New low-cost, personal-issue thermal imager touted at FDIC

By Jamie Thompson
FireRescue1 Editor

Photo Jamie Thompson A firefighter at FDIC tries the Eclipse out for size.

INDIANAPOLIS — Thermal imagers have become a key part of a firefighter's armory over the past few years.

But with many devices costing $10,000 and upward, it's impossible for a fire department to equip as many firefighters as it would like with the devices.

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At FDIC in Indianapolis, Bullard launched what it describes as a new concept for thermal imaging in the fire service — and with it a new product to fill that concept.

The Eclipse is the industry's first low-cost, personal-issue thermal imager, according to the company.

This ultra-small thermal imager, weighing 1.5 pounds, is ergonomically shaped to fit in the palm of a firefighter's hand and easily attachable to gear.

"We are creating a new concept for thermal imagers, and that concept is one thermal imager for every firefighter," said Brad Harvey, Bullard thermal imaging product manager.

By enabling more firefighters to carry a thermal imager, wide use of the Eclipse devices means there's less chance of things being overlooked at the fire scene, Harvey said.

"It means there can be more people looking for victims, fire conditions and exits," he said. "There are more eyes on the fire."

The Eclipse features a lightweight design, easy-push one button operation, and a 1000 degree dynamic range.

Harvey said the new $4,500 thermal imager is designed to compliment the higher-end devices crews carry, not replace them.

"It has a lower resolution, a smaller display and does not have any of the advanced features," he said.

"We never designed this to be the lead thermal imager, which should still be one of the $10,000 to $12,000 ones. "

"But it's pretty clear that we've designed something that the average firefighter wants."