Thermal is an absolutely awesome technology. Tons of game changing applications, even in the security field--just not for CCTV.
With regard to CCTV, the absolute best thermal imagers out there right now on the commercial market are 640 x 480. We all know what evidentiary value most 640 x 480 has in most case (read: none).
The goal of surveillance cameras is to:
1. provide a deterrent; and
2. record and preserve evidence
For these purposes, thermal is less effective than a $200 Hikvision 4MP dome with a PIR detector attached.
That being said, I own a thermal imager and absolutely love it.
it is awesome for surveillance work (using it handheld to detect possible intruders) and even simple forensic work (detecting which cars have been driven lately). It's also incredibly useful for home energy audits, finding roof leaks, detecting failing circuits, etc.
For a first thermal imager, I suggest Therm-App, which is an absolutely incredible product at an Earth shattering price. The 384 x 288 resolution blows both FLIRone (80 x 60) and Seek (240 x 180) out of the water. Honestly, at $1,600, it beats the stuff FLIR is putting out at $2,900. I was very lucky to snag it for the $999 intro price. Absolutely love it.
Therm-App has absolutely NONE of the accuracy/calibration issues that plague the Seek unit.
Regrettably, the unit is hardware locked at an 8.7 Hz refresh rate. When you get above that, it brings in all sorts of export regulation issues (it basically becomes a weapon restricted by a variety of arms control laws around the country). A lot of us are pressuring the company to come up with a firmware patch for US users willing to sign an simple ITAR form. If you buy it, be sure to contact them and let them know that you want this option. Still, the relatively slow refresh is by no means a deal killer. Crap resolutions (like FLIR and Seek) ARE.
Back to CCTV--the only time I see it being truly useful is in high resolution on a PTZ. Mounted high up, it would able an operator to actively surveil for potential intruders. Mounted to an automated PTZ system? Now we're talking.
Right now, the fixed cameras of relatively low resolution are essentially useless. Perhaps someone using a setup like this could test out the imager by throwing some cash in a 55 gallon drum, dousing it with diesel fuel (never use gasoline for this purpose--very unsafe) and lighting the money on fire to create a heat signature.
On the bright side, costs on thermal are finally beginning to drop. I'm betting that we might see a viable unit by 2020 or so. Right now, if you want to be an early adopter, get yourself a decent handheld--either the Therm-App or the
new IR Patrol (640x480 for the unheard of cost of $5K).
