Thermal Imaging
The best thermal-imaging devices allow you to see and measure temperature differences accurately from a safe distance. They are useful for identifying heat sources in very dark or obscured places, whether you’re trying to rescue a lost person or pet, to identify sources of heat loss from a house or to observe a variety of wildlife, including birdwatching. More recently thermal imaging cameras have even been effectively used to identify infected individuals in a crowd, by picking out those that have higher feverish temperatures.
An infra-red thermal camera will enable you to explore your environment in a unique way. Beyond the visible spectrum, there is an unseen world of heat radiation. For the most part, the cameras work like regular ones, except that image sensor detects invisible IR light and it is translated to a visual “thermogram.” Thermal cameras still have pixels, but starting at lower resolutions (e.g. 80x60 pixels, or 0.003 megapixels). This is enough detail to pick out hotspots in wiring, for example, but higher resolutions are always better, especially for thermal imaging at a distance, such as search and rescue, or wildlife observation.
What do Thermal Imaging Device Specifications Mean?
Thermal Sensor Size – Similar to digital cameras, thermal sensors are measured in pixels; generally speaking, the bigger the sensor the better the picture, as a larger sensor can capture more detail. Pulsar thermal imagers use one of three different sized sensors with its own designation: XM models use a 320×240 thermal sensor, XQ models use a 384×288 thermal sensor, and XP and XG models use a 640×480 thermal sensor.
Thermal Sensor Pixel Pitch – This is the distance between the centre of the pixels. A smaller pixel pitch results in finer image quality and a physically smaller thermal sensor. However, a larger pixel offers more sensitivity. A sensor with a smaller pixel pitch will have a greater base magnification than a thermal imager with the same size lens and a greater pixel pitch. Pulsar XM & XG sensors have a 12µm pixel pitch, and XQ and XP sensors have a 17µm pixel pitch.
NETD – Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference (NETD) is a measurement of the smallest temperature difference a thermal device can detect. The lower the value, the more sensitive the device becomes — performing better than a device with a greater NETD value in conditions that are challenging to thermal imagers such as cold, fog, and rain. A device’s NETD rating is an important indicator as to how well it will perform.
Refresh Rate – A high refresh rate (such as 50Hz) is best when choosing a thermal imager. A high refresh rate will result in a smooth image when panning or tracking fast-moving objects.
Tring Astronomy Centre stock and supply a wide range of Thermal imaging and Night Vision Devices from trusted brands such as Guide Sensmart, Pulsar and Zeiss and are happy to offer advice.
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Pulsar Axion XQ30 Pro Thermal Imaging Monocular
£1,049.00January Sale Offer - In Showroom Stock
The Axion XQ30 Pro is particularly ideal for birdwatchers, to find out why click here to read our guide.
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Pulsar Axion 2 XQ35 Pro Thermal Imaging Monocular
£1,565.00The Axion XQ35 Pro is particularly ideal for birdwatchers, to find out why click here to read our guide.
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Zeiss DTI 1/25 Thermal Imaging Monocular - Ex Display
£1,649.00£849.00Come and try in store!Out of stock -
Pulsar Axion 2 XG35 Thermal Imaging Monocular
£2,339.00Please call to check availability -
Pulsar Axion Compact XG30 Thermal Imaging Monocular
£1,395.00In Stock - Available for Christmas
Introducing a new thermal powerhouse small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. With a sensitive 640×480, 12µm, <40 NETD European-made Lynred thermal sensor and a powerful 30mm f1.2 germanium objective lens, this thermal imaging monocular will reveal even the smallest heat source, in crystal-clear detail, at distances reaching up to 1300 metres.
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Pulsar Axion Compact XG35 Thermal Imaging Monocular
£1,575.00The Axion Compact XG35 has a sensitive 640×480, 12µm, <40 NETD European-made Lynred thermal sensor and a powerful 35 mm f1.0 germanium objective lens
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Pulsar Telos XP50 Thermal Imaging Monocular
£2,685.00The Telos XP50 introduces the first in a line of upgradeable devices from Pulsar. -
Zeiss DTI 4/50 Thermal Imaging Monocular
£3,100.00£2,480.00Perfect for locating and observing wildlife over large areas, detects heat sources clearly at distances of up to 2,635 metres. - Available from stock
Out of stock -
Pulsar Axion 2 LRF XG35 Thermal Imaging Monocular
£2,629.00Please call to check availability -
Pulsar Axion 2 LRF XQ35 Pro Thermal Imaging Monocular
£1,925.00Please contact to check availability -
Pulsar Merger Duo NXP50 Multi Spectral Thermal and Digital Night Vision Binoculars
£5,279.00£5,020.00The Merger Duo NXP50 provides users with BOTH!! the detection capabilities of a powerful thermal imaging device and the identification capabilities of a fully-fledged digital night vision device. -
Pulsar Merger LRF XL50 Thermal Biocular
£5,325.001024×768, 12µm, 40mK thermal sensor and powerful 50mm f1.0 objective lens, offering a detection range of a staggering 2300m. -
Pulsar Merger LRF XP50 Thermal Biocular
£4,645.00Special Order - contact us for leadtime -
Pulsar Merger LRF XQ35 Thermal Biocular
£2,685.00The Merger LRF XQ35 thermal imaging binoculars are as compact as a pair of classic daytime binoculars, making them ideal for long periods of comfortable observation -
Pulsar Merger LRF XT50 Thermal Imaging Monocular
£5,919.00The Merger LRF XT50 is the first pair of thermal imaging binoculars from Pulsar to feature a remarkable 1280×1024, 12µm, <40mK NETD thermal sensor and built-in image stabilisation. -
Pulsar Telos XL50 Thermal Imaging Monocular
£3,685.00The Telos XL50’s built-in still image and video recording capabilities will capture every memorable moment during observations -
Pulsar Telos LRF XL50 Thermal Imaging Monocular
£3,959.00The Telos LRF XL50 is the first iteration in the Telos series to features the large format 1024×768, 12 µm, <40 mK NETD HD thermal sensor first introduced in the Merger LRF XL50 -
Zeiss DTI 3/25 Digital Thermal Imaging Camera
£1,520.00The brand new Zeiss DTI 3/25 Digital Thermal Imaging Camera offers outstanding optical performance. Typical leadtime 7-10 days
Out of stock -
Pixfra Mile 2 M207 Thermal Imager
£399.00 -
Pixfra Mile 2 M215M Thermal Imager
£649.00£579.00Special Offer - In Showroom Stock
The Pixfra Mile 2 M215M thermal imaging monocular features a sensitive 256×192,12μm, <35mK NETD thermal sensor and a powerful 15mm f1.0 objective lens, revealing even the smallest heat signature at a range of up to 800m.
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Pixfra Ranger R425 Thermal Imager
£1,029.00 -
Pixfra Ranger R435 Thermal Imager
£1,119.00 -
Pixfra Ranger R625 Thermal Imager
£1,369.00 -
Pixfra Ranger R635 Thermal Imager
£1,529.00 -
Pixfra Ranger R650 Thermal Imager
£1,919.00 -
Pulsar LPS 7i Battery Pack for Telos XP50
£109.00The LPS 7i Battery Pack has been designed for use with the Telos series and does away with the need for specialist battery chargers, offering fast charging through a simple USB-C connectionOut of stock