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Memory Cards and Thermal Imagers
Tip provided by DA Mechanical Services

Many infrared imagers utilize PC cards to store imagery and data. Due to advances in technology, storage capacity of flash cards has increased. Unfortunately, some older thermal imagers will not work with newer, large capacity flash cards.

PC cards, also known as flash cards, first appeared as removable storage media on some thermal imagers beginning in 1995. At that time, the average capacity of PC cards was 5 MB of data. Over time, the storage capacity of PC cards has increased dramatically. As of 2008, several thermal imagers are using PC cards with a capacity of 1 GB or more.

Newer infrared imagers, digital cameras, pocket pc’s and other devices are likely able to recognize, read and use smaller capacity PC cards. Older thermal imagers and electronics may not work with a larger and faster PC card such as those with 1GB or greater capacity.

With the fast changing digital electronics market and the demand for larger memory cards, smaller capacity PC cards are becoming more difficult to find. Most electronic stores and large retail stores no longer carry PC cards smaller than 1 GB. Some camera stores still have a limited selection of the smaller capacity PC cards.

In some instances, it is possible to use memory card adaptors such as, xD to CF; however, success is sometimes limited. For example, it may be possible to save data onto a memory card, but not read or view the data previously saved on the same device. If you have a thermal imager that is not compatible with modern PC cards, it may be wise to obtain compatible PC cards while they are still available.