Product Overview
For perimeter and industrial monitoring where visible light is unreliable or absent, the AXIS Q1961-TE thermal bullet camera delivers detection based entirely on heat signatures rather than illumination. Built around an uncooled microbolometer sensor at 384×288 pixels and a fixed athermalized 7mm lens with a 55-degree horizontal field of view, this camera captures thermal imagery across spectral wavelengths of 8 to 14 micrometres. Featuring a thermal sensitivity of 40 mK at 25 degrees Celsius and an object temperature monitoring range of -40 to 350 degrees Celsius, it supports both intrusion detection and early fire identification across a range of configurable zones. Equipped with an ARTPEC-8 processor with an integrated Deep Learning Processing Unit, it runs AXIS analytics applications including AXIS Fence Guard, AXIS Loitering Guard, and AXIS Motion Guard. It also includes Axis Edge Vault, a hardware-based cybersecurity platform. Rated IP66, IP67, NEMA 4X, and IK10, the Q1961-TE operates between -40 and 65 degrees Celsius and is NDAA compliant.
Key Capabilities
Thermal Detection Independent of Light
The 384×288 uncooled microbolometer sensor operates across 8 to 14 micrometres, detecting heat signatures in complete darkness, smoke, haze, or glare. This makes the Q1961-TE effective in conditions where visible-light cameras provide unreliable or no usable image.
Temperature Monitoring Across Wide Range
Object temperature monitoring spans -40 to 350 degrees Celsius with a thermal sensitivity of 40 mK. Up to 10 configurable polygonal detection areas allow monitoring of specific temperature levels or change rates, supporting early fire detection across industrial and critical infrastructure sites.
ARTPEC-8 with Deep Learning Processing
The onboard ARTPEC-8 chip includes a dedicated Deep Learning Processing Unit, enabling AXIS analytics applications to run at the edge. AXIS Fence Guard, AXIS Loitering Guard, AXIS Motion Guard, and AXIS Video Motion Detection all operate without relying on external servers or cloud processing.
Extreme Environment Rating
IP66, IP67, and NEMA 4X ratings cover high-pressure washdown and total dust ingress protection. The IK10 impact rating handles physical contact. With an operating range of -40 to 65 degrees Celsius, the housing and electronics are suited to demanding outdoor industrial deployments year-round.
Axis Edge Vault Cybersecurity
Axis Edge Vault is a hardware-based platform built into the Q1961-TE for device integrity verification and secure cryptographic key storage. For operators managing cameras on critical infrastructure or government sites, this supports supply-chain security alongside the camera’s NDAA compliance status.
Zipstream Compression for Storage Efficiency
Axis Zipstream in both H.264 and H.265 reduces storage and bandwidth demands without discarding thermal detail in areas of interest. With support for up to 20 unique configurable streams and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, the camera fits into larger managed network deployments.
Best For
- Perimeter Fence Line Monitoring: The 55-degree horizontal field of view and AXIS Fence Guard analytics suit detection across fence boundaries and controlled perimeter approaches, where lighting infrastructure is absent or impractical.
- Early Fire and Heat Anomaly Detection: With up to 10 configurable temperature monitoring zones and sensitivity down to 40 mK, the Q1961-TE can detect heat build-up across industrial plant, storage yards, or waste facilities before visible smoke or flame appears.
- Critical Infrastructure and Government Sites: NDAA compliance, Axis Edge Vault hardware security, and ACAP application platform support make this camera appropriate for deployments with strict procurement and cybersecurity requirements.
- All-Weather Industrial Deployment: The IK10, IP66, IP67, and NEMA 4X ratings combined with an operating temperature range of -40 to 65 degrees Celsius mean the camera remains functional in demanding outdoor industrial environments across all seasons.
- Loitering and Intrusion Detection in Low Visibility Conditions: AXIS Loitering Guard and AXIS Motion Guard run on the DLPU at the edge, detecting human presence through thermal contrast even in fog, rain, or unlit environments where conventional cameras cannot distinguish subjects from background.
Why Choose the AXIS Q1961-TE
The AXIS Q1961-TE separates itself from standard outdoor bullet cameras by operating entirely on thermal imaging, with no dependency on ambient or supplemental light. Where a conventional IP bullet camera becomes unreliable in darkness, smoke, or glare, this camera maintains detection based on heat difference. The 40 mK thermal sensitivity captures subtle temperature variation, and the temperature monitoring range of -40 to 350 degrees Celsius supports both perimeter security and early fire detection from a single device. The ARTPEC-8 processor with its dedicated DLPU means analytics such as AXIS Fence Guard and AXIS Loitering Guard run locally without additional hardware. Axis Edge Vault adds hardware-level cybersecurity that simpler cameras do not include, which is critical for government and infrastructure projects. Available at Security Wholesalers, the Q1961-TE is supplied for professional deployments where thermal detection capability and device-level security are non-negotiable requirements.
Buyer Decision Tips
Frame Rate Consideration: This unit is the 8.3 fps variant (part number 02173-001). For perimeter detection and temperature monitoring, 8.3 fps is sufficient in most static or slow-movement scenarios. If your application requires smoother motion rendering, confirm whether the higher frame rate variant of the Q1961-TE suits your project before purchasing.
Thermal vs. Visible Light Planning: The Q1961-TE produces thermal imagery only. It does not capture visible colour or detail for identification purposes. In perimeter systems requiring both heat-based detection and visible-light recording for evidentiary use, this camera is typically deployed alongside conventional IP cameras rather than as a standalone identification device.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| Model |
AXIS Q1961-TE 7 mm 8.3 fps |
| Part Number |
02173-001 |
| Sensor Type |
Uncooled microbolometer, 384×288 pixels, 17 μm pixel size |
| Spectral Range |
8 to 14 μm (LWIR thermal) |
| Thermal Sensitivity (NETD) |
40 mK at 25°C, F1.0 |
| Lens |
Athermalized 7 mm, F1.18; horizontal FoV 55°; vertical FoV 40.7°; min focus 1.3 m |
| Scalable Resolution |
Up to 768×576 (scaled from 384×288 native) |
| Frame Rate |
Up to 8.3 fps |
| Object Temperature Range |
-40°C to 350°C (-40°F to 662°F) |
| Processor |
ARTPEC-8 with Deep Learning Processing Unit (DLPU) |
| Video Compression |
H.264 (Baseline, Main, High), H.265 Main Profile; Axis Zipstream in H.264 and H.265 |
| Configurable Video Streams |
Up to 20 unique configurable streams |
| Analytics Applications |
AXIS Video Motion Detection, AXIS Motion Guard, AXIS Fence Guard, AXIS Loitering Guard, early fire detection; ACAP supported |
| Detection Areas |
Up to 10 configurable polygonal zones for temperature level or change rate monitoring |
| Cybersecurity |
Axis Edge Vault hardware security platform; IEEE 802.1X |
| Power |
PoE IEEE 802.3af/802.3at Type 1 Class 3; typical 4.3 W, max 12.95 W; also 10-28 V DC |
| Network |
Shielded RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet (10BASE-T/100BASE-TX/1000BASE-T) PoE |
| I/O |
1 supervised alarm input, 1 output; 1 audio input (3.5 mm) |
| Operating Temperature |
-40°C to 65°C (-40°F to 149°F); humidity 10-100% RH condensing |
| Ingress Protection |
IP66, IP67, NEMA 4X, IK10 |
| Housing |
Aluminium and Polycarbonate (PC), White; bullet form factor; 272 mm length x 132 mm diameter |
| Memory |
2048 MB RAM, 8192 MB Flash |
| Standards and Protocols |
ONVIF Profile G, S, T, M; VAPIX; ACAP; IEEE 802.3af/at; IEEE 802.1X |
| Certifications |
FCC, RoHS, CSA, UL Listed, cUL, BIS, UKCA, CE, KC, EAC; NDAA Compliant |
Ideal Use Cases
Industrial Perimeter Fencing
The Q1961-TE’s AXIS Fence Guard analytic and 55-degree thermal field of view suit long fence line segments at industrial facilities, where after-hours lighting is absent and heat-based detection is more consistent than visible-light motion.
Waste and Recycling Facilities
Early fire detection through up to 10 configurable temperature monitoring polygons allows operators to identify heat anomalies in waste stockpiles before ignition. The operating range to 350 degrees Celsius supports detection across a wide thermal variance common in combustion-risk environments.
Critical Infrastructure Protection
NDAA compliance and Axis Edge Vault hardware-based cybersecurity make the Q1961-TE appropriate for utility sites, water treatment facilities, and government infrastructure where procurement rules and device integrity requirements are enforced.
Port and Maritime Boundaries
IP67 and NEMA 4X ratings alongside the -40 to 65 degrees Celsius operating range suit coastal and marine perimeter installations exposed to salt spray, humidity, and wide temperature swings. Thermal imaging is unaffected by water reflection or low-contrast coastal lighting at night.
Mining and Resources Sites
The IK10-rated aluminium and polycarbonate housing resists impact in high-activity environments. With AXIS Loitering Guard running on the ARTPEC-8 DLPU, the camera can flag unauthorised presence in restricted plant areas without dependence on external lighting infrastructure.
Cold Climate Outdoor Deployment
An operating temperature floor of -40 degrees Celsius means the Q1961-TE functions in environments where most IP cameras require housing heaters. No supplemental IR or white light is needed, so cold-weather perimeter coverage is achievable without additional power draw for illumination.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose this model if: Your project requires thermal-based perimeter detection, early fire or heat anomaly monitoring, NDAA-compliant hardware, and onboard deep learning analytics that run without external servers, all within a rugged outdoor bullet housing rated to IP66, IP67, IK10, and NEMA 4X.
- Choose a different model if: You need visible-light footage for subject identification, licence plate capture, or colour detail for evidentiary use. Thermal cameras detect presence through heat contrast only and do not produce identifiable visible imagery. A conventional IP bullet or turret camera would better suit locations where identification is the primary goal.
- Choose a different model if: Your application requires frame rates above 8.3 fps for capturing faster-moving subjects with greater temporal resolution. Confirm whether a higher frame rate thermal variant fits your project specifications before selecting this unit.
FAQs
- What does the AXIS Q1961-TE actually see at night?
The Q1961-TE produces a greyscale or false-colour thermal image based on heat difference between objects and their surroundings. It does not use infrared illumination or visible light. In complete darkness, it detects people, vehicles, and heat sources through the temperature contrast they emit, rather than by lighting them up. The image will not show colour, face detail, or text.
- How many temperature monitoring zones can be configured?
Up to 10 polygonal detection areas can be defined within the camera’s field of view. Each zone can be set to trigger an alert based on a specific temperature threshold or a rate of temperature change. This supports early fire detection in targeted areas such as storage bays, electrical cabinets, or machinery where heat build-up precedes visible failure or ignition.
- What analytics applications are supported on the Q1961-TE?
The ARTPEC-8 processor with its Deep Learning Processing Unit supports AXIS Video Motion Detection, AXIS Motion Guard, AXIS Fence Guard, AXIS Loitering Guard, and early fire detection. Additional applications can be installed through the AXIS Camera Application Platform. All analytics run at the edge on the camera itself, without requiring a dedicated analytics server.
- Is the Q1961-TE NDAA compliant?
Yes. The AXIS Q1961-TE carries NDAA compliance, which is confirmed in Axis’s official product documentation. This is relevant for government, defence-adjacent, and critical infrastructure deployments in Australia and the United States where NDAA Section 889 procurement restrictions apply. The camera also includes Axis Edge Vault for hardware-level device integrity verification and secure key storage. The Q1961-TE is part of the Security Wholesalers range for customers requiring NDAA-compliant thermal cameras.
- What is the field of view for the 7mm lens on this camera?
The athermalized 7mm lens provides a horizontal field of view of 55 degrees and a vertical field of view of 40.7 degrees, with a minimum focus distance of 1.3 metres. The athermalized design maintains optical focus accuracy across extreme temperature variations, which matters in outdoor environments where large swings in ambient temperature could otherwise cause focus shift.
- Can the Q1961-TE be installed in very cold environments?
Yes. The operating temperature range is -40 to 65 degrees Celsius, covering extreme cold-climate deployments without the need for housing heaters or additional power draw. The IP66, IP67, and NEMA 4X ratings also cover condensation and high-humidity exposure, making the camera appropriate for alpine, arctic-adjacent, or refrigerated facility perimeter applications.
- What power options does the Q1961-TE support?
The camera supports PoE via IEEE 802.3af/802.3at Type 1 Class 3, with a typical draw of 4.3 W and a maximum of 12.95 W. It also accepts 10 to 28 V DC. The PoE Class 3 classification means it is compatible with most standard PoE switches without requiring PoE+ infrastructure, though the maximum draw should be verified against switch port budgets at installation.
Additional Information
AXIS 02173-001 Datasheet
