Seamless integration of FLIR Marine cameras with radar and chartplotters

Maximise safety and navigation with FLIR thermal cameras – a complete guide to installation, compatibility and advanced features.

FLIR Marine camera systems enhance safety and improve night vision on all types of vessels – from small recreational boats to large yachts and commercial ships. To get the most out of your camera, it must be connected to a compatible chartplotter or monitor. Fortunately, FLIR Marine cameras integrate seamlessly with leading multifunction displays (MFDs) from manufacturers such as Furuno, Garmin, Raymarine and Simrad.

FLIR cameras do more than display thermal images – they offer precise pan, tilt and zoom control, as well as custom settings for optimal visibility. Each MFD manufacturer has its own interface based on FLIR specifications. For best results, refer to your user manual for detailed operation and integration information.

Connect the camera to a display

Most FLIR installations require only two cables:

• Power cable: Provides 12V or 24V DC to the camera.
• High-speed Ethernet: Transmits digital video, control signals, and data to the boat's network, connecting the chartplotter and other accessories.

Video over Ethernet – For easy viewing

Modern chartplotters support Video-over-Ethernet, which provides high-quality digital streaming directly from the FLIR camera. This makes it easy to share video between multiple displays on board. FLIR's M200, M300, M400 and M500 series support standard Video-over-Ethernet.

Analogue video for legacy systems

For older chartplotters without Ethernet support, FLIR's M300, M400, and M500 series offer analogue video output.
Note: The FLIR M200 does not support analogue video. An analogue connection requires direct wiring and sometimes additional hardware to distribute the signal to multiple displays.

Intuitive camera control

Modern chartplotters feature touchscreen controls, often supplemented by knobs, touchpads and buttons. Integrated FLIR cameras make it possible to:

• Move and zoom the camera easily
• Adjust colour palettes for best contrast
• Enable image stabilisation for clear images
• Switch between thermal and daylight mode on dual payload models

For added precision there is the FLIR JCU-4 joystick, an Ethernet-based controller that provides fast and precise control.

Advanced features – tracking and safety

A major benefit of FLIR integration is the ability to display video side by side with navigation data. This makes it easy to identify seamarks, radar targets and other targets.

Slew-to-Cue tracking

With FLIR's Slew-to-Cue feature, the camera can automatically follow radar or plotter data:

• Press and hold a radar target to send its position to the camera.
• The camera locks on the target and adjusts pan, tilt and zoom automatically.
• Support for tracking seamarks, AIS targets and land positions.

Man Overboard (MOB)

When a MOB alarm is triggered, FLIR integrates with the system:

• Receives bearing and distance from the plotter.
• Adjusts the camera to focus on the water surface.
• Continuously updates the tracking while the boat manoeuvres towards the rescue.

This reduces the load on the helmsman and improves reaction time in critical situations.

Maximise system capacity

Combining a FLIR Marine camera with a modern MFD provides unparalleled safety, navigation and monitoring. Check with your electronics manufacturer for optimal integration and full functionality.

Here you will find our complete range of FLIR products – click here to read more and find the right solution for your needs.