If we go really into thermal imaging… (love this topic)
The movie was actually shot using a real really low resolution thermal imager that they had to mix in with real camera footage otherwise the audiences wouldn’t even know what they’d be looking at from the POV footage.
These days thermal imagers are higher in resolution where we can actually recognize shapes and are able to identify human vs animal. a quick search does tell me that there are finally some HD level resolutions available, but we’re talking about really high prices here and larger, non hand-held sizes.
I myself own a Pulsar Quantum XD19s that has a resolution of 384x288 pixels and that is already considered a high resolution thermal imaging device.
Some points where P-HG has it wrong:
- Predator’s armor should be transferring body heat from the predator so should also light up, though less than the actual body heat as it’s transferred and also cooled by the outside temperatures.
- Wrist computer, electronics build up heat, should also be seen. Display lets through a different amount compared to the body.
- Sun provides hot spots on ground and flora (anything it touches really) which should also be seen clearly in thermal imaging. The longer the exposure the warmer (and brighter) the spots.
Though, even UBI didn’t get it completely right. Sure it has a lot of the above, but thermal does not “see”, it “senses”.
So seeing things through glass cannot be done as it’s a solid surface that blocks LWIR, but emits its own as well as reflecting them back like a mirror.
Oh, and this also has to be said, farts and breath and other gaseous matter are not visible to Thermal imagers either.
In conclusion, Predator-HG has a very user friendly version of thermal implemented. Trust me, it’s a LOT harder to interpret thermal images in real life.
