The beginning of the best time of year

by "Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
Published 10/27/2017 at 08:45

Tags: ICY SEASON IS BEST SEASON ; WINTER ; THERMAL PICS ; SNOW ; HOCKEY ; HEATED SEATS
STARS: 4

Heated seats, the smell of wood smoke in the air and the smell of a summer’s worth of schmoo burning off the radiant heaters.

Yeah, this was more or less an excuse to post thermal pics... Still, bring on winter!!

Replies (42)

"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
10/27/2017 at 08:47, STARS: 1

I started using my heated seats about a week ago - nice side benefit is loosening up my back.

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/27/2017 at 08:54, STARS: 0

Also, they often make for nice dumps

"Wacko" (wacko--)
10/27/2017 at 08:55, STARS: 1

I used my Snow brush for the first time.

I have been using my heated seats and wheel for a week now.

If you can do a heated wheel with your camera

"atrombs" (atrombly)
10/27/2017 at 08:55, STARS: 1

Thermal cameras are the coolest! I got the FLIR One and use it at every chance I get. It’s a fun toy. I need to see what my heated steering wheel looks like when it’s turned on.

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/27/2017 at 09:02, STARS: 0

Jealous.

SO NICE

If I had a heated wheel I would. I could get the heat signatures from my hands on the wheel, they would show up fine... but I think they would probably darken the background so much you wouldn’t see the wheel at all. I can try though.

"Nibbles" (nibbles)
10/27/2017 at 09:03, STARS: 1

If only there was a way to install a heated wheel, I’d love to have one on the Eldorado. The Ram has heated seats and wheel.

"Wacko" (wacko--)
10/27/2017 at 09:04, STARS: 1

I’ve been driving since 1995, and my 2014 path i bought in 2015 is my first car with heated seats and wheel.

Now i can’t live without them.

Only had heated mirrors before that on my SX4, couldn’t keep my hands on the wheel and both mirrors on the same time :)

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/27/2017 at 09:05, STARS: 0

ABSOLUTELY

Would you mind posting some pics? I got the Seek equivalent, it’s supposed to actually have a bigger sensor. To me that means the pics should be clearer. I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed with the results I’ve got so far, they’re cool as frig (and besides in ANY case the sensors are tiny). But they are grainier than I expected in most cases.

Be nice to compare.

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/27/2017 at 09:07, STARS: 0

Honestly that’s probably the only feature I really wish I had. I don’t need bluetooth, touch screen, auto climate control, buttons on the wheel or any of that fancy shit... but damn I’d like a heated wheel.

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/27/2017 at 09:09, STARS: 1

I don’t start up soon enough to take advantage of sitting down in a nice warm seat (except in this case so I could get the pic) but it’s sooooo nice a couple minutes into the drive. “Sorry for freezing your buttocks master, here’s something to make up for it”

"Nibbles" (nibbles)
10/27/2017 at 09:12, STARS: 1

Yeah it spoils ya.

"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
10/27/2017 at 09:13, STARS: 0

Mine doesn’t get as toasty as the seat, so I bet they aren’t as fun looking as the heated seat. Would be interesting to see how even the heating is, though.

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/27/2017 at 09:13, STARS: 1

I’ve driven a car with it all of ONCE and it was an immediate “I need this in my life”

"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
10/27/2017 at 09:14, STARS: 1

It’s the nature of the beast. You can’t take sharp pictures in those wavelengths.

"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
10/27/2017 at 09:17, STARS: 3

Out-of-context COTD contender right here.

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/27/2017 at 09:34, STARS: 0

I’m sure you can with the right equipment. Well not “sharp”, maybe, but less grainy/noisy. (you’re only seeing my best shots on here)

And any time I’ve seen someone using a FLIR they seem better with that. Probably more how they process the image than anything. That said I might have just not got a close enough look.

Know what? Who cares! Thermal images FTW!

"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
10/27/2017 at 09:48, STARS: 1

I’m all about heated seats, even for the 10-15 times I use them all winter in the Southern US. But the wheel thing...I just keep my driving gloves inside and put them on before I get to the car. So I could pass on any more wheel complexity (I don’t even like wheel-mounted stereo buttons).

"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
10/27/2017 at 09:49, STARS: 1

MUST...FIND....HEATED...SEATS

"gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee" (gogmorgo)
10/27/2017 at 09:55, STARS: 0

Heated seats are literally the most uncomfortable things I’ve ever sat on. Absolutely gross.

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/27/2017 at 09:55, STARS: 1

I tried gloves. Couldn’t stand them. When I was a warehouse rat slinging product all day I tried them. Couldn’t stand them. I’ll put up with them in situations where chemicals are involved and accept them without question for hockey, but in general I hate wearing gloves.

Even still, I don’t really have any love for buttons on the wheel.

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/27/2017 at 09:56, STARS: 3

What if you’re just wrong.

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
10/27/2017 at 10:03, STARS: 1

True story, I LOVE the smell of heaters kicking in for the first time.

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/27/2017 at 10:05, STARS: 1

It’s actually kind of disgusting, but a sign of good things to come... sooooooo...

"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
10/27/2017 at 10:15, STARS: 1

"gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee" (gogmorgo)
10/27/2017 at 10:57, STARS: 0

But I’m not. You’re probably also one of those morons who gets in and cranks the heat to unbearable temperatures too.

"themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce)
10/27/2017 at 11:00, STARS: 0

Sooooooo I’m going to be captain pedantic here and say that not only are you wrong, heated seats are a gift from the heavens in the dead of winter, but you also used “literally” wrong. Unless you’ve only ever sat on the plushiest, most comfortable and supportive seating surfaces at all times, then you sir are a liar and a scoundrel!

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/27/2017 at 11:08, STARS: 0

Nope and you are.

"atrombs" (atrombly)
10/27/2017 at 11:40, STARS: 2

I don’t have any with me at the moment, but here’s a pretty sweet video I took. Most people aren’t aware that Zamboni’s lay down hot water to melt the ice a little so it can refreeze smooth. This video shows that pretty well.

"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
10/27/2017 at 12:02, STARS: 1

I am jealous of your hockey.

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/27/2017 at 12:03, STARS: 0

...you just gave me something to do this winter while waiting for new ice.

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/27/2017 at 12:08, STARS: 0

I’m jealous of your PK Subban. Call it even :)

But yeah, can’t wait for the rinks to open.

"Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection" (itsalwayssteve)
10/27/2017 at 12:36, STARS: 0

I felt the same way until I hurt my back doing something stupid. Now I get it.

"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
10/27/2017 at 14:04, STARS: 1

PK is pretty darn great. The Habs ain’t looking good without him.

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/27/2017 at 14:10, STARS: 0

Weber is nothing to sneeze at. Neither of them is the problem.

"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
10/27/2017 at 14:17, STARS: 1

Very true. PK just has that *it* factor though. I loved Weber but PK brings another dynamic to the entire line up.

"KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs" (kusabisensei)
10/27/2017 at 14:19, STARS: 1

Only if you let me come and provide hours of entertainment by falling down on the ice.

In my defence, I’ve not skated since I was 10 (and that was because I lost a thumb in a skating incident........It got better [and I have 10 fingers]). I’m now 30.

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/27/2017 at 14:22, STARS: 0

Application considered and approved. Rinks open Nov 26

"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
10/27/2017 at 15:12, STARS: 0

It’s the wavelengths involved. In fact, they cause problems with photography as well, which is why visible light cameras have a filter for these wavelengths...

The noise could be filtered a bit, but thats a different physics problem. You’re working with an ambient temperature sensor. For high accuracy thermal imaging, you need a sensor that is cooled to a known temperature well below the temperature of anything in the frame, otherwise you’ll get noisy readings.

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/27/2017 at 15:27, STARS: 0

It’s more than that. Watch the video atrombs posted, it’s pretty clear. I simply do not get that clarity from mine. FLIR has got to be doing something differently than Seek.

Not really complaining, the Seek was cheaper. And it’s still an awesome gadget.

"gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee" (gogmorgo)
10/27/2017 at 16:10, STARS: 0

Ever sat down on a chair that’s still warm from the last person? 100% uncomfortable and gross. That’s what heated seats are. Uncomfortable and gross. They make me feel like I need to shower immediately.

And seriously, are you dead-of-wintering me? This is where I grew up:

And this is where I live now:

Took that two weeks ago. The washer fluid available here now is good down to -55°F.

In the dead of winter there’s still nothing more uncomfortable.

"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
10/27/2017 at 18:15, STARS: 0

How big is your sensor? Resolution? How big is the one they used? Resolution?

I see some basic input filtering and some digital noise canceling. I can’t tell due to the poor image quality, but it’s possible that it is also being run through some sharpening (some artifacts make me think this, but they could also be compression).

I just looked at both and there is more in play here. The FLIR unit has two sensors (compared to the one in the Seek), is much larger, and can do a lot with those additions. With two images (likely across a wider frequency range), you can do more complex superimposition that will sharpen the edges. You can make up for a lot of shortcomings with greater physical size and software. The Seek has a single sensor, is much smaller, and is therefore more limited. Even with filtering it would still suffer in comparison due to dependence upon a single sensor.

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/30/2017 at 12:30, STARS: 0

FLIR has 80x60 thermal sensor, Seek has 206x156. Which is why it surprised me that it didn’t take as clear shots. That second camera does make some sense of it.

For the money, I’m still happy.