Cheap Infrared Camera for Detecting Human Heat - $30 or Less!

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a very inexpensive infrared camera, specifically under $30, that can detect human body heat to confirm presence without the need for clear images or exact temperature readings. Participants explore various options, including infrared sensors and alternative devices.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses the need for a cheap infrared camera that detects human presence without requiring detailed imaging.
  • Another participant argues that a thermal vision camera for under $30 is unlikely and suggests considering night vision or low-lux cameras instead.
  • Some participants propose using infrared sensors instead of cameras, noting that many inexpensive options exist.
  • There is a suggestion to use motion detectors from alarm systems or automatic floodlights, which could serve the purpose without needing images.
  • A later reply mentions that some battery-powered sensors in automatic sprinklers could be suitable, as they can be adjusted for sensitivity to detect larger heat sources like people.
  • Participants discuss the use of cheap IR proximity sensors found in novelty items, such as talking fish, as potential solutions.
  • One participant clarifies that modern motion detectors require a moving heat source and may be more complex than necessary for the original request.
  • Another participant suggests modifying a webcam by removing its infrared filter to create a makeshift infrared camera.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of obtaining a suitable infrared camera for under $30, with some suggesting alternative devices and others debating the effectiveness of those alternatives. No consensus is reached on a specific solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various assumptions about the capabilities and limitations of infrared sensors and cameras, including the need for specific detection ranges and angles. The discussion includes references to the functionality of different devices without resolving the technical details.

sphoenixee
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I need a super cheap (under $30ish) infrared camera for detecting human body heat to confirm the presence of the person, i.e. it doesn't have to record exact temperatures or create clear images, but just record the presence of the person. No visible camera is needed, just infrared. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,

sphoenixee
 
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There's no way you'll be able to get a thermal vision (long-wave IR) camera for under $30. :rolleyes: I suggest looking into night vision or low-lux cameras instead.
 
sphoenixee said:
I need a super cheap (under $30ish) infrared camera for detecting human body heat to confirm the presence of the person, i.e. it doesn't have to record exact temperatures or create clear images, but just record the presence of the person. No visible camera is needed, just infrared. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,

sphoenixee
Do you need images, or is an IR sensor adequate? Many can be had quite inexpensively.
 
Most black and white stuff will go into the near infrared. Stick a filter on the lens, and you may be in buisness.
 
If you don't need any image, how about a motion detector from an alarm system or automatic floodlight?
 
Danger said:
If you don't need any image, how about a motion detector from an alarm system or automatic floodlight?
That's what I was thinking about, too. There are some battery-powered sensors in automatic sprinklers that make a heck of a racket to scare deer out of your garden. Have a Hart sells them for less than $30, and you can dial down the sensitivity to ignore small signals and trigger on the big ones (people, deer, dogs). You even get a built-in 8-second reset, so if you want the sensor to trigger to do something once, you don't get multiple triggers with a persistent presence.
 
Right. And those stupid yodelling fish and talking skulls and crap like that all use cheap IR proximity sensors.
 
First, thanks to everyone for all the responses and sorry for my late response.

I think an IR sensor would be enough for my purposes. A motion sensor would not work as I need the sensor to only detect people and not boxes/bags/other large objects. To clarify further, I only need it to detect people and nothing else, and I also need it to have a somewhat wide angle, 40 deg and up, as well as a max range of roughly 1 meter. The IR sensors in the skulls/fish sound very good.

Can anyone recommend me either a website or a product with a link?

----

turbo-1, I tried googling have a Hart, but couldn't find any of their IR sensors. Found some traps tho, and also this forum :smile:

NateTG said:
Most black and white stuff will go into the near
infrared. Stick a filter on the lens, and you may be in buisness.

What do you mean by sticking a filter on the lens?

Once more, many thanks to all for the responses,

sphoenixee
 
Last edited:
Sphoenixee, the motion detectors from modern alarm systems don't simply detect motion. It has to be a moving heat source that crosses two or more 'fingers' of the sensor grid. Still, that would appear to be more elaborate and expensive than you need.
As for finding the fish, pretty much any really cheesy novelty store or small-Hickville hardware store probably has them. In case there was any ambiguity, what I'm referring to is "Billy the Bigmouth Bass" or one of its many imitators. If you do use one, please take pictures; I'd love to watch someone rip the guts out of one of those irritating little bastards. I'd even more love to just mail you the one that W has hanging in our entry hall, but she'd skin me. (At least she has sense enough to not put batteries in it.)
 
  • #10
This came up a while back.

Remove the filter from the front of a webcam.

Hey presto.
 
  • #11
Quiet, Brewnog.
I want to watch him mutilate that bass.

:biggrin:
 
  • #12
Thanks danger and brewmog. I'll your suggestions. lol mutilating basses...
 
  • #13
NateTG said:
Most black and white stuff will go into the near infrared. Stick a filter on the lens, and you may be in buisness.

Actually, it's usually a case of taking out a filter. A lot of webcams have a filter to filter out infra-red, which you can take out.

EDIT: I was beat to it.
 

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