The heat is on with the FLIR Scout thermal imaging camera

By Naomi Mackay on March 20, 2011 9:00 AM

I’ve just found the perfect gadget to recreate my very own Most Haunted experience – the FLIR Scout handheld thermal imaging camera.

More than just a night vision gadget, the camera, as you will suspect from its moniker, makes use of thermal imaging to give the user a crisp image however dark the surroundings – whether there is mist, fog, dust, smoke or even foliage in the way.




Most night vision cameras can’t ‘see’ through foliage, or total darkness, or pick up anything at a great distance, all of which, say the makers, the FLIR Scout can do.

You may have seen thermal imaging used in the aforementioned Most Haunted (if you’re a bit sad like me) or on programmes such as Police, Camera, Action, where helicopter police use them to track suspects running away and hiding among trees or bushes.

The camera can be used day and night – it might be of interest to nature lovers keen to observe wildlife, and will also be useful in rescue situations. In the average home it may be used to detect heat leaks and water damage.

The camera has been designed to be rugged, and with its green casing it looks like the sort of camouflaged piece of kit that the armed forces would use. Its shock resistant, waterproof and lightweight and can operate at temperatures from -20C to 60C.

It is controlled by five buttons on the top of the unit and produces images of either 240×180 or 320×240 pixels.

An eyeshield above the eye pieces stops light escaping and alarming animals or alerting others to your presence.

Okay, and now for the hard part. The FLIR Scout comes in at an eye-watering £5,000 so it’s unlikely that many of us will be picking one up just to have a go at spotting a deer in the dark, or in the hope of picking up on any paranormal activity. But for anyone involved in serious wildlife management, rescue or security work, it could be worthy of serious consideration.

For more details head to: www.jjvickers.com