What sailor who’s coming into a tricky anchorage in the dark or, heaven forbid, looking for a person or pet overboard wouldn’t want to have superhuman night vision? If you’re the kind of sailor who feels more comfortable and safe with this capability, consider the new Ocean Scout Pro from FLIR.
This sleek monocular’s high-resolution 640-by-480 thermal sensor and high-definition viewfinder translate thermal energy in the environment into clear images, whether aids to navigation or objects in the water. With a 500-meter detection range and 32-degree field of view, it has a fast update rate that makes moving objects also look crisp and clear.
“The streamlined user interface ensures live-image visibility and continuous focus on observed targets, persons, or scenes without obstruction and the confusion of menus and settings,” the company notes in a press release. “Equipped with two eyecups included for optimal fit and light-pollution prevention, it features a one-touch button control for zoom, mode, brightness and standby, and the accompanying wireless app for gallery, image and video management allows for simple wireless file transfer.” It also has 16 GB of storage, so it can hold a lot of video and images.
The monocular has four color palettes that help you see better—white hot, black hot, sepia, and heat. Sepia specifically helps reduce eye fatigue if you’re viewing for long periods, and the heat palette, used for quickly detecting body heat, is best for locating people or pets in the water.
By connecting the scope to a compatible smartphone or tablet, you can also share what you’re seeing with other people onboard. A USB port lets you plug it into a PC and use it as a thermal webcam, streaming live video or showing stored images. The lithium battery powers the monocular up to six hours on a charge, and it’s built to take the tough marine environment, with a 2-meter drop and IP67 rating, and a five-year warranty.
“Our decades of R&D and pioneering innovation in thermal imaging have culminated in the development of the rugged, effective and accessible Ocean Scout Pro,” said Grégoire Outters, General Manager of FLIR Maritime. “Whether you are a professional or recreational mariner, the ability to see a person in the water, even in no-light situations, can be the difference between life and death.” $2,395 from FLIR, flir.com.
June 2025
