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UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Using a thermal camera while exploring (Viewed 2943 times)
pilotredsun 


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Using a thermal camera while exploring
< on 12/12/2015 2:09 AM >
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Very new to Urbex here. Anyone ever tried using a thermal camera while Urbexing? Either to spot security personnel or other human beings in the dark, or maybe identify nocturnal fauna, or just examine heat readings on structures?

http://www.amazon....ning/dp/B00SSZ5KPY
I'm thinking about getting a Seek XR to attach to my iPhone 5s. At $300 it's one of the cheapest options out there for thermal imaging, with other tools going into the thousands. This is the extended range version of the phone-attaching Seek, and it can detect the presence of another person up to 200 yards away, provided there's line of sight.

I imagine it being useful to help me detect nighttime security while in the outdoor space surrounding a factory or at a quarry. Or maybe I'm idealizing about how helpful it'll be, while it is very cool to play with nonetheless. What do you think? Worth getting for these adventures?




anatonic 


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Re: Using a thermal camera while exploring
< Reply # 1 on 12/12/2015 2:37 AM >
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Damn, new to exploring and already prepping to go hard.

Might be pretty cool to own but personally I'd rather just scope out a location without one. All your senses are pretty heightened in the dark - I'd hate for my eyes to be adjusted to the camera while panning on one centralized spot and for security to waltz right up next to me. Probably wouldnt go over well getting busted with this in the middle of the night.




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blackhawk 

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Re: Using a thermal camera while exploring
< Reply # 2 on 12/12/2015 5:11 AM >
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Posted by anatonic

Might be pretty cool to own but personally I'd rather just scope out a location without one. All your senses are pretty heightened in the dark - I'd hate for my eyes to be adjusted to the camera while panning on one centralized spot and for security to waltz right up next to me. Probably wouldnt go over well getting busted with this in the middle of the night.


Bump. Keep it simple. Devices that emit light, light you up. A big no-no for night time stealth.

For another 100 or 200 bucks you could get a pair of good tactical binoculars. Get something around 6x with as wide a field of view as possible. This allows you to scan large areas efficiently for movement. Get a pair made for use in low light. They kept me from being spotted at Beth Steel; paid for themselves in one mission. A good pair will last a lifetime if you take care of them.

http://m.rei.com/l...ce/binoculars.html




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General Zod 


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Re: Using a thermal camera while exploring
< Reply # 3 on 12/12/2015 10:38 PM >
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Posted by pilotredsun
Very new to Urbex here. Anyone ever tried using a thermal camera while Urbexing? Either to spot security personnel or other human beings in the dark, or maybe identify nocturnal fauna, or just examine heat readings on structures?

http://www.amazon....ning/dp/B00SSZ5KPY
I'm thinking about getting a Seek XR to attach to my iPhone 5s. At $300 it's one of the cheapest options out there for thermal imaging, with other tools going into the thousands. This is the extended range version of the phone-attaching Seek, and it can detect the presence of another person up to 200 yards away, provided there's line of sight.

I imagine it being useful to help me detect nighttime security while in the outdoor space surrounding a factory or at a quarry. Or maybe I'm idealizing about how helpful it'll be, while it is very cool to play with nonetheless. What do you think? Worth getting for these adventures?


Worthless junk. You're talking about the helpfulness of night vision, but if you already know security is present, then the smartest thing to do is stay out of sight, and remain aware of the unexpected.



[last edit 12/12/2015 10:39 PM by General Zod - edited 1 times]

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Tomtortoise 


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Re: Using a thermal camera while exploring
< Reply # 4 on 12/13/2015 3:23 AM >
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Save your money, you don't high tech fancy stuff for exploring.... You have eyes which adapt to darkness very well.




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Darthbindy 


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Re: Using a thermal camera while exploring
< Reply # 5 on 12/13/2015 4:13 AM >
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I'd go for a headlamp with red light. It's really useful when you need light but don't want to be seen, plus it's a lot more justified to have on you if you're caught, cheaper, and you retain your night vision while using.




blackhawk 

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Re: Using a thermal camera while exploring
< Reply # 6 on 12/13/2015 4:34 AM >
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Posted by Darthbindy
I'd go for a headlamp with red light. It's really useful when you need light but don't want to be seen, plus it's a lot more justified to have on you if you're caught, cheaper, and you retain your night vision while using.


You can see a cig no trouble at night. Red lights aren't invisible at all.
A walking stick be more useful.




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Darthbindy 


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Re: Using a thermal camera while exploring
< Reply # 7 on 12/13/2015 4:48 AM >
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Posted by blackhawk
You can see a cig no trouble at night. Red lights aren't invisible at all.
A walking stick be more useful.


They aren't invisible, but they are a lot less visible than normal lights (when reflecting off of things. Any light will be very visible if there's a direct line of sight to it. Personally I find that red lights are extremely useful, although admittedly its more so because it preserves your night vision.




blackhawk 

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Re: Using a thermal camera while exploring
< Reply # 8 on 12/13/2015 5:40 AM >
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Posted by Darthbindy


They aren't invisible, but they are a lot less visible than normal lights (when reflecting off of things. Any light will be very visible if there's a direct line of sight to it. Personally I find that red lights are extremely useful, although admittedly its more so because it preserves your night vision.


Yes, well...

The red light myth: http://stlplaces.c...t_vision_red_myth/
The military has shifted from red to low level green or blue for activities that need visual acuity; low level red light is much more difficult to read with because the rods give poor resolution verses the cones which are responsible for our detail vision. Overall light levels, not color determine how much night vision is damaged. Unlike the cones, the rods which are responsible for night vision are sensitive to red and far red. So red has a direct impact on true night vision ie light levels too low for the cones to function.

Most night vision returns after 10-15 minutes after bright light exposure, but it takes a full 30 minutes to regain maximum night vision. Since you can't use the center of the retina because it's exclusively cones for night vision, you must keep your eyes moving and not look directly at a spot you wish to observes.




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wranglerroadhead 


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Safari Kay

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Re: Using a thermal camera while exploring
< Reply # 9 on 12/15/2015 5:29 AM >
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If you want to do some real recon, I would suggest you not spend the money on a thermal imager for a few reasons:

1. In this hobby, security personnel are rarely hiding. In fact, their job is primarily a show of force, so they are not difficult to miss. I am however all for staking out a site to get a feel for security rotations and just general observation.

2. GOOD thermal cameras are extraordinarily expensive. I've limited experience on both a weapon mounted and vehicle mounted systems but their primary usefulness is in identifying persons hiding in brush. Even midrange military systems either underperform compared to or are image-paired with nightvision technology. I would imagine a consumer thermal will perform poorly in an urban environment.

3. Money would be better spend on a scope and tripod.

With that said, I love having cool gear (for exploring and otherwise) so if thermals are striking your cord and you can get a phone attachment for $300 then there is no harm in it. It will no doubt be cool to have, just not practical in my mind. And if you are wondering, yes- you can see a fart with thermals.




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Tomtortoise 


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Re: Using a thermal camera while exploring
< Reply # 10 on 12/15/2015 12:00 PM >
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If you have the ability to fart from an aerosol can, then yes, yes you can.




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thetrainguru 


Location: Jasper AB
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im not crazy...wait...y es I am

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Re: Using a thermal camera while exploring
< Reply # 11 on 12/30/2015 7:02 AM >
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you don't need thermals or NVG's to explore, take her easy!




Create don`t destroy.

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UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Using a thermal camera while exploring (Viewed 2943 times)


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