Panoblu · FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers on how Panoblu works, how it installs, and what it can do for your vessel. If your question is not listed, get in touch.

Does Panoblu work in complete darkness?+

Yes. The Panoblu IR system delivers full 360° thermal night vision, enabling visibility even in total darkness with no ambient light required.

Can I integrate Panoblu with my existing navigation system?+

Yes. Panoblu is compatible with major bridge systems and marine displays, supporting ONVIF, WebRTC, and HTML5-based interfaces.

Is the system weatherproof?+

Yes. Both SeaView and Panoblu IR are fully weather-sealed and corrosion-resistant. As a solid-state system there are no motors or moving parts that can seize due to salt deposits.

Can Panoblu be installed on any type of yacht?+

Yes. Panoblu systems can be installed on motor yachts, sailing yachts and explorer vessels, during new builds or refits, using mast, hardtop or custom mounting solutions.

Is Panoblu suitable for expedition or polar cruising?+

Absolutely. Its thermal and low-light capabilities make it ideal for detecting ice, debris and small objects in remote or extreme environments.

Can I view Panoblu footage on a mobile device?+

Yes. Live and recorded 360° video can be accessed from onboard devices or remotely, provided the vessel's network is configured for remote access.

What resolution does Panoblu record at?+

Panoblu captures 5.7K high-resolution 360° video and thermal imagery, optimised for clarity and performance across multiple zoom levels.

Can crew turn off or disable recording?+

Yes. Panoblu supports role-based permissions, allowing captains or engineers to restrict or enable recording access as required.

Can the system be remotely monitored?+

Yes. If connected to the internet, the system can be accessed remotely for monitoring, diagnostics or support.

Is Panoblu useful for man-overboard detection?+

Yes. The thermal and panoramic views are invaluable for MOB search, with AI-based detection support planned for future updates.

Can footage be exported for incident reports?+

Yes. Users with the appropriate permissions can export snapshots or video clips with time and location stamps for security or operational review.

Can Panoblu be used in port or while docked?+

Yes. It provides a full 360° perimeter view, supporting gangway monitoring, tender traffic and guest safety at berth.

Can Panoblu help with collision avoidance?+

Yes. With thermal detection, panoramic visibility and navigational overlays, Panoblu offers a powerful tool for situational awareness and collision avoidance.

What can I see with Panoblu IR that I cannot with standard cameras?+

Panoblu IR detects people, vessels, floating debris, wildlife and other heat-emitting objects, even in darkness or through fog. It can detect temperature differences of less than 0.3°C.

Can Panoblu be used while underway?+

Yes. Panoblu systems are designed to operate continuously in all conditions, at anchor or underway, in daylight, darkness or poor visibility.

Is the video stream live or recorded?+

Both. Panoblu delivers a live real-time stream and simultaneously records panoramic video for review, playback or export.

Can I review past footage from the camera?+

Yes. Panoblu records a continuous panoramic log that can be indexed by time, location or event for later review. Expanded storage and cloud backup are available as options.

How much data does Panoblu store onboard?+

Panoblu systems ship with 2TB SSD storage onboard, supporting up to approximately two months of optimised continuous panoramic footage.

What happens if the network connection fails?+

Panoblu systems include onboard recording and buffering, so footage is retained locally even during network outages.

Does Panoblu support radar or AIS overlays?+

Panoblu can ingest NMEA data for contextual overlays, with radar and AIS integration available via third-party platforms or custom setup.

Does the system require calibration?+

Panoblu IR systems are factory calibrated and auto-correct for environmental changes to maintain consistent imaging throughout operation.

Is the thermal feed viewable on standard marine displays?+

Yes. Panoblu IR integrates with existing marine bridge systems and displays, showing thermal and visible feeds side-by-side or separately.

Does Panoblu combine thermal with visible light imaging?+

Yes. The system offers dual-mode viewing, thermal and visible, giving a complete picture of surroundings regardless of conditions.

Is the system ruggedised for vibration or impact?+

Yes. With solid-state construction and no moving parts, Panoblu is inherently robust and vibration-resistant. Its carbon fibre housing is built for the harshest marine environments.

How is Panoblu powered?+

Panoblu runs on standard 12/24V DC marine power or 110/220V AC converted to 60-75W PoE++, depending on installation preference.

Is the system CE certified?+

Yes. Panoblu systems are CE compliant and designed to meet additional maritime standards.

What does the user interface look like?+

The interface is intuitive and touch-friendly, running on marine MFDs, tablets or computers with pan, zoom, timeline and snapshot features. Crew can also access it on mobile devices.

Does Panoblu support multiple viewing stations?+

Yes. Multiple stations can simultaneously access and control the camera feed, including the bridge, ECR, security office, iPads and more.

Can guests use Panoblu to take photos or videos?+

Yes. Panoblu SeaView includes a guest-friendly mode where panoramic photos and videos can be captured and shared after the journey.

Is training provided for crew?+

Yes. Remote or onboard training is available to ensure captains, officers and ETOs are fully equipped to use the system.

What warranty is included?+

Panoblu comes with a standard one-year warranty, with extended options available for private yachts, commercial fleets and new builds.

What is thermal infrared imaging?+

Thermal infrared imaging detects heat emitted or reflected by objects, allowing visibility in total darkness, fog, smoke or other obscured conditions.

How is thermal imaging different from night vision?+

Thermal imaging detects heat signatures. Traditional night vision amplifies available light using light sources around the lens. Thermal works in complete darkness with no light source required.

Can Panoblu IR detect small objects in the water?+

Yes. The system is designed to detect even small heat-differentiated objects, including floating debris and persons overboard.

Is thermal imaging affected by weather?+

Thermal imaging is less affected by weather than visible light cameras. It performs well through haze, light fog and darkness, though heavy rain can slightly reduce contrast.

Can thermal cameras be used during the day?+

Yes. Panoblu IR functions equally well during daylight and night, providing continuous thermal awareness regardless of lighting conditions.

How far can Panoblu IR see?+

Detection range depends on object size and conditions, but Panoblu IR provides meaningful 360° detection out to hundreds of metres.

Does thermal imaging help with navigation?+

Absolutely. Thermal vision reveals potential hazards such as floating logs, ice and unlit vessels that are invisible to the naked eye at night.