[klondike_]

FLIR systems are limited in resolution and frame rate because of ITAR restrictions, even though they're the industry leader. Chinese systems have improved a lot in recent years and are not subject to ITAR and can offer higher resolutions and framerates

[giantg2]

FLIR offers higher resolution and higher framerate options too. For that, they want you to buy a Boson or higher. They even make Leptons with 25fps capability. The firmware for the standard Lepton simply reads every third frame.

[angry_octet]

Makes me wonder how hard it would be to flash a different firmware.

For other people's benefit, from the FLIR website:

In general, thermal cameras operating at 60 fps and/or 30 fps (NTSC) or 50 / 25 fps (PAL) video rates are export-controlled by the U.S. government.

The FLIR OEM camera modules - including Tau2 640 (both 60 and 30 fps), Tau2 336 — are classified as dual-use items and require export licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The FLIR Vue and Vue Pro (640 and 336) are also dual-use.

Boson 640 (60/30 fps) and Boson 320, are controlled to the ITAR, and require export licenses from the U.S. Department of State prior to delivery outside of the U.S. or Canada.

The U.S. government allows thermal cameras with frame rates less that 9 fps to be exported without a license. This is why FLIR offers thermal cameras with "fast video" and "slow video" options.