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FLIR Systems launches BHS-Series

Handheld thermal imaging cameras for law enforcement applications

The FLIR BHS-series sees clearly in total darkness. It gives law enforcement officers, security patrols and any other person that needs to see at night without being seen himself, the information needed to make critical decisions, enhance mission effectiveness, maximize operational capabilities and improve safety.

BHS-Series are shock-resistant thermal imaging cameras. They produce a crisp image in the darkest of nights. With the BHS-Series security professionals and law enforcement officers can see suspects in total darkness, through smoke, and light foliage. The BHS-Series complement the successful HS-Series. The HS-Series are monoculars. Many users requested bi-oculars for their missions. That is why FLIR Systems developed the BHS-Series.

Bi-oculars, like the FLIR BHS-Series are less tiring to use for the eyes than a monocular. By using a bi-ocular the ability to detect faint objects is enhanced. This means that you have more chance to detect small objects against the background. It is also easier to hold bi-oculars steady when looking at an object. An advantage if you are looking at small things which are far away.

Extremely affordable - FLIR Systems is active in many different markets and produces more thermal imaging cameras than any other manufacturer. Thanks to economies of scale FLIR Systems is able to market this full featured handheld thermal imaging cameras at an extremely affordable price compared to other systems on the market. Price is no longer an issue to bring the benefits of thermal imaging cameras to every law enforcement officer.

Extended Range Options: BHS-X and BHS-XR - The BHS-X is equipped with an uncooled vanadium oxide detector. This provides excellent long range viewing with sharp 320 × 240 native resolution in the viewfinder and a 2× digital e-zoom step to 160 × 120 resolution.

Powered by FLIR’s 640 × 480 core, the BHS-XR delivers greater range performance with crisp, clear 320 × 240 native resolution in the viewfinder AND while in the 2x digital e-zoom mode, plus an additional 4× digital e-zoom step to 160 × 120 resolution. Full 640 × 480 resolution imagery from the BHS-XR Series is also accessible via the "aux video" jack in the hot shoe.

Choice of lenses - The BHS-Series can be ordered with different lenses. Longer lenses have a narrower field of view and allow you to see targets farther away. Lenses are interchangeable. The specific lens(es) required for the application need to be specified at time of order.

The following lens options are available -
35 mm- 65 mm- 100 mm with 13˚ x 10 ˚ - 7˚ x 5 ˚ - 5˚ x 3˚ FOV
They detect a man-sized target at:
780 m - 1.5 km - 2.1 km (BHS-X) & 1.14 km - 1.9 km - 2.45 km (BHS-XR)

Digital zoom - The BHS-X comes with a 2x digital zoom. The BHS-XR has both a 2x and a 4x digital zoom. This allows you to have a closer look at the situation when necessary.

Portable and rugged - All FLIR BHS-Series are compact and extremely light systems. They are IP67 rated and operate between -20°C and +60°C. Ergonomic and easy-to-use, the BHS-Series are fully controlled with just 5 buttons on top of the unit. In operation, the BHS-Series are totally silent units. Eyebrow style light shield eye-pieces allows the operator to remain fully covert, in total darkness.

Image storage - Both versions of the BHS-Series allow to store thermal images in JPEG format on a removable SD card. Images can be used as evidence. Just press a button and start recording thermal video on a removable SD card.

Long battery life - The battery compartment hides 4 rechargeable AA NiMH batteries. Good for 4 hours continuous operation. The BHS-Series can also run on standard commercial off the shelf non-rechargeable Alkaline or Lithium Ion AA-batteries.

Hot shoe - The BHS-Series come standard with a “hot shoe” which can easily be attached to the camera. It allows to charge the camera and connect the camera to an external video monitor while the camera is mounted on a tripod.

Thermal imaging versus image intensification (I2) - Image intensification, also referred to as I2 technology, amplifies small amounts of visible light thousands of times so that objects can be seen at night. Image intensification does require a certain level of ambient light, but even starlight can produce an image on a cloudless night. Because the system requires at least a minimum level of ambient light, conditions such as heavy overcast can limit its effectiveness. Similarly, too much light may overwhelm the system and reduce its effectiveness. Thermal imaging cameras like the FLIR H-Series offer substantial benefits over image intensification. They work by detecting the heat energy being radiated and need no light at all to produce a clear image in the darkest environments. Thermal imaging cameras are not affected by the amount of light so that you will not be blinded when looking at a light source.

About thermal imaging - Thermal imaging is the use of cameras constructed with specialty sensors that “see” thermal energy emitted from an object. Thermal, or infrared energy, is light that is not visible to the human eye because its wavelength is too long to be detected. It’s the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that we perceive as heat. Infrared allows us to see what our eyes can not. Thermal imaging cameras produce images of invisible infrared or “heat” radiation. Based on temperature differences between objects, thermal imaging produces a clear image. In contrast with other technologies, such as light amplification, thermal imaging needs no light whatsoever to produce an image on which the smallest of details can be seen. Thermal imaging provides full visibility irrespective of the prevailing light level and weather conditions. It can see in total darkness, in the darkest of nights, through fog, in the far distance, through smoke and is able to detect anyone hiding in the shadows. It is used for security and surveillance, maritime, automotive, firefighting and many other applications.

About FLIR Systems
FLIR Systems is the world leader in the design and manufacturing of thermal imaging cameras for a wide variety of applications. It has over 50 years of experience and thousands of thermal imaging cameras currently in use worldwide for security and surveillance, maritime, automotive and other night-vision applications. FLIR Systems has four manufacturing plants located in the USA: Portland, Boston, Santa Barbara and Bozeman, one in Stockholm, Sweden and one in Paris, France. It operates offices in the Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, USA and the United Kingdom. The company has over 1,700 dedicated infrared specialists, and serves international markets through an international distributor network providing local sales and support functions. If you would like more information about FLIR Sensors Manager, thermal imaging cameras or FLIR Systems, please visit:- www.flir.com