Is Flir E4 best choice for my budget ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: kultakala
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 09:45:21 am
content: Hi all,I am new to thermal imaging but since i can remember i always wanted to have such a deviceDuring the last week i read a lot about the devices, techniques and watched a lot of videos.I tried out a Flir C2 for a few days because it was within my price range and fits in almost every pocket.But after trying it out i think its not sufficient enough.My budget is about up to 1000€ (i live in germany) maybe with a maximum at 1500€.It would be mainly for playing around with it, beside of real use cases like inspection of doors, windows or basic checks of appliances, etc.What i found great was the MSX feature on the C2 but the resolution of 80x60 is not enough in my opinion.So i think the E4, tweaked to E8+ would be a good thing and best value for money.Although i would like to have the capability to save video direct within the camera i guess this is a function out of range for me, right ?Would you agree that there is nothing better than the E4 (E8+) a this time up to 1500€ ?Greetings!

author: frenky
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 11:28:21 am
content: My opinion...MSX is only needed with really low resolution cameras. At 80x60 it sure is necessary. But if you have 320x240 our higher resolution and good thermal sensitivity then you don't need MSX.With 1500€ budget I would go for this Them-App bundle:http://therm-app.com/product/therm-app-device-with-19mm-lens/+this wide lens:http://therm-app.com/product/6-8mm-lens/Images produced with Them-App (384 x 288 resolution) are really nice and clear.You can see a lot of images produced with Them-App here:https://www.flickr.com/groups/therm-app-users/pool/

author: kultakala
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 12:38:48 pm
content: Thanks for your reply.I already thought about a ThermApp, but... i prefer to have a "one piece" solution...And as i dont have an Android Phone, this would be additional cost.

author: frenky
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 02:22:05 pm
content: If you want a single unit the Flir E4+ is a way to go...

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 03:22:42 pm
content: I agree with Frenky's comments. The Therm App is a very nice camera. I bought faulty mobile phones to use with my FLIR One G2 Android. They often appear on eBay with either a SIM card fault or no phone connectivity. I paid only £25 for some as new Motorola Moto G units !For an all in one solution, I cannot praise the E4 enough.... Provided it is upgraded to its full capability. As bought it has poor resolution and high noise levels thanks to FLIR's settings in the configuration files. I still consider the upgraded E4 to be the best complete solution for the money it costs.The Therm App and Thermal Expert cameras use decent optics and microbolometers. For this reason I believe they have an advantage over the E4 and so should not be dismissed from your short list just because they need a mobile phone. Remember, the mobile phone just needs to work as a host and have operational Wi-Fi. The phone section is not needed. I am using a USA Verizon Moto G phone that cannot link to any UK network ..... It works great as a mini tablet and host for my F1G2.Fraser

author: kultakala
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 07:21:28 pm
content: If i would get the ThermApp plus lens plus a quite good android phone for about 200.- i would end up at about 1350€ with tax.Thats 300 more than an E4 would cost me.And one point against the ThermApp with a phone is that it is not as rugged as an E4.Also the E4 is more comfortably to hold and use than the ThermApp.Its the same why i did not like the handling of the C2. Its pocketable but... Maybe i am a bit gross motor skilledSo i will stay with the E4 i guess... as far as i understood (reading the whole teardown thread is quite exhausting) i can even upgrade that to E8+ if it comes with the newest firmware, correct ?

author: joe-c
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 09:37:56 pm
content: Hello,the E4 seems to be the best for that budged I think.but if you don't need much senility and can live with a bigger Noise, the Seek Thermal could also be interesting.I work on a Win Software for that device... so just take a small Notebook or Tablet and just spend <300€ for the Camera.see attachment.but if you need sensivity, i think the E4+ is the best. i3 Thermal Expert and Therm App are still great cameras too, but the E4 is easier to get, without tax problems.

author: kultakala
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2016, 06:53:29 am
content: Thanks for your opinions... i will stick to the E4 and ordered one today

author: 2lps
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2016, 08:10:53 am
content: Quote from: kultakala on May 11, 2016, 07:21:28 pmIt will probably come with 2.11. You can upgrade it to E8+ using this:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/flir-e4-thermal-imaging-camera-teardown/msg921880/#msg921880

author: kultakala
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2016, 10:31:45 am
content: Thanks