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Add Night Vision To Your Car: Avoid Suicidal Deer

Monday, May 12th, 2008 – running time 08:45
Adding thermal imaging to your car is a lot easier than you might think... think car stereo plus some light fabrication. Seeing further in the dark? That's priceles

Would you like to see well beyond your high beams at night? Or see thru dust and light fog when you're behind the wheel and there's no where to pull off? We found an easy way to do it: FLIR's PathfindIR.

The PathfindIR is a thermal imager; that means it senses heat, the infrared energy radiated by the objects in front of its lens, and converts it into a visible image you can see.

It really does work in total darkness: hot objects, such as pedestrians and deer grow bright white, colder objects like clouds or concrete embankments grow a lighter grey. Cold objects, say, a can of coke? They look black on the monitor.

The end result is an image of what's coming up 3 to 5x past your high beams, according to FLIR. We found it easy to scan mounted up by our rear view mirror. Just watch for the bright flashes (and the dark ones) in the drive path.

Is a PathfindIR cheap? No.

But we found it fairly painless to install, since any monitor that can accept an regular old NTSCcomposite video signal can display video from the PathfindIR. (PAL models are also available.)

OK, we did mount it on a light bar on the front of the test truck rather than (a more typical) behind the grill mount that would require taking a hole saw to the grill and bolting it to a radiator mount... that certainly cut down on intallation pain!

Tons of video of the PathfindIR in action in the video!

Highlights
united states ( 0:03, 0:03 ) thermal imaging ( 0:22, 6:27, 8:00, 0:22, 6:27, 8:00 ) Patrick Norton ( 0:29, 0:54, 8:11, 0:29, 0:54, 8:11 ) mass produced ( 6:52, 6:53, 6:52, 6:53 ) united states ( 0:03, 0:03 ) thermal imaging ( 0:22, 6:27, 8:00, 0:22, 6:27, 8:00 ) Patrick Norton ( 0:29, 0:54, 8:11, 0:29, 0:54, 8:11 ) mass produced ( 6:52, 6:53, 6:52, 6:53 )

Automatically Generated Transcript(may not be 100% accurate) ( more )

" This episode of system is brought to make good any dot -- the united states air force and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. -- dark in the light what do you hate you know it's just like turn on the headlights right. And you get to see a little bit farther that's a good thing what can. Who want to see farther than your headlights or maybe see a little bit better through dust or haze or little default today we're gonna take a look at thermal imaging and just how easy it is adding your vehicle. What's the result welts like being able to see at night. I'm Patrick Norton that's -- system. All the system. -- Patrick Norton. You're taking a look at me your look at your screen you're seeing well visible way that your eyeballs design. Your eyeball is sensor. Are visible light now let's say everything goes dark. Right they look at the street it's black now. Does that mean there's nothing there no basically means there's no light being reflected that your I can detect the sensor in your skull that detects light your -- Now what happens if we use something a little bit different. The image you're looking at right now is a thermal image it's essentially looking at differences in temperatures of everything from the sensor. What you're looking at right now as an image from the pathfinder. It's an infrared sensor from a company called clear. The version just -- walking across the screen right now though the pedestrian walking across the street. Invisible."

" But a couple hours from now when it's pitch black. It would have been awkward to see line is wearing a black jacket black pants and walking through gradient and actually. Uptown here thank you that big white -- on the front of the screen that's actually concrete overpass its business on the basically. Gathering thermal energy is completely eating up all night over these next few hours. I think that of the cars in front of -- noticed the bottom of the car actually the underside of the car between history and undercarriage as a bright white pattern of light what's going on there."

" That's actually heat from the engine that's been pulled out of the radiator air that pull through the radiator on the -- is my theory. Basically trapped vehicle. Now what we're looking at here is again. Normal differences the differences between the arc objects and the objects it's temperature is interpreted by the pathfinder. Sensors inside it. And is actually sent out. Through composite video cable and that's pretty slick. We thought it was actually going to be pretty serious sure of what decent vehicle but it turned out to be really simple C."

" Hi -- can customize the systems Swedish Internet elected take a moment to thank one of responses. You its efforts."

" It's. It. Yeah. Yeah."

" By far the most complicated part of the fabrication which was easy for us that we're doing tampering now. We'll be mounting that camera."

" Now we now that right here on -- and illustrate get a light Clark. Because it's a temporary installation. On a permanent installation you're most likely looking going to be behind -- Grail -- whole plot and the eighty fabricating apps on the -- inside of there. There is a radiator support or some type of body works important announcement he."

" You -- time of mounting options that's got something like sixteen different quarter its hardware locations you can actually screwed out into. One more thing or think about mystery you've gotta run out about four inches below where -- but -- it counted. If you don't you're gonna have trouble getting the cable connected. You may be wondering why we mounted inside the cabin that's because -- basically turns into an old page sheet of rain to the -- can't see through glass. CD you actually have that out in the air. You've got when he -- cable more than enough to read through around the -- apartment back through the firewall under the dashboard in -- that -- it's sort of like car stereo installation -- got three connections -- positive and negative. So your whole it's easier crimping tool wire cutters -- anything he can that he tree to be. Wire systems which source of electricity because that. Thermal sensor can actually -- about two camps especially heating units on and then you've got your video connection in England your monitor. That's your generic an arcade and actually in the PNC connection we use the barrel adapter that turned it into a plastic composite media. -- anything except basically composite video in TSE. It's going to actually be able accept this whether to -- that monitor what some type of customize you -- some work that border line site."

" It's. Different to think one of sponsors the show code and it netcom. We'd like to mine and US students in to find kind of broadcast percent to but godaddy.com. Any -- already make history on the track which went into different 300. Now she's ready to do it again at Indianapolis be sure to catch all the hype the action on neat -- it courtesy of godaddy.com. And don't forget if you want to make an impact online do it godaddy.com. Let's come name as well -- 199 plus let classical things happening that I believe that much more. Plus and tickled this one when it take out as being an additional ten dollars at an order what or more support act by supporting them."

" Is something anybody needs to be honest I'm probably more -- about money over animals in the darkness than most people -- While watching fairly well over callously highway seventy you start to think yourself maybe my headlights. Or when you get the suicidal pales coming in and -- that currently the middle of the month. -- would you get people running out in the street here amber Cisco so actually no I don't think I'm the only kind of person would appeal to anybody who wants a little extra vision at night. Could definitely be well served by thermal imaging unit. There's a downside. It's artwork that will range it's October that while flawed still gonna block it pretty much anything like class that read. -- it levels out all the possible he can sense rains really bad one for this although can still actually in some cases work with -- on something similar. What you really need. Though to actually make this work is can. While the mass produced enough mass produced in the kind of all these things she related MS RP of around 3500 dollars and after that caught the monitor. -- What downside here the expense. Clear it was the favor eagerly to mass produce these --"

" It's time not to thank let us sponsors the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Cricket or ticket -- an -- but of -- over the basin that would run from may nineteenth to June rise to the company across the country. Also some -- I think it -- an -- participating in its campaign to these people use images holidays across the nation. The goal is simple to say more alive by convincing both driver's and passenger at the night with buckle up. Unless you wondering if the ticket or wed July -- instrument to fix it or ticket -- and."

" I don't -- violations. Well good luck."

" I hope you've enjoyed a little diversion on installing. Thermal imaging inside your vehicle to thank the folks that we're promoting the pathfinder unit. And actually this is pretty fun project and move simpler to set up and we thought -- which is always a plus I'm Patrick Norton you've been watching system we'll see you next week. And personally I don't think there is one until you start talking about. These aren't really -- it is."

" You -- that -- right -- right left up left right. Her. If past is past. -- You don't."

" This episode of system is brought to make good any dot -- the united states air force and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. -- dark in the light what do you hate you know it's just like turn on the headlights right. And you get to see a little bit farther that's a good thing what can. Who want to see farther than your headlights or maybe see a little bit better through dust or haze or little default today we're gonna take a look at thermal imaging and just how easy it is adding your vehicle. What's the result welts like being able to see at night. I'm Patrick Norton that's -- system. All the system. -- Patrick Norton. You're taking a look at me your look at your screen you're seeing well visible way that your eyeballs design. Your eyeball is sensor. Are visible light now let's say everything goes dark. Right they look at the street it's black now. Does that mean there's nothing there no basically means there's no light being reflected that your I can detect the sensor in your skull that detects light your -- Now what happens if we use something a little bit different. The image you're looking at right now is a thermal image it's essentially looking at differences in temperatures of everything from the sensor. What you're looking at right now as an image from the pathfinder. It's an infrared sensor from a company called clear. The version just -- walking across the screen right now though the pedestrian walking across the street. Invisible."

" But a couple hours from now when it's pitch black. It would have been awkward to see line is wearing a black jacket black pants and walking through gradient and actually. Uptown here thank you that big white -- on the front of the screen that's actually concrete overpass its business on the basically. Gathering thermal energy is completely eating up all night over these next few hours. I think that of the cars in front of -- noticed the bottom of the car actually the underside of the car between history and undercarriage as a bright white pattern of light what's going on there."

" That's actually heat from the engine that's been pulled out of the radiator air that pull through the radiator on the -- is my theory. Basically trapped vehicle. Now what we're looking at here is again. Normal differences the differences between the arc objects and the objects it's temperature is interpreted by the pathfinder. Sensors inside it. And is actually sent out. Through composite video cable and that's pretty slick. We thought it was actually going to be pretty serious sure of what decent vehicle but it turned out to be really simple C."

" Hi -- can customize the systems Swedish Internet elected take a moment to thank one of responses. You its efforts."

" It's. It. Yeah. Yeah."

" By far the most complicated part of the fabrication which was easy for us that we're doing tampering now. We'll be mounting that camera."

" Now we now that right here on -- and illustrate get a light Clark. Because it's a temporary installation. On a permanent installation you're most likely looking going to be behind -- Grail -- whole plot and the eighty fabricating apps on the -- inside of there. There is a radiator support or some type of body works important announcement he."

" You -- time of mounting options that's got something like sixteen different quarter its hardware locations you can actually screwed out into. One more thing or think about mystery you've gotta run out about four inches below where -- but -- it counted. If you don't you're gonna have trouble getting the cable connected. You may be wondering why we mounted inside the cabin that's because -- basically turns into an old page sheet of rain to the -- can't see through glass. CD you actually have that out in the air. You've got when he -- cable more than enough to read through around the -- apartment back through the firewall under the dashboard in -- that -- it's sort of like car stereo installation -- got three connections -- positive and negative. So your whole it's easier crimping tool wire cutters -- anything he can that he tree to be. Wire systems which source of electricity because that. Thermal sensor can actually -- about two camps especially heating units on and then you've got your video connection in England your monitor. That's your generic an arcade and actually in the PNC connection we use the barrel adapter that turned it into a plastic composite media. -- anything except basically composite video in TSE. It's going to actually be able accept this whether to -- that monitor what some type of customize you -- some work that border line site."

" It's. Different to think one of sponsors the show code and it netcom. We'd like to mine and US students in to find kind of broadcast percent to but godaddy.com. Any -- already make history on the track which went into different 300. Now she's ready to do it again at Indianapolis be sure to catch all the hype the action on neat -- it courtesy of godaddy.com. And don't forget if you want to make an impact online do it godaddy.com. Let's come name as well -- 199 plus let classical things happening that I believe that much more. Plus and tickled this one when it take out as being an additional ten dollars at an order what or more support act by supporting them."

" Is something anybody needs to be honest I'm probably more -- about money over animals in the darkness than most people -- While watching fairly well over callously highway seventy you start to think yourself maybe my headlights. Or when you get the suicidal pales coming in and -- that currently the middle of the month. -- would you get people running out in the street here amber Cisco so actually no I don't think I'm the only kind of person would appeal to anybody who wants a little extra vision at night. Could definitely be well served by thermal imaging unit. There's a downside. It's artwork that will range it's October that while flawed still gonna block it pretty much anything like class that read. -- it levels out all the possible he can sense rains really bad one for this although can still actually in some cases work with -- on something similar. What you really need. Though to actually make this work is can. While the mass produced enough mass produced in the kind of all these things she related MS RP of around 3500 dollars and after that caught the monitor. -- What downside here the expense. Clear it was the favor eagerly to mass produce these --"

" It's time not to thank let us sponsors the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Cricket or ticket -- an -- but of -- over the basin that would run from may nineteenth to June rise to the company across the country. Also some -- I think it -- an -- participating in its campaign to these people use images holidays across the nation. The goal is simple to say more alive by convincing both driver's and passenger at the night with buckle up. Unless you wondering if the ticket or wed July -- instrument to fix it or ticket -- and."

" I don't -- violations. Well good luck."

" I hope you've enjoyed a little diversion on installing. Thermal imaging inside your vehicle to thank the folks that we're promoting the pathfinder unit. And actually this is pretty fun project and move simpler to set up and we thought -- which is always a plus I'm Patrick Norton you've been watching system we'll see you next week. And personally I don't think there is one until you start talking about. These aren't really -- it is."

" You -- that -- right -- right left up left right. Her. If past is past. -- You don't."

travislopes

Started discussion: May 12, 2008 @ 3:23pm GMT

Episode 50 - Add Night Vision To Your Car: Avoid Suicidal Deer [Discussion]

Adding thermal imaging to your car is a lot easier than you might think... think car stereo plus some light fabrication. Seeing further in the dark? That's priceless.

Watch and download the episode here.

Z31FTW
about 1 year ago
Thermal imaging is intresting...the price is also.....intresting.

Cute kid Patrick.
TheArchAngel
about 1 year ago
I think the ads in this show was longer than the actual show. I know things are different with David gone, and everything but I just hope it gets better soon. On a positive note I like the idea of Night Vision just needed more. and Patrick you got a pretty cute and awesome kid, but I bet you already knew that
high6
about 1 year ago
patrick also looked very tired.
netburnr
about 1 year ago
In reply to TheArchAngel:
I think the ads in this show was longer than the actual show. I know things are different with David gone, and everything but I just hope it gets better soon. On a positive note I like the idea of Night Vision just needed more. and Patrick you got a pretty cute and awesome kid, but I bet you already knew that


QFT.

Less than a 20 minute show with 3 minute plus advertisings....

On a side note, most mobile installers recommend using a crimp connection instead of solder. The reason being is most people do not solder correctly causing the wire to become brittle and eventually the vibration of a car can break the solder joints loose.

Otherwise, keep up the good shows, love seeing all this stuff.
mikec
about 1 year ago
Positives: Patrick's kid and the Swedish intern. As long as she feels comfortable with English, keep using her on the show.

Negatives: Show length.

Mixed thoughts: The content. Cool stuff but too expensive for most.

Overall an OK episode but I think the show needs some technical assistance for Patrick.

BTW, did anyone see the episode of "Top Gear", BBC America, when Jeremy was reviewing the Mercedes with the IR camera and the speedo changed to the monitor when the camera was enabled? Cool stuff, but that was a $100K car.
eca
about 1 year ago
Im waiting for IR to get into Long wave..and greater range.
OCT_Dragon74
about 1 year ago
Good ep, albeit too short! Positives though: 1. cool idea, 2. keep the intern as she was cool to hear from instead of Patrick (no offense bro!) as usual, and 3. cool shots of your kid Patrick!
obxjdt
about 1 year ago

Adding thermal imaging

Good show I think.... Way to many ads :mad: I didn't time it, but It was enough that I told Miro to skip the show after the fourth add in about 2 minutes.
I understand that you're in this for the money, but I watch for content. You need to charge more for the ads, or group them together at the beginning & end of the show.
As soon as you get me, you cut to an ad, and I loose interest. With TV, I change channels, with Miro, I delete...
I like the show, but if this is how it's going to be (45 sec of content-30 sec of ads), then I'm going to remove the feed from Miro...

*EDIT*
Good looking kid Patric. Hope you & your family are doing well. Make sure to spend time with them, the time goes fast. Seems like just yesterday my first was born, now I have a 4 month old grandson ;)
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