Thermal cameras can see problems you can’t see – what I’ve learned after years of testing

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Highlights taken by ZDNET

• Thermal cameras don’t have to cost thousands (but they can).
• Hot cameras come in standalone versions, built into smartphones, and dongles.
• They give you great power to save money.

I love tools. One of my earliest memories is using plastic tools with my grandfather, and I’ve had a toolbox full of tools since I was a child. Over time, many hand tools have given way to power tools; In recent years, I’ve added a few unusual tools to the kit — things like laser range finder again laser levels (yes, I love lasers, too).

But one of the most useful “current” tools in my toolkit these days is a thermal camera. This tool has, without a doubt, saved me thousands of dollars over the years.

When most people think of hot cameras, two things come to mind — the 1987 blockbuster movie. A hunter starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, or military equipment. Many are surprised to learn that not only can you buy a hot camera, but they can be expensive as little as $100.

Also: I bought a thermal camera for my Android and it recognized the hidden danger right away

Types of thermal cameras

Before I get into why thermal cameras are such an important tool, let me walk you through the various things on the market. You will find that there are three types of thermal cameras that you can buy:

1. Independent thermal cameras

These are single-purpose handheld units — the one-trick pony of the hot camera world. They range from high end units like Bosch GTC600C 12V Max, Fluke TIS20+ MAXonce Fluke TiS75+ (you should probably be sitting down when you look at these prices), to reasonably priced cameras aimed at the home decorator, such as Topdon TC004, Topdon TC004 Minior Foxwell RT280.

There are pros and cons to standalone devices. The biggest downside is that it’s a one-tool for one job, and if you don’t need a hot camera regularly, it’ll spend less time in the toolbox. Pros: Sturdy, dedicated kit bits provide great accuracy and are easy to use — just turn them on, and point them at whatever you want to heat measure.

2. Hot camera dongles

These are small thermal cameras that attach to smartphones (and sometimes computers) and are controlled using an app. There are many advantages to this — they’re small and can be used at the end of a cable (so they can fit into tight spaces), there’s no battery to keep charged, and — because they’re tied to a smartphone — getting photos and video from them is easy.

But there is a risk. First, they are not cheap (you can buy cheap, but not the best) standalone units. And they’re small, so they’re easy to lose in a toolbox or job site. Also, because they rely on a smartphone, it can limit you to a certain area, although a few models will work on both Android and iPhone.

Also: I invested in a thermal imaging camera for my iPhone and Android – it’s already paying off

I’ve tested several of these, and they’re a good compromise between a standalone system and a device with a built-in thermal camera. Here are some of my favorites Thermal Master P4 (iOS and Android), Topdon TC001 (iOS and Android), and Klein Tools TI223 (iOS and Android).

3. Mobile phones equipped with thermal cameras

Believe it or not, there are a number of Android smartphones on the market from companies like Blackview, Ulefone, and Oukitel that have built-in thermal cameras. Oftentimes, these smartphones are also rugged, making them ideal for use in workshops or out in the field.

I’ve tested many of these hot camera smartphones, and a few of my favorites are Ulefone Armor 29 Pro Thermal, Blackview XPLORE 1 Pro AIonce Oukitel WP500 Ultra.

Also: I tested my GFCI breaker with a $220 thermal camera – and it proved me wrong (in the best way)

The most obvious pro of a unit like this is that since we are so attached to our phones, you are close to your hot camera. And since we are constantly charging our smartphone, the hot camera will also be charged.

The worst part is that you won’t find hot cameras on any flagship smartphones, you won’t find one on the iPhone released, and since most cameras are solid, they can be on the big side.

Why are thermal cameras so useful?

Thermal cameras give you the ability to see things that are invisible to the human eye. And because of the sensitivity of even cheap thermal cameras, they can detect small differences in temperature between large and small objects.

I mean a $100 thermal camera it can detect the difference in temperature of the air in your nose when you breathe in versus when you breathe out, and it can detect the residual temperature after you touch something with your finger.

That’s the right level — no pun intended — of sensitivity, and this is enough to allow you to do great things. Here are a few jobs I’ve accomplished with my hot cameras over the past few months:

Also: This USB-C accessory has unlocked the power of thermal imaging on my Android and iPhone

• Strength testing: This is where you use the camera to look for heat loss through windows and doors, as well as spots on the roof and walls where there is little or no insulation, which can allow heat to escape.
• Finding electrical faults: Overloaded circuits, dodgy breakers, and loose electrical connections will show up as hot spots, giving you a heads up that something might be wrong before things become a fire hazard.

• Wet testing: Moisture that enters the attic or roof will appear as a cool patch, so checking these areas after a rain is a good way to spot problems before mold and rot take hold.
• Leaking pipes: Water spots on the back of walls or under walls hold heat differently than dry matter, so hidden leaks will appear without you having to take a hammer to your home.
• Finding insects: Do you think you have mice, rats, or a wasp’s nest in a high place or on a wall? Animals emit enough heat to be reflected in a thermal image, even on a wall. Yes, they will appear!

• Identifying faulty components on circuit boards: Faulty objects have a tendency to overheat and appear as hotspots, or die completely and appear as cold spots.

The best way to learn your new superpower

The best way to learn how to use a thermal camera is to use it.

Yeah, I know, sounds easy, right? But it works.

Keep the camera on you and point it at everything. Yes, you will look weird (a little weird if your thermal camera is built into a smartphone), but it will give you a good idea of ​​what the world should look like in the thermal range of the spectrum. You’ll notice all sorts of weird and interesting things just by doing this. Then, when you encounter things that are too hot or too cold, they will stand out to you.

Need some more inspiration? Here are a few videos that will help.

One day, there was a problem with the water heating tank. Suddenly there were intervals, sometimes heating the water, sometimes not. This was a repeat of the same problem that happened when I was away from home a few weeks ago. At that time, another person had to be brought in. The result was about $1,500 spent on diagnosing the problem and purchasing and installing the parts that were said to be needed to fix it. I didn’t care about the cost except…

… did not fix the problem.

Also: Should you buy a $40 earwax camera? I did, and I keep finding new ways to use it

This time, I grabbed my thermal camera, followed the wires from the switch to the heater, and found a bad connection in the wall switch.

Gift: There was more heat from the metal box than I would have expected. It turns out that one phone call came through. I rewired, and finally it was fixed (hopefully for good).

The hot camera saved the day, too.