Controp SITE-20

[Flying Pig]

My agency recently purchased the Israeli made Controp SHAPO-AIR Sensor system.  In the US the camera is marketed as the SITE-20.   It will be available for HD in 2017.  (No.. I dont sell them or get any commission)  My agency is the first customer to purchase one in the United States, although they are in use all over the world already.   Pretty rugged built system. Same size as the FLIR 8000 but about $100,000 less.  About $200,000 less than an MX10.  Ive seen the system demo'd and its very nice.  I cant wait to see the HD.  We are mounting everything in the helicopter to work with the HD, to include the monitor to support the HD upgrade next year. 

http://avionix.com/portfolio/daynight-observation-system/

[Flying Pig]

I'm often interested in the topics that take off like wildfire on CAPTalk vs the topics that don't even get replies. 

[EMT-83]

I'll get things started... ABU.

You're welcome.

[etodd]

Now that FEMA is enjoying the imagery we are providing with the little toy Garmin Virb cameras ... maybe we can show them benefits of systems like this. There are a whole host of Federal, State and local agencies that use various types of aerial imagery. Time to put one on the belly of a Skyhawk and start branching out.

[TXCAP]

How does this compare to the Cloud Cap TASE 400 being field tested by the AZWG?

[Eclipse]

Very cool, the problem is something like that is never going to be in reach of major deployment for CAP.

[etodd]

Very cool, the problem is something like that is never going to be in reach of major deployment for CAP.

Of course. But something similar could be done regionally. Left coast, middle, right coast. Something like this could be flown to where its needed with a squadron crew that specializes in it.

As technology gets more high tech and gov't agencies start to depend on us more and more, we would need specialists. Every squadron can't be the end all to everything.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Very cool, the problem is something like that is never going to be in reach of major deployment for CAP.

Of course. But something similar could be done regionally. Left coast, middle, right coast. Something like this could be flown to where its needed with a squadron crew that specializes in it.

As technology gets more high tech and gov't agencies start to depend on us more and more, we would need specialists. Every squadron can't be the end all to everything.

Which is why we have Groups/Wings/Regions to structure and formulate plans.

[Flying Pig]

Very cool, the problem is something like that is never going to be in reach of major deployment for CAP.

Of course. But something similar could be done regionally. Left coast, middle, right coast. Something like this could be flown to where its needed with a squadron crew that specializes in it.

As technology gets more high tech and gov't agencies start to depend on us more and more, we would need specialists. Every squadron can't be the end all to everything.

I guess thats a question to ask?  Are govt agencies depending on CAP more?  Yes I would see something like this on the Airvan.  Make it a wing or region asset.  The big issue with tools like this is that it takes a decent amount of training and exposure to be good at.  Simply using a checklist and attending a weekend class wont cut it.  That is a big hurdle CAP is plagued with.  You would have to have people who do it fairly regular.

[Holding Pattern]

Very cool, the problem is something like that is never going to be in reach of major deployment for CAP.

Of course. But something similar could be done regionally. Left coast, middle, right coast. Something like this could be flown to where its needed with a squadron crew that specializes in it.

As technology gets more high tech and gov't agencies start to depend on us more and more, we would need specialists. Every squadron can't be the end all to everything.

I guess thats a question to ask?

It sure is. Does CAP have an advertising budget to .gov agencies yet?

[Flying Pig]

How does this compare to the Cloud Cap TASE 400 being field tested by the AZWG?

The SITE 20 is a higher grade camera comparable to a FLIR 8500.  Although I have not seen the HD SITE 20, I have used HD thermal cameras and they are pretty amazing.  The HDMX10, MX15 and the FLIR 380HD. The TASE 400 is a good camera however Id like to see CAP look at the 500.  If they do like the T400, I really hope they are considering the HD option.  If CAP wants to get out and be valuable to customers, they need to provide the product.  In 2016, if you are not looking to upgrade or make an initial purchase, and you are not looking at HD, you are limiting your shelf life.  Right now, the FLIR 8000 we have on our helicopter is not HD, a frankly, its embarrassing when someone comes along with HD footage of the same call if we work a call together or do a hand off on a surveillance. CAP cant afford to shell out 6 figures to be buying old tech.  HD is what people need who call for support. 

[etodd]

It sure is. Does CAP have an advertising budget to .gov agencies yet?

We got a lot of publicity with the photography work for FEMA at the flooding in the Carolina's.  I also read a bit about working with the wildfires in CA. Word is out on the Federal level. Once local Wings get comfortable with capabilities, it shouldn't be hard to market to state and local EMAs.

[etodd]

Simply using a checklist and attending a weekend class wont cut it.  That is a big hurdle CAP is plagued with.  You would have to have people who do it fairly regular.

Yep. We'd like to keep doing more and more work to justify these airplanes and maybe even get more of them and more technology ... but we ARE a bunch of volunteers. I'm sure NHDQ ponders how much they want to advertise our capabilities given that we might not always be able to say "Yes, we will be there" ... if the volunteers happen to be busy with their personal lives that day.

A happy balance to be found somewhere ....

[Eclipse]

It sounds good on paper to have Regional assets, but doesn't work in practice.

It's hard to get spun up, harder to be proficient, and when "Steve" is on vacation, 
he takes the keys with him.

This stuff becomes the pet project of a few people and gathers dust until it's obsolete.

See SDIS, ARCHER, and GIIEP for examples.

A high end digital SLR with good lenses and training at every unit would be a much better choice for spending that kind of cash.

[Flying Pig]

It sure is. Does CAP have an advertising budget to .gov agencies yet?

We got a lot of publicity with the photography work for FEMA at the flooding in the Carolina's.  I also read a bit about working with the wildfires in CA. Word is out on the Federal level. Once local Wings get comfortable with capabilities, it shouldn't be hard to market to state and local EMAs.

Word is out on the federal level?   Once local wings get comfortable with capabilities?  Capabilities of what?

[PHall]

Here's the problem as I see it...

All of this stuff is NOT cheap and the technology is evolving at a pretty good clip.
By the time CAP can identify a source of funding, the stuff is obsolete.

Come up with a solution for that problem if you want this kind of stuff.