DIY Thermal Imaging System for under $200

low cost low resolution bolometer arrays are easy to make if you have even a simple semiconductor fab (http://www.eee.metu.edu.tr/~tayfuna/papers/akin_c20_mems2001...)

The problem with anything built for military/medical/emergency service use, is that by the time you have ruggedized it, packaged it, setup service and support and got it approved by a dozen different agencies - well even a simple flashlight really does end up costing $100

Fair warning: have your Readability bookmarklet ready. The page is black text on a horrendously bright yellow.

From what it sounds like, using my arm as a sensor would have a similar resolution thermal imaging, with perhaps a faster scan rate.

I was intrigued that this came from an actual business and not a DIY hobbist, so looked into Tanagram and couldn't figure them out. A strange company... seems more design than actual engineering.

Isn't the better way to make something cheaper by inventing new components and then mass producing, vs. taking a stock, cheap, 8x1 thermopile array?