Flir E4 Thermal imaging camera teardown

[lewis]

Finally I decided to make my tripod adapter, I hope you find it useful.

That is awesome! How much would you charge to make me one?

[emptech]

You did a very nice job on your adapter, simple is good.  Having not ever touched an e4,
is there any room right above the trigger to attach a custom bracket, like on the e40?

I didn't like the one that flir made, selling for $50.00, so I made a better one, I just leave
it on the camera.

Finally I decided to make my tripod adapter, I hope you find it useful.




STL files and Links

mikeselectricstuff, I have no problem in sending you one, PM me.

[Scutarius]

Finally I decided to make my tripod adapter, I hope you find it useful.

That is awesome! How much would you charge to make me one?

Sorry, I am not selling this (should I?) but I am glad you find my adapter nice enough.

I have never tried this service but it seems to be expensive (from my quote 22 dollars per piece + a $15 Setup)

http://www.seeedstudio.com/service/index.php?r=st/3d

Probably someone here knows a better option.

[Scutarius]

You did a very nice job on your adapter, simple is good.  Having not ever touched an e4,
is there any room right above the trigger to attach a custom bracket, like on the e40?

I didn't like the one that flir made, selling for $50.00, so I made a better one, I just leave
it on the camera.

That is indeed a neat adapter, but I am too scary of breaking my E4+ and my Makerbot was gathering too much dust. And from I can remember from Mike's teardown video I dont think there is any room for a bracket ( I mean inside, I was thinking in drilling a hole)

[lewis]

Sorry, I am not selling this (should I?) but I am glad you find my adapter nice enough.

Probably someone here knows a better option.

Why not? If you have a 3D printer you can rattle them off pretty quick, I'm sure many on here would Paypal you a few bucks to do it!

[Fraser]

Lunevalley3D in the UK offer an excellent service at very reasonable cost, with no set up fee and at-cost postage.

Take a look at my FLIR Useful Information thread for images and details. The lens adapter for an auxiliary lens cost me only GBP4 ($6) in black ABS.

[Scutarius]

There you go Lewis, Lunevalley3D it's a better option for you. Shipping from my country to yours would be in the order of 30 USD, yes that expensive.

[lewis]

Thanks guys, I'll check it out...

[tomas123]

@mrflibble

... I just hoped maybe there was a feature in exiftool that I missed to directly read those .fff files. Because I already had tested the rename to .fff and then run exiftool on that. But all that tells you is that yes it's a FLIR file (based on the FFF signature in the header) and that's it.

see here: http://u88.n24.queensu.ca/exiftool/forum/index.php/topic,5538.msg26826.html#msg26826

exiftool from version 9.47 can export image ds250C_we_ap_fi_le_static.gan

Code: [Select]

# 5 = GainDeadMap (ref 3)
# 6 = CoarseMap (ref 3)

[lignumaqua]

Many thanks to all for the stellar work being done here. I've got an E4 with firmware version 1.18.7 on the way to me. Is it possible to upgrade this to 1.19.8 before hacking it? If so, is there a copy of the 1.19.8 code available? (I know it isn't available on the FLIR website any more)

[Fraser]

@lignumaqua,

1.19.8 is not available to download from FLIR or AFAIK anywhere else.

FLIR have stated that the differences between 1.18.7 and 1.19.8 is purely production related with apparently no bug fixes. I asked FLIR for firmware 1.19.8 and have not received a response to date. You will be just fine with 1.18.7 

[pomonabill221]

Better not try and upgrade as well... leave well enough alone because IF something were to go wrong, you are opening a can of worms, not to mention if you need to return to Flir!

[caudex]

I cannot seem to connect to my E4 using RNDIS.
When I plug it up, i flashed the temp enable RNDIS FIF file.

that worked, and I installed the drivers.

When I do a IP CONFIG it shoes the E4.
So i know it is connected via RNDIS.

However when I attempt to use the web browser on 192.168.0.2  it doesn't work.
The IP address which I was assigned to by the camera is 169.254.160.56

Can somebody post a image of what a "working RNDIS" ipconfig should look like?
Maybe the DHCP isn't working on my E4 so I can manually mirror the settings and it may work.

Any detailed instructions on how to setup and use RNDIS?

[Lu]

I cannot seem to connect to my E4 using RNDIS.
When I plug it up, i flashed the temp enable RNDIS FIF file.

that worked, and I installed the drivers.

When I do a IP CONFIG it shoes the E4.
So i know it is connected via RNDIS.

However when I attempt to use the web browser on 192.168.0.2  it doesn't work.
The IP address which I was assigned to by the camera is 169.254.160.56

Can somebody post a image of what a "working RNDIS" ipconfig should look like?
Maybe the DHCP isn't working on my E4 so I can manually mirror the settings and it may work.

Any detailed instructions on how to setup and use RNDIS?

I had issue before. Could not remember how I exactly make it work. I think you need restart your computer after install driver.  When you connected E4 to compter, the tool come with the driver should pop you a IP of your E4 at task bar. My camera is 192.168.1.2
Hope this helps.

[Lu]

Before I applied the hack, my camera image was very sensitive to the tempertrue different. E.g. it shown dark blue for the spot with 1-2c difference. But, now it shows light blue for the same spot and even hard to notice. Only shown dark when there is a 3-4c difference. Is this normal ?

[Taucher]

Before I applied the hack, my camera image was very sensitive to the tempertrue different. E.g. it shown dark blue for the spot with 1-2c difference. But, now it shows light blue for the same spot and even hard to notice. Only shown dark when there is a 3-4c difference. Is this normal ?

You should pay more attention to the temperature-gradient shown on screen (auto-scale is default -> unlikely to be exactly repeatable) and the state of unit-heatup (initial drift) - read the manual (I'm serious) - take your time learning the technology - it really helps.

[Taucher]

@RNDIS:
Again - the correct answer to "when does it work" is: When your camera has an IP assigned that you can (at least in theory) ping

The driver (to be precise: the Flir system service) can select from several choices.
Somethimes it goes wrong, then just reconnect (might be related to booting the camera already on USB) - but usually after a short while the infrared network "card" will get a default gateway assigned - that's your camera - no matter who writes what.

For this reason if the camera is running on a system with already present 192.168.0.x network, then assigning the same IP to another interface would cause lots of routing errors, dropped packets etc. so the IP has to be able to switch into an unusued segment.

Any reasonable programmer (and the Flir/Microsoft guys do a nice job here) will do something like programatic loop -> "while IP-range in use, try next higher IP-range"

[Handyman]

Another E4 has sold on eBay for $1,975.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=191058679662&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:3160

[Lu]

Another E4 has sold on eBay for $1,975.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=191058679662&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:3160

Three weeks ago, when I cannot find an E4 with reasonable price in Canada, I got an E5 instead. From my experience, if you like to own a TIC as a toy, E5 is the best choice. Not only many dealers have plenty E5 in stock with old firmware. Even without the hack, the feature (auto hot/cold ) of E5 is good enough for most of non professional job. Although, I cannot stop wondering what is the high reslution looks like and "enhanced" it. Before the "enhancement", I never regret purchase the E5.

[Taucher]

Another E4 has sold on eBay for $1,975.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=191058679662&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:3160

Three weeks ago, when I cannot find an E4 with reasonable price in Canada, I got an E5 instead. From my experience, if you like to own a TIC as a toy, E5 is the best choice. Not only many dealers have plenty E5 in stock with old firmware. Even without the hack, the feature (auto hot/cold ) of E5 is good enough for most of non professional job. Although, I cannot stop wondering what is the high reslution looks like and "enhanced" it. Before the "enhancement", I never regret purchase the E5.

Actually the combination of resolution-hack + menu-hack delivers an E8+ level camera with more features than any of the stock models gives the user.

The point with the older firmware seems reasonable - but keep in mind that such pricy items are normally kept on low stock levels - and the pricejump to the E4 is significant...
I'd not count on the E5 stock coming with a stone-aged firmware

Summary: take care what you buy (unless you want to donate us a camera for firmware hacking purposes) *G*

[Fraser]

Interesting news on Firmware updates - please read.

It would appear that upgrading to V1.21.0 firmware requires your E4 to be returned to FLIR !

This is the response I have just received form them:

-----------------------------------------
Dear xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,

Thank you for your e-mail.

At the moment we are implementing even a newer sw version (1.21.9).

I would advise you to wait until the official Flir download site has the latest version of software for downloading. To update the camera to the latest sw, we would need the camera to be sent to Service, however due to a big backlog, unfortunately, we can’t promise short lead-times.
 
No significant differences were made between 1.18.7 and 1.21.9 regarding user experience, however the production process was improved.

Kind Regards,

xxxxx  xxxxxx

Service Technician
-----------------------------------------

From what this email suggests, the E4 needs physical changes to work with V1.21.0. Another reason to not load it !!!!!  Odd that it has warnings about such on the download. Maybe they want to 'adjust' older E4's physically to prevent upgrades ? They will not be getting their paws on mine  They claim no change in user experience just improvements in the 'production process' .....that's an interesting term to use for a countermeasure 

[Taucher]

No significant differences were made between 1.18.7 and 1.21.9 regarding user experience, however the production process was improved.

"the production process was improved" ... Lovely!

[hgg]

Dear Customers,

Please return your units and we will downgrade them free of charge...       

[mikeselectricstuff]

Interesting news on Firmware updates - please read.

It would appear that upgrading to V1.21.0 firmware requires your E4 to be returned to FLIR !

This is the response I have just received form them:

-----------------------------------------
Dear xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,

Thank you for your e-mail.

At the moment we are implementing even a newer sw version (1.21.9).

I would advise you to wait until the official Flir download site has the latest version of software for downloading. To update the camera to the latest sw, we would need the camera to be sent to Service, however due to a big backlog, unfortunately, we can’t promise short lead-times.
 
No significant differences were made between 1.18.7 and 1.21.9 regarding user experience, however the production process was improved.

Kind Regards,

xxxxx  xxxxxx

Service Technician
-----------------------------------------

From what this email suggests, the E4 needs physical changes to work with V1.21.0. Another reason to not load it !!!!!  Odd that it has warnings about such on the download. Maybe they want to 'adjust' older E4's physically to prevent upgrades ? They will not be getting their paws on mine  They claim no change in user experience just improvements in the 'production process' .....that's an interesting term to use for a countermeasure 

Could be  they're updating the bootloader or other hard-to-access stuff.

[Lu]

"the production process was improved"  What is that really mean ?