Interfacing to AGEMA/FLIR cameras - how it used to be - EXPENSIVE !

[Fraser]

I have uploaded the full Researcher 2001 CD ISO with PCCARD drivers etc, Researcher 2.10 30 Day Demo version and a FLIR file note on the SC3000 fast frame rate option. It will be a function of the firmware setup and required at least Researcher 2002 to be used. It looks like your 2001 version does not support it.

Researcher 2.x is the later version of Researcher and I have versions 2.8 and 2.9 in my archive.

http://www.filedropper.com/researcher2-10

http://www.filedropper.com/researcher2001

http://www.filedropper.com/sc3000high-speed

Fraser

[FelixLer]

This explains a lot. The camera aparently doesnt like 8GB
Have you tested the limit of the capacity? Otherwhise i will sort a few sizes...

I have already tested the 2.10 and it doesnt work (i got the 2.10 from the support and website)
As for the OS i have recently bought a old Laptop with the Slot and a Serial interface for a diffrent task that will run XP.

I think the cooler one time got swapped or serviced cause the camera origins from a large Company which calibrated and presumably serviced it regularly.

Thanks a lot for the files . do you have the 2002? so i will try if it works (judging by the firmware i think it got updated sometime)

Felix

[Fraser]

The maximum size of CF card that my cameras has recognised is 512MB. None of the 1GB cards worked. Bearing in mind the size of the files that the camera produces, even 256MB is a huge memory capacity  The challenge is in finding small capacity CF cards. Buying used ones on eBay worked for me. Just avoid Industrial or “SSD” CF cards.

PCMCIA to SD card adapters do not work in my experience.

I do not have Researcher 2002 but it may be worth trying 2.8 as that might still support the legacy cameras ?

I have many different legacy laptops that I bought cheaply as solutions to the legacy software challenges that some of my kit presents. I find XP compatible laptops from good brands to be cheap, reliable and invaluable. Such laptops also have the important legacy PCMCIA and serial ports that are also very useful when dealing with legacy test kit and thermal cameras. My Dell Inspiron i3200’s and Latitude X300’s are great bits of kit

Fraser

[Skytracer]

Hello, I am interested in the flir / agema remote. How much are you willing to sell one for?

Contact me at pwx444@gmail.com

Thanks

[Fraser]

I have sent you a message with an alternative solution that will not cost you as much as the original remote control. I was paid £500 for the last genuine remote that I sold.

Fraser

[MrSheep]

@Fraser ,

Can you tell me what the alternative version is for the remote? Does it work exactly the same and have all the functions as the original remote.

[Fraser]

I have used various controllers within my cameras. The original AGEMA/FLIR handset is just a RS232 serial terminal that generates pre-programmed RS232 commands. Almost any Programmable Audio Visual RS232 control panel can be used in place of the official handset as simple serial commands are used. These com ands are fully documented in the AGEMA/FLIR communications documents for the Thermovision cameras. I have used 6 button AV controllers for simple control and control panels with more buttons when wanting to emulate the original handset. Some AV control panels have a combination of buttons and a Navipad, just like the original handset.

I have bought all of my AMX branded AV control panels through eBay at very low prices. From memory I bought a whole bunch of very nice panels for £10 each as they were decommissioned units from a school. An absolute bargain and easily programmed from a PC using the free configuration program. I had a quick look on eBay to see if I could find the same panel. They are sold under different brands as the OEM was bought out.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8416-03a-Projector-Wall-Control-Multimedia-Controller-/176332775472?

Just search for “AV control panel RS232” and you should find sensibly priced used units for sale. If you see a panel that has the required number of buttons / navipad, do check that the manufacturer provides a free configuration program as some charge for it.

[MrSheep]

Ah I see do you happen to know where I can find the manuals to get the commands?

[Fraser]

I have no access to my archive at the moment.

[MrSheep]

Gotcha let me know when you are back! In the meantime I will look for a suitable controller.

[Fraser]

If you download the FLIR SC3000 camera user manual from the FLIR archive you will find the required RS232 commands detailed there for emulating the remote control handset.

[MrSheep]

Nice I think I found it! On page 64 it mentions the nav panel! Thanks for the help as always haha!

Hmm this gets me thinking. The button panel for the merlin cameras prob use a similar communications protocol (RS232). Even in the manual for the Merlin you cant use the com port (RS232) at the same time as the button panel. Leads me to believe it uses RS232 commands like the Agema/Thermacam Cameras.

[Fraser]

The AMX SP16 panels that I use

[MrSheep]

Wow nice.

I have a few Arduino boards lying around. I'm gonna try to create a circuit that can emulate RS232 via push buttons. If I can get that to work I might just make a custom board and just try to recreate the original panel since I do have a 3d printer haha.

[Fraser]

That was my original plan but I found the programmable button panels used in home theatres and auditoriums and tried those. They are sadly bulky though. I would love to use an Arduino to create a more compact remote controller unit but never had the spare time to create and develop the sketch.

[MrSheep]

Same yeah been busy as well. That is why I always piece mail these projects haha.

If I end up making the remote I will let you know.