L3 comminications X320 User manual

See the Unseen
User Manual

2
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment on and off, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
─Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
─Increase separation between equipment and receiver.
─Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
─Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
─Changes or modifications not expressly approved by L-3
Communications Infrared Products could void the user’s
authority to operate this equipment.
─For continued FCC Compliance, use only accessories
approved by L-3 Communications Infrared Products

3
User Manual P/N 5002035-1
©2013 L-3 Communications Infrared Products. All Rights Reserved
Patents
This product is covered by one or more of the following patents: U.S. Patent Nos.:
5,288,649; 5,367,167; 6,267,501; 6,586,831; 6,521,477; 6,690,014; 6,479,320,
6,879,035, 7,015,074, 7,262,412, 7,375,331, 7,718,965, 7,655,909, 6,777,681,
8,183,513, and under license to 5,196,703. Euro.Pat.Appllication. 1159591.
Additional Patents Pending.
Export
CE Manufacturers Declaration of Conformity:
Tested By
NTS
1701 E Plano Pkwy, Ste 150
Plano, TX. 75074
Manufacturer
L-3 Communications Infrared Products
3414 Herrmann Dr
Garland
,
TX 75041
Product Identification:
Product: Thermal Infrared Camera
Model/Type: X320 Camera
Version: 5002020-1 and -2 and 5002021-1 and -2
EU Representative
Acal BFi France SAS
4 Allée du Cantal, ZI La Petite Montagne Sud
CE1834 Lisses – 91018, EVRY Cedex, France Tel: [phone]
A Sample of this product has been tested:
To demonstrate compliance with: EN61000-6-1 & EN61000-6-3
Using the following test standards: EN61000-4-2, EN61000-4-3,
EN61000-4-4, EN61000-4-5, EN61000-4-6, EN61000-4-11
Means of conformity
The product is in conformance with the above standards according to 89/336/EEC
EXPORT CONTROL NOTICE – This technical data and software is considered as
Technology Software Publicly Available (TSPA) No License Required (NLR) as
defined in Export Administration Regulations (EAR) Part 734.7-11.
Registered Trademarks of
L-3 Communications Infrared Products

4
1. Introduction............................................................................... 5
Welcome to Infrared .......................................................... 5
Handling & Precautions..................................................... 7
Contacting L-3 Communications Infrared Products........... 7
2. Operation .................................................................................. 8
The X320 Thermal Imaging Camera ................................. 8
Holding the Camera ........................................................... 9
Loading the Batteries ....................................................... 10
Turning on the Power....................................................... 12
─Rotate the User Control Switch...............................12
─Camera Warm-Up...................................................12
─Camera Shutter.......................................................12
─Automatic Contrast.................................................12
─Checking the Battery Power ...................................13
Adjusting the Display Brightness..................................... 14
Activating User Defined Functions.................................. 14
Focusing for Close-up Operation..................................... 15
Cleaning........................................................................... 16
3. GUI ........................................................................................... 17
Multi-function Button Settings ........................................ 19
4. Accessories ............................................................................. 25
Accessory Video & Power Adapter ................................. 25
Operating With Video & External Power ........................ 26
Specifications................................................................... 28
Frequently Asked Questions ............................................ 31
Trouble Shooting Guide................................................... 32
Warranty .......................................................................... 33

5
1. Introduction
Thank you for choosing the X320 Thermal Imaging Camera. With
its small size, rugged design, and simplicity, you can now focus on
the job at hand, rather than the camera in your hand.
Before using this camera, please read these instructions carefully,
and retain them for future reference.
Welcome to Infrared
L-3 Infrared Products (IRP) has long been a leader in the
production and development of military products based on infrared
thermal imaging. In an effort to make this technology more widely
available, L-3 IRP’s engineers and scientists developed many
unique ways of translating infrared energy into visible imagery.
Now L-3 IRP is providing affordable thermal imaging solutions for
fire, law enforcement, marine, security, and other commercial uses.
Infrared energy often referred to as “infrared” or “IR”, is
electromagnetic radiation that travels in a straight line through
space, similar to visible light. Although infrared shares some of the
properties of visible light, its different wavelength has several
unique characteristics. For instance, materials that are opaque to
visible light may be transparent to infrared, and vice–versa. Also,
unlike visible light, which is given off by ordinary objects only at
very high temperatures (e.g. light bulbs), long wavelength infrared
(7–14 m) is emitted by all objects at ordinary temperatures. This
means infrared is all around us all the time, even in the dark.
Different objects give off varying amounts of infrared, depending
on the temperature of the object.

6
The X320 was designed to sense differing amounts of long
wavelength infrared coming from the various areas of a scene and
to convert them to corresponding intensities of visible light on a
display. This allows true see–in–the–dark capability, as well as the
ability to discern additional information—differences in
temperature—by observing the thermal properties of objects in any
light condition.
A
B
C
D
E
Infrared energy is emitted proportionally to the temperature
of an object . The warmer the object, the more energy it
emits. The infrared energy from the objects is focused by
the optics , onto an infrared detector . The information
from the Infrared detector is passed to electronics for
image processing. The signal processing circuitry
translates the infrared detector data into an image that
can be viewed on the built-in video monitor.
HOT
COLD
WARM
A
B
CD
E

7
 Handling & Precautions
All batteries can cause property damage or
bodily injury if a conductive material such as jewelry or keys
touch exposed terminals. Exercise care when placing batteries
inside a pocket, case, or other container with metal objects.
Do not replace batteries in a potentially explosive atmosphere,
such as a gas station or any place where you might normally
be advised to turn off your vehicle engine. Contact sparking
may occur and cause an explosion.
Do not remove power – removing batteries or disconnecting
optional external power supply – without first turning the
camera off using the on/off switch.
Do not permanently attach this camera to dynamic–mount
applications, such as on vehicles or heavy machinery, in which
transmitted vibration is continuously sustained.
Never point this camera directly into the sun, welding arcs, or
any other extreme intensity objects that you would not view
with your eyes. Doing so will damage the Camera.
 Contacting L-3 Communications Infrared Products
The Customer Service Department is available to assist with questions
about this product. When you contact us, please have the following
information available:
- Camera Part Number -Camera Serial Number
[Part Number and Serial Number are located under the rear door/plug.]
L-3 Communications Infrared Products Customer Service Department:
800-990-3275 (US) or 972-840-5611 (Int’l)

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2. Operation
 The X320 Thermal Imaging Camera
Rubber Armored
construction
Submersible to 1 meter
Floats in water
Standard AA
Batteries
User Control Switch:
Rotate for On/Off and
display brightness
Short push for
electronic zoom
Long push for
White/Black Hot, Hot
Target Level I/II, and
Custom Color
Variable
Brightness
Display
Connect External Power,
USB, or external Video.
( Power requires optional power
adapter
)
Model Number & Serial Number behind the external connections plug
Tripod Mount
(1/4-20 thread)
Battery Icon – indicates
b
atter
y
level

9
 Holding the Camera
The Camera can be mounted
to a tripod using the 1/4-20 insert.
The Camera can be held either right-handed, or left-handed.
To avoid dropping the camera, attach the strap provided. Both
a neck strap and a wrist strap are provided for your
convenience. Attach the strap to the camera by looping it
through the attachment point as shown below.
The camera can be held in any orientation – and the image in
the LCD Display remains upright (except symbology).

10
 Loading the Batteries
Open the battery Door
Unscrew Battery Door knob
Counterclockwise
Open the door to install batteries
Install 2 AA Batteries
“+” & “ – “ symbols inside the battery compartment indicate the
direction to install batteries
Notice the Raised Tab next to the (+) sign, and the
Sunken Tab next to the (-) sign. These tabs allow the
user to install the batteries in complete darkness by
“feel” - without having to “see” the battery symbols.
Close the battery Door
Close the Battery Door
Screw Battery Door Knob
Clockwise
Sunken Tab
Insert battery with
Positive end down.
Raised Tab
Insert battery with
Positive end up.

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Batteries
The camera operates from several battery types – Alkaline,
Nickel-Metal-Hydride (NiMh) rechargeable, or Lithium L91 -
as long as the Batteries are AA size.
*L91 batteries recommended for maximum operating time
The camera does not have an internal battery charger. If using
rechargeable batteries, they must be charged with a separate
external charger.
Replacing Batteries
Before removing/replacing batteries, always ensure the camera
is first turned off.
Batteries
When replacing batteries, always replace BOTH batteries.
Mixing a fresh battery with a partially discharged battery is
potentially hazardous.
Never mix battery types (Alkaline, rechargeable, Lithium,
etc). Both batteries must be of the same type.
Remove batteries if the camera is to be stored for extended
periods (2 weeks or more).
Always follow the battery manufacturers’ directions for proper
disposal of batteries.

12
Turning on the Power
Rotate the User Control Switch
Rotate the user control switch
clockwise to turn on the camera
Camera Start-Up
The camera requires approximately 5 seconds of start-up time.
During these 1st 5 seconds after the camera is switched on, a logo
will appear in the Display. After 5 seconds have passed, the logo
will disappear, and video of the thermal scene begins.
Camera Shutter
To maintain an optimum Thermal Image, the X320 automatically
shutters. During this shutter, the video freezes for approximately
3/4 second, and a faint “click” sound may be heard inside the
camera. Shuttering occurs in the 1st 2 minutes after turning on the
camera at 30-second intervals. Otherwise, the camera shutters only
if its internal temperature changes by 2°C or more.
Automatic Contrast
Video contrast is constantly adjusted either higher or lower, based
upon the informational content in the scene.
When viewing people, automobiles, boats, and other warm objects
at close range, the video gain is automatically decreased to provide
more detail on facial features and flat surfaces.
When viewing a scene with low informational content, i.e. a park,
field, or roadway, the video gain is automatically increased to
provide more detail in the background of the scene, e.g. trees,
bushes, roadway edges.

13
Checking the Battery Power
A battery icon appears in the built-in LCD display, to indicate the
approximate amount of charge remaining in the batteries. New
Alkaline Batteries generally provide enough charge for
approximately 2 hours of continuous operation, while new Lithium
L91 Batteries provide enough charge for approximately 6 hours of
operation.
Operating Time is based on a display set to minimum brightness
(night-time setting), and camera at room temperature.
Very Low or Very High temperatures, and Brightness Setting of the
Display, could reduce the expected time of operation by 50%.
Partially used alkaline batteries may not have enough energy to start
the camera, reducing total operating time.
If the camera is run until the batteries do not have enough power to operate
the camera, it closes the shutter, stops operating and displays a white screen.
A flashing blue screen may also be displayed. At this point, the batteries
should be replaced. If the optional external power adapter is used and the
batteries are depleted, they must be removed for the camera to operate
normally.
The battery icon is most accurate when using Alkaline batteries, and
slightly less accurate when using NiMh or Lithium batteries.
FULL
EMPTY

14
 Adjusting the Display Brightness
Turn the User Control Switch
past the on/off detent, continuing
to increase the LCD display brightness.
Brighter LCD Display:
Turn Clockwise
Dimmer LCD Display:
Turn Counterclockwise
To maximize battery life, set the LCD Display to the minimum
brightness setting practical.
 Activating User Defined Functions
The X320 has a set of user defined functions that are
activated by pressing the User Control Switch and are
configurable via the X320 Graphical User Interface (GUI)
using an external computer. Customizing the camera via the
GUI is described in Section 3 of this manual.
There are three User Control Switch push modes: Short
Push, Long Push, and Extended Long Push.
Short Push – Press momentarily and release. The change
occurs when the switch is released. The default function for a
short push is electronic zoom.
Long Push – Press and hold User Control Switch for period
greater than 2/3 of a second and less than 5 seconds. Change
automatically occurs, then release the switch. The default
On
Off
Dim
Bright Function

15
function for a long push is to cycle through white/black hot
and colorized video modes.
Extended Long Push (Factory Defined) – Press and hold User
Control Switch for period longer than 5 seconds. *An
Extended Long Push resets the camera to factory defaults.
This may be desireable if the user wishes to undo any changes
that were made using the GUI and return the camera to
original out of the box configuration.
The user defineable functions are: electronic zoom,
white/black hot mode, manual touchup, Hot Target Level I
and II, custom color. Definitions of these functions are
defined in Section 3 of this manual.
 Focusing for Close-up Operation
The X320 has overall
viewing range from 15ft to
infinity. In the Far Focus
position, objects from 15ft to
infinity will be in focus. By
rotating the Lens, objects as
close as 4ft can be brought
into focus.
The Lens may feel difficult to turn. This is normal, and is due to
the tight seal required to make the camera waterproof.
FAR
Focus
NEAR
Focus

16
Cleaning
Do not apply any chemicals to the camera.
Clean the body of the camera using a water-moistened cloth.
Clean the Lens with a cleaner/cloth that has been specially
formulated for cleaning camera lenses – one is provided, and
if additional cloths are needed, they may be purchased from
any camera retailer.

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3. GUI
Included with the X320 is a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
that the user can use to customize the scene display and the
functionality of the User Control Switch.
When starting the GUI a warning message appears on the
computer screen
It is recommended that the user insert a fresh set of batteries
or plug the camera into the optional power adapter and
remove the internal batteries when communicating with the
GUI to avoid data loss.
IF THE X320 LOSES POWER DURING
COMMUNICATION WITH THE GUI, INTERNAL
MEMORY OF THE CORE MAY BE CORRUPTED
AND THE CAMERA MAY NOT FUNCTION
PROPERLY UNTIL FACTORY DEFAULTS ARE
RESTORED.
Click OK on the warning message and the GUI panel
appears.

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The single panel screen shown above provides access to all
of the customization options available to the user via 10
separate user zones.
First make sure that the X320 is turned ON and plugged into
external power then connect the camera to a computer USB
port using the included cable with the USB connector. Next,
click the Connect button . Once connected the
Status light turns green and changes from to
and the user can now configure the X320.

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Multi-function Button Settings
This zone configures the operation of the User Control
Switch.
Drop Box Expanded
The Very Long Push drop box is a factory defined function
that resets the X320 to factory defaults and is grayed out
since it cannot be re-assigned to another function.
Selecting an option from the drop boxes defines the
operation of the X320 when the User Control Switch is
pressed for the specified time period.
The definitions of Short Push, Long Push and Very Long Push
are defined in Section 2 Operation – Activating User Defined
Functions within this manual.
E-Zoom Sequence cycles through the E-Zoom Sequences
defined in the adjacent zone.

20
1.00× is always selected and is the default
power up setting. Factory defaults select
1.00× and 2.00× and pressing the User
Control Switch cycles between these two
settings.
Colorization Sequence sets the X320 to toggle through the
selections made in the Colorization Sequence zone
White Hot means that cold objects in the scene appear black and
hot objects appear white with all objects between being shades
of gray. Black Hot reverses the setting so that hot objects
appear black and cool objects appear white.
Hot Target Level (I & II) assign color to the hottest 1% (Level I)
or 10% (Level II) of the objects in the scene.
The color assigned can be selected
from Hot Target Level Color zone by
clicking on the colored box.