Dark 30 Defiance 640 – PTZ Thermal Camera 640×480 | 360° Pan | 10.1″ Display

PTZ stands for Pan (horizontal rotation), Tilt (vertical inclination) and Zoom. A PTZ thermal camera is a fixed-mount camera that can be remotely aimed in any direction. Unlike a handheld device, no observer needs to be present with the unit: the Defiance 640 can be mounted at a deer stand, on a field edge, on a building or on a vehicle and will monitor the surrounding terrain autonomously. Via the smartphone app or remote control, the thermal feed is received and the camera is controlled in real time – from inside a warm building, from a different vehicle, or from up to kilometres away. The 360° continuous pan combined with a tilt range of −90° to +45° leaves no blind spot.

The Defiance 640 offers three mounting options: (1) Permanent bolt mounting for fixed installations at a deer stand, on a building or a mast – the 2″ riser and base kit from the package form the foundation. (2) Suction cups for temporary installation on smooth surfaces such as vehicle windows or glass without drilling or damage. (3) Magnetic feet (100 lb holding force) for instant deployment on any metal surface such as vehicle roofs or metal masts. The choice of mounting option depends on the deployment scenario; all three are available from specialist retailers.

The Defiance 640 is operated in two ways: (1) Via the included remote control for local wireless operation. (2) Via the free Dark30 app for iOS and Android. The app establishes a direct camera-to-screen connection and streams the thermal feed in near real time. PTZ control, zoom adjustment, colour palette selection, sleep mode and return-to-home are all fully accessible from the app. The 10.1″ LCD monitor included in the package enables local operation without the app. Via the two HDMI outputs, the image can additionally be fed to external displays or recording devices.

IP66 under IEC 60529 covers two protection levels: “6” = fully dust-tight, no dust particle can enter. The second “6” = protected against powerful water jets from any direction (minimum pressure 100 kPa, 12.5 l/min from 3 m). This means rain, snow, splashes and dust do not damage the camera. IP66 is not the same as IP67 (submersion) or IP68 (continuous underwater operation). The Defiance 640 is designed for permanent outdoor installation. An operating temperature range of −20 °C to +50 °C covers all seasons in Central Europe.

The Defiance 640 operates on 12 V DC. The camera draws 750 mA, the display 320 mA; total power consumption is approximately 1,200 mA (approx. 14.4 W). At a deer stand or in a vehicle, the camera can be powered directly from a 12 V source (vehicle battery, LiFePO4 battery pack, or mains via a 12 V power supply). For field use without a mains connection, standard 12 V LiFePO4 battery boxes (e.g. 20–50 Ah for 14–35 hours of operation) are well suited.

Yes. Via the built-in TF card slot (microSD), photos and video can be recorded directly on the camera. In addition, the Dark30 app enables storing and sharing recordings directly on a smartphone. An external HDMI recorder can be connected via either of the two HDMI outputs. The app also allows live feed sharing to additional tablets or smartphones connected to the same hotspot.

The two HDMI outputs support standard HDMI monitors, televisions, HDMI recorders and video transmission devices. This allows the thermal feed to be displayed live on a large TV inside a hunting lodge while the camera remains mounted outdoors at the deer stand, for example. Both HDMI ports can be used simultaneously with different devices.

Dark 30 provides an exceptional 5-year manufacturer’s warranty on the Defiance 640, covering manufacturing defects and damage under normal use. In Switzerland, the statutory warranty of 2 years from the date of purchase applies independently under the Code of Obligations. Swiss-Sale.ch is happy to assist with any warranty questions and coordinates directly with Dark 30 if required.