Flir....flir.....

[Senior Pilot]

Originally Posted by JerryG

If anybody is game, and prepared to openly share the results on this forum, I will fly a Cineflex to anywhere in the world to achieve a certified head to head fly-off that we can all rely on.

I hope I haven’t broken any forum rules here.

No rules broken there, Jerry.

As long as I get to fly one of the "head to head fly-off" machines, of course!

[JerryG]

Right then! So that's two pilots and a Cineflex so far. Anybody want to bring an MX 15 or a Star Safire to the party? I'll buy the beer.
JerryG

[mickjoebill]

No doubt the Cineflex has the highest quality and res TV camera and lens.
The camera can also work at 60 frames per second which makes looking for detail much easier on the eye than an interlace image.
Recording such images is becomming easier and cheaper and police aviation has yet to wakeup to how valuable HD recordings can be ...


I would personally ditch the extra optical doubler in some versions of the MS.


Most of the others have single chip HD sensors with (in theory) 0.7 x resolution of the 3 chip system.


Side by side test is the way to go.....



Mickjoebill

[S.M.S]

Guys in this case what is the deference between the cineflex and the star safire HD interim of zooming and resolution weight size etc.....???

[southerncanuck]

sms, sent you a PM if you have any questions,
thanks
cal
[email protected]

[JerryG]

SMS, I'm not sure what you mean by "star safire HD interim". Here are the differences I have noted from personal experience of the Cineflex and product information for the others. Once again I stand to be corrected if anybody has better information:-

STABILIZATION SYSTEM
Cineflex V14 MS2 - 5 Axis HD, 4 Axis IR
Wescam MX-15i HD - 4 Axis
Safire HD - 4 Axis gimbal, 2 Axis IR
Safire 3 - 4 Axis

WEIGHT in lbs
Cineflex V14 MS2 - 69
Wescam MX-15i HD - 94
Safire HD - 98
Safire 3 - 98

TURRET SIZE in inches
Cineflex V14 MS2 - 14.5 x 19.5 x 19
Wescam MX-15i HD - 15.5 x 18.75
Safire HD - 15 x 17.5
Safire 3 - 15 x 17.5

HD TV LINES
Cineflex V14 MS2 - 1000
Wescam MX-15i HD - 1000
Safire HD - 800
Safire 3 - 525/625

EFFECTIVE IR PIXELS
Cineflex V14 MS2 - 640x512
Wescam MX-15i HD - 640x512
Safire HD - 640x480
Safire 3 - 640x480

ZOOM RATIO
Cineflex V14 MS2 - Continuous smooth 100x (+10x additional E Zoom)
Wescam MX-15i HD - Stepped 120x
Safire HD - Stepped 120x
Safire 3 - 18x (+12x additional E Zoom)

In all other areas that I've been able to ascertain so far it seems they are pretty similar, but the big subjective issue on which most people comment is image stability and the only way to do that is by head to head visual comparison. I'm happy to post a couple of Cineflex examples if anybody can reciprocate with the alternatives?

Not sure if that answers your question?

JerryG

[mickjoebill]

The numbers aren't that relevant when it comes to comparing image quality.
Surveillance relies on discerning shadowy characters in shady situations.
This is where high fidelity camera and lens system wins hands down.

My description of the V14MSII is a 25x smooth zoom with optical 2x doubler + electronic 2x doubler. When using Electonic doubler the images quality drops down to standard definition resolution.
The lens is a pucker HD broadcast lens that will dleiver same quality as you see on a HD broadcast of football ect. Camera is also same camera used on HD sports broadcasts.

The wescam uses a miniature single chip HD sensor.
V14 uses 3chip split head with considerably more horsepower.


Mickjoebill

[southerncanuck]

jerry, great post, going to print that, as mentioned, i'm just a mount guy but your apples to apples comparison should be required reading for anyone interested in "big" camera's

footnote to your list: increase all up weights to account for
- vibro isolators: apprx 20lbs
- QDD quick disconnects: apprx 6 lbs
- dovetails: apprx 5 lbs
- adaptors: varies

cal

[mickjoebill]

footnote to your list: increase all up weights to account for

Weight of onboard camera processors varies between models and although less important a consideration than the payload in the slipstream, should be included in a comparison.
Also, the weight of vibration isolators and brackets vary between manufacturers.


Mickjoebill

[tonyosborne]

Electronic Optics

Chaps, a few questions about podded electro-optical systems or FLIR pods, if I may.

There seem to be a few dozen available in the civil market. Are they much of a muchness, or are there dramatic differences in quality between the numerous brands/makes?

How do operators, such as those in Police or SAR for example make the choice between one or another system, what are the considerations? How much of a difference do the High-Definition systems make, are they worth the extra cost, indeed, what are the running costs?

and finally, are there any issues with them, such as reliability, complexity, I presume they are simply sent off to be checked over by technicians for an annual service?

Any answers would be much appreicated.

[JerryG]

Tony

See this thread
http://www.pprune.org/forums/rotorhe...ir-flir-2.html
Cheers
JerryG

[tightrope]

why the interest tony...??

may be able to provide more focused response if we know what angle your coming from..

just curious as you appear to be a photographer.. (i think)

Great pictures on your website by the way..!