Editor’s Review: SEEK ShieldPro

In September 2016, I wrote a review of the SEEK CompactPRO camera attachment for your smart phone; the attachment of which, used with the app, converts your phone into a thermal imaging system. (See that review here.) It’s one thing to read a review and quite another to see such a piece of equipment in action. Since writing that review just under two years ago, I’ve had quite a number of people approach me to ask if I could show them the CompactPRO and how it works. The number of investigative and officer safety uses that have been suggested for it number in the dozens now.

This year at SHOT Show, I met with the folks at SEEK Thermal and saw the prototype for a new piece of equipment they were prepping for release. Before I introduce it and report on the testing, let me preface it with this: Not everyone is a fan of using their personal equipment for work purposes. I know quite a few officers who leave their phone in their patrol vehicle any time they’re at work… and for good reason. In years past I’ve had my phone ring (or WAY back in the day, my PAGER chirp) when I was trying to sneak up on a drug deal. My stupidity for not having silenced my phone, but it happens. So, as mentioned, some officers simply leave their phones in their cruisers. Other officers refuse to use their personal phones for work related matters out of the believe that if the agency wanted them to have a phone to use for work, then the agency would (or should) issue a phone. I can’t say it’s an outlook I embrace, but it’s certainly one I understand.

This year at SHOT Show I was shown the stand-alone, handheld ShieldPRO from SEEK Thermal. The ShieldPro isn’t a plug-in like the CompactPRO but is an independent handheld unit. In general terms, it’s not quite as long as my iPhone 8S, roughly the same width and about twice as thick. There’s a slight curve in the body styling which makes it easier to hold as it fits in the hand better. Let’s take a quick look at the technical specifications:

·        SPECIFICATIONS DESCRIPTION

·         Thermal Sensor                   320 x 240

·         Detection Distance             825 Yards (758 Meters)

·         Recognize Distance            200 Yards (190 Meters)

·         Identify Distance                  115 Yards (108 Meters)

·         Field of View                         24 Degree FOV

·         Frame Rate                           9 Hz or 30 Hz

·         Zoom                                      4X Digital Zoom

·         IP Rating                               IP67 Waterproof

·         Display                                   2.4” Color with Corning® Gorilla® GlassUncooled

·         Microbolometer                     Vanadium Oxide

·         Startup Time                         2-3 Seconds

·         Spectral Range                    7.5 – 14 Microns

·         User Interface                       Self-Contained Device with 3 Button Navigation

·         Storage Temp                       40 to 140F (-40 to 60C)

·         Operating Temp                   40 to 120F (-20 to 50C)

·         Runtime                                 Up to 3.5 Hours Thermal Imaging

·         Battery                                    Rechargeable Lithium Battery

Now I don’t even know what some of that is, like the Microbolometer or the Spectral Range. What I do know is that all of the remaining specification information tells me this is a reasonably easy to carry, easy to use and easy to maintain thermal imaging device.

The unit comes with a ballistic nylon case that can be easily attached / detached from your belt, vest or other carrying system that has nylon webbing, and it also has a lanyard loop for anytime you have it in your hand and don’t want to risk losing such a valuable piece of equipment. The primary purposes I can see for using it on the street are:

For patrol: searching for suspects, searching for missing persons, basic investigations

For Special Operations: reconnaissance, potential threat identification

For investigators: basic data gathering (hot or cold vehicles, furniture, etc), potential threat identification.

I’m sure there are other uses as well, but those are the ones that come to mind quick and easy. The point being that there are valuable and obvious uses for the tool on any officer’s belt or equipment vest. Even if all you do is keep it in your vehicle with other search, rescue or investigations equipment, it’s worth having.

For more information, check out SEEK Thermal online and see more advantages to having your own compact thermal imaging system.