E70605 M300C Stabilized Visible Camera (Ultra Low-Light, 30× Optical Zoom)

The FLIR M300C (SKU E70605) is a stabilized high-definition visible-light camera engineered for exceptional low-light performance on the water. It’s part of FLIR’s top-tier M300 series, meaning it’s built to professional maritime standards and integrates cutting-edge features like gyro-stabilization and video analytics. The M300C combines a high-performance 1920×1080 HD color sensor with an impressive 30× optical zoom lens, offering both broad situational views and the ability to zoom in tight on distant targets without losing detail. With the lens at full wide, you get about a 63.7° × 35.8° field of view – great for scanning the horizon or monitoring a wide expanse. At full telephoto (2.3° × 1.3° NFOV), you can identify far-off objects, be it a channel marker, another vessel, or a person in the water, that would be mere specks to a regular camera. On top of that, a 12× digital zoom is available to push the magnification further if needed (though with typical digital zoom caveats of reduced clarity). This kind of long-range identification capability is especially valuable for law enforcement or search-and-rescue operations, as well as for mega-yacht captains who want to discreetly surveil what’s ahead or around the vessel at night.

What sets the M300C apart is also its gyro-stabilized pan/tilt platform. The camera unit actively stabilizes in two axes (pitch and yaw), which means when your boat rocks or pitches in waves, the camera compensates to keep the video image steady and the scene level. In practice, this is a game-changer: even in rough seas, you can make out details without the image becoming a blurry mess, and the camera can maintain a lock on a subject more easily. The pan/tilt mechanics allow for continuous 360° rotation and ±90° tilt, so it can cover every direction – you can even look straight down at the water beside your hull or directly upward. This full range of motion ensures there are no blind spots; the M300C can replace or complement multiple fixed cameras by itself.

The camera’s ultra-low-light performance is a huge selling point. It features an advanced CMOS sensor with very high sensitivity; in low-light mode it can detect and amplify extremely faint light (down to 0.006 lux with low-light mode enabled, according to specs). In practical terms, that means the M300C can show a usable color image in conditions that are nearly pitch dark to the human eye – for example, under starlight or very overcast moonlight. This is ideal for night operations where you still have some ambient light (like near cities, or with nav lights reflecting off surfaces). Unlike thermal cameras, which create an image from heat differences, the M300C shows you a traditional video image – which can be important for tasks like reading the color of a navigation light or recognizing the paint/color of another vessel at night. If it’s too dark for even low-light color, the camera can switch to a monochrome mode to eke out additional clarity (essentially removing the color filter to let more light in). Note, the M300C does not have an infrared illuminator (as a purely visible-light camera, it doesn’t emit IR for night vision). Instead, it excels by using what light is available, and that’s why it’s often paired with thermal cameras in high-end installs (one thermal camera for detecting heat signatures in absolute darkness, and one M300C for identification and color detail when some light is present).

Integration-wise, FLIR has equipped the M300C with multiple output options. It can stream IP video over Ethernet for direct use with Raymarine MFDs or any ONVIF-compatible system. It also has an HD-SDI output, which is a broadcast-grade, zero-latency video feed – great for routing to dedicated monitors or DVRs without quality loss. And for legacy systems, there’s an analog output (selectable NTSC/PAL). Control of the camera (pan, tilt, zoom, etc.) can be done through a RJU (remote joystick unit) or through supported multi-function displays; for instance, a Raymarine Axiom can control the M300-series cameras via its touchscreen or attached joystick. Because the M300C is part of the same family as FLIR’s thermal cameras, it integrates with the ClearCruise AR and video analytics features – for example, it can work with the Raymarine AR200 and Axiom to overlay labels on the video (identifying an AIS target or marking a waypoint on the live feed). Marine Video Analytics can also help automatically identify “non-water” objects (like boats or obstacles), providing an extra set of “eyes” that can alert the crew to potential hazards. Physically, the camera is built to military-grade ruggedness – it’s rated IPX6 for water ingress, can handle high winds and even has an automatic defrost/heat element to keep the optics clear in cold weather. All these features together result in a camera that’s ready for the toughest marine environments.

Applications: The FLIR M300C is often chosen for superyachts, commercial vessels, and patrol boats that require top-of-the-line night vision without going full thermal. For example, a megayacht captain might use the M300C to identify landmarks or unlit objects when entering a harbor at night – the 30× zoom can pick out channel markers or pierheads from afar. Police and Coast Guard vessels might deploy it to identify registration numbers or vessel features at night during boarding operations, where a thermal image alone isn’t enough. Its stabilization and zoom make it valuable for search and rescue, too – you could spot a person or debris at longer range in moonlight conditions and keep them in frame despite the boat pitching. The M300C also appeals to owners who may have a thermal camera already but want the added context and clarity of a low-light camera – because sometimes seeing the actual scene in HD color (even if dim) provides information that a heat image cannot (like distinguishing a log from a buoy, or seeing the lettering on a vessel’s stern). On an integrated glass bridge, the M300C can be part of a multi-camera setup, allowing crews to toggle between thermal and visible feeds depending on conditions. It’s worth noting that in bright daylight, the M300C is effectively a high-quality marine telephoto camera – you can use it to zoom in on points of interest (wildlife, distant ships) and it will deliver crisp video. Mariners who cruise in areas with tricky navigation (think high latitudes with floating ice or archipelagos with lots of rocks) will find that at dawn and dusk, this camera might pick up small hazards that are hard to see by eye. With its gyro stabilization, even if your boat is being tossed by waves, the M300C helps keep that hazard in view and in focus. In summary, the FLIR M300C is a sophisticated night vision solution for those who need long-range detail and stability in their on-board camera system. It significantly enhances nighttime navigation and security, filling the gap between standard daylight cameras and full thermal imagers, and doing so with remarkable clarity and precision.