The post is long overdue, at least with respect to completing the actual install. I have been very busy and just could not find time to do a full write up. So I will just hit the highlights. The cost of the FLIR Pathfindr-II and the practical need of this system narrows the end user market. So if someone wants more detailed info on my designing and building the camera mount, I’d be happy to go into a more detailed posting or PM Q&A. There in one carry over from installing the NAV-TV COD-F53 module. If I remember correctly when we jumped at the mass pre-order discount, most just tucked the actual interface module in an open area in the dash. I decided to completely remover the center console looking for more suitable location to mount the FLIR Camera control module and the interface module. After being able to get a better look in to the dash area behind the truck’s display screen, I noticed there were vertical OEM metal brackets on each side of the display mounting area that would work great for attaching both the NAV-TV and the FLIR interface modules.
The FLIR Camera mount

The first one I made was from 14ga CR Steel. It was pretty much in the shape of a “Z”, with one of the parallel flanges attached to the camera and the other to the grill. My plan was to make the final camera alignment by slightly bending the bracket after the grill was reinstalled. What a soon discovered, though 14ga CR steel was strong and stout, it still flexed a lot and the vibration (camera shake) was noticeable while driving. The bolt welded to the back of the mount was to help with bending for adjustments.


I re-designed a new camera mount using 3/16” thick steel. The new mount is adjustable on three axis. Both the behind the grill and in front of the grill backing plates were enlarge to utilize a greater surface area of the grill to stabilize the camera mount. FYI- I did not make any modifications or cannibalization to the grill. I used a Black Satin powder coating color on all the steel parts I made. The color and texture was nearly a perfect match to that of the OEM Grill.







I assembled the mount and installed it on the back side of the grill. I made all of the rough camera alignments with the grill on my work table. After re-installing the grill on my truck it was test drive time. The vertical plain of the camera was fine. I did have to pop the grill off and adjust the horizon plain a few degrees to the right.








I would not get real world use of the system until I returned to Oregon in two weeks. The third night time trip out, when returning home the system came alive alerting us to three adult and one baby deer. I was driving in a right hand curve and my headlights had not illuminated the deer yet. One of the adult deer was straddling the road fog line and not really in my path, but the advanced “heads up” alert provided for plenty of reaction time. My wife and I both commented that the system is well worth the investment. Yes, I did refer to it as an investment. For the haters out there, I have no affiliation to/with FLIR or NAV-TV. FLIR is a worldwide recognized leader in thermal technology and NAV-TV provides an excellent interface product that seamlessly integrates the two systems with the Ford OEM system. Tony, the technician at NAV-TV told me before purchasing- there are two typical types of people who buy thermal technology the practical users who want to avoid mishaps and those who buy it for the wow show and tell factor to impress. Me, it is a curvy 29 mile drive through a densely forested area along a road with few overhead street lights. Oh, but there is definitely a super wow factor to having the system.

 

Can you post any pics of what the video monitor looks like when it sees something with an IR signature?

 

here is a YouTube video. There are many out there to watch. I did not "T" off the video in order to record how it looks

 

That's pretty neat! Nice work on the mount.

 

Cool set up, good job on the install. What does it look like on your screen while looking at thermal images?

 

Very Nice!

 

Nice work - Well worth the extra time on the install...

 

Thank you. The display image is like looking at an old black and white photograph negative. The warmer object appear white and cooler objects appear darker and the shade of either as well as surrounding objects are different gradients of each color. As I was driving north to Oregon when I got to some flat lands the display was showing long horizontal bands of light and dark on the horizon in the sky. . I thought maybe i was going to hit some weather. The sun had not risen yet. Well it turned out that the thermal image was showing two different air mass layers, as there were no clouds. warmer air trapped below cooler air.

Another oddity was how tires on cars traveling the highway looked. I could easily spot what I think were cars that had not been driven that far- the tires were not as white compared to the majority of the other cars. I saw one truck where three of the four tires were about the same shade or intensity of white, but the left rear was bright white. I was guessing that tire was low in air pressure and the side walls were flexing a lot more, thus creating more heat.

In any case the image detail is not super sharp and crisp, sorta the nature of it. It is a great driving aide for my intended use.

 

Thank You!

 

Do you mind sharing where you bought it from and how much it cost ?

 

That does look pretty slick. I can certainly see the benefit for spotting deer at night. I think I'd find it to be a distraction, with all the other screens in the truck.

 

wonder how it works in heavy/whiteout snow conditions when you are trying to get down the highway and people are stopped in front of you on the road.

 

Not at all. I bought the COD F53 - Camera on demand interface module, the FLIR Pathfindr-II with the integrated alert add on module from a company called NAV-TV.
The Camera on Demand was ordered as a FTE group special discount at $473. The FLIR Pathfindr-II basic system was $2495, but I add the FLIR-XW Controller at $750. I did get a small discount on the FLIR package. Below are the link.

This is the tech whom I spent a lot of phone time with prior to buying. I highly recommend contacting him with question and purchase. As for a discount, it might work...
Tony Yankovsky
Customer Care Specialist
NAV-TV Corp.
3950 NW120th Avenue
Coral Springs, FL 33065
(954) 323-1010 x105


https://navtv.com/products/NTV-KIT910/cod-f53.html

https://navtv.com/products/NTV-KIT48...on-system.html

 

Did you try using the FLIR mount before you fabricated your own mount?

 

This is a great thread and I appreciate you taking the time to write it up. Maybe if it gets wider adoption the price will come down. Sure would be great with a heads up display.

I also have to think this will be part of the safety array in future autonomous vehicles.