AGM COBRA Series User manual

USER MANUAL
COBRA
THERMAL IMAGING BI-OCULAR

© 2019 AGM Global Vision. All rights reserved worldwide.
This documentation is subject to change without notice.
No parts of this manual, in whole or in part, may be copied, photocopied, translated, or
transmitted by any electronic medium or in machine-readable form without the prior written
permission of AGM Global Vision.
If you have questions that are not covered in this manual, or need service, contact AGM Global
Vision customer support for additional information prior to returning a product.
AGM Global Vision
173 West Main Street
PO Box 962
Springerville, AZ 85938
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
[email protected]
www.agmglobalvision.com
EXPORT INFORMATION
Buyer acknowledges that all products supplied by AGM Global Vision are subject to U.S. export control laws,
including, but not limited to, the Export Administration Regulations, the International Economic Emergency
Powers Act, and various U.S. embargoes and sanctions. AGM Global Vision products may not be exported,
re-exported, or transferred contrary to U.S. export control laws. In particular, AGM Global Vision products may
not be exported, re-exported, or transferred to prohibited countries, individuals, organizations, or entities,
including but not limited to those individuals and entities listed on the List of Specially Designated Nationals
and Blocked Persons administered or maintained by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), the
various lists maintained by the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce, and the U.S.
State Department and Buyer represents and warrants that neither Buyer nor any of its officers, directors, or
employees are on such lists. Distribution or resale by Buyer to such countries, individuals, organizations, or
entities is expressly prohibited. Buyer has and will maintain a positive process to ensure compliance with this
Section.
2019.07. 29

3Cobra USER MANUAL
LIST OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE
Safety Summary 4
SECTION 1. GENERAL INFORMATION 6
1.1 System Description 6
1.2 Operation Principles 6
1.3 Standard and Optional Equipment 8
SECTION 2. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 11
2.1 Controls and Indicators 11
2.2 Assembly and Preparation for Use 13
2.3 Operating Procedures 21
2.4 Operation Under Unusual Conditions 28
SECTION 3. MAINTENANCE AND TROUBLESHOOTING 29
3.1 Maintenance 29
3.2 Troubleshooting 30
SECTION 4. WARRANTY INFORMATION 32
4.1 Warranty Information and Registration 32
SECTION 5. SPECIFICATIONS 34
APPENDIX 36
A. Spare Parts List 36

4AGM Global Vision
SAFETY SUMMARY
• Read and follow all instructions
• Read all warnings
• Only use the attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer
• All service must be provided by the manufacturer
WARNING:
This product contains natural rubber latex, which may cause allergic reactions! The FDA has
reported an increase in the number of deaths associated with sensitivity to natural latex proteins.
If you are allergic to latex, learn which products contain it and strictly avoid exposure to those
products.
CAUTION:
• Do not dismantle the equipment.
• Keep the equipment clean. Protect it from moisture, dramatic temperature drops, and
electrical shocks.
• DO NOT force the equipment controls past their stopping points.
• DO NOT leave the equipment activated during breaks in operation.
• DO NOT store the equipment with the batteries installed.
• Thoroughly clean and dry each item before placing them into the storage case.
CAUTION:
To prevent thermal damage to the equipment, never point it, either on or off, directly at the sun
or any other source of high intensity light that the unprotected human eye cannot tolerate (such
as a welding arc). To prevent inadvertent exposure to these types of sources, never leave the
equipment with the objective lens cap off.
NOTES:
• To avoid losing unsaved data, DO NOT remove the batteries or disconnect the external power
source while the Cobra is on.
• Inadvertent sun damage is not considered a defect in material or workmanship, and is therefore
not covered in the product warranty.

5Cobra USER MANUAL
1 GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
The Cobra consists of next primary parts: a body, a lens assembly and an eyepiece assembly.
Figure 1-1 represents two versions of the equipment: one including a 50 mm focal length objective
lens, and the other with a 75 mm focal length objective lens.
The Cobra is a thermosensitive device. It senses the differences in heat emitted by objects in its
field of view, and converts the received temperature pattern into a viewable image that represents
the scene in contrasting black & white or color patterns, depending on the user’s selected image
palette.
NOTE:
It is important that the Cobra sensor receive sufficient thermal contrast between the target and
background area, or between the different parts of a target. For example, the vast temperature
contrast between the snow and any heat target (such as an animal) makes it very easy to
distinguish the target.
The main optical-electronic components of the Cobra include: an objective Germanium thermal
lens, two eyepieces, a thermal-imaging camera, a display, a control card, and a button control
panel.
The Cobra is equipped with manual eyepiece and objective lens focusing.
To accommodate individual user needs, the Cobra has a variety of digitally controlled options
such as:
• Display Brightness
• Digital Zoom
• Palette Color Selection
• User-Controlled Manual Non-Uniformity Correction/ Flat-Field Correction (UCMNUC/ FFC)
• Imaging Enhancements
• Custom Settings
FIGURE 2-1. COBRA THERMAL IMAGING BI-OCULAR
COBRA TB75
COBRA TB50

6AGM Global Vision
All Cobra devices are based on FLIR Tau 2 cameras that allow for improvements in overall image
quality in a wide range of dynamic thermal environments. The Cobra has employed special user-
adjustable imaging tools that include:
• Active Contrast Enhancement (ACE) – a digital “Contrast” correction that allows for smart
scene optimization based on dynamic adjustments, where a variety of contrast levels occur
depending on relative scene temperature.
• Second Generation Digital Detail Enhancement (DDE) – a “Sharpness” correction that
digitally enhances the picture, significantly sharpens edges, and further reduces image noise.
• Smart Scene Optimization (SSO) – a fine-tuning computational correction that significantly
improves overall visual acuity for targets that have thermal signatures similar to the surrounding
background.
• Information-Based Histogram Equalization (IBHEQ) – a “Sky/Sea” enhancement –
information-based environment dependent algorithm that automatically adjusts camera gain and
excludes pixels determined to not contain critical information. Specifically helpful in scenes with
great expanses of visible sky or water.
• User-Controlled Manual Non-Uniformity Correction/ Flat-Field Correction (UCMNUC/ FFC).
There is a mechanical shutter between the camera sensor and the lens. This shutter is used to
perform a non-uniformity correction (NUC), also known as flat-field correction (FFC). During FFC,
the shutter presents a uniform temperature source to each detector element in the array. While
imaging the flat-field source, the camera updates the offset correction coefficients, resulting in
a more uniform image after the process is complete. All Cobra models allow for user to manually
trigger or interrupt scheduled UCMNUC/ FFC function.
• Silent Shutterless NUC™ (SSN) – In addition to User-Controlled Manual NUC/ FFC, all Cobra
models employ a digital, supplemental, non-mechanical flat-field correction that extends periods
between mechanical shutter events and further reduces image noise. SSN is an always ON
enhancement.
Information on the current operating state (battery status, active function in the display etc.) is
continuously displayed, making field operation of the Cobra simple and convenient.
Manufactured for exceptional durability, the Cobra has a lightweight and robust aluminum body.
A side Picatinny/ Weaver rail allows for the installation of an optional Digital Video Recorder,
extended battery pack, or other equipment.
A standard NTSC/PAL video input/ output connector enables an external video display (monitor/
TV) or video recorder to be connected to the Cobra. An external 6VDC/600mA power source can
also be connected to the Cobra.
The Cobra is powered by two CR123A (2×3V) batteries.
Figure 1-2 shows the Cobra. The ITEM NO. column of Table 2-1 indicates the number used to
identify items in Figure 1-2.
NOTE:
Here and below, the example used is the Cobra with a 50mm lens.

7Cobra USER MANUAL
TABLE 1-1. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
ITEM DESCRIPTION ITEM DESCRIPTION
1 Objective Lens Cap 8 Eyepiece
2 Objective Lens 9 Battery Cap
3 Objective Focus Ring 10 Mini USB Connector with a Cap
4Body 11 Universal Connector with a Cap
5Button Control Panel 12 Operation Switch
6Eyepiece Focus Ring 13 Side Picatinny/Weaver Rail
7Eyecup 14 Tripod Socket
1.2 STANDARD COMPONENTS
The Cobra standard components are shown in Figure 1-3 and listed in Table 1-2.
The ITEM NO. column indicates the number used to identify items in Figure 1-3.
FIGURE 1-2. COBRA THERMAL IMAGING BI-OCULAR. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
8
9
1
2
3
5
4
6 7
11
10
12 13
14
FIGURE 1-3. STANDARD COMPONENTS
1
2
3
10
11
9
46
5
78

8AGM Global Vision
TABLE 1-2. STANDARD COMPONENTS
ITEM NO. DESCRIPTION QUANTITY
1 Cobra Thermal Imaging Bi-Ocular 1
2 Objective Lens Cap 1
3Eyecup 2
4Battery Cassette 2
5CR123A Lithium Battery 2
6 Advanced Wireless Remote Control (AWREC) 1
7 Picatinny Adapter for Advanced Wireless Remote Control 1
8Video Cable 1
9Operation and Maintenance Manual 1
10 Carrying Case 1
11 Neck Starp 1
1.3 OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
Optional items are shown in Figure 2-4 and listed in Table 1-3.
The ITEM NO. column indicates the number used to identify items in Figure 2-4.
The PART NO. column indicates the primary number used by the manufacturer, to identify an item.
TABLE 1-3. OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
ITEM NO. DESCRIPTION PART NO.
1 AGM WiFi Attachment 6305WIF1
2 AGM HD Recorder 6305HDR1
3 AGM Extended Battery Pack 6308EXB1
4 Professional Titanium Tripod with a Grip 6606TTR1
5Hard Case for Storage/Transportation 6610HCS1
FIGURE 2-4. OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
21 53
4

9Cobra USER MANUAL
1.4 KEY FEATURES
• High-performance thermal imaging camera
• Lightweight and robust design
• Easy to operate
• Manually adjustable eyepiece and objective lens
• Real-time display
• Digitally controlled features:
• Palette
• Enhancement
• Settings
• Display Brightness
• Electronic Magnification
• User-Controlled Manual Non-Uniformity Correction/ Flat-Field Correction (UCMNUC/
FFC)
• Current operational state information display (battery status, active profile, palette setting)
• Wireless remote control
• Analog video input and output (NTSC/PAL)
• Powered by two standard CR123A batteries
• Power input capability
• Digital video recorder (optional)
• Serviceability under severe conditions
• Filled with dry nitrogen to prevent internal fogging
• Limited 3-year warranty

10 AGM Global Vision
2 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
2.1 INSTALLATION AND MOUNTING
2.1.1 BAT TERY INSTALLATION
CAUTION:
Verify that the equipment is OFF before installing the batteries.
To install two CR123A batteries (refer to Figure 2-1):
1. Unscrew the battery cap (A).
2. Remove the battery cassette (B).
3. Insert the batteries (C) into the cassette. Align the polarity symbols on the batteries with the
polarity symbols on the cassette.
4. Insert the cassette with installed batteries.
5. Replace the battery cap.
2.1.2 FASTENING AN ADVANCED WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL
Using the supplied Velcro tape (A, Figure 2-2), fasten the remote control (B) to an easily accessible
place.
You can use the Picatinny adapter for the Advanced Wireless Remote (C) for mounting the remote
control to Picatinny or Weaver rail. Install the adapter onto the rail (D). Insert the remote control
into the adapter.
FIGURE 2-1. BATTERY INSTALLATION
A
B
C