Uploaded May 2020 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Don't be fooled when people talk about "flaring" and "glaring" in reference to FLIR videos such as "Gimbal."
In our FLIR shop, we commonly work on cameras varying in wavelength, i.e. visible, low-light, Short-wave infrared, and Mid-wave. We use the term flaring as in terms of heat, and glaring in terms of light. It helps with understand each other and troubleshooting.
Mick West insists on using the opposite: glaring means IR heat and a lens flare means light anomalies to him. That's fine- but he refuses to accept my terminology for it, and often comes up with segues and pseudo-explanations why. You could really go down a rabbit hole just arguing with this guy, don't waste your time!
To say "glaring" for both a daylight image and an infrared image is misleading, because it could make one think that they are one in the same. They have similarities, yes. But it is also important to know there are difference between them as well. Such as the exhaust from an F-18 would not be seen with a daylight camera, but you can surely see it with a FLIR. A daylight camera will display anomalies from the sun or a bright light, and a FLIR looking at the same scene will not. It's the details that are important, not using blanket terms.
If I were you, I'd think twice about what Mick West has to say about- well about anything. Unless you enjoy petty arguing, generalizations, and a dash of misinformation.
Don't be fooled when people talk about "flaring" and "glaring" in reference to FLIR videos such as "Gimbal."
In our FLIR shop, we commonly work on cameras varying in wavelength, i.e. visible, low-light, Short-wave infrared, and Mid-wave. We use the term flaring as in terms of heat, and glaring in terms of light. It helps with understand each other and troubleshooting.
Mick West insists on using the opposite: glaring means IR heat and a lens flare means light anomalies to him. That's fine- but he refuses to accept my terminology for it, and often comes up with segues and pseudo-explanations why. You could really go down a rabbit hole just arguing with this guy, don't waste your time!
To say "glaring" for both a daylight image and an infrared image is misleading, because it could make one think that they are one in the same. They have similarities, yes. But it is also important to know there are difference between them as well. Such as the exhaust from an F-18 would not be seen with a daylight camera, but you can surely see it with a FLIR. A daylight camera will display anomalies from the sun or a bright light, and a FLIR looking at the same scene will not. It's the details that are important, not using blanket terms.
If I were you, I'd think twice about what Mick West has to say about- well about anything. Unless you enjoy petty arguing, generalizations, and a dash of misinformation.
