A thermal imaging camera system is a pretty big investment. So you may be looking for a thermal imaging brand that offers the most value. If so, you came to the right place.
The Benefits Of Driving With A Thermal Imaging System
We’ve reached a point where thermal imaging systems are no longer exclusive to large organizations like:
- Fire departments
- The Army
- Search & rescue teams
- Trucking companies
Now anyone can buy a thermal imaging camera and then mount it on their car. These days, thermal imaging cameras are helping millions of people navigate roads safely at night. Having a thermal imaging system mounted on your dash benefits you in so many different ways. Let’s talk about a few benefits:
- More usable at a longer distance than most lighting systems (such as headlights)
- Ability to see behind foliage, fences, and other obstacles
- Ability to detect objects that might be hard or impossible to see with the naked eye
Thermal Imaging Vs. Night Vision
When people shop for a device that helps increase visibility on the road at night, they face a dilemma. They find themselves on the fence between thermal imaging cameras and night vision cameras.
Night vision cameras are quite affordable compared to thermal imaging cameras. But are they really worth the savings? If you ask us, the answer is no. This comparison guide explains why a thermal imaging system delivers much more value than a night vision camera does. To sum it up:
- The conditions have to be just right for a night vision camera to work. A night vision camera will only work when there’s at least some light in the sky, but not too much light. They also don’t work in dusty, foggy, or smoky conditions.
- Thermal imaging cameras work in any sort of lighting or condition. A thermal imaging camera will pick up heat sources without issue whether it's a:
- Clear and moonless night, or:
- A foggy night with a full moon
- Night vision cameras can’t see through obstacles. If there’s a person or animal hiding behind a tree on the side of the road, your night vision camera can’t pick it up.
- Thermal imaging cameras can see through obstacles, including:
- Foliage
- Smoke/Hazy conditions
- Fences
In a nutshell, you can rely on a night vision camera only in certain circumstances. In other words, you can’t quite rely on a night vision camera to keep you safe at all times. A thermal imaging camera works in all situations. So you can always count on one to keep you safe while driving at night. You’ll get so much more value out of a thermal imaging camera than you would out of a night vision camera.
NightRide Offers The Most Value
So many different thermal imaging systems are available on the market. It's easy to get overwhelmed while shopping for one.
Most thermal imaging systems cost a couple thousands of dollars. Some even cost as much as $5,000. NightRide is pretty much the only reputable brand that offers thermal imaging systems for less than a thousand bucks. In fact, NightRide thermal imaging systems are only about $800. That's less than half the cost of other brands. Here's a secret: all thermal imaging science is the same. So why do some brands charge a ridiculous amount of money for their systems?
It's quite simple: these companies are charging you a hefty markup only to showcase their brand in your car. You're essentially paying extra just for the brand name. We don't want to name names, but we call this cost difference the '[blank] tax', and [blank] rhymes with the word mirror.
NightRide is a popular choice for many because NightRide thermal imaging systems are:
- Affordable
- Reliable
- Easy to install and remove
- Comes with an integrated dash cam
Do You Really Need All The Bells And Whistles?
Some brands justify their shockingly high prices with the fact that they include extra features in their systems. Some of the most common extra features include:
- Temperature readings
- Built-in microphones
- Image enhancement
- Built-in GPS
All thermal imaging cameras serve one purpose, and it is to detect and display heat sources. Large organizations may benefit from a few bell and whistles. Not so much for the average person who just wants a safer commute. All the average driver needs is a reliable thermal imaging camera system that:
- Detects people, animals, and anything else that emits heat at night or in dark, foggy conditions
- Records footage
NightRide thermal imaging systems fit the bill. The best part? They're much more affordable than other thermal imaging systems! Read more about NightRide thermal imaging systems here.