southern boating

increases the safety of all involved and
raises the chance of rescuing a victim at
night and during the day making thermal
cameras a crucial asset.
At the heart of NightPilot is a U.S.-
made 320 X 240 resolution thermal
core with 17m pixel pitch and a <50mK
thermal sensitivity, an 8X digital zoom
function, and a color palette that can be
inversed to provide crystal clear thermal
images under different environmental
conditions.
“Our design team started with a clean
sheet to conjure a camera that differentiated
NightPilot from the typical gimbal style,”
Digweed said during a press conference
at the NightPilot introduction during the
2015 Fort Lauderdale International Boat
Show. “We worked in close collaboration
with a leading UK-based brushless-

motor company to develop an advanced

new motor system that is fast [maximum

speed 360-degree range per second]

yet whisper quiet.”

A 19mm 16-degree by 12-degree lens

ensures sharp thermal imaging over

a wide range of view. Even in total

darkness, vessels can be identified at

more than a 2-km distance (1.2 miles),

while a person such as in a man-

overboard situation can be spotted at

about 1 km.

To provide a stable image in a range

of sea conditions, the forward-facing

NightPilot features three-sensor inertia

measurements and accurate gyro control.

When Gyro Mode is selected, the camera’s

inner dome is driven by the motor

providing an overall tilt range of 140

degrees (70 degrees in each direction

from horizon) to counter wave motion.

NightPilot also incorporates a user-

adjustable trim feature to counter shifting

horizons such as when the vessel’s bow

rises while running on plane. This same

feature can be used to compensate for

orientation if NightPilot is installed on

angled surfaces.

The NightPilot is controlled using a

waterproof 3.3-inch diameter round pad

mounted on the dash. The pad features

raised buttons that can be depressed to

point the NightPilot up or down and zoom

in or out. An inverted palette control,

manual thermal shutter, gyro calibration,

and standby mode can all be activated

via the buttons identified with easy to

read icons. For example, the Trim Up or

Trim Down buttons are oriented at the 12

o’clock and 6 o’clock positions on the

pad, while the Zoom Out and Zoom In

buttons are at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock.

NightPilot also features a built-in heater

with Automatic Temperature Operation

to ensure optimum performance in a

wide range of weather and environmental

conditions encountered on the water.

These features and advanced technology

are packed into a streamlined, waterproof

housing measuring 10" W x 5" D x 6" H.

“Much thought went into the industrial

design of the NightPilot, with the goal of

creating a compact, attractive appearance

that blends well with the styling lines of

even the most upscale yacht,” Digweed

said. “At the same time, this design is

rugged, functional and practical for use

on a wide range of vessels wanting the

ability to see what’s ahead of them in

the dark. In the Iris tradition, installation

is simplified through the use of a single

cable/connector.”

— By Doug Thompson

INFORMATION:

boat-cameras.com

50 s SOUTHERNBOATING.COM s MARCH 2016

http://www.FurunoUSA.com

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SERVING TWO LOCATIONS:

405 NW South River Drive, Miami, FL 33125

155 East Blue Heron Boulevard, Riviera Beach, FL 33404

(800) 826-5716  http://www.LangerKrell.com

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