FLIR Systems announced the addition of a cooled thermal camera to its M-Series platform — the FLIR M500 multi-sensor maritime camera.
Enabling superyachts, first responders and commercial vessels to see long-range targets with clarity, the FLIR M500 seeks to provide professional captains with enhanced ability to detect targets more than 15 kilometers away, navigate tight waterways and avoid collisions.
The FLIR M500’s cooled midwave, 640×512 thermal camera’s ability to detect very small temperature variations translates into greater detail and enhanced image clarity, allowing professional captains to positively identify targets and avoid hazards while underway, the company said.
FLIR cooled thermal technology and the M500’s 14X optical zoom lens also provides early detection of vessels, key landmarks and navigation aids.
An integrated high-definition visible camera improves navigational awareness, allowing easy identification of vessels and landmarks in daytime and low-light conditions, the company said.
Equipped with active gyrostabilization for steady imagery in rough seas, the FLIR M500 also includes video tracking to monitor a selected moving or stationary target.
“The FLIR M500 multi-sensor camera is FLIR’s most technologically advanced M-Series camera to date,” FLIR Maritime vice president and general manager Grégoire Outters said in a statement. “The cooled thermal camera and superior image quality enables professional captains to discern obstacles and navigation aids with much greater detail, providing them with improved situational awareness and safer navigation around the clock. First responders will appreciate the long-range target detection, stabilization and video tracking for exceptional precision on the water.”
