This guide will help you understand some of the more crucial aspects of thermal imaging cameras so you can make an educated decision.
Thermal cameras help provide accurate reports of temperature gaps across objects. Whether your job deals with industrial inspections or rescue operations, you can benefit a lot from accurate heat readings from a thermal imaging camera.
As the human eye is limited to seeing visible light, it can’t look through other colors of light like infrared rays. Thermal imaging sensors make it possible for us to see infrared rays and find issues based on thermal gaps.
More often than not, thermal imaging cameras support memory cards that allow you to store thermally detected objects and gaps. Having stored images leads to more productive inspections and rescue operations by letting you make decisions based on the information present in the images.
Thermal cameras have different amounts of pixels that can be displayed on their screens. The more pixels a camera can show, the higher its resolution is. Opting for a higher resolution display is worth it since it offers more detail and better image quality.
The temperature range of a heat camera refers to the highest and the lowest temperature it can detect. You can opt for a temperature range according to your everyday needs. Heat inspection cameras that offer an adjustable temperature range are always a good solution since they have more versatile applications.
Many thermal imaging cameras allow for saving images and storing them on a camera’s built-in memory, removable SD card, or a USB drive. Whichever thermal camera you pick, make sure it lets you save images for backup and sharing.
The accuracy of your measurements will be affected when detecting low-emissivity objects, like shiny aluminum since they reflect infrared energy. A thermal imager with adjustable parameters is a good solution in these conditions. They offer more precision, even with low-emissivity substances.
Heat inspection of industrial objects, large buildings, and firefighting spots can be time-consuming. So, if you want to make your inspection tasks more efficient, make sure your thermal imager offers a decent amount of battery life.
Shiny surfaces like polished metals reflect infrared rays, leading to improper temperature readings by thermal sensors. So, we recommend educating yourself on the emissivity of various substances and how to adjust things accordingly for accurate thermal inspections.
Electrical hardware often overheats after consistent use, but that isn’t an issue. Similarly, there are many other cases where a beginner can easily misdiagnose a problem, leading to bigger issues down the road. So, it’s always a good idea to thoroughly identify the problem before making a decision based on an initial reading.
Thankfully, this camera provides the most commonly used temperature range (-13 to 572 Fahrenheit), making it more versatile. Plus, you can also capture the visuals for more effective decision-making. We think that this camera is the best overall on this list because of its versatility and brilliant temperature range.
This option from Flir combines thermal detection with an optimal display and enlarged temperature range, so it’s just what most users are looking for. Speaking of the display, this gadget packs a 2.4-inch screen paired with 320-degree, 240p resolution. While it’s not the largest display out there, it gets the job done pretty well. This product also offers an LED spotlight for better visualization of temperature anomalies.
This camera also packs an extended temperature range (-4 to 752 Fahrenheit) alongside multiple color palettes so you can spot temp signatures effectively. The extras included with the gadget are a micro-USB charging cable, a carrying case, and instructions — pretty much everything you need to get started.
This option by Kleintools is one of the most versatile cameras available. It offers over 10,000 pixels, letting you troubleshoot hot and cold spots across objects and scenes. The adjustable emissivity (from 0.10 to 0.99) adds to its versatility and also allows for accurate readings of shiny objects.
This gadget also offers a built-in four GB SD card so you can rewatch footage, letting you make more informed decisions. A rechargeable lithium battery is also included so you can start using this camera straight out of the box.
Here’s another professional thermal imager that offers great heat visualization with a colorful 3.2-inch display. Since the display supports multiple colors, you can choose from various color palettes according to the job at hand — including rainbow, iron red, and cold color. Other than that, the blend of a lightweight design with a non-slip grip makes this inspection camera easy to hold for extended periods.
This imager also had a portable design that’s easy to hold and operate with one hand. Plus, the 320 x 240 resolution is great for troubleshooting hotter and colder spots. You also get a flashlight included, allowing for clear visualization at night.
With its rugged exterior, this imaging camera by Seekthermal is optimized for maximum protection. This gadget may not survive deadly falls but it can certainly handle slight shocks — thanks to its rubber-based finish.
Other than that, all the captured images are embedded in the popular JPG format and stored on a removable SD card. The USB cable that comes with also allows for quick transfers of heat inspection photos from your thermal imager to your computer or laptop.
This camera from Perfectprime’s lets you detect temperature gaps falling between -4 and 572 Fahrenheit. Plus, with the rechargeable battery that comes included, you won’t have to worry about replacing the battery frequently — which can be both annoying and expensive. This device is also ergonomically designed, thanks to its larger buttons and a comfortable grip.
A: A smartphone can be used as a thermal camera in different ways, like by using a thermal detection app or attaching a heat sensor to it. But a smartphone-based heat camera will never be as effective for thermal inspections as a thermal imaging camera that’s specifically designed for this purpose.
A: Thermal cameras are expensive pieces of equipment that cost around $500 in most cases. This higher price is due to the expensive costs of the lenses and thermal sensors. The camera, the processing components, and other hardware also add to the hefty price tag of thermal imagers.
A: Thermal cameras cannot see through walls. But you can use them to determine the motion of objects on the other side of a wall to find out what’s going on. This can be done by detecting heat patterns of objects close to a wall’s surface.
