FLIR has been a pioneer in marine thermal-imaging devices, including handheld scopes/cameras, that can detect the heat signatures of objects such as buoys, boats, breakwaters and other hazards to enhance boating safety at night. Now FLIR has launched the next generation of handheld thermal cameras for boaters—the Ocean Scout Pro.
Designed for the specific needs of mariners, as well as law enforcement, the Ocean Scout Pro monocular proves more intuitive to use than previous models, and its price point makes it accessible to a wide range of boaters. I had the opportunity to test one of the first available models and found the 32-degree field of view felt natural, closely aligning with my unaided vision. In addition, the images were easily decipherable, something I can’t claim about earlier scopes.
With an extended 500-meter detection range, the scope allowed me to continuously and completely focus on observed target scenes without the obstruction and confusion of on-screen menus and settings. Measuring just 7 inches in length and weighing 18.4 ounces, the Ocean Scout Pro is easy to handle to scan the waters at night. It also comes with two eye cups for optimal fit to block light intrusion from ambient onboard illumination. A diopter adjustment at the eyepiece lets you focus the images to match your vision level.
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I applaud the one-finger button control, which made it simple to adjust features such as image mode, zoom, brightness and standby. The Ocean Scout Pro can also connect wirelessly to an iPhone or iPad using the Scout Pro app to stream video to your mobile device or view and manage the camera’s files. It has four video palette modes including White Hot to display warmer objects in white and cooler objects in black; Grayscale depicts images in a wide temperature span for realistic details; Black Hot is an inverted version of White Hot; and Sepia applies a warm, golden hue to the White Hot palette for reduced eye fatigue.
The Ocean Scout Pro is IP67 waterproof-rated and is engineered to withstand a 2-meter drop. The battery provides six hours of use on a single charge and includes USB Type-C charging and a data-transfer cord. $2,395; amazon.com
