Uncooled - This type of thermal imaging device is the most common. Its infrared detector element is packaged in a unit and can operate at room temperature. The system activates quickly, operates completely silently, and has a built-in battery.

Cryogenically cooled - These systems are more expensive and can be easily damaged by improper handling. The thermal imaging device encapsulates the detector element in an outer package and cools it to below 0°C. Due to the cooling of the detector element, the resolution and sensitivity of this system are extremely high. The cryogenic cooling system can "see" a temperature difference of 0.1°C from 300 meters away, so the system is enough to tell if a person is holding a gun in his hand!