FLIR System launches MD-Series

Affordable but high quality thermal imaging cameras for maritime applications

As a navigation aid and to enhance security, few would dispute that thermal imaging is a must-have for sea-going vessels. However, whilst the benefits of the technology may be clear many boat owners see thermal imaging as a luxury purely because of its cost. With the introduction of its new MD-Series FLIR Systems is set to change that.

FLIR Systems is the world’s largest thermal imaging company. The increasing worldwide demand for its products has resulted in the company’s ability to bring down the cost of its core detector and to keep driving it down in order to make thermal imaging available to an even wider customer base.

FLIR MD-Series

The MD-Series are affordable, fixed-mount thermal night vision system. Once installed they always look in the same direction. MD-Series outputs standard analog video that can be easily displayed on any monitor at the helm or other monitors on the vessel.

FLIR MD-Series are Ethernet-enabled for simple integration into your current electronics. The MD-Series can be mounted “ball up” or “ball down” according to user preference.

The FLIR MD-Series are easy to use and require no operator training.

Different versions available

FLIR markets two different versions of the MD-Series. Both are equipped with a maintenance-free uncooled Vanadium Oxide (VOx) detector.

The FLIR MD-625 provides crisp thermal images of 640 x 480 pixels. It is equipped with a 25 mm lens that offers a 25° × 20° field of view. It is also equipped with a 4x e-zoom. It is able to detect a small vessel at a distance of approx. 2,800 meter. In total darkness.

Users that do not need this high image quality can choose for the FLIR MD-324 which provides thermal images of 320 x 240 pixels. It is equipped with a 13 mm lens that offers a 24° × 18° field of view. It is equipped with a 2x e-zoom. It is able to detect a small vessel at a distance of approx.1,340 meter.

Both versions are come with the FLIR proprietary Digital Detail Enhancement (DDE) that provides a clear and sharp thermal image in all circumstances.

The FLIR MD-Series provide crisp and clear thermal images in total darkness and in light fog and smoke. It features the same technology found in many of FLIR Systems’ more sophisticated maritime systems but is packaged for those who wish to use the camera primarily as a navigation aid.

The superb quality of its image allows the user to see more detail and to detect even smaller hazardous objects, day or night and in conditions of poor visibility. No user adjustment is necessary. FLIR MD-Series are equipped with a wide-angle lens. This not only provides a wide field-of-view, which offers excellent situational awareness, but also eliminates the need for system stabilization.

Designed for use in harsh maritime environments

Both versions of the FLIR MD-Series have been designed to be highly rugged. Their vital core is protected against humidity and water. A built-in heater is included to defrost the camera’s protective window. It ensures a clear lens and perfect thermal images even in extremely cold environments.

Very lightweight, all the versions of the FLIR MD-Series are easily installed at any position on board. Their images can be displayed on virtually any existing multi-function (i.e. chart plotter) display that accepts composite video.

About thermal imaging

Thermal imaging is the use of cameras constructed with specialty sensors that “see” thermal energy emitted from an object. Thermal, or infrared energy, is light that is not visible to the human eye because its wavelength is too long to be detected. It’s the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that we perceive as heat. Infrared allows us to see what our eyes cannot.

Thermal imaging cameras produce images of invisible infrared or “heat” radiation. Based on temperature differences between objects, thermal imaging produces a clear image. It is an excellent tool for predictive maintenance, building inspections, research &development and automation applications.

It can see in total darkness, in the darkest of nights, through light fog, in the far distance, through smoke. It is also used for security and surveillance, maritime, automotive, firefighting and many other applications.

About FLIR Systems

FLIR Systems is the world leader in the design and manufacturing of thermal imaging cameras for a wide variety of applications. It has over 50 years of experience and thousands of thermal imaging cameras currently in use worldwide for predictive maintenance, building inspections, research & development, security and surveillance, maritime, automotive and other night-vision applications. FLIR Systems has eight manufacturing plants located in the USA (Portland, Boston, Santa Barbara and Bozeman), Stockholm, Sweden, Talinn, Estonia and near Paris, France. It operates offices in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Dubai, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Russia, Spain, UK and the USA. The company has over 3,000 dedicated infrared specialists, and serves international markets through an international distributor network providing local sales and support functions.

More about FLIR Systems and our products can be found at www.flir.com