What if I told you that with the help of a small gadget, my iPhone received extremely unusual functionality?
Firstly, the smartphone has become incredibly useful for the home and garden. Secondly, he became cool entertainment, giving the abilities of almost superheroes. Don't believe me? In vain.
A fantastic thing that allows you to see “through” walls and determine the temperatures of distant objects . “Predator Vision”, with which you can see, for example, wiring faults.
I’ll tell you what a mobile thermal imager is, why everyone should try its capabilities, and why the most famous among such assistants are products from Seek Thermal.
What is a thermal imager and how does it work?
A thermal imager is a device that allows you to see differences in the temperature of objects on the screen.
Surrounding objects heat up differently and emit their own infrared radiation. You can see it using special cameras that are equipped with infrared sensors, so-called bolometric (thermal) matrices.
Infrared radiation, collected and focused on the sensor by the thermal imager lens, heats the matrix elements in accordance with the temperature distribution of the observed object.
In other words, the image obtained using such sensors is analyzed and displayed on the screen of the thermal imager in the form of a contrasting image with iridescent colors. Each shade means a certain temperature of the object.
For a long time, thermal imagers were fantastic gadgets “from Hollywood blockbusters”, inaccessible to the common man. The complex optics used and the corresponding prices from 100 thousand rubles transferred thermal imagers to the shelf with expensive “toys”.
The situation changed when thermal imagers for smartphones began to appear.
Thermal Expert TE-Q1 PRO Android – high thermal sensitivity
Electronic set-top box of the highest class. Features high resolution and thermal sensitivity. Digital zooming applied. There are 12 thermal image color shades available.
View the infrared image with an overlay effect, 50/50 ratio, pairing or floating. Record a visible visual or thermal image. Zone zoning by temperature determination: point, signal, rectangular, linear, circular, maximum or minimum.
Pros:
- Professional quality, clarity, speed of action.
- Compact, very economical.
- Completely replaces the industrial thermal imager.
Minuses:
- Very high price, not for a wide range of users, only for industrial use.
Keeping the house warm
A thermal imager can (and should!) be used to determine heat leaks in interpanel seams, walls and windows. In other words, the device will “check” suspiciously high heating costs. Especially if you live in a cottage.
EQUIPMENT
In addition to the plug-in module, the manufacturer offers a waterproof hard plastic belt case with the device for compact and safe storage.
Also included is a colorful booklet with instructions for first connection.
Checking freezing double-glazed windows
You can identify energy-efficient and poorly insulated areas of the house, or, for example, find a double-glazed window with a crack or a frame that requires sealing.
Savings in just one heating season can easily exceed the cost of a thermal imager.
FLIR One Pro (Gen III) Android - Advanced Features
A device with advanced functions. It became possible to observe a visible or thermal image separately. Expanded high and low gain modes. Several measurement points and zones have been added.
An infrared scale is mounted on the image plane with the ability to adjust the range. Two adjacent cameras of the visual and thermal imaging spectrum allow, using MSX technology, to combine thermal and visible images with a high degree of detail.
Pros:
- Close proximity of visible and infrared cameras.
- Increased detailing, body strength.
- Good picture quality, IR information processing.
Minuses:
- Small matrix resolution.
- Fixed focus.
We make sure that the lighting devices are working properly
Have you been changing light bulbs often lately? Using a thermal imager, you can easily see if they are overheating. This can lead not only to its failure, but also to more serious consequences.
Opgal Thermal-App 25Hz Android – interchangeable lenses
Low power consumption device. Working together with a smartphone turns the pair into a serious infrared observation tool. The use of increased frequency allows you to capture moving objects, for example, large and small game.
Maximum adaptation for ease of use by the inexperienced user. There is a threaded socket for a tripod, a handle, and a telescopic pole. The use of four interchangeable lenses with different diameters allows you to expand the boundaries of observation.
Pros:
- Four different lenses, varying observation depth.
- Easy to learn, easy to use.
- Good resolution, tracking of moving objects.
Minuses:
- Exorbitant cost.
How to choose a good thermal imager
A mobile thermal imager is a compact device that connects to a smartphone and, accordingly, transmits an image to its screen. Most of the calculations are performed by the smartphone processor, because it is not inferior in power to the processors of modern computers.
The trick is that such gadgets were initially produced in Chinese factories. The quality of such devices was appropriate - disgusting low-resolution displays and the lack of an adequate warranty.
Meanwhile, picture quality and reliability are the main parameters that you should pay attention to when purchasing. Nobody needs a thermal imager that sees only from 5 meters, shows a cloudy image and lasts for a month.
The appearance of Seek Thermal products on the market was a breath of fresh air.
The American company specializes in the production of compact, stand-alone “night vision devices” (with a display and battery) that do not require connection to a smartphone , as well as mobile thermal imagers.
There are several advantages here: Seek Thermal have high-resolution thermal matrices. These are the ones used in expensive industrial devices.
In theory, a thermal imager should show accurate body temperature, but this is not the case
To understand, cheap Chinese ones have a matrix resolution of only 60x60 pixels, while even the simplest version of the thermal imager from Seek Thermal has a matrix with a resolution of 206x156 pixels.
The devices of the American company have chalcogenide lenses that allow you to see radiation in the range from 7 to 13 microns at temperatures from -40 to 330 degrees (depending on the model).
Seek Thermal thermal imagers boast high-strength magnesium casings . There is no need to worry about the reliability of the devices.
Finally, Seek Thermal devices are assembled in sunny California (USA), and not somewhere in the obscure basements of Chinese factories.
In other words, the products meet the high requirements that can be placed on such gadgets.
CONNECTION
The process of connecting a thermal scanner to the device is not complicated. After connecting, the program will offer several introductory slides, after which you can start the scanning mode in the main menu.
In the main program window, you can optionally change the display settings, including: select the temperature display mode - by the observation center or display the temperature of the hottest and coldest zone; change display color options and some other settings. It is very convenient that in the application you can watch short videos on connecting, setting up and using the gadget.
Works directly from your smartphone: Compact Pro
On the Russian market today you can find three models of Seek Thermal mobile thermal imagers – Compact, CompactXR and Compact Pro. Each of them is sold in several versions: with a Lightning, microUSB or USB-C port for Android.
In other words, either for iPhones or Android smartphones.
Visually, it seems that all models are the same. They have a small magnesium body, similar in size and shape. The only difference is the color of the lens.
Almost like Canon lenses. Anyone interested in the field of photographic equipment knows that the red ring on the lens means the L series, that is, more expensive and high-quality optics. The situation is similar here. If the simplest Compact model has black plastic around the lens glass, then in the expensive Compact Pro model it is burgundy .
The basic Compact version has a matrix resolution of 206x156 (32,000 pixels), a shooting frequency of 9 frames per second, a viewing angle of 36 degrees and a viewing range of 300 meters.
The more advanced CompactXR model has a matrix resolution of 206x156 (32,000 pixels) and the same shooting frequency of 9 frames per second. The viewing angle is the same 36 degrees, but the thermal imager “sees” up to 550 meters.
Finally, the top-end Compact Pro has a matrix with a resolution of 320x240 (76800 pixels), takes 9 frames per second , has a viewing angle of 32 degrees and is capable of “looking ahead” at a distance of up to 550 meters.
As for the heat-sensitive matrix, it is the same for all models and is capable of detecting objects in the temperature range from -40 to +330 degrees.
APPLICATION
Let's move on to practical tests of the thermal scanner.
The possibilities for using a thermal imager are the widest. Both domestic and professional areas.
We will test SEEK thermal for rapid diagnostics of electrical appliances, cables and connections. Every electrician knows that the worse the contact in a connection, the more the connection heats up. This is especially true in winter: many connected electrical appliances require careful monitoring. Faulty electrical wiring is a common cause of fire! What can you see with the SEEK thermal scanner?
In front of us is a socket block with two connected plugs. Outwardly everything is fine. Let's inspect the connection with a thermal scanner. The screen clearly shows that one of the forks is heated much higher! This may indicate poor contact in the connection. Needs to be fixed urgently!
We continue the inspection. One of the two fluorescent lamps has burned out. They are in no hurry to replace it. We check with a thermal scanner. The faulty lamp does not light up, but continues to consume electricity! This can be seen from the heating of the end switch of a non-working lamp. Turn off the faulty lamp. You should install a new one as soon as possible.
We find another block of two sockets. Let's check it out. We see that one of the two plugs heats up noticeably more. Is it OK? - need to check!
Let's move on to the general automatic fuse block. Let's examine it. The RCD unit is noticeably heated. It is necessary to diagnose and check whether the characteristics of the circuit breaker are selected correctly!
Overall: we walked through a small room with a SEEK thermal thermal scanner and immediately discovered several places that needed additional electrical checks. Perhaps we have already prevented a major electrical fault from occurring?
While our electrician is checking the electrical wiring of the workshop, let's take a look at the diagnostic area of the car service center. Let's see how SEEK thermal can be useful here.
Let's check the car that just arrived. It is necessary to test the brake mechanisms on the left and right sides. It is known that the brakes on the left and right must operate with equal efficiency (to avoid skidding when braking on a slippery road). Primary diagnostics can be performed with a SEEK thermal thermal scanner. To do this, let’s estimate the temperature of the brake discs of the left and right wheels. If the brakes are performing equally effectively, the temperature of the brake discs on the left and right should be approximately the same. Let's check. This is true. This does not mean complete serviceability, but we have already been able to perform initial diagnostics without removing the wheels from the car! Fast and efficient.
Let's move on to the engine diagnostics section. When repairing the cooling system, you can diagnose the proper functioning of the system and timely opening of the thermostat. The scanner screen clearly shows the temperature change in the system as the engine heats up.
At the electrician's site, we will help an electrician-diagnostician check the operation and serviceability of the electrical wiring. We point the scanner at two electrical connectors. One is hotter than the other, although it feels hard to replace. Now the electrician understands where to look for the problem.
At the engine diagnostic site, you can help a diagnostic mechanic. We inspect the vacuum tubes and seals. By the visual difference in color, you can preliminary assess which of the tubes is hotter and where the air leak is.
Standalone thermal imager: Reveal Pro
For those who for some reason do not want to be tied to a smartphone (for example, they use only a push-button phone), they should look towards independent portable devices that do not require connection to a smartphone. The Seek Thermal company has a series of such devices called Reveal.
These are compact, shock-resistant devices with high-resolution screens. The housings are certified to the IPX5 protection standard.
In other words, Reveal models can withstand harsh conditions, be it heavy rain or falls from significant heights.
The Reveal (blue) model has a matrix resolution of 206x156 (32,000 pixels), a viewing angle of 36 degrees , a shooting frequency of 9 frames per second, a range of 150 meters.
Reveal XR has the same matrix (206x156) and shooting frequency (9 frames per second), a viewing angle of only 20 degrees, but it “hits” as much as 275 meters.
Finally, the senior model in the Reveal Pro line has a matrix with a resolution of 320x240 (76800 pixels) and a viewing angle of 32 degrees. It takes 9 frames per second and is capable of detecting objects at a distance of up to 550 meters.
FLIR One (Gen III) Android – Survives the fall from human height
A third-generation set-top box that converts a smartphone via a USB-C connector into a thermal imager. MSX technology is used, which allows you to combine visible and thermal images with multi-stage detail. This allows you to significantly reduce the likelihood of fortune telling by recognizing the object of observation.
Provision is made for receiving information, storing processed data and transferring thermal or video images to an associated medium. The device is designed to allow for a drop in human height without losing its integrity.
Pros:
- Convenient attachment to a smartphone, lightweight, compact.
- Good, well-detailed picture.
- Temperature measurements in different areas.
Minuses:
- Small temperature measurement range.
- No focusing ability.
Shoots himself and broadcasts the image to a smartphone: Shot Pro
Those most interested in the topic of “night vision” should look at the most advanced line of Seek Thermal thermal imagers called Shot Series.
This is a line of independent professional thermal imagers that do not require connection to a smartphone or computer. They have shockproof housings protected to IP54 standard and can withstand accidental drops from great heights.
The line includes two models:
Seek Thermal Shot has a thermal sensor (matrix) with a resolution of 206x156, viewing angle of 36 degrees. The thermal imager is capable of taking up to 9 frames per second and shooting 300 meters ahead.
The coolest version is Seek Thermal Shot PRO. A matrix with a resolution of 320x240 is installed here, and the viewing angle is as much as 57 degrees. The device takes 9 frames per second and sees up to 550 meters.
But most importantly, both Shot Series models allow you to edit and analyze the resulting thermal imaging photos directly on the device’s 3.5-inch screen.
In addition, using the SeekFusion function, you can adjust the ratio of natural and thermal images, thereby quickly finding problematic (too cold/hot) areas.
You can also transfer and broadcast images via Wi-Fi to a smartphone or tablet.
Shot Series are truly independent gadgets. Thermal imagers have a built-in tripod mount and are ideal for installation in hard-to-reach places for long-term stationary observation.
You can practically set up camera traps for wild animals at your dacha! The built-in battery charge is enough for four hours of “hunting”, and the built-in memory capacity is 4 GB.
Seek Thermal Compact Android – Wide Field of View
Compact, lightweight device compatible with Android smartphones. The body of the console is made of weightless magnesium-based alloy. The average object localization distance is 250 meters.
Determines negative and positive temperatures. Equipped with a lens with a diameter of 6.8 mm. The design will be useful when searching for water leaks, warm air leaks, or detecting broken or improperly installed thermal insulation. Useful when searching for domestic and wild animals.
Pros:
- Small, light, most inexpensive.
- Capture a large surveillance area.
- Convenient fastening.
Minuses:
- Loud clicks during calibration; when hunting, it scares away all living creatures.
- Intense heating.
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