malewithatail
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Location: Northern Rivers NSW
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Post by malewithatail on Jun 3, 2023 12:26:02 GMT 10
I picked up my thermal monocular yesterday, a Nighttech XD mini11.
First use. Unpacked it and found the battery had about 50 % charge, enough to play with, but the recommendations were to fully charge it for 24 hrs before use.
In the dark, (full moon), I had no issues picking out the pigs 50 meters away in their paddock, sheep in the top paddock over 100 meters away, and a person at 50 meters. I also found it interesting looking at the heat radiating from a stack of bricks in the yard, trees, the water in the main tanks was also hotter that then environment. The ducks could clearly be seen in their yard, as could the wild ducks on the dam. The car engine stood out as it was still warm, even 2 hours after stopping.
Tonight I will be getting serious and learning how to interpret the images.
This morning I have been 'playing' with it, looking at various things. Even clouds show up as does warmer patches of the sky that don't have any visible clouds. That was interesting and I will be investigating further.
Ive also run the thermal over the power systems here, all 7 of them, and found a hot joint on the switch that switches the hot water element over from generator to inverter, and also the relay is hot as well. Nothing unexpected as the element draws over 2.5 kw at 240 v, 10 amps, and the switch is rated for 10 amps, so is on the limit. When it gives up I will be replacing it with a 25 amp version I have in stock. The hot relay was a surprise as its rated at 30 amps, 240 volts, but is over 30 years old, so may be failing. The rational behind this is that electrical failures are usually preceded by a heating of the failure device, or connection etc. I bought an FLIR camera (much the same, IR style, but with a record function), when I was a Sparky on the local Council, and ran it over the various pump panels every week or so. This led to my having to leave as my supervisor, unknown to me, was setting faults up so he could get call outs as he was in a lot of debt and could claim overtime. All that stopped suddenly when I had the camera and was fixing faults as they occurred and he made things difficult for me, resulting in me being asked to leave.
A pleasant undocumented feature is the inclusion of a small white led light, only accessed when the device is switched off, but extremely useful none the less.
It is not recommended to install it on a rifle as the recoil shock could damage the sensor, even though it does have a standard threaded mount for a tripod.
The objective lens adjustment isn't quite enough to allow me to have a focused image whilst wearing my glasses, but without them on, it works well enough. Apparently, there is an internal adjustment to allow for a greater range.
My strategy for using it during an event, or WTSHTF, is to investigate why the dogs are carrying on, and as the device is totally passive and emits nothing, no IR illumination etc, it cant be detected by conventional night vision or IR sensitive gear. When Ive found the intruder, I have a 350 watt halogen torch that has an internal battery pack and is hand held. It runs the light for about 15 mins and will floodlight a 40 acre paddock with ease. Splash the intruder, and then I have a 10 mw red lazer light from a defunct lazer level unit that I will point at their chest. "Your in range, ar..ehole, f..k off and tell your mates this property is defended, day and night". Perhaps a helping hand from a 12 g rat-shot noisemaker may quicken their withdrawal somewhat !
An expensive prep at nearly $900, but what price is survival ?
More to come.
I may look calm, but in my head Ive already slapped you three times.
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frostbite
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Post by frostbite on Jun 3, 2023 12:43:26 GMT 10
I’ve got the Night Tech ms42. A game changer at night.
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malewithatail
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Location: Northern Rivers NSW
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Post by malewithatail on Jun 3, 2023 15:42:08 GMT 10
Update.
Need to install a shelf in the laundry to put the Kabocha and other fermenting stuffs on, where are the supports that the wall is attached to ? Its a metal framed house, so tapping the wall and listening isn't particularly precise, but what about thermal ? Could it pick up the metal from the cooler wall lining ? Yes indeed it could. The metal was slightly warmer than the wall in the afternoon. It could even pick up the cross from the pencil, until the friction heat faded. Thought.....What about a finger print ? Yes, it could pick up where I had my finger, until the heat dissipated and it faded away. How simple, and yes, I do have a stud finder, but this is much quicker and more accurate than listening to a tone, and it can cover the whole wall in almost one go, whereas the stud finder has to be dragged across the wall, potentially marking it.
Now, to find a place to keep the unit that's within reach, but out of the way. Adjacent to the satellite internet gear on a small shelf in the lounge room is perfect, and as a bonus, I have a multi output USB charger that can charge my phone at the same time, and even the cordless earphones, getting them off the bedroom floor near the bed.
Bonus, it will be adjacent to the new gun safe that we are installing in the house to give quicker access in an emergency situation. The existing gun safe is approved, and was inspected years ago where it is in the power room, but its outside the house and takes time to get to.
Kindness is free, sprinkle that stuff everywhere.
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frostbite
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Post by frostbite on Jun 3, 2023 15:56:04 GMT 10
Handy for finding cartridge cases lost in the grass as well, until they cool down.
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norseman
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Practical is Tactical!
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Post by norseman on Jun 4, 2023 5:24:26 GMT 10
Handy for finding cartridge cases lost in the grass as well, until they cool down. And for checking your water tank level!
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Post by Joey on Jun 4, 2023 6:38:07 GMT 10
Boys with their new toys lol I would have loved a thermal scope, but I never did enough hunting to justify the high price, I do have a digital NVG goggles here somewhere that work quite well
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norseman
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Practical is Tactical!
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Post by norseman on Jun 4, 2023 7:02:54 GMT 10
Boys with their new toys lol I would have loved a thermal scope, but I never did enough hunting to justify the high price, I do have a digital NVG goggles here somewhere that work quite well Mate I don't own Thermal but I've seen first hand what they can do with them, I've got cheap hand held digital NV and would love to upgrade!
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malewithatail
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Location: Northern Rivers NSW
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Post by malewithatail on Jun 4, 2023 9:41:56 GMT 10
Update...
Walked around last night looking at 'stuff'.
Saw the cats hunting in the paddock about 50 meters away, the pigs shuffling around in the adjacent paddock, but the revelation was when I turned it on the bee hives. I think its the most amazing view I have seen in a long time. The cluster was clearly visible in the top of the brood box, as was the heat escaping from the vent holes. The size of the cluster was easily discernible as was which side of the box it was on, and how close to the side of the box it was. Absolutely amazing and worth the price just to see something that was not expected. Even the slightly warmer queen excluder was clearly outlined as the cluster heated it up a little. I do have lino mats between the brood box and supers to give some extra insulation for the bees. Comparing it to bait box in the aipery showed clearly just how the cluster works. I watched for perhaps 1/2 hr until I started to get cold, it was fascinating.
Walking back up to the house, I wondered at the warm spot on the roof, it was the LNB of the satellite internet dish, and then I trained it on the rest of the roof and the hot water system stood out. As u said, its easy now to determine the water level in a tank, day or night, without needing a ladder or any climbing.
I could have bought a Ir scope for the rifle, but the use for the device is not necessarily for hunting, but intel gathering, whats happening around us, who may be hiding in the paddock etc. That's why I have the powerful spotlight mentioned in another post, and the modified red dot sight from a lazer level. I don't intend to hunt as such at night as we will be resting from the day work of survival farming at night.
Rain forecast, back to slashing.
Sometimes I sit quietly and wonder why I'm not in a mental asylum. Then I take a look around and think, maybe I am.
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malewithatail
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Location: Northern Rivers NSW
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Post by malewithatail on Jun 6, 2023 15:38:44 GMT 10
Update......
Went for a walk last night, saw the ducks on the dam, and checked all the tank levels.
Casting a eye across some gum trees, I spotted something. It was a Koala and there were several of them. I didn't even know they were there before the IR unit came along. Now we know to keep away from that area when clearing or slashing.
Had the wood heater on last night as well, ran the unit across the roof and saw a few hot spots where the heat was escaping, especially from the roof vents, even though they are closed from the inside. Also heat escaping from the bathroom vent as well, and saw the hot water pipes from the stove to the hot water system.
Saw several birds this morning hidden in the grass.
What about snakes ? U would think they are undetectable as they are cold blooded, but, they are mostly cooler than the environment and stand out in a reverse image, or a negative.
MagicSmoke is the stuff used to build integrated circuits, like computer chips.
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