Heat/Thermal Cameras with MCe
Which should I choose?

2022.05 Update:

If you have one of the newer iPhone/iPad devices with a USB-C port instead of a Lightning, Apple and/or the major Thermal camera companies have not yet updated their software/hardware to work with your devices.

If you have a modern Android, you should have no problem. If you have an older iPhone/iPad with Lightning port you should have no problem finding a Thermal Camera that works with your device. Check though with the manufacturer to be sure it will and that you have the correct combination.

This entire document has been updated to recommend specific models available in 2022. We do this with fear and trepidation because technology keeps marching forward. So if you are reading this after 2022, be aware that the SPECIFIC devices mentioned may no longer be the best, instead pay attention to our descriptions of why we recommend what we do, and then look at current technology. Our last 'advice' was over 10 years old before this update – and in general it still was good, but it was dated when it came to our recommendation.

Which should I buy?

First, What Categories?

There are handheld devices, desktop devices and add-ons (plug ins) for cell phones and tablets.

For most of our customers, we think the add-on (plug in) models for cell phones and tablets will be the best choice.

This means you will likely be buying either a USB-C thermal camera or a Lightning. There are still some older ones available for phones with micro-USB, but these seem to be fading out in 2022.

Second, What Brand?

If you want a quick answer, the answer is FLIR.

We think this answer will be accurate for 95 to 99%, maybe more, of our customers. Remembering we don't get paid anything by FLIR, so we are biased towards the best needs of our customers.

FLIR is the leader in the thermal imaging arena. They provide devices that are 'slightly more expensive' than their competitors based on raw statistics, but when you start working with them, you may find you agree with us … that they provide more total value at any price point.

If you think you are going to need a 'better' one, but aren't sure, we'd recommend you start by buying (or renting) an FLIR ONE Pro and trying it out, and then, especially if you plan on buying lots of them, you can look at whether to go up or down in price.

If you want a little slower answer, the answer is SEEK or FLIR, but probably FLIR.

SEEK also has some good devices. On paper their specs are better, about double the resolution (they say 4x's because they have 4x's the number of pixels) at each price point.

But in practice, we prefer at a price point, the lower resolution FLIR because their resulting images, with 'visual' overlay make it easier to see the details of exactly what is hot.

Now … you may disagree, but at least consider this in your decision.

Fluke is another well known company that creates thermal cameras

Speedir is another one that has been around for a while and might be worth looking into.

A little slower answer yet: One that is compatible with your equipment.

This is more a problem with older phone designs. Since 2018, most phones are compatible. But if you have an older phone (based on the year it was designed.) With older phones, the problem was generally that they didn't have OTG USB. Check the manufacturer's web site for compatibility before buying a bunch of thermal cameras.

If you want the lowest cost answer, there are many out there, some will work with your mobile and desktop device, some will not and quality varies greatly.

What Resolution?

As discussed above, it is a combination of how far away from the subject you are taking the picture, and how small of an object you need to see.

When looking at manufacturer claims that such and such a device has 4x's the resolution of a competing device, remember that you are looking at a 2-dimension object, so 4x's the resolution means it is 2x's the height and 2x's the width. So in general you will mentally want to divide it in half.

While obviously there are exceptions, again as discussed above, we think that circa 2022, the best compromise is either at 19,200 pixel 160x120 from FLIR or 320x240 from SEEK, our opinion is that the SEEK at 320x240 gives the same INFORMATION as the FLIR at 160x120. But if you are going to buy a lot of them – consider starting with one of each to see whether our opinion is valid in your use case.

On the other hand, within a product line, the 160x120 FLIR Pro gives twice as much resolution (OK, technically 4x's as much) as their 80x60 FLIR Pro LT.

What Temperature range?

Your use case will answer that. In general, the more expensive the device, the higher the temperature range. For example, the FLIR Pro has 3x's the temperature range of the FLIR Pro LT. The LT reads up to 120C (248F) but the PRO reads up to 400C (752F). Other manufacturers have similar ranges. You need only know what temperature range you care about – is "anything over 100C 'too hot'"? in which case, 120C is fine. But if 150C is OK but 170C is a problem, then you need a camera that can read to at least 170C. (And it doesn't matter whether you are using C or F – all that matters is that you get a camera that will work for the temperatures you are working with and where values higher than the max or lower than the min "matter" relative to each other.

On the Cold end, you won't find as much variation, -20C, -4F seems to be a common low end unless you pay a lot of money.

Operating temperature:

There is a difference between the READING temperature and the OPERATING temperature. The Operating temperature is the temperature you have to keep the unit at when working. 0C/32F is a common low end, and 35C/95F is a common upper end. This means, when I am in winter in Alberta, I need to keep the device warm when using it, and when I am in Panama, I need to keep the device cooled. In both cases, I take it out, take my pictures, then put it back in thermal control until I am ready for the next shot.

What temperature sensitivity?

Do you care about 0.1 Degree C? or do you care about 0.1 Degree F? or more or less? The more expensive the camera in a product line, generally the more thermal acuity you will get – you will be able to see a smaller difference. Again using our reference products, the FLIR ONE Pro LT can detect differences down to 100 mK, but the FLIR ONE PRO can see it down to 70mK.

With the better manufacturers, you will find a description of accuracy. The accuracy of the absolute reading varies depending on the temperature you are reading compared to the ambient temperature. The bigger the difference, the bigger the error. Now, this refers mostly to the absolute temperature, it will still be able to give you more accurate relative temperature readings. So the importance of this spec various based on application.

If you know "when a bearing hits such and such a temperature, it is about to fail" then you may care a lot about the absolute temperature accuracy, in which case, get to know your device's specs carefully before creating your procedures so you can give your technicians the correct instructions for how to take the reading. Each device will have a 'warm up time' as well, so for example, the FLIR we keep referring to will take a picture after 20 to 30 seconds of warm up but, at least as of 2022, it reaches it's peak accuracy 60 seconds after you turn in on.

Do be aware that there are some devices that are temperature controlled – they have their own heater and air conditioner built in, so that they can achieve the best temperature for the best result, these don't care about, or as much about, the ambient temperature. The Ambient temperature for them is more a factor of how long it takes to heat up or cool down to the correct temperature. But of course they also cost more.

Are there other factors?

Sure, you might care about

  • battery life
  • charging time
  • choices of color pallets
  • how far you can drop it without it breaking
  • is it water resistant/proof
  • is it dust resistant/proof
  • Does it come with a carrying case?

Frame rate

This one warrants a bit more conversation because commenters on the internet will say "Make sure you get the 30Hz" or "Make sure you get the 60Hz" or "Don't every buy the 9Hz, they are too slotw"

Be aware first, if you make this an important factor, you will eliminate most of your choices. Maybe that makes it easier! But it will also make your final choice a lot more expensive. For most CMMS/EAS use cases, we think the lower cost 9Hz (8.7Hz, whatever) is plenty good enough.

At anything below about 24Hz, you WILL notice the lag, some call it 'flicker' as you move around, and the lower the Hz, the more you will see it, but does it really matter? For most cases we don't think the cost of the higher speed ones are worth it, they are a lot more expensive with very little real benefit for most users. For a comparison, when you go to the theatre, it usually displays 24 images a second. (OK, technically I'm a little wrong. But it is relevant for here.)

The points are

  • when taking a thermal image, you aren't trying to film a video, and if it jerks a bit as you move it around until you find what you want to take a picture of, that is normally acceptable vs paying a lot more for the device "just" so that your view screen doesn't jerk as you move.
  • While Thermal cameras CAN take a video – you will seldom want to. A still will usually be better for CMMS/EAS
  • The few times you really do need a thermal video – again, you aren't trying to produce a movie to watch in the cinema, you are trying to solve a problem. So if the image jerks like an old fashioned film -that only is a problem if you really truly need to be able to catch the changes over a shorter period.

So most of the time, you'll go with whatever speed/HZ/images per second that the device you pick for other reasons gives you. And only rarely will you consider this as part of your decision process. If you happen to end up with one, like our 2022 recommendation, which is around 9Hz – you will probably be content. If you end up with one with a higher Hz, you will be even more content.

One last warning when reading manufacturer specs. They will sometimes confuse (on purpose) the frame rate of their VIDEO with the frame rate of their images. Consider this: 9Hz with 60Frames Per Second (FPS). They will be showing the 1st image about 7 times, then the 2nd image 7 times and so on, until, in 1 second, they have shown you 9 images. You didn't benefit at all from that – you still only see 9 images per second. The better manufacturers make this clear and don't try to confuse you by merging these two numbers. Be suspicious of anything over 9Hz and make sure you getting what you think you are paying for – if that is the reason you are paying extra.

So I guess the summary is, a lower Hz is usually fine, but if the one you pick has a higher Hz, consider that a free bonus that makes it a little more fun to use, but you probably shouldn't spend the money just to get a higher Hz.

Which model?

Again, the quick answer is in 2022: the FLIR One Pro (Not the LT model)

When comparing to the similar priced SEEK, the Flir One Pro has about ¼ the pixels (half the resolution: half the height and half the width – or close enough for this discussion.) But as above, with the visual overlay, we feel for most people, the Flir One PRO will give better information in its images than the similarly priced, but double resolution SEEK.

Also, the FLIR we recommend has a smaller angle of view. Think of this as "The FLIR zooms in more". To get any extra value from the SEEK, you have to be much closer, otherwise you are just getting more pixels for a wider range.

Of course, if you are working in very tight situations, the wider angle of the SEEK may be a benefit to you.

As far as the resolution goes … if you really need the 4x's bigger images of the SEEK, you can take extra pictures with the FLIR. Acknowledging this is not as convenient. But in general, we feel you will get the information you need from the smaller image.

While about a 1/3 cheaper circa 2022, we feel the FLIR One Pro LT will be a disappointment to most of our customer base. We think the 160x120 FLIR One Pro will hit the sweet spot of price/performance for the majority of customers.

But … our software works equally well with all of them. So if you can get what you need from the lower cost device, or if you need one of the higher priced devices – it will make no difference to the software, we work equally well with all of them.