FLIR M364 High-Resolution Marine Thermal Camera

The FLIR M364 is a high-resolution thermal night vision camera from FLIR’s M300 series, engineered to enhance safety and awareness for boaters and professionals operating after dark. Sharing the same advanced 640x512 VOx thermal sensor as its counterpart (the M364C), the M364 is dedicated purely to thermal imaging – it does not include a separate visible camera. This makes the M364 an ideal choice for vessels that want top-tier thermal night vision performance on its own, with a simplified setup and lower cost of ownership. Thanks to its 2-axis stabilized pan-and-tilt platform (360° continuous pan and ±90° tilt), the M364 provides a steady, level view even when the boat is pitching and rolling in waves or during high-speed maneuvers. The gyro stabilization actively compensates for vessel motion, ensuring the horizon stays steady and targets remain in frame, which is crucial for maintaining situational awareness in rough conditions.

At the core of the M364 lies the powerful FLIR Boson thermal imaging engine, which delivers crisp and detailed infrared imagery. With roughly twice the range capability of standard low-resolution thermal cameras, the M364 can detect a 30-foot vessel at up to ~1.7 nautical miles (3150 m) and a human-sized target at approximately 0.5 nm (~925 m) under good conditions. Its wide 24° x 18° field of view covers a large area ahead of your vessel, allowing you to scan the horizon quickly and not miss a thing. When you need a closer look at something, you can utilize the 4x continuous digital zoom to magnify the thermal image smoothly, helping to examine distant targets more closely without losing sight of the surroundings.

Although the M364 provides thermal imaging only, it doesn’t compromise on effectiveness – in fact, it excels at its singular purpose. The camera comes equipped with intelligent features, including FLIR’s Marine Video Analytics (MVA). This system automatically scans for potential hazards by recognizing non-water objects (such as floating debris, other boats, or obstacles) in the camera’s field of view and alerting the operator to their presence. Coupled with advanced image processing algorithms, the M364 ensures optimal contrast and minimal grain in the thermal image, so that targets stand out clearly. In practice, this means the M364 delivers reliable night vision in complete darkness, as well as through blinding glare or mild fog. Whether you’re navigating a busy harbor after sunset or monitoring for man-overboard situations, the camera’s high sensitivity and clarity give you confidence in what you see.

Integrating the FLIR M364 into your vessel’s systems is straightforward and flexible. The camera supports multiple output formats: it can feed analog video (NTSC/PAL) to standard displays, broadcast uncompressed HD video via HD-SDI, or stream video over IP Ethernet to your onboard network. This allows you to view the thermal footage on chartplotters, dedicated monitors, or even remotely over the network. When connected to a compatible multifunction display or navigation system, the M364 becomes a seamless extension of your bridge. You can watch the live thermal feed on your chartplotter screen and control the camera’s direction from the same interface – no separate control unit needed (though a dedicated joystick can be added for fine control if desired).

Housed in a robust marine-grade enclosure, M364 is built to endure the marine environment. Its exterior is rated IPX6, meaning it resists heavy seas and water spray – an important factor for electronics mounted on open decks or T-tops. The compact footprint of the unit makes installation versatile; it can be mounted on a mast, radar arch, or cabin roof with ease, ensuring an optimal vantage point for scanning.

In summary, the FLIR M364 delivers outstanding thermal night vision for a wide range of vessels – from leisure yachts and commercial workboats to offshore patrol and rescue craft. By focusing on what matters most – letting you see clearly in the dark and detect hazards or persons in the water – the M364 significantly enhances onboard safety around the clock. It’s a reliable “extra pair of eyes” at night, giving you the confidence to navigate and operate your vessel no matter the visibility conditions.