Guide To Choosing The Best Thermal Imaging Cameras

FLIR HTI-19 Compact Thermal Camera

Relatively new to the market, only established in 2009, Hti-Xintai has proven that they can produce some quality products in the thermal imaging camera sphere. Check out the all-new HTI-19 compact unit from Hti-Xintai that meets very high standards. The best part is that the price is quite affordable, which comes as a surprise, also making it a great product for budget buyers.

Some thermal imaging cameras are great for professional use, while others perform best when used in the home. But we find the HTI-19 thermal camera very impressive because you get the best of both worlds without having to spend so much money. Did you also know that this gadget was created in compliance with the RESNET standards? That’s to tell you how valuable, durable, and efficient the product is. What we have here is a very versatile compact unit with so many top-notch imaging capabilities. This device can save thermal, as well as visual images. Its design allows it to store MSX enhanced photos too. The images you get from this gadget are really sharp, with the 320 x 240-pixel resolution on the camera.

When you take a picture of an area, you can store its temperature information in JPEG format, which makes it easy to take that information and analyze it. That way, you can determine any problems with high accuracy. It also comes with extended memory storage that can hold as much as 500 images at a time, giving you a convenient way to examine issues. Let’s also walk you through its attractive features as the Hti-Xintai HTI-19 has multiple imaging modes ranging from center spot to area box and auto hot/cold modes. They help to enhance convenience because operating the camera becomes easier even if you are a rookie.

In a nutshell, beginners will find this thermal imaging camera decent enough to include in their personal or professional toolbox. But we also noticed two areas that we think the HTI-19 falls short. Despite its superb capabilities, it lacks an adjustable focus.

PROS

  • Ergonomic and portable
  • Multiple imaging modes
  • Stores MSX enhanced, thermal, and visual pictures
  • Meets and exceeds RESNET standards

CONS

  • Lacks an adjustable focus

Seek Thermal RevealPRO

Here’s another portable thermal imaging camera that offers you high flexibility and fantastic resolution. The Seek Thermal RevealPro can work in any environment, whether it is daytime or nighttime. Products in the FLIR C series rely on good light and MSX enhancement to supply good images, but this camera doesn’t need that to have a resolution boost. It also comes with a refresh rate of 15Hz, which is high enough when you consider that many brands only offer 9Hz. So, spotting people or animals in very dark areas shouldn’t be a problem even if you have to detect them through thick bush. Are you looking to identify and surprise? Then, rest assured that this 300lumens LED lighting device can handle that.

If you need distance temperature readings, don’t forget to use the 4x zoom, which could affect the resolution anyway. This fixed-focus thermal imaging gadget has a Gorilla Glass protecting its 2.4-inch screen. The device also works from 30-550 cm with a memory worth 4GB to allow you to take as many photos as you want. Just use the shutter to capture non-stop by holding it down. You also get other useful features as RevealPro comes with an easy-to-use menu system. Users can access emissivity adjustments and level and span adjustment, which work similarly to manual exposure.

PROS

  • Emissivity adjustment
  • Comes with a flashlight built-in
  • 15Hz refresh rate
  • High-resolution thermal sensor

CONS

  • Lacks visual light camera data
  • Doesn’t support video recording

FLIR C3 Pocket Thermal Camera

As mentioned earlier, FLIR products are some of the very best in the professional-grade thermal-imaging sphere and won’t cost you so much. Here’s the FLIR C3, which is also new on the block in the C series and is as impressive as its predecessor, the C2 thermal imaging camera. This camera is currently a best seller and recommended for users who want value for their money.

Checking the features of the FLIR C3 was exciting, especially after nothing works the C2 could do. Let’s say that the C3 is a very competent thermal camera that comes with Wi-Fi connectivity. What you have here is a unit that is more compact when compared to the FLIR C3, and if “compact” is your thing, then go for this product by all means.

No doubt, the FLIR C2 is more pocket-friendly, which makes it very portable and allows you to carry it along wherever you go, but both the C3 and C2 have the same camera. If you are looking for a great thermal imaging camera for professional use, this may not be the best option. But the C3 does a good job of detecting electrical issues and minor leakages in the home that need fixing. With an 80 x 60 resolution, this camera allows you to save as much as 500 radiometric photos and is also equipped with a touch screen display of 3 inches. It features high-precision zooming capabilities as well.

You also get a thermal sensor of high-resolution along with the MSX enhancement to give you the sharpest images from every click. We like the picture-in-picture setting that we consider to be a bonus. While this is a great thermal imaging camera, we feel it isn’t the best when it comes to capturing long-range images. But you’ll get an effective performance when clicking close up pictures. We still find that the product does not have a separate SD card slot as well.

PROS

  • Great field of view
  • 302 degree Fahrenheit max temperature range
  • Compact design
  • Hot and cold spot feature

CONS

  • Not the best for long-range images
  • Lacks an SD card slot

What Is The Best Thermal Imaging Camera For You?

What kind of work do you do? Does it involve HVAC, firefighting, industrial maintenance, or something related? Then, it’s safe to conclude that you know a lot about how to apply thermal imaging cameras. But these gadgets are also necessary for homeowners who like to do things like fixing the ventilation, plumbing, wiring, and related household problems.

As earlier mentioned, we can detect thermal energy from anything that comes in contact with light. But since thermal imaging cameras are not regular devices, many people do not know how to find the best product for their needs. So, we hope that the information in this guide helps you make the right buying decision.

Cover Image Credits

Photo of author

Author: Justin

Published on:

Published in:

Tech