Flir One, Seek Thermal Compact - anyone got one

masraum · 01-08-2021, 10:36 AM

Anyone got any of the cell phone based thermal cameras?

What have you used them for?

Did you get the info that you wanted?

They seem like the kind of thing that you'd only use every once in a while, but that they could be useful from time to time. Flir has 3 versions of the "One" running from $200 - $400. Seek makes competitive devices.

I've kind of wanted one of the Flir devices since I heard about it, but also realized that it would essentially be a toy/novelty, so I couldn't justify the cost. I think I could actually put one to use in the new/old house. But I also don't want to waste a bunch of money.

Seahawk · 02:05 PM

I think I need one, you know, 'cause.

This is the revolution, BTW, the absolute shift to commercial grade sensors that are better than the stuff I flew in the military.

Quick Sea Story.

I flew the first FLIR on Navy helicopters when I was doing flight test. I won't name the manufacturer but the thing was nose mounted on the helo, weighted more than a Kardasian, was liquid cooler by Angel Tears and was as reliable as an alcoholic.

When it worked it was transformative.

That same basic FLIR capability now fits in my hand (doesn't have the range: power rules) and never breaks.

First I have heard of the cell phone models...off to do homework!

BTW, having one at your country digs would be great.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

I’ve used the FLIR One (they sold them directly through the Apple Store a couple of years ago) to do rudimentary thermal imagery of building envelopes, mechanical systems and so on. Very nice tool to have and very simple to use. The software is even decent. Makes it very easy to find leaks.

My only complaint is the battery can go quickly so charge completely (and bring a portable power pack, or have a place to plug in and recharge for a while) if you’re going to be in the field for a long day.

Mine paid for itself pretty quickly with client satisfaction and a little bit of “gee whiz” factor when doing facilities assessments.

gary1101 · gary1101's Garage

I have a Fluke FLIR unit and use it for trouble shooting problems in a plastics manufacturing plant. It works quite well and can save a lot of time. A colleague has the iPhone unit. It is not as powerful with fewer options but still works quite well.

masraum · 01-08-2021, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I think I need one, you know, 'cause.

Exactly. They've been around for 4-5 years, I think, and I've wanted one the entire time. Now, I think I might have a reason to justify getting one (however tenuous).

masraum · 01-08-2021, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I

First I have heard of the cell phone models...off to do homework!

BTW, having one at your country digs would be great.

Flir brand option
https://www.flir.com/browse/home-amp-outdoor/mobile-accessories/

review of the lowest priced Flir brand mobile phone based option
https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/flir-one-gen-3

review of the highest priced Flir brand mobile phone based option
https://www.structuretech.com/blog/flir-one-pro-review

Comparison between models of the two main brands.
https://roamlab.com/best-thermal-camera/

masraum · 01-08-2021, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

I’ve used the FLIR One (they sold them directly through the Apple Store a couple of years ago) to do rudimentary thermal imagery of building envelopes, mechanical systems and so on. Very nice tool to have and very simple to use. The software is even decent. Makes it very easy to find leaks.

My only complaint is the battery can go quickly so charge completely (and bring a portable power pack, or have a place to plug in and recharge for a while) if you’re going to be in the field for a long day.

Mine paid for itself pretty quickly with client satisfaction and a little bit of “gee whiz” factor when doing facilities assessments.

Good to know. The Seek model doesn't have it's own battery and uses the phone battery's juice. I suspect the newer Flir branded stuff has a batter that lasts longer now than the models from a couple of years ago.

masraum · 01-08-2021, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary1101

I have a Fluke FLIR unit and use it for trouble shooting problems in a plastics manufacturing plant. It works quite well and can save a lot of time. A colleague has the iPhone unit. It is not as powerful with fewer options but still works quite well.

Nice.

It looks like Flir also has some hand held models (not associated with a cell phone) that look like they've been integrated into an IR thermometer, that aren't much more expensive than the cell phone models.

The Flir stuff is available on Amazon at a slight discount off of the Flir website prices. I think the Pro model is only about $350 instead of $400.

MBAtarga · 01-08-2021, 11:43 AM

On the recent termite inspection done for our house - the technician walked around with one looking "through" walls and floors for termite tunnels. He said it is also excellent at finding water leaks due to the temp differential of moist building products vs dry.

masraum · 01-08-2021, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

On the recent termite inspection done for our house - the technician walked around with one looking "through" walls and floors for termite tunnels. He said it is also excellent at finding water leaks due to the temp differential of moist building products vs dry.

Interesting.

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

FLIR has some cool toys. One of our clients sent us his crazy expensive FLIR unit that was HUGE, and required a laptop to run and 115 volts AC and about 6 minutes to "boot" because of the little cooling unit the sensor sat inside of. It used some fancy system to cool it to under -100 F and it was fantastically sensitive and B&W only. He had us flying over Cape Canaveral at night and all the lights were turned off on the ground. The two very experienced pilots hated ever second of flying in pitch black, knowing that the Atlantic ocean is pretty much endless to a Cessna 206.

This image is from a handheld 25 grand unit we used for a few jobs. The top image show me holding the camera, and the side of the head of my business partner. You can see the size of the camera in my hand. The bottom photo is shot at the same time and this is the view a human sees, just a stainless steel fridge and a hit of a reflection. If one walked across the room even wearing shoes it was clearly footprints in the thermal image.

I have wanted the phone version to play with but it is an expensive toy.

masraum · 01-08-2021, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

FLIR has some cool toys. One of our clients sent us his crazy expensive FLIR unit that was HUGE, and required a laptop to run and 115 volts AC and about 6 minutes to "boot" because of the little cooling unit the sensor sat inside of. It used some fancy system to cool it to under -100 F and it was fantastically sensitive and B&W only. He had us flying over Cape Canaveral at night and all the lights were turned off on the ground. The two very experienced pilots hated ever second of flying in pitch black, knowing that the Atlantic ocean is pretty much endless to a Cessna 206.

This image is from a handheld 25 grand unit we used for a few jobs. The top image show me holding the camera, and the side of the head of my business partner. You can see the size of the camera in my hand. The bottom photo is shot at the same time and this is the view a human sees, just a stainless steel fridge and a hit of a reflection. If one walked across the room even wearing shoes it was clearly footprints in the thermal image.

I have wanted the phone version to play with but it is an expensive toy.

That's extremely impressive to have that sort of resolution of a reflection from a surface that doesn't appear to provide a good reflection to visible light.

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

That's extremely impressive to have that sort of resolution of a reflection from a surface that doesn't appear to provide a good reflection to visible light.

That is from a 25K camera with the 1024 wide pixel sensor. Yea, it was some cool stuff. It was possible to point it at an petroleum storage tank, and see the level of fluid inside from the thermal difference.

gtc · gtc's Garage

Thanks for the links. Those images actually look better than i would have expected from that kind of resolution.

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

Flir brand option
https://www.flir.com/browse/home-amp-outdoor/mobile-accessories/

review of the lowest priced Flir brand mobile phone based option
https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/flir-one-gen-3

review of the highest priced Flir brand mobile phone based option
https://www.structuretech.com/blog/flir-one-pro-review

Comparison between models of the two main brands.
https://roamlab.com/best-thermal-camera/

masraum · 01-08-2021, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtc

Thanks for the links. Those images actually look better than i would have expected from that kind of resolution.

I think, at least for the Flir, that the reason is that the Flir has a regular, visible light camera sensor at a higher resolution and then the low res IR sensor, and they overlay the thermal image over the visible image which helps with the visualization.

dad911 · 01-08-2021, 03:45 PM

My dog, iPhone, older Flir camera.

rusnak · 01-08-2021, 04:45 PM

I've got a FLIR hand-held camera. It has Bluetooth so you can send images directy to the computer.

masraum · 01-12-2021, 05:21 PM

Flir One Pro, arrived today.

studs behind drywall in our apartment.

reflection of me on a stainless fridge. A sheet of paper is what cut my head off in the pic. Apparently, sheet metal is an excellent reflector of IR.

reflection of me in sliding glass door with view of Houston skyline in the background.

reflection of me in computer monitor with florescent light above.

rusnak · 01-12-2021, 05:25 PM

^ Try pointing it to the carpet after you've walked on it with socks.

You'll see your own footprints.

Wangrande · 01-12-2021, 08:26 PM

I have had one for several years. Have found numerous uses including as noted by previous posters water leaks, air infiltration, etc. The most satisfying and cost justifying result was when i had a battery boiling drain on my 72 911 that would not blow a fuse. Could NOT figure out where it was originating. Instead of old school circuit by circuit detective work I gave the flir a try.

Hooked up the battery after the car was cold and disconnected overnight. Removed the battery connection after about 10 seconds. Powered up the flir. Following the glowing orange wire like a highway from the fuse block, under the dash, through the tunnel, up and out along the firewall and finally out to the license plate lights had me laughing out loud. It was oddly satisfying. A small area of 46 year old insulation had rubbed through and was contacting the engine lid near the license plate illumination lights.

Problem solved in 5 minutes.

I'm a fan.