Flir E4 Thermal imaging camera review

[Fraser]

The Dali-Tech TIC looks like a Clone of the original 'torch shaped' FLIR E series of many years ago.

http://www.americaninfrared.com/ProductDetail.asp?ID=45

http://www.alpine-components.co.uk/files/manuals-downloads/FLIR-E4-Manual.pdf

[LoyalServant]

Great Review Mike.

As a programmer myself I agree with you on the UI.
To me that just seems like a complete fail in my opinion.

I guess we have to wait for the teardown to see if they could have put a better processor in it.
I am guessing this is probably an ARM processor?

[mikeselectricstuff]

Great Review Mike.

As a programmer myself I agree with you on the UI.
To me that just seems like a complete fail in my opinion.

I guess we have to wait for the teardown to see if they could have put a better processor in it.
I am guessing this is probably an ARM processor?

400MHz ARM926
I suspect most of the issue is Windows CE - what ARM giveth, Microsoft Taketh away...

[Fraser]

I found a teardown of an Indigo Thermal security camera that may be of interest as the presenter states that the Indigo technology is what resides within the modern FLIR TICs. I found the sensor/shutter and lens structure to be pretty interesting in its simplicity.



Lucky chap got given the superb little 320x240 camera for free ........ I am green with envy 

Fraser

[Fraser]

When will manufacturers learn that Linux is the best way to go on such devices 

I have never liked Windows CE, or any device that used it. My Tom Tom Go Classic Sat Nav is all Linux and has never crashed or failed me ...... no laggy menus either

I am not even a Linux 'fan boy' just an equipment user.

[Fraser]

As a reference point in time, I have taken some pictures of my FLIR PM570 320x240 TIC optical block. She was state of the art in 1997 and her ancestors went on to be firm favourites in Industry. Little changed in the construction, just the components used. Lots of metal and industrial grade components evident. The 570 is built like a battleship and weighs a hefty 2kg !  I believe the PM570 used what is commonly termed a '1st Generation' TIC Micro-bolometer. My PM695 (Circa 2007) uses a more advanced beast, in the form of a 3rd Generation Micro-bolometer. I am uncertain what Generation of Micro-bolometer FLIR are now up to.

These units are the handheld versions of what the police and emergency services have/had mounted on gimbal mounts under the noses of their helicopters. Crim's watch out !

In the pictures, from left to right of the optic block, you will see the following components:

1. Heat sink and dome mount for the rear of Micro-bolometer module.
2. Micro-bolometer module mounted on its support components PCB.
3. Micro-bolometer lens and 'light' guide tube
4. Optional high temperature filter (motor controlled from software) Fitted in all units but inactive.
5. Calibration shutter operated by large solenoid via axle and bell cranks.
6. Focus lens controlled by stepper motor via worm drive
7. Objective Lens

[mikeselectricstuff]

E4 insides are as big a contrast as you could imagine from that. Especially the sensor packaging.

[Fraser]

The Micro-bolometer sensor in the 570 is huge. I suspect as technology has progressed, the size has been dramatically reduced, as in the video of the Indigo security camera. I believe sensitivity increased as well. The large lumps of Germanium in my cameras makes for very expensive manufacturing costs in terms of both the actual lenses, and the heavy duty mounts required to hold or move them.

I am very much looking forward to seeing the thermal engine used in the E4. I expect significant miniaturisation and simplification of the optics/shutter assembly

IIRC FLIR told me that the 570 Micro-bolometer is actually heated and stabilised at a temperature of 30 Degrees C (?) using a Peltier element. I have never confirmed that though.

The ergonomics of the E4 case and the lighter weight does appeal. My FLIR PM series are more like heavy camcorders in comparison. BUT they are still gorgeous bits of kit, built to last and provide superb thermal images. Maybe I will sell one and buy a more modern unit for mobile use.

[nixxon]

Teardown soon!

http://youtu.be/C3YksbvYnKY

Explanation of reflected temperature (video 00:18:50):

http://www.thesnellgroup.com/community/ir-talk/b/think-thermally/archive/2012/11/06/background-temperature-correction-what-it-does-and-does-not-do.aspx

"... Thermal reflections are the bane of thermography, there’s no question about that. When inspecting surfaces that have a low emissivity, and hence a high reflectivity, temperature measurements can be much less reliable due to sources of energy, both warm and cool, that can be reflected from the surface and into the thermal imager’s detector. As we state in The Snell Group’sLevel I – Thermographic Applications training, the thermal imager can’t tell the difference between reflected energy from a surface and energy emitted by a surface, so we endeavor to tell it which is which. This is the essential function of the background temperature correction factor in your camera...."

[Fraser]

If you take a look at yourself in a mirror with the thermal camera, you will see a perfect thermal rendition of yourself. This even happens if you look at a shiny surface like a poster. It can make using a thermal camera more challenging but you get to know the issues with regular use. This is why it is recommended to complete a training course in thermography if doing it professionally. There are plenty of traps for newbies to fall into.

[mikeselectricstuff]

..so how does the camera know if it's looking at a real source or a reflected one?

[sonnytiger]

Great video as usual Mike, looking forward to see the teardown. 

Thanks for the tips on breaking up those ultrasonic welded plastics. 

That is an interesting way of doing it, I will have to try it next time. I usually just (if I am not worrying about putting it back together or it looking nice) cut into the corner a bit and then pry with a screwdriver. Works really well if you aren't worried about it looking nice after haha.

[Sar]

I rented a rather high end FLIR unit and took a lot of pictures with it. The thing was endlessly valuable in finding where the heat leaks out of my house. I appreciate you sharing this review because it's an item I actually considered purchasing. I think the one you reviewed is almost worth buying because it should be handy for quite a while with all of my hobbies.  Thanks for sharing the video, I hope they consider your design improvement suggestions

[BravoV]

Photos are too big so I will have to do multiple posts.

For this kind of photo, use JPG instead of PNG. To maintain "good enough" quality, set the JPG compression above 70%.

PNG is good for illustration picture only.

[Fraser]

Thanks for the pictures of the i7

Very interesting. I see little, if any original Agema/FLIR design principles in this unit. The FLIR and AGEMA industrial designs have been multi board with less integration and larger Micro-bolometer detectors. This may be just technology improvements or the influence of Indigo on this FLIR market sector as stated in the Indigo tear down video.

For those unaware, FLIR bought Agema, Inframetrics and then Indigo. Effectively absorbing each companies expertise in building such cameras in order to offer the best products in the industry. They didn't stop with TIC manufacturers, they also bought software authoring houses. FLIR has effectively 'Borged' any companies that would help it in developing state of the art TIC solutions. Whether such a powerful company is good for the marketplace I will not say, but they can certainly claim to have some of the best TIC manufacturing credentials in the world.

http://www.flir.com/thermography/americas/us/view/?id=55679

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FLIR_Systems

From the Wiki page it may be seen that FLIR has different divisions for different areas of the market. This may explain the significant differences between my industrial grade TICs and the consumer/commercial units like the i7.

This page gives a very interesting insight into FLIR and the change in the companies direction with regard to consumer devices:

http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/flir-systems-inc-history/

It would appear that we have FLIR to thank for reducing the cost of TICs to consumer budget prices !

Thanks again 

[Fraser]

It appears that FLIR has its 'cross-hairs' on the latest Infrared visual thermometers with a view to showing how poorly they perform.

Take a look here:

http://www.flir.com/visual-ir-thermometer.cfml[/url

[mikeselectricstuff]

Sneak peek at E4 sensor - and no this has not been taken out of a sealed can!
Some major packaging cost reduction. Datastream suggests raw format is 320x240 at 60fps.

[Psi]

Sneak peek at E4 sensor - and no this has not been taken out of a sealed can!
Some major packaging cost reduction. Datastream suggests raw format is 320x240 at 60fps.

:GRIN:

Are you actually suggesting the sensor in the E4 is 320x240?
If so they're probably sensors with many bad pixels that would otherwise be useless for making perfect higher res units.

Few bad spots @ 320x240@60hz is still infinitely better than 80x60@9

[mikeselectricstuff]

Sneak peek at E4 sensor - and no this has not been taken out of a sealed can!
Some major packaging cost reduction. Datastream suggests raw format is 320x240 at 60fps.

:GRIN:

... available on some nice big test pads... 

[nowlan]

Why does it look like a scratch/mark on that black piece?

[Hypernova]

Sneak peek at E4 sensor - and no this has not been taken out of a sealed can!
Some major packaging cost reduction. Datastream suggests raw format is 320x240 at 60fps.

And you intend to reverse it yes? 

[amyk]

maybe they even use the same sensor across all their models and just downscale this one to 80x60 depending on config bits...

I called it first!

I have a feeling things are going to get rather hot in this thread pretty soon...

[Fraser]

If you stop and listen very carefully you can just hear the screams of Oh Sh*t ! at FLIR HQ 

[Fraser]

A word of warning though....it is extremely easy to prevent a 320x240 micro-bolometer being used above a 80x60 format, and it does not require any electronic trickery, so the possibility of hacking could be quickly removed. Buy standard units while you can   

It would be interesting to know what responsibility, if any, FLIR has for preventing hacking of their units to a higher specification.

[amyk]

It'll certainly be interesting to see how this plays out... companies and such are likely to not want to void the warranty on such an expensive device (and probably some hobbyists too), but this might just lead to FLIR suddenly getting a ton of E4 sales. Almost a parallel to the Rigol situation.