The newer Raymarine MFD chart plotters have the capability to hook up their infrared camera. Has anyone tried to use a 'generic' type of camera for this purpose hooked up to the
screen on the MFD?
screen on the MFD?
Infrared Cameras
- Thread starter lehighsail
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No, but I do carry a hand-held FLIR device. At some point you don't want all of your visuals running through the MFD, or bolted to the boat. For me that was my night vision.
FLIR
My wife gave me a FLIR as a birthday gift. Man, does she know how to pick them! Once anchoring in a strange cove at night, I used my chart plotter, charts, depth gauge and guide book, but it was the FLIR that gave the clearest picture of my surroundings. It took away the anxiety of interpreting my location from charts and instruments and replaced it with the comfort of a visual check. Another incident proving its value was a first time entering Victoria Habour at night. All the ambient light from city made vision difficult. Simply relying on my chart plotter was insuffient to relieve doubt. Using FLIR allowed us to verify our position visually, a nice feeling after 12 hours of sailing. Primarily, she gave to me as safety device in a MOB situation, but since then its value has been enhanced by being able to spot deadheads and things that are difficult to see in low light.
My wife gave me a FLIR as a birthday gift. Man, does she know how to pick them! Once anchoring in a strange cove at night, I used my chart plotter, charts, depth gauge and guide book, but it was the FLIR that gave the clearest picture of my surroundings. It took away the anxiety of interpreting my location from charts and instruments and replaced it with the comfort of a visual check. Another incident proving its value was a first time entering Victoria Habour at night. All the ambient light from city made vision difficult. Simply relying on my chart plotter was insuffient to relieve doubt. Using FLIR allowed us to verify our position visually, a nice feeling after 12 hours of sailing. Primarily, she gave to me as safety device in a MOB situation, but since then its value has been enhanced by being able to spot deadheads and things that are difficult to see in low light.
I find it strange that apparently 2 out of 3 posters on this thread cannot read a chart, on the chart plotter or not.
I wonder what folks did before flir was invented; "I usually drinking at the dock by night fall."?
I have heard that there is this new fangled thing, radar is it?
I wonder what folks did before flir was invented; "I usually drinking at the dock by night fall."?
I have heard that there is this new fangled thing, radar is it?
Must be nice
Man, hang on to her! Any wife that gives night-vision goggles as a b-day gift is a keeper. On the other hand I smell great...
If you think that every hazard to navigation is shown on your charts or radar screen then you have a surprise awaiting. Before FLIR I periodically took long late night open water swims to untangle fishing floats from my prop and rudder.
Capta, ...and I am sure you still ride a horse to work. What, you don't know how to ride a horse???
Leigh375
I used to rep FLIR (Forward Looking Infared) and the unit is a thermal hand held monocular. My head was filled with way too much information on thermal, but let me say this, I believe that this thermal monocular should be required safety gear on any offshore overnight race. This device can find a man overboard in the dark; period. The uses for entering harbors and sighting obstacles is gravy.
I would not invest in a mounted device because in an emergency you might need a different view. Don't think of it as a navigation aid but as an emergency aid that is also great for navigation.
Perfect Excuse,
Keep the wife. She cares!
Leigh375
I used to rep FLIR (Forward Looking Infared) and the unit is a thermal hand held monocular. My head was filled with way too much information on thermal, but let me say this, I believe that this thermal monocular should be required safety gear on any offshore overnight race. This device can find a man overboard in the dark; period. The uses for entering harbors and sighting obstacles is gravy.
I would not invest in a mounted device because in an emergency you might need a different view. Don't think of it as a navigation aid but as an emergency aid that is also great for navigation.
Perfect Excuse,
Keep the wife. She cares!
Oh my, how did I ever manage to sail around the world in the 70's without all that fancy stuff? Golly gee, and I don't remember having to go in the water once to "periodically took long late night open water swims to untangle fishing floats from my prop and rudder", but I guess I'm so old my memory is failing. And darn, I didn't know there were things in the water not marked on charts; thank you so very much for the head's up.
Wow, what one can learn from all you experienced sailors on this forum.
Wow, guys. Thanks so much for all the info. What prompted the question was that the newer Raymarine hybrid plotter has a setting for a camera. After reading these posts, I agree that it would be kind of a bad idea to put the thermal cameral on a fixed mount.
Thanks for the input.
Thanks for the input.
YVR GUY, my wife would like to know if the great smell is B.C. Bud?
Jayster, yes she cares and agrees that it a safety item not navigation. On the B.C. Coast tides of 14 to 16 feet are common, so when anchoring at night it is comforting to know the surrounding including things like crap traps that can foul an anchor or prop. Can it be done withou a FLIR? Yes and has been done over the past 40 years.
Capta, good for you on rounding the globe, but I am sure that there have been many up grades in your boats since then. To go back in my history, I have driven a 1933 Ford since 1961 and she sure stopped better when I installed hydraulic brakes. About 10 years ago I switched to disc brakes and decreased stopping distance even more. Lots of comments about not being original, but there is a reason technology advances ... it is just safer and as I age, I am more aware of my mortality.
Jayster, yes she cares and agrees that it a safety item not navigation. On the B.C. Coast tides of 14 to 16 feet are common, so when anchoring at night it is comforting to know the surrounding including things like crap traps that can foul an anchor or prop. Can it be done withou a FLIR? Yes and has been done over the past 40 years.
Capta, good for you on rounding the globe, but I am sure that there have been many up grades in your boats since then. To go back in my history, I have driven a 1933 Ford since 1961 and she sure stopped better when I installed hydraulic brakes. About 10 years ago I switched to disc brakes and decreased stopping distance even more. Lots of comments about not being original, but there is a reason technology advances ... it is just safer and as I age, I am more aware of my mortality.
capta
Congrats on your accomplishments. But I am curious as to why you used such newfangled devices such a charts. After all, Colombus did it without charts, why would you choose to use such new fangled things. Anything that makes it safer or easier should be embraced. Crab traps are so bad in the lake here, that virtually no one sails at night. There is no way a radar, a chart, or the naked eye can spot a black crab trap float, on dark nite.
Congrats on your accomplishments. But I am curious as to why you used such newfangled devices such a charts. After all, Colombus did it without charts, why would you choose to use such new fangled things. Anything that makes it safer or easier should be embraced. Crab traps are so bad in the lake here, that virtually no one sails at night. There is no way a radar, a chart, or the naked eye can spot a black crab trap float, on dark nite.
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