T200 thermal camera - ideal for smaller sailing boats

by Polly Tyekiff/Sail-World Cruising on 11 Mar 2013 Raymarine’s new compact T200 thermal camera is ideal for sailors wanting all the advantages of the latest thermal technology without the hefty price tag. It's still not inexpensive, but unlike radar, which only lets the skipper know there is 'something' out there, a high quality Raymarine thermal camera like the T200 will show exactly what it is.

Detecting floating objects, navigation aids, other vessels, and even people in the water is easy using FLIR thermal imaging technology and now even small boats can see at night with the T200 Series fixed mount thermal night vision cameras. These excellent value fixed-mount thermal cameras bring ownership of genuine FLIR thermal imaging technology within the grasp of more boaters than ever before.

'When it comes to detecting objects at night, thermal cameras like the new T200 are even better than having bright spotlights shining out in front of the boat,' says Mark Milburn, CEO of Lusty and Blundell Ltd, the New Zealand Raymarine distributor.

'A thermal camera allows you to see exactly what is in or on the water, no matter how small it is and regardless of the weather conditions. Thermal cameras work just as well in fog or heavy rain as they do on a calm, clear night. What’s more, they can be left ‘on’ the whole time, without affecting anyone’s night vision.'

Being both very affordable and small and compact, the T200 is ideal for smaller boats, giving cruising yacht owners the same benefits as those enjoyed by owners of far bigger vessels. The T200’s small footprint allows it to be easily mounted on any cabintop, radar arch or mast.

With a simple 2-cable install the T200 is easy to fit, uses Power-Over-Ethernet and has an analogue composite video output. It can also be controlled directly from a Raymarine multifunction display (MFD). This means users can simply control colour palettes, choose either 'white hot' or 'black hot' (or switch between them) use the digital zoom and configure the camera functions, all from their MFDs and without the need for any additional control panels.

The T200 Series cameras are available in either 320 x 240 or 640 x 480 resolutions. The 320 x 240 resolution model features a wide-angle 13 mm lens and 2× digital zoom. The high-resolution 640 x 480 version offers enhanced long-range performance using a 25mm lens and 4× digital zoom capability. There is also a choice of NTSC or PAL versions of the T200.

The compact T200 series of thermal cameras measure just 7' high and 5.9' in diameter, incorporate genuine FLIR thermal imaging technology. They are available in many countries now, but are gradually being introduced to others.

New Zealand is lucky in that they are available now from any of Lusty and Blundell’s three showrooms, in Albany, Whangarei and Tauranga, or from their nationwide network of leading marine dealers.

T200 pricing starts from around US$3500, depending on where you purchase.


For complete specification, http://www.raymarine.co.uk/news/mynews.cfm?story=7100!click_here.