Best Thermal Imagers

The FLIR C3 thermal camera has all the features you may need to find both cold and the hot spots at the working site.

The camera itself features an IR sensor with the resolution of 80x60 and the field of view of 41° x 31°; this sensor can take high-quality photos no matter the circumstances. The device can store up to 500 sets of JPEG images with 14-bit measurements, however, it doesn’t have a MicroSD slot. Thus, you will have to transfer all the data either by using the USB Micro-B or Wi-Fi connectivity.

This handheld thermal imager features a tripod mount for additional stability when taking pictures. By using the tripod you will get high-quality pictures without blur, which can be crucial, especially when you take a thermal photo from the distance.

With the object temperature range of 14°F to 302°F, the deviation of the sensor does not go over ±3.6° (±2%) and that is quite impressive as for a commercially available FLIR model.

Be professional and work smart: with FLIR C3 that has a 3" touch screen and an MSX Image Enhancement technology, you can take and analyze the pictures in a matter of seconds. In case you can’t see any issues in a regular camera mode you can always switch the color palette from a standard mode to 4 different spectrums. With all spectrums that C3 has (iron, rainbow, rainbow HC, or grayscale) you will be able to find the problem spots in no time.

Unlike most of the regular infrared imager models, the Fluke VT04 comes equipped with a micro-SD slot, and it includes a 4GB memory card. Although the device has a spectral range of 6.5-14 µm, it is achieved at a cost of a much smaller field of view (only 28° x 28°) compared to its counterparts. On the bright side, however, the object temperature range of this model can determine the temperature from 14°F up to 482°F, which can be quite useful in finding the spots that are especially hot.

The Infrared sensor of the imager has a resolution of 120x120 that allows taking HD photos right from the get-go, most of the times even without focusing on the objects. Since the tool has a 2.2", screen sometimes it can be challenging to find the exact spot of the temperature leak. Thankfully, the PyroBlend Plus optics make extra zoom possible to pinpoint the objects of interest.

Moving on, one of the main advantages of the Fluke thermal imagers is the array of color palettes that are used to determine the issues at the working sites. All in all, the VT04 from Fluke is a perfect solution for a variety of different jobs, thanks to the 6 color palettes that include Ironbow VT, Hot Metal, Grayscale Inverted, Grayscale, High Contrast VT, Rainbow. With such a variety of different thermal spectrums, you will be able to find and fix all the temperature issues you’ve been dealing with in the past.

When bulky infrared cameras of the past generations of FLIR products are of no use, there is a kind of detectors that is much easier to operate and use. The FLIR TG165 spot thermal camera is one of those products. With two lasers that determine the temperature of the surface, it is capable of doing so twice as accurate as regular models. The device is utilized just like a handheld road speed detector - the two lasers in the front are activated by a single pull of the trigger.

By taking a closer look at the specifications we were surprised to find out that the sensor is able to measure the exact temperatures in the range of -13°F to 716°F, which is more common for military-grade products rather than for the commercial ones. Moreover, the fact that you don’t have to be close to the source of heat or cold in order to determine its temperature makes this IR thermometer a highly compelling choice for everyday use. Even if you are a few feet away from the source this thermal imaging gun will still be capable of spotting the temperature with little to no deviation (±1.5% or ±2.7°F).

Ideal for finding hot and cold spots in close vicinity from the IR sensors, the FLIR TG165 will be a great pick for car mechanics, house renovators, and electricians of all sorts.

Engineered specifically for heavy-duty jobs and extreme environments, the Pyle PTIMGCM83 is able to detect the temperatures from -4°F to 572°F with ease and very little deviation (±2%). This quite wide range allows you to solve all household issues with heating or cooling in order to save funds or fuel during cold months. Additionally, the device can be used for solving the thermal insulation problems such as windows or doors that are letting the hot air out of the room.

As for the camera and the IR sensor specifications, they are quite modest as for such a capable device. The 60x60 resolution IR sensor will enable you to take pictures in BMP file format with ease, while the included 4GB MicroSD card can store up to 7000 such pictures, which is quite impressive for a budget-friendly model. The four different color palette options let you easily detect the problematic spots, albeit in the relatively mediocre field of view.

Some customers may find this IR camera from Pyle quite bulky and it is understandable since it weighs almost 2.3 lbs. Despite this, once you get used to the handle grip of the tool, it becomes quite easy to operate.

In conclusion, the IR camera from Pyle will be a great pick for builders and DIY renovators alike, since it combines great features with the medium range price tag.

The Perfect-Prime IR0001 might not look so special at the first glance, nevertheless, it does have plenty of handy features.

In contrast to the quite modest price of the device, the Infrared Imager works almost perfectly. When compared to other, more pricey models, the IR sensors may deviate a little bit more depending on the drafts of the environment. However, the results are quite accurate and the deviation doesn’t go over ±3.6°F (±2%).

Although the manual instructions are somewhat misleading and honestly, they could be written better, the UI of the device is quite intuitive and easy to read, so you might not need the instructions at all.

With the IR sensor resolution of 32 x 32 and the field of view of 20° by 20°, the quality of the images is so-so. Notwithstanding, it is good enough to determine the hot and cold spots in any mechanical, electrical, and thermal system from the distance of 7 inches. Within this range, the device makes the best use of its single IR laser thermometer, which allows seeing the temperature in the range of -4°F to 572°F.

To wrap things up, this thermal imaging device from Perfect-Prime is packed to the rafters with handy features, which makes it a very plausible pick if you are looking for an affordable IR sensor.