What role does thermal imaging play in such leisure market segments as hunting and wildlife watching?

Growth in the leisure market has clearly shifted into high gear, especially in the hunting and wildlife observation segments. According to estimates, the average rate of annual growth over the next 10 years will reach 16%.

This market is driven by innovation enthusiasts and tech-savvy consumers who relish the cutting-edge technical performance delivered by thermal imaging devices. This technology can be a game-changer for these leisure activities with its ability to offer enhanced vision during the day and at night.

This article takes a closer look at the role that thermal imaging can play in the leisure market, such as the benefits that it can bring to the table and how it can take these leisure activities to the next level and help users up their game.

• Thermal imaging for the hunting market

Nowadays, thermal imaging is a must-have for the hunting market. Hunters are on the lookout for high-performance solutions that will allow them to track their quarry whatever the visibility and at any time of day or night.

The thermal imaging technology ticks these boxes. It is capable of detecting the heat generated by living beings, objects and the environment. It uses the temperature differences in the camera's field of vision to reproduce the hunter's surroundings. As such, this technology is completely immune to ambient light conditions and delivers the same performance, whether hunting in broad daylight or pitch darkness. It can strip away an animal's camouflage by detecting its heat signature in both the daytime and night-time, unlike conventional optical devices or light amplification systems.

One of the hunting applications for thermal imaging is developing situational awareness. The idea is to pick out the background elements and allow users to get their bearings in a low-contrast forest scene while maintaining excellent image quality for the human eye.

The second hunting application for thermal imaging is targeting. The aim is to provide a heavily contrasted but high-quality image for recognizing the animals, while maintaining the background information required for situational awareness.

The thermal imaging technology has entered widespread use in the hunting sector, meaning that finished products are now available at highly affordable prices for the hunting community. These products deliver the perfect response to the image quality and detection range needs voiced by users.

That explains why thermal imaging devices have cemented their place as an integral part of the hunter's hi-tech vision equipment.

However, the market is subject to a strict set of regulations, especially in European countries. Legislation governing thermal imaging-based hunting equipment varies from one country to the next. Although monocular vision systems are authorized in most regions, weapon-mounted devices (sights and clip-on systems) and non-handheld systems are outlawed in certain countries.

• Thermal imaging for the wildlife observation market

Keen wildlife watchers and hikers, as well as park authorities, rangers, and foresters, all share a love of nature. 

Thermal imaging offers a totally immersive experience in the natural environment with the prospect of watching wild animals in their natural habitat during the day and at night, whether conditions are crystal-clear or taking a turn for the worse, since the thermal imaging technology is capable of piercing through various types of inclement weather, such as fog.

Thermal clip-ons, sights, monoculars and binoculars represent an easy solution for scoping and watching diurnal and nocturnal animals by picking up their heat signature in their natural habitat, according to their living patterns.

This consumer market is not only vast, but also extremely promising. According to current estimates, approximately 86 million people in the USA enjoy watching wildlife, and that figure is just as high in Europe.

The leisure market is a highly dynamic sector. Hunting may be the main driving force behind the market's growth, but the wildlife observation segment also offers tremendous development potential.

This market requires technologies with the ability to guarantee superior performance levels while streaming high-quality images whatever the conditions. Avid fans can watch wildlife during the day and at night by harnessing a leading-edge technology such as thermal imaging, which picks up the heat emitted by the animals.

For a quick and clear insight into the capabilities and applications of thermal imaging, as well as how the technology works, download our free infographic.