Ben’s got the lowdown on the first big (albeit predictable) news from FLIR-owned Raymarine:

Given that FLIR, the big daddy of thermal imaging, purchased Raymarine in May, few will be surprised that Ray is introducing its own thermal cams.  In fact, I think the Raymarine T300 and T400 model series will simply be re-branded FLIR M-Series cameras, though the control and integration possibilities are interesting.  For owners of Raymarine E Wide and G Series MFDs, the joystick control above will be optional; the first group will be able to pan and tilt the camera using their touch screens, as shown, while the latter can use a G’s detached keyboard.  And while the short initial press release doesn’t say anything about niceties like automated target tracking, we already know that the Nexus operating system FLIR builds into these cameras offers such capabilities…

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[It’s a press release, of course, but it only makes me lust for a FLIR thermal imaging camera of my own! —Tim]

Portland, OR – FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced that recent tests to determine how well its thermal imaging cameras could see oil on water had outstanding results, and that FLIR maritime thermal imagers are providing valuable assistance to oil recovery crews working in the Gulf Oil Spill.

In early April of 2010, FLIR conducted a series of experiments at the OHMSETT oil recovery test facility in coastal New Jersey to determine if FLIR maritime thermal imagers see petrochemicals floating on seawater, and if so, which cameras do it the best.

In the experiment, FLIR tested a variety of thermal imagers, observing five different kinds of oil and diesel in a variety of sea states and from three different viewing angles, and under a variety of lighting conditions.

The Result:  FLIR maritime thermal longwave imaging cameras succeed at providing crisp, clear real-time video and photos of any temperature oil in all types of seas, in glaring sunlight, with no light at all, and from just about any angle.

FLIR thermal imagers can see oil on water extremely well—day or night, in all types of lighting conditions—because oil emits infrared energy quite differently from water, giving floating films a distinct appearance. In addition, infrared imaging requires no visible light to make a clear image and is not affected by reflections caused by wave action or solar interference.

Just a few weeks after this initial test,  FLIR’s M-Series and First Mate maritime imagers are currently proving their worth to oil containment and recovery crews in the recent Gulf oil spill,  providing valuable aid and assistance in this time of national emergency. You can see footage of our cameras at work at http://www.youtube.com/user/FLIRNightVision.

Sometimes I learn about new products in the most unlikely ways. For instance, on a recent trip out to Port Townsend, I stopped at the CB’s Nuts roastery. I love CB’s dry-roasted peanuts, which cost fully twice the price of the other brands, and are worth every penny.

I had the kids along, and there was the roastery, complete with gift shop, so we stopped. We met co-owner Tami Bowen, we sampled some nuts, we bought some to take home. It was fun.

So what does any of this have to do with boating gear? During my conversation with Tami, one topic led to another, and it turned out she has a friend who has launched a new product intended for all kinds of outdoor sports enthusiasts, including boaters. I left her a business card, and she put me in touch with her friend Charlie.

Charlie King is the inventor of the Clear Shot Lens Cleaning Kit. If you care at all about your binoculars, camera, glasses, spotting scope, FLIR thermal imaging camera, etc., then give this product a look.

According to the website, “Clear Shot is an all-in-one lens cleaning kit, perfect for cleaning and maintaining all of your eyewear and performance optics.”

Charlie sent me a sample, and it’s the real deal. The fluid works great, and the two cloths (one for cleaning, the other for polishing) appear to work well. The rugged case keeps it all together, should be easy to find in a storage locker, and seals up to keep the cloths clean.

If anything, the case is a little bit TOO rugged. Charlie, dude, it’s just lens cleaners!

That was my initial assessment, until I went to replace the lens-cleaning cloth already stowed in my boat, and discovered it filthy and neglected in the bottom of a storage bin. No way was I going to use THAT thing on my precious optics! It immediately became clear (get it? “Clear”? It’s a lens-cleaning joke.) why Mr. King chose to devote attention to the storage case. Hey, good idea!

As with CB’s Nuts, Clear Shot isn’t the cheapest product of its kind on the market. Quality never is.

Earlier this month, FLIR announced its new First Mate product: “The world’s first waterproof, hand held, high-performance maritime thermal night vision camera available for less than $3,000.” Ben wrote about it over at Panbo, and it sounds like the perfect gift for the boater who has everything.

Seriously, though: Unless you’ve served in the military, fire fighting, or law enforcement, this is something you’re probably not familiar with. Thermal imaging is totally distinct from the night vision technology that has been available for years. The Panbo post, including the interesting discussion in the comments, can fill you in on the details. Suffice to say I’m interested!

And if you want to be the first on your block to get your hands on this über-cool gadget, you should plan to see the FLIR at the FLIBS—the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. FLIR will be there, showing it off.

I can’t make it to FLIBS, but since FLIR is located in my home town of Portland, Oregon, I might see if I can stop be the next time I’m down visiting the ol’ stompin’ ground.

Here’s the official press release…

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