Do you have an IR camera? can you recommend one?

[gadje]

I think i would like to have one of these IR cameras, like a FLIR or similar brands.

I am skeptical to get one that attaches to a smart phone. If I get one with Lightning connector, well, it won't be supported soon. I should probably get one with USB-C, but even then the App may not work at some point.

I think I want a stand alone device, something that can record images (and maybe video?) on a microSD card.

I know these have very low resolution, but I would like something to be able to see what I am looking at. if I look for cold leaks around the house, or hot spots on a computer, I want to make sure I understand what I see. Ideally 320x240, but I think those a many hundreds of dollars. I should probably sellle for 240x160 or whatever the lower resolution is below 320x240.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

[SDGuy]

gadje wrote:
I think i would like to have one of these IR cameras, like a FLIR or similar brands.

I am skeptical to get one that attaches to a smart phone. If I get one with Lightning connector, well, it won't be supported soon. I should probably get one with USB-C, but even then the App may not work at some point.

I think I want a stand alone device, something that can record images (and maybe video?) on a microSD card.

I know these have very low resolution, but I would like something to be able to see what I am looking at. if I look for cold leaks around the house, or hot spots on a computer, I want to make sure I understand what I see. Ideally 320x240, but I think those a many hundreds of dollars. I should probably sellle for 240x160 or whatever the lower resolution is below 320x240.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

I bought a standalone thermal imager just about exactly three years ago, now. My thought process at the time was much like yours - I did NOT want one that had to be plugged into a smart phone, for several reasons:
- it would mean constantly plugging it into the smart phones connector (more usage = more wear = eventual port failure)
- all of them seem to have internal non-replaceable batteries; i.e. when the battery dies, the imager dies
- what happens if/when phones change (different port, or no guarantee that an OS update would break the app that the imager relies on)

So, I settled on a HTI 220 x 160 thermal imager from Bezosville.
An earlier version of it had an easily replaceable battery (i.e. just like an old-school flashlight). The one I ended up with has a battery that can be replaced, but it means snipping/splicing two wires - but at least the battery is easily accessible via the removeable handle. Looking at Bezosville, it looks like it's still being sold (for $288, almost a third less than I paid), but I would recommend getting the newer model (HT-18+) for less ($257) - it has 256x192 resolution, but is otherwise identical to the one I bought - including micro-USB connector, and replaceable battery; here is HTI's webpage on it.

I've used it to find wall studs (aim the thing at walls in the wintertime)


and to find my sister's cat when it was hiding behind my desk (its body heat easily showed up through the 1.25" thick wood of the desk it was hiding/sleeping behind)


The things I don't like are that it does NOT take a memory card, the connector is microUSB, and the battery, although replaceable, is not commonplace (I think this is it).

[gadje]

Thanks

[Forrest]

For less money, you could buy this IR Camera from Adafruit for $74.95 https://www.adafruit.com/product/4407 and attach it to an Adafruit PyBadge or PyGamer, as described in the Learn Guide https://learn.adafruit.com/mlx90640-thermal-image-recording

[gadje]

Forrest wrote:
For less money, you could buy this IR Camera from Adafruit for $74.95 https://www.adafruit.com/product/4407 and attach it to an Adafruit PyBadge or PyGamer, as described in the Learn Guide https://learn.adafruit.com/mlx90640-thermal-image-recording

This sensor contains a 24x32 array of IR thermal sensors.

even pron on dial up days had higher resolution than that

[Forrest]

The Flir One phone camera has a resolution of 80 x 60.

Adafruit also sells a lower resolution camera with 8 x 8 resolution for $44.95, that’s currently in stock https://www.adafruit.com/product/3622

[Filliam H. Muffman]

I got a Seek thermal camera (206 x 156) about six years ago to find cold spots in the house. It was briefly $150 for the MicroUSB version. The USB C version for iOS is currently $205 (lowest price on record is $170, 3 years ago).

https: //www.amazon.com/dp/B00SSZ5KQI

[cbelt3]

I bought a FLIR one pro several years ago. Because I used one of their systems for a helicopter back in the early 80’s for a weapon system design. They’ve been around a long time and I trusted their understanding of IR. My sister’s zoo used it to help identify mammals in estrus. My corporation bought a bunch of them and used them for maintenance, safety, and R&D. I believe they retire the iPhone ones in favor of stand alone units.

I’ve used mine for housing inspections , car diagnostics, and such. When I finally shift to an non Lightning iPhone I will look for an adapter.

[Forrest]

Sorry, I don’t believe the specs for your hand held IRCamera. Flir’s best IR camera that attaches to a phone costs $549 on Amazon, FLIR ONE EDGE PRO Wireless 160 × 120 IR camera with Ignite for iOS and Android and it was released 1 year ago. The resolution is 160 x 120.

[Cary]

I just bought this one. Klein TI250

Works better than I expected. Takes a memory card.

Although I'm sure Klein subcontracts/out manufacturing or private labels it, they sell pretty decent electrical tools and equipment.