seek thermal shotpro thermal imager camera review

SEEK THERMAL SHOTPRO THERMAL IMAGER CAMERA REVIEW MANUAL
SEEK THERMAL SHOTPRO THERMAL IMAGER CAMERA REVIEW PROFESSIONAL
SEEK THERMAL SHOTPRO THERMAL IMAGER CAMERA REVIEW MAC

SEEK THERMAL SHOTPRO THERMAL IMAGER CAMERA REVIEW MANUAL

Note that there's also a more expensive, ruggedized One Pro (opens in new tab) model, which boosts resolution to 160 x 120 and provides extra features including manual exposure, multiple measuring zones and sensitivity up to 400˚C.īoth include a timelapse function, limited – and it is limited – by the battery life.

Nicely compact, measuring just 1.3 x 2.6 inches, it offers a resolution of 80 x 60 pixels, and excellent value for the price.

The Flir One is a camera that connects to your phone, and is compatible with both iOS and Android. For distance temperature readings, you can use the 4x digital zoom, though be warned that the resolution suffers. The 4GB memory can capture as many images as you’d need to (you can hold the shutter down if you like). The fixed-focus camera works between 30cm (12 inches) and 550m (1,800 ft) and the 2.4-inch color screen is protected with Gorilla Glass. The simple menu system provides access to other useful features too, such as Level and Span adjustments (a little like manual exposure, allowing you to isolate a thermal range), and Emissivity adjustments (manual or pre-sets). There’s also a 300 lumen LED light, should you want to surprise someone you’ve spotted in the dark. For our money, that makes it the best thermal-imaging camera for night use today.Ĭombined with its 15Hz refresh rate (most are 9Hz), it can easily be used to spot animals or people in the dark, or through dense foliage. While the FLIR C-Series produces useful images in good light via MSX, this camera can do so at any time, since it doesn’t rely on visual light to boost its resolution.

SEEK THERMAL SHOTPRO THERMAL IMAGER CAMERA REVIEW MAC

FLIR Tools is available for Windows, iOS and Android, though the Mac version has been discontinued (despite MacBooks appearing in FLIR’s promo shots). If you can stretch to it, the C5 model adds more analysis features and Wi-Fi so you can get images to your phone and to your software.įLIR’s analysis software, FLIR Tools, allows you to change the color palettes and take readings from 4,800 measurement points in the image files, a little like using the eyedropper in Photoshop. The ability to type notes in via a touch keyboard can be handy, too. Of course the low resolution boosted with visual only works in good light, so a small LED light is provided, although that only offers limited assistance at night.īoth versions have a 3-inch touchscreen and can store around 500 images onboard to transfer via Micro USB. The visual camera can also provide a picture-in-picture option. This patented method uses an edge-detection algorithm on the higher-resolution visual light image, overlaying this with the IR image to make the picture easier to comprehend. The IR maxes out at 160 x 120 on the pricier C5, allowing it to take advantage of Flir’s MSX technology. With a rugged body that’ll survive a bit of workplace rough-and-tumble, both have two cameras and a 5 megapixel optical lens. The FLIR C3-X and FLIR C5 (opens in new tab) are good-looking compact thermal imagers that are well suited to DIYers and contractors. Depending on the software, you can also take retrospective measurements from the thermal JPEGs.

SEEK THERMAL SHOTPRO THERMAL IMAGER CAMERA REVIEW PROFESSIONAL

For professional use, it pays to read up a bit on understanding thermograms, but you’ll understand the basics the moment you power-on your thermal camera. Because IR is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, like visible light, it also has similar properties when it encounters lenses or rain.

Thermal imaging works in the dark, or through smoke, but can be fooled by the reflectiveness (emissivity) of a surface. Meanwhile, refresh rates aren’t always high 9Hz is typical, which is fine for locating hotspots, but not exactly cinematic. The sensors are also of varying detail (150mK sensitivity means each pixel takes readings to the nearest 0.15˚C, so lower numbers are better). Digitally overlaying the thermal image with a high-resolution, visible one can make understanding the picture easier, and many devices on this list do that. Higher resolutions are always better, allowing you to work at a distance, which is especially important in security and rescue scenarios.

See also Best thermal drones (opens in new tab).

Seek thermal shotpro thermal imager camera review