People who live in glass houses....

[Gazrok]

Are invisible to thermal detection.

I was looking into it a while back...how to defeat thermal imaging. No matter what preps you make, steps to camo, etc., if all had gone to hell, and some force was scouring the landscape for survivors they could loot, thermal imaging would definitely show up no matter what.

So, got to thinking, how can you defeat it?

Oddly enough, turns out a thick plane of glass will pretty much make you invisible to it. Hence the title of this thread. They even tested it on Mythbusters, and were surprised by just how good it works. So, technically, if you had some kind of roof mounted piece of glass (like across the beams of your garage), if you could hear aircraft, and get there quick enough to hide under it, you'd be undetected.

Yeah, I heard all of the ideas, from the foil blankets, etc., but this one just seems the most reliable, and simplest to enact.

 

[Graynomad]

You'd have to make sure all heat sources were covered as well, no point running to a shelter and leaving the stove on

 

[psalm 7]

Mabe the pane of glass was hidd out in the field like a lean-to or even 2 togeather like a tent grown over with vines . Quick bug out to the glass house let the scavengers pass or pick them off . Most raiders will not have Thermals or even night vision but some could . I have been looking at better night vision and thermal at the Sportsmans Guide web site . Thermals are a little out of my price range right now . Mabe at bonus time unless I need another car to drive to work .

 

[Gazrok]

You'd have to make sure all heat sources were covered as well, no point running to a shelter and leaving the stove on

Good point. I had thought of it too, but didn't post it.

The thermal would really be more like either remaining govt/military after a SHTF event, or former military, but still so-equipped looking for targeting survivors and their stores to commandeer.

For nightvision, best defense is simply lighting up the enemy, overwhelming the tool, and/or use of strobes.

 

[DrHenley]

Which is why cars get so hot in the sun. The high frequency solar radiation goes right through the glass and heats up the interior surfaces, but the lower frequency infrared radiating from the heated interior surfaces cannot penetrate the glass and gets trapped inside the car.

 

[Gazrok]

Good point on why it works.

 

[bgoldstuff]

Which is why cars get so hot in the sun. The high frequency solar radiation goes right through the glass and heats up the interior surfaces, but the lower frequency infrared radiating from the heated interior surfaces cannot penetrate the glass and gets trapped inside the car.

Would smoked or tinted glass defeat the purpose ?

 

[DrHenley]

Smoked/tinted glass will absorb some of the incoming rays and heat up. That should reduce the solar oven effect, but I'm not sure by how much.

 

[Gazrok]

Would smoked or tinted glass defeat the purpose ?

Not as effective, I'd think. Would have to test though, really.

 

[bgoldstuff]

Since I don't know much about thermal imaging devices, I am guessing other then glass, there is no other way to go undetected for it?

Is there a size or temp limit for images to be detected? I would have to think the Military has something in place for stealth thermal imaging?

 

[klon solo]

Glass reflects heat signatures, so it may send the heat sig of the aircraft right back at it.

That inconsistency (to your surroundings) may be enough for the searchers to investigate further.

 

[bgoldstuff]

Maybe there needs to be a reflective mirror type covering on both sides of the glass to help work together? I would have to think two reflective sides working together, IF, it would work that way, would certainly be better over one side?

Maybe this Theory would be something to throw back at Myth Busters? They seem to have the time and resources to play around with this kind of stuff ! LOL

 

[klon solo]

I don't know. I've thought about this a bit. My brother-in-law continually jokes about running to my place when the SHTF, and I keep telling him I'll shoot him

It's actually good practice for a real event, because he keeps coming at me with different scenarios. I have a proper thermal camera, and it stops him in his tracks in every night scenario. I would hate to try to hide from one, and I can't imagine how I would.

 

[jimLE]

here's something to think about..lets say you install the proper windows or what ever to deter thermal imaging ..and it does what it's suppose to..now i ask..what about the walls and roof of your home? are they insulated in a way where thermal imaging wont work?

 

[bgoldstuff]

I don't know. I've thought about this a bit. My brother-in-law continually jokes about running to my place when the SHTF, and I keep telling him I'll shoot him

It's actually good practice for a real event, because he keeps coming at me with different scenarios. I have a proper thermal camera, and it stops him in his tracks in every night scenario. I would hate to try to hide from one, and I can't imagine how I would.

No more need for Myth Busters, Sounds like you have the proper thermal camera to do some testing with !

Just a thought or would your camera be different and not have the same capabilities as the bad Guys! I meant to say Military! LOL

 

[bgoldstuff]

here's something to think about..lets say you install the proper windows or what ever to deter thermal imaging ..and it does what it's suppose to..now i ask..what about the walls and roof of your home? are they insulated in a way where thermal imaging wont work?

I would think you would have to basically be in a glass box, if That's how it works?

 

[jimLE]

thats what im thinking..(BUT) if a home is built and insulated right,wont that be a plus when it comes to the windows and thermal imaging???

 

[klon solo]

No more need for Myth Busters, Sounds like you have the proper thermal camera to do some testing with !

Just a thought or would your camera be different and not have the same capabilities as the bad Guys! I meant to say Military! LOL

I'm not sure what the military roll with, but I do know that the more you pay for thermal cameras, the clearer the image (there's also the extra software fluff). So, perhaps theirs would be as clear as you can get them?

The only thing I'd be missing to test it out myself is the thick glass. I can't see how you could live anywhere without heat leaking out some how, though. I would also assume that the same people hunting with thermal at night, would also search during the day - where you're glass house would stand out like a sore thumb.

Like I mentioned before, thermal is pretty hard to get around.

If I absolutely had to make an effort to avoid it, the only thing I could think of is an ice suit (however, I only know of ice vests, but I suppose you could fashion a whole quite easily). I own a couple of ice vests for working in very hot confined spaces - they're definitely cool

 

[bgoldstuff]

thats what im thinking..(BUT) if a home is built and insulated right,wont that be a plus when it comes to the windows and thermal imaging???

That's way over my head!

 

[bgoldstuff]

I'm not sure what the military roll with, but I do know that the more you pay for thermal cameras, the clearer the image (there's also the extra software fluff). So, perhaps theirs would be as clear as you can get them?

The only thing I'd be missing to test it out myself is the thick glass. I can't see how you could live anywhere without heat leaking out some how, though. I would also assume that the same people hunting with thermal at night, would also search during the day - where you're glass house would stand out like a sore thumb.

Like I mentioned before, thermal is pretty hard to get around.

If I absolutely had to make an effort to avoid it, the only thing I could think of is an ice suit (however, I only know of ice vests, but I suppose you could fashion a whole quite easily). I own a couple of ice vests for working in very hot confined spaces - they're definitely cool

Why not just live under a large swimming pool, with a glass cover over it ! LMAO Sorry