-IP940-AF-V4 covert infrared LED emitter is equipped with 12-watt infrared LEDs that operate on a 940 nm wavelength for powerful night time surveillance. The infrared LEDs provide a 35-degree flood beam configuration that measures 80 feet long by 80 feet wide.
“As the name of this product mentions it’s a covert infrared light, perfect for military and low enforcement operations that need extremely discreet equipment,” said Rob Bresnahan, CEO of Larson Electronics LLC. “It’s infrared beam alone provides protection against detection, but the emitter’s size and hidden wires help further conceal the light’s purpose.”
Thermal vision up to 1,800 meters
Day/night video capturing kit for K-9
K-Night, a day/night video capturing kit for K-9 units, uses GoPro HERO5 camcorder and Knog Qudos flashlights.
Thermal binocular
Designed for a variety of applications, Accolade Thermal Binoculars offer a dual eyepiece configuration for comfort and reduced eye fatigue. Accolades offer a 384x288 (XQ models) or 640x480 (XP models) sensor with 50hz refresh rate and feature a long detection range between 1,350 and 1,800 meters.
XQ and XP models are also available with an integrated laser rangefinder. Accolades will satisfy the needs of beginners and professionals who give priority to supreme quality and ultimate performance.
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