[presentation] Kimo thermal handheld camera - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Flukav
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2019, 10:20:34 am
content: HelloAcross classified, I acquired at very low price this uncommon 50Hz 160x120 thermal imager.On the web I can only retrieve a datasheet, and not a single picture or discussion about it, so I post here some feedback.Kimo is a French scientific / industrial sensor manufacturer. I can't say if they developed their own VOx chip, but the interface and design looks not from a rebranded Flir or Chauvin-Arnoux device. Startup takes a while (a minute from cool start), shutter is appreciably quiet, menu can be set in English.This model (that has no reference btw), has a smooth manual focus. Default lens has a 12ºx9º FOV, 1.3mrad sensitivity, only useful if you want to measure the temperature of a cat in the neighbor's garden. This one came with an optional 24ºx18º «wide angle» lens. Fed with standard camcorder batteries (as Nec's), real autonomy is about 3h with LCD on.Construction looks sturdy, switches are industrial-grade, triggers are well-placed.I can't find the software associated, but pictures are stored in JPG on the 134mB USB-2 accessible internal memory.Here are pictures of a coffee cup taken at 1 metre with and without the additional «wide angle» lens assembly, and an Argus 3 BST for comparison.As I have no use for this imager, I might sell it soon.

author: Flukav
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2019, 10:21:29 am
content: (attached pictures)

author: Flukav
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2019, 10:22:36 am
content: (more picture)

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2019, 10:43:57 am
content: An interesting camera. Good find.I have not seen this manufacturer before but their camera seems to produce decent images. Is it definitely a VOx Microbolometer ? I would have expected a French manufacturer to buy a French ULIS A-Si Microbolometer as supply would be far easier than other sources. I have not met Kimo Microbolometers but that does not mean they do not exist.Whilst it’s 160 x 120 pixel resolution may seem relatively low, you can achieve a lot with it. The 12 degree HFOV lens is the manufacturers way of providing the same IFOV as a 320 x 240 pixel camera that has a 24 degree HFOV lens. 24 Degrees HFOV on Industrial 320 x 240 pixel cameras is very common.I will do some digging in my archives as I feel sure that I have seen this camera under a different brand before and in a red colour. I may be wrong though.You could try writing to Kimo regarding the missing software and any documentation. They may help you.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2019, 11:03:48 am
content: Interestingly the Ikam 100 and 200 look very familiar. So does Kimo make the camera and it is rebadged by others or does it rebadge another manufacturers products ?http://www.interempresas.net/Water/Companies-Products/Product-Thermal-imaging-cameras-Kimo-iKAM-100-200-112110.htmlInterestingly Kimo have had their Wayback Machine entries removed.Fraser

author: Flukav
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2019, 11:20:49 am
content: You can find the datasheet here;https://www.c2ai.com/uploads/catalogue/documents/produits/Kimo/Camera_Thermique/FT/FT-iKAM.pdfSpectral range and «uncooled microbolometer» let think it was not an a-Si manufactured by Ulis.I would expect to find the same chip as in the other french designed Chauvin-Arnoux camera.

author: Flukav
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2019, 11:26:01 am
content: Surprisingly, LCD monitor has a tilt switch that reverses the image if you flip it.Kimo camera seems to be the best choice for selfie pictures application (if you have an arm long enough).

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2019, 12:08:00 pm
content: The NEC AVIO Cameras have the same LCD screen tilt sensor system.Fraser