FLIR system for your boat?

Do a search as there are several threads on your question......IMO on most yachts, for most cruising, and for most Captains, not really worth it.

A quick search on the forums for "FLIR" turns up a few discussions... here are two:

http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/t...ght-vision-cameras-yachts.html?highlight=flir

http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/t...6-night-vision-navigation.html?highlight=flir

As someone who does as much night time cruising as in daylight I can say that FLIR is a very useful tool. On the Columbia and Willamette there is a constant flow of deadheads and they show up nicely on the FLIR. I've also used it in MOB situations. As to its worth? Take a prop (or worse) out with a deadhead and you'll recoup the money (at least on my ship) so it's easily worth the cost.

I've found that while underway, unless you have someone dedicated to staring at the flir screen, by the time you'd see it out of the corner of your eye on the screen and the distance that you pick it up, you'd have already hit it at 10 knots.

They may be useful in some conditions like the PNW to avoid logs but for most cruisers they're more of a gadget

I run a lot at night, even on the ICW, and really have never felt a need for it. As J suggested it may require someone to be dedicated to the display. Between radar, 2 plotters, sounder and everything else, including looking outside... , i m not sure i really want to look at something else

I was recently offshore for a few nights heading south. On a rainy very dark night I was looking for some nuns off a point and a crew member pulls a FLIR handheld scope out of his bag. Awesome equipment. I now have one on board.

it is easer to run with the big lights on at night

travler

Yeah, but lights can't do this...

YOU are a demented soul but funny as hell !

good one mate ... made my day ...

We had one on our sport fisher, it was rarely used while underway. Now it is mounted on one of our ranch vehicles.

It's a very expensive piece of equipment but in my opinion not really required on a boat.