FlIR Thermal Nightvision install

[MechEng813]

Wanted to share some pics of my thermal imager install incase anyone was looking for mounting ideas.

Started with taking the entire front bumper off.

Along the upper radiator mount drilled 4x thru holes and used 1/4-20 stainless screws
and locknuts to create a series of four mounting studs.
Because the radiator mount is hollow, i used plastic spacers to fill in the void.

Using a piece of black Corian counter top scrap, I started building the mounting plate that would hold the camera.

I trimmed the Corian down a bit to decrease the total mass of the bracket
(and to prevent unwanted vibration)

After temporarily fitting the bumper back in place, I was able to figure out how far back from the grill the camera needed to sit.

By carefully keeping the camera bracket centered I was able to have the lens sit just above the "M" emblem.

Just a slight modification to the grille and the camera is exactly where it needs to be.

Electrical hook up was very straight forward.
Accessory 12v, ground and a composite video output.

I picked up a 5" LCD and mounted it high along the headliner, keeping it just within my peripheral vision

Added a switch to the screen power, to shut it off when not needed.

And I also keep a piece of Green lens gel in the center console incase the white starts to bother me while I'm driving

 

[BeavOR]

Well done! I wish I had the skills to accomplish something similar.

Great write up

 

[NathanJax]

Very nice!!!

Got a link to what/where you purchased it? Price?

 

[Fosscore]

Nice work. Love the FLIR output.

 

[MechEng813]

Thanks guys. I picked it up on eBay a few years ago for $1500 and had it in my Avalanche, just moved it to the Yukon recently.

The newest model PathFindIR 2, retails for around $2400 here but there are a bunch on eBay now.
Go with the 30Hz to get a smoother video.

 

[cardude2000]

Wanted to share some pics of my thermal imager install incase anyone was looking for mounting ideas.

Started with taking the entire front bumper off.

Along the upper radiator mount drilled 4x thru holes and used 1/4-20 stainless screws
and locknuts to create a series of four mounting studs.
Because the radiator mount is hollow, i used plastic spacers to fill in the void.

Using a piece of black Corian counter top scrap, I started building the mounting plate that would hold the camera.

I trimmed the Corian down a bit to decrease the total mass of the bracket
(and to prevent unwanted vibration)

After temporarily fitting the bumper back in place, I was able to figure out how far back from the grill the camera needed to sit.

By carefully keeping the camera bracket centered I was able to have the lens sit just above the "M" emblem.

Just a slight modification to the grille and the camera is exactly where it needs to be.

Electrical hook up was very straight forward.
Accessory 12v, ground and a composite video output.

I picked up a 5" LCD and mounted it high along the headliner, keeping it just within my peripheral vision

Added a switch to the screen power, to shut it off when not needed.

And I also keep a piece of Green lens gel in the center console incase the white starts to bother me while I'm driving

Kinda cool and great work. But...Why?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MechEng813]

No real reason honestly, just a fun tech project.

Saw Predator too many times as a kid maybe.

But it is cool seeing cops and animals hiding in the distance before your headlights pick them up.

 

[sumo]

I thought about this mod before pricey but cool none the less

 

[Fifty]

It's great for driving in the dark when pedestrians and bikes are wearing dark clothes and dont have lights.

More and more luxury cars are coming with this.
Probably in 10'years it will be on every car.

This is awesome!

 

[Jtwins]

do you think on my 2025 Yukon elevation I could install this as a compatible with the factory dash? I know the ultimate Denali has it as an option.

 

[89Suburban]

No real reason honestly, just a fun tech project.

Saw Predator too many times as a kid maybe.

But it is cool seeing cops and animals hiding in the distance before your headlights pick them up.

I was going to ask if you can make it colored like the old Predator. Good stuff.

 

[SpyShops212]

You can buy this & HDMI to RCA if needed. It would look nice on the navigation radio. I am just giving you an idea.

Car TV Mate Pro- HDMI Multimedia & Wireless CarPlay Adapter

*It has the function of converting wired to wireless carplay!It can also be a wireless carplay adapter.*The Car TV Mate adapter is specifically designed for cars, catering to vehicles equipped with factory wired CarPlay.*Simply plug in devices with HDMI outputs such as game consoles, TV sticks...

www.ottocast.com

 

[MechEng813]

I was going to ask if you can make it colored like the old Predator. Good stuff.

The Gen2 model supports an external controller unit that does let you select color (zoom, mirror etc)
I was always was half-ass holding out for one of those drop in price.

.. but then picked up a handheld Flir e50 for a work project that does color.
That took care of that itch, so I can just run around in the dark wirelessly with that thing.

I've now moved on to wanting a reticle version to stick on my Barrett M81A1 so I can LARP as Bill Paxton in the 1990 hit Navy Seals.
(although he technically had a M107. ha!)

Pricing has come waaaay down in the years since I typed this up.
Even the $200 iPhone FlirONE does color now.