LCD Monitors for Thermal Scopes

Portable LCD Monitors for Thermal Scopes
I spent a fair bit of time looking for a LCD monitor to connect to my Pulsar Quantum Lite XQ30V Thermal Scope.
The Pulsar scope itself can show PAL or NTSC video output (use menu to select) and can be powered from a 12V vehicle socket or other stable 8.4 to 15V supply. So I looked for a field-friendly, portable 3-5” LCD monitor with a resolution match the pulsar scope (384×288) and preferably 12V power that could be run off a vehicle 12V lighter socket when using in the car.
The best LCD monitor options I have come across so far seem to be “security video camera testers” e.g. the 3.5” and 4.3” KKmoon ‘Security Tester (see links below) which have colour TFT LED and can be strapped to your wrist or whatever suits. See #1 and #2 below. They have built-in lithium battery with an 8 hour work time (one review says you can easily change the battery). It can be charged from USB. Working temp down to 5deg (maybe lower?).

I now have a 3.5” KKmoon (US$30) and the image is fine, however I am tinkering with user setup options. If driving one can have the monitor inside the car and that is obviously useful. For forest walks I find that extensive viewing through the monocular gives me low level night blindness in one eye which eventually dissipates so I thought it would be useful to have the option to mount the external monitor on the scope. I tried a Velcro mounting but that was on the wobbly side. I now have a L-mount which screws onto the side of the scope (using one of the scope screw mounts) with the scope monitor mounted on top but current set up still a bit wobbly. One might argue to just get a thermal camera but they are bulky etc and the mono version easier for cross-border movements etc (as mentioned in other posts).

It would be useful on the thermal scopes to have a better neck-strap system and on-top mountings for an external monitor.

A similar product to above seems to be the “Eoncore Portable Wrist 4.3″ 720P 1080P TVI CCTV Camera Cam Video Test Monitor Tester 12V-Out (TVI)” (see #4 below); said to work to -20deg.
The Boavision (#4 below) looks to be the same as the Eoncore; the website link below includes a video showing the unit connected and its display.
Another option I looked at was a car back-up camera but they do not have batteries e.g. #7 below. They might work for car-use only.
All the links and prices shown below are from online research a few months ago but I only recently got ahold of a monitor from the US as they are not available in Thailand

Paul Carter

1) KKmoon Portable 3.5″ TFT Color LEDTest Monitor CCTV Camera Security Tester for Surveillance Audio Video Input
The KKMoon 3.5” model’s Resolution is 320 * 240 which is less than the pulsar. It is 50g lighter.
$33

Specifications
Color: Black
Material: ABS
Screen: 3.5″ TFT
Resolution: 320 * 240
Battery: 18650 DC3.7V 2200mAh Lithium battery
Power Consumption: ?1W
Charger: AC 110-220V 5V/1000mA
Video Standard: PAL/NTSC
Video Input: 1.0Vp-p
Power Output: 12V/500mA
Audio: 0.7Vp-p
Working Temperature: 5?~50?
Wrist Strap Length: Approx. 26.5cm / 10.43in
Power Cable Length: Approx. 80cm / 31.5in
AV Cable Length: Approx. 115cm / 45.3in
Monitor Size: 90 * 70 * 40mm / 3.54 * 2.76 * 1.57in (L * W * H)
Monitor Weight: 150g / 5.3oz
Package Size: 19 * 9 * 6.5cm / 7.48 * 3.54 * 2.56in (L * W * H)
Package Weight: 347g / 12.26oz

Package List
1 * 3.5″ Security Tester
1 * Adapter
1 * Power Cable
1 * Wrist Strap

#2) – KKmoon 4.3″ TFT LED Portable Network Cable Testing Monitor CCTV Camera Installation Detection System Security Tester for Surveillance Audio Video Input with OSD Menu

$50
NOTE: On Amazon.com product description there are/were many erroneous descriptors (when cut-paste from other model?) so refer to the link below
https://www.diy-security-cameras.com/product/kkmoon-4-3-tft-led-portable-network-cable-testing-monitor-cctv-camera-installation-detection-system-security-tester-for-surveillance-audio-video-input-with-osd-menu/
Specifications:
Color: Black
Material: ABS
Screen: 4.3″ TFT 16:9 Image Display
Resolution: 480 * 272
Battery: 18650 DC3.7V 2600mAh Lithium battery
Power Consumption: ≤1W
Charger: AC 110-220V 5V/1000mA
Video Standard: PAL/NTSC
Video Input: 1.0Vp-p
Power Output: 12V/500mA
Audio: 0.7Vp-p
Working Temperature: 5℃~50℃
Wrist Strap Length: Approx. 28cm / 11in
Power Cable Length: Approx. 80cm / 31.5in
AV Cable Length: Approx. 115cm / 45.3in
Monitor Size: 105 * 82 * 40mm / 4.13 * 3.23 * 1.57in (L * W * H)
Monitor Weight: 196g / 6.91oz
Package Size: 21 * 18 * 6cm / 8.3 * 7.1 * 2.36in (L * W * H)
Package Weight: 490g / 17.29oz
Package List:
1 * 4.3″ Security Tester
1 * Adapter
1 * Power Cable
1 * Wrist Strap
1 * AV/DC Cable
1 * BNC Converter
1 * Network Cable Connector
1 * Toolkit
1 * User Manual(English)

3) Eoncore Portable Wrist 4.3″ 720P 1080P TVI CCTV Camera Cam Video Test Monitor Tester 12V-Out (TVI)
$87

Model: W43T For HD-TVI camera testing
Video System: NTSC/PAL Automatically recognize
Display screen: 4.3inches
Display screen Resolution: LCD 480*272P resolution
Screen adjustment: Video display brightness, contrast saturation adjustable
Video input: 1 channel BNC Video IN
12V power output 1A DC: Audio test
Input audio signal, and played on the internal speaker
External power supply: DC 5V(1A)
Battery-powered: Built-in 3.7V li-polymer battery, Capacity 2600mAh
Charge time: 4hours
Battery working time: 7 hours
Power saving features: Low power consumption, automatic power off, Real-time display of battery level
Auto power off: Disable / 5-60 minutes
Working Temperature: -20C—+70C
Humidity: 30%-90% Rh
Dimension: 120mm x 80mm x 40mm
Weight: 150g

4) Boavision version of the Eoncore (it looks like the same device).
Portable Wrist 4.3″ LCD HD 1080P / 5MP AHD Tester TVI CVBS Analogy CCTV Surveillance Camera Monitor Tester,5V/12V Power Output
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Portable-Wrist-4-3-LCD-HD-AHD-TVI-CVBS-Analogy-CCTV-Camera-Test-Monitor-Tester-5V/32694341127.html
There is a video in this link showing the display and setup of the unit.

5)
See https://www.bixpower.com/
https://www.bixpower.com/product-p/bx-cr15d.htm

6)
B-Qtech Backup Camera and Monitor Kit – 4.3″ TFT LED Display Screen and Mini Rear View Camera

$28
Does not have a battery, wrist-strap etc

7)
Backup Camera and Monitor Kit, Chuanganzhuo License Plate CMOS Wide Angle Back up Camera With 7 LED Night Vision+ 4.3 TFT LCD Monitor
$26

This unit seems to have the same TFT screen as in the KKMoon but it is thinner, cheaper as there is no battery. Menu buttons on the back. It does have touch-screen menu also according to one review. One of the product photos shows a wiring link which is useful and maybe one could figure out a 12V battery power supply to the red “Monitor Power Connector”. Probably just better to go for the KKMoon 4.3” unless on-wrist volume is an issue.

• Backup Camera and Monitor Kit, Chuanganzhuo License Plate CMOS Wide Angle Back up Camera With 7 LED Night Vision+ 4.3 TFT LCD Car Vehicle Rearview Monitor
• The monitor will start up automatically, and synchronously display the video from rearview camera when you’re backing your car, the monitor will close itself after backing. Scenes will cut to rearview camera automatically while you’re backing the car and change back to the original scenes after that
• Adopts 4.3 inch TFT-LCD display screen, NTSC system,16:9 display format and 480 x 272 pixels. Supports Car DVD, VCD, camera, STB, satellite receiver, and other video equipment
• Waterproof license mount backup camera with HD color CMOS (648X488pixels/NTSC) imager, wide viewing angle macro lens
• Reliable and friendly customer service,ready to respond within a 24 hour time frame. 1 Year Warranty,30-Day Money Back Guarantee