Golight HELIOS Thermal Imaging Camera User Manual
HELIOS
(Heat Enhanced Low-Light Imaging Observation System)
Instruction Manual
Table of Contents
Introduction: Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Introduction: Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
About The Product . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Parts List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Mounting & Electrical Installation for
Camera System with Wireless Remote System . . . . .8
Wireless Remote Controls: Programming . . . . . . 10
Mounting & Electrical Installation for
Cameras with Hard-Wired Remote Controls . . . . . 11
Performance Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Warnings and Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Introduction: Overview
The Helios is a state-of-the-art thermal imaging system that will provide you
with excellent night visibility and situational awareness, without any form of
natural or artificial illumination.
The Helios system is designed for simple, intuitive operation. The basic
system includes a camera assembly, wireless remote and/or a wired joystick
control panel. The system offers 370˚ horizontal rotation and a 135˚ vertical tilt
with fingertip controls. The Pan/Tilt operation has two speeds (Fast/Slow) that
are determined by pressing the speed button on the remote control.
The Helios operates using standard 12 VDC battery power and the images
from the 320 x 240 pixel detector are compatible with virtually any existing
display and recorder that accepts composite video.
The Helios is compatible with standard NTSC output, the same format used
on common television and VCR video input in the Americas and some Asian
countries. It is also available with PAL output by special order.
The Helios features a wide field-of-view and is capable of providing an image
even in absolute darkness.
Thermal Imaging Driver Vision Enhancement System
The Helios utilizes the FLIR Systems, Inc. uncooled microbolometer camera
which is a high performance, rugged, thermal imaging camera designed to
provide driver vision enhancement in adverse weather conditions and better
situational awareness than with traditional head lamps.
Different than visible light cameras, thermal imagers do not display reflected
light as seen with human eyes. Rather, thermal imaging cameras only ‘see’
temperature differences which are converted into shades of grey, from black
and white. The Helios camera displays cold objects as black and hot objects
as white.
When using a thermal imager in darkness, the image is created based on temperature differences of objects in the field of view, rather than reflected light.
Furthermore, because thermal imaging cameras only ‘see’ heat sources and
not reflected light, they are ideal to assist with driver vision and situational
awareness for oncoming obstructions such as animals, people, and other
vehicles.
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The above images show a comparison of typical night time driving compared
to using the Helios thermal imager. The image on the left is from an ordinary digital camera and shows the amount of visible light as illuminated by
oncoming headlights. The image on the right is a thermal image created by
the Helios thermal imaging camera. Note the Helios camera is sensitive to
warm objects, such as the people, and provides visibility over a much greater
distance.
Although adverse conditions such as heavy fog will affect any driver vision
enhancement system, thermal imaging cameras such as the Helios have
been shown to continue to provide useful information in conditions of reduced visibility, such as haze and smoke. While the Helios can assist drivers
with detection of obstructions in the vehicle’s path, thermal imagers should
not be used as the sole vision method of the driver.
The Helios is specifically designed to withstand harsh environments, with a
hermetically-sealed external housing resistant to rocks, sand, salt, and other
contaminants. Additionally, the wide operating temperature range allows the
Helios to maintain high performance in severe weather conditions.
Introduction: Getting Started
The thermal imaging camera inside the Helios is completely sealed and
extremely rugged. The camera has been qualified for operation in all types
of weather conditions over the specified operating temperature range and
includes an automatic window heater that will prevent icing under most
conditions.
Using your Helios
The Helios is easy to use, but you should take a moment to carefully read this
section so you fully understand what you are seeing on your display. While
the imagery you will see on the monitor may look like black and white daylight video, it isn’t! A few tips on how to interpret some of the imagery will
help you to make the most of your system.
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The camera automatically adjusts to changing scene conditions so no additional camera control is necessary. Scenes with familiar objects will be easy
to interpret with some experience. The camera automatically optimizes the
image to provide you with the best contrast in most conditions.
The thermal imager inside the camera does not sense light like conventional
cameras; it senses heat or temperature differences. As you experiment
with the system during nighttime operation, you will notice variances in the
“picture quality”; this is normal. The camera senses small “differences” in
apparent radiation from the objects in view, and displays them as either white
(or lighter shades of gray) for warmer objects, and black (or darker shades of
gray) for colder objects.
Initial System Startup
The Helios camera requires power and a connection to an external monitor to
provide imagery. Make sure to test the system prior to installation to assure
the system is functioning properly. Be sure to remove the protective window
sticker prior to test and installation.
Upon initial power up you will hear a slight clicking sound. This click is the
internal image correction. This noise is the mechanical shutter assembly
which will cause the image to momentarily “freeze.” This noise and image
freezing will occur until the unit has reached a thermally stable temperature
and periodically thereafter. See “Automatic Shutter” on page 5
General Information
On/Off function of the thermal camera is performed by depressing the On/Off
button on the Remote Control.
Note: The camera should be turned off when not in use to avoid unnecessary
power drain from the electrical system.
With the 4-way arrows on the remote control, rotate the camera to the desired location. Depending upon conditions, the wireless remote may be used
up to 100 feet away from the Helios.
The speed of the camera rotation can be controlled by depressing the fast/
slow button one time and by depressing it again to restore the original speed.
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