FLIR ThermaCAM E45

[Darren]

The ThermaCAM E45 IR thermal camera proved both reliable and fulfilled all expectations. Weighing just .7kg with battery and lens it is lightweight and can be mounted to a standard camera tripod.

The screen is a 2.5" 16 bit colour LCD and the handle has a trigger which can be user set to save an image, perform an auto adjust or operate the built in IR laser pointer. The red laser is at a wavelength of 635nm and power of 1mW max.

The unit is supplied with 2 rechargeable Li/Ion batteries which last for 1.5 to 2 hours. They can be charged in the camera or via the supplied external charging unit which will charge both batteries together.

The on screen pointer indicating the sampled temperature can be repositioned anywhere in the view window. Various pallets are selectable for on screen display (below).

A video output jack is provided and output is user selectable between PAL/NTSC. This allows easy connection to DVRs.

Above: DVR screen showing the E45 output (bottom centre).

Still images saved from the camera are 320 pixels wide x 240 pixels deep, 72dpi with a bit depth of 24. The resulting JPG files contain relevant EXIF data. The images can be examined through the unit or downloaded to PC via USB or optional RS232 cable. The camera will hold approximately 200 jpg images.

Measurements can be made and marked while reviewing images on the PC using the FLIR QuickView program. The palette can also be changed to different modes (10 in all) and fine tuned to give the desired range.

Above: Image as saved by the camera


Above: The same image adjusted and saved with QuickView showing various measurements - spot, line and area.

This brief run through conveys only the basic features of the E45 but it is capable of various additional adjustments in order to obtain the precise data desired.

Connections:
The unit is supplied with USB and Video (CVBS composite video) cables.
Power input is 2.5mm DC centre positive, 12vdc.

Accessories available include:
Auto power cord
Lenses - 9.2, 17 and 36mm

Focus: Manual
Startup: Approx 15 sec (suggested warm up of 5 minutes to expect accurate measurements).
Detector type: Focal Plane Array uncooled microbolometer 160x120pixels
Spectral range: 7.5-13 um.
Accuracy: +-2 degrees C / +- 3.6 degrees F or +- 2% of reading


Points which may be of particular interest to paranormal investigators include:

• Auto mode makes it pretty easy to use, although the screen pauses during self-adjust every so often. We noticed when interfaced to the DVR it was very easy to spot temperature changes as the palette auto adjusted to reflect the new range of temperatures present in the image.
  
  
  Above: Change in range during auto mode.
  
  
• Very fast refreshing of the live temp reading.
  
• Video output is PAL/NTSC Switchable
  
• Built in laser pointer
  
• The unit can be powered by the mains adapter provided allowing it to be used in a stationary position indefinitely, particularly handy if interfaced via the video output jack to a DVR system. If there is a battery inserted it will be charged simultaneously, allowing the unit to be detached from the DVR and used in a portable fashion.
  

Information in this review is provided for research purposes and is a guide only, readers should consult
product brochures and user manuals to confirm the information before reliance on any data contained.

Reproduction of any information or pictures must quote Ghost Research International as the source
and provide a link to the website (ghostresearchinternational.com) or this article.


This review has been made possible with the assistance of

www.techrentals.com.au/
suppliers of state-of-the-art scientific monitoring equipment.

[yeeehah]

Nice, any idea how much one of these is to rent?

[Darren]

Rates vary so much between vendors, areas etc... hard to say with any certainty.