Thermal imaging cameras are becoming more and more popular not only among people whose job requires them but with the new advancements in this field, they are being more commonly used by everyday Joes as well. They can be used for several different reasons, the most common ones being home security and surveillance.
Thermal imaging cameras allow you to see in the dark by picking up on the heat output that an object emits. Hotter objects are represented in red, objects with low heat are shown in yellow, and in areas where there is no heat the camera won't pick up any heat radiation and will appear dark. Apart from home security, these night vision cameras are great for checking certain areas of your home for pests or other insects that might have taken shelter in parts of your home where there is no light (attic, basement). When shopping for a thermal imaging camera, there are various different brands and models to choose from. Here are some of the best ones.
FLIR C2 Compact
If you are looking for a reliable pocket-sized camera to help you find your way in the dark, you can't go wrong with FLIR night vision technology. They are the leading competitors in this field and their C2 Compact is an outstanding choice. This FLIR imaging camera offers real-time MSX (Multi-Spectral Dynamic) and it can be used both by novices and experts. Many people opt for FLIR night vision cameras for their uncanny ability to detect heat signatures at extremely low temperatures. The C2 can detect temperature signatures ranging from -10 to 50 degrees Celcius, which even for today's technological standards is amazing. The C2 FLIR imaging camera is small enough to be carried in your pocket and it also features an LED flashlight on its side should you need to use it. Even though it has a small design, FLIR systems are usually very durable and can withstand a fair amount of stress without breaking.
Seek Reveal
Seek Thermal is also another great company that offers affordable night vision and thermal cameras. Much like FLIR night vision cameras, they offer state of the art technology that anyone can use. Seeks' Reveal model is exceptionally rugged and reliable. The system works by combining a highly advanced thermal camera with a high performance LED light. Its powerful camera can detect heat changes up to 150 meters away, it is packed into a small and very portable handset that fits comfortably in your pocket. It is very easy to use and can be operated only by one hand, it also has an SD card so that you can save your thermal images for later viewing. The one thing that sets it apart from other thermal cameras is its long battery life - the Reveal can last up to 10 hours of constant use.
Fluke TiS
Fluke's TiS system offers a detailed thermal image when scanning your home or building. It is very easy to use and it is suitable for both amateur and professional use. It can be used to detect whether there is any build-up of moisture in your walls, missing insulation, hidden construction issues or electrical connection flaws. This model is most famous for having a large screen, up to 30% larger than the average screen on most thermal image cameras and a great resolution to go along with it (120 x 120 pixels). The camera works great and stabilizes and focuses in a split second. The only downside to this model is that it is slightly larger than the previous ones we mentioned and it doesn't fit into your pocket. However, the designers are aware of this and have fitted the Fluke TiS with a hand strap to make sure you don't drop it as well as with a plastic case to store it when not in use.
Conclusion
Just a few years ago not everyone could afford to buy this kind of technology. Today, however, these models that we mentioned can be acquired by nearly anyone and can be put to good use. There are still some models that are more suitable for home use and others that are better for construction sites. For example, the Fluke TiS is a great piece of equipment but its great features will be better used by professionals, whereas the FLIR C2 is more suited for home use. That is not to say that the C2 doesn't have all the features as the Fluke but the thing is, the same features on the Fluke have a greater resolution and are more expensive. The C2 offers the same features with some compromises in size and quality but it is much more affordable.
