Seek Compact Pro FF Issues - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: NiallxD
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2021, 09:36:16 pm
content: Hi there folks,I’m wondering if someone can shed some IR on a problem I’m having with my Seek Compact Pro FF.The temperature accuracy seems to have gone terribly wrong in recent weeks and I don’t know why. When compared to my FLIR One, the accuracy and also temperature range and sensitivity is shockingly bad. See the video attached for examples, it explains it all. You can see how the Seek reports my hand is 4*C cooler than the radiator, but the FLIR detects it as almost 30*C cooler, which I think is about right as the radiator is belting out heat. Also, the app is laggy, and glitchy so wonder if this is contributing. Finally, its hard to show this but the cooler areas of an image seem to be 'burning' in as you move the camera around. You know bit like how really old film cameras used to leave a trail if there was a bright light in the scene, think Bottom Christmas special where Eddie sets the tree on fire.I haven't used the camera for about 4 weeks but it was never like this.Extra details:Both devices are iOS versionsBoth devices stored together, in their cases, in a material bagApps all up to dateFirmware: see screenshots (Had to upload as a zip for the video)Emmisivity:Seek: e=0.97FLIR: e=0.95Any help is appreciated!Thanks, Niall.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2021, 09:43:04 pm
content: Have you uninstalled the app and reinstalled it ? It is worth a try to make sure the App is not the cause of the issue.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2021, 09:44:48 pm
content: If that is not the cause of the problem it could be related to the ambient temperature sensor that tells the camera the temperature of the FFC flag. If that is wrong, the measurements will also be wrong.Fraser

author: NiallxD
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2021, 09:54:45 pm
content: Hi Fraser,I've tried a reinstall of the app, yes. I see. Is there any way to try to identify if that's the issue, and if so is there a way to fix it. I appreciate I'm asking a lot. Thanks again,Niall

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 12:17:23 am
content: I regret that I am not familiar enough with the design of the Seek Thermal Dongle camera to be of much help to you. I own several SeeK Thermal cameras but never had to investigate the ambient temperature sensor. On the FLIR Lepton it was not uncommon for the conductive paint that connected a thermistor to the rest of the imaging core to fail but I do not recall seeing a thermistor or temperature monitoring diode on the Seek Thermal dongle, though it is likely hiding on the PCB near to the lens assembly.Other forum members may have some ideas to help you. I will have to do a little digging into old pictures of the Seek Dongles and my Seek Thermal J3-603 imaging Core that I know incorporates a silicon diode for ambient temperature sensing.Fraser

author: NiallxD
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 08:25:32 am
content: Hi Fraser,I really appreciate your help! I’ve started a conversation with Seek and they’re surprisingly responsive. They’re investigating this. I’ll let you know what they say.In the meantime if you find anything just let me know, don’t feel like you have to dedicate time to this though.Thanks!Niall

author: gabiz_ro
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 11:10:58 am
content: On other models there was one diode that may be for temperature reading.D1 as is marked here.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/yet-another-cheap-thermal-imager-incoming/msg963201/#msg963201But that seems to be missing on Compact ProSince sensors are different maybe is integrated into on Compact Pro

author: NiallxD
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 04:09:27 pm
content: Gotcha, it sounds like it might be that which has failed. I’ll let you know the outcome of seeks investigation. They had me send a range of images in different scenarios yesterday.CheersNiall

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 04:19:12 pm
content: I am pleased to hear that Seek Thermal are providing you with supportFraser

author: bostwickenator
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 05:12:38 pm
content: Hey I recently was working with my Seek Compact Pro FF and thought it had developed a really bad non uniformity problem. I had gotten a finger print on the lens. Took me a lot longer than I'd like to admit to realize this. Anyway don't know if it's likely to cause such a big change in response as you describe but just a reminder to check the basics.

author: NiallxD
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2021, 04:26:49 pm
content: Thanks, I've always been super careful with this and to be honest, only used now and then so the lens was clean.Cheers for your suggestion

author: NiallxD
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2021, 04:31:33 pm
content: Hi Fraser,Seek came back with what we/you expected and said the camera is as good as dead. Unfortunately, I bought it off of Amazon in a Warehouse deal (£298) so Seek wouldn't be able to do anything. They dismissed any possibility of repair...I guess these things are not designed to be repaired when it gets to the sensor level.Anyway, I somehow managed to wangle a return for a full refund from Amazon (Despite my buying it 2 years ago!). So will get it sent back to them in the morning.This begs the question, do I buy another, or would there be a better camera to put my money into? Can you recommend something with a good resolution and frame rate (ideally better than my Gen 2 FLIR ONE)?Thanks again!Niall

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2021, 04:53:00 pm
content: Take a look at the Uni-T260B and Infiray C210 cameras. Frame rates are 25fps and decent resolution. If you want a phone dongle, take a look at the Infiray T2L or Infiray P2 cameras. Recent posts on this forum discuss these cameras that are coming out of China. Infiray IRAY are producing microbolometers and cameras that make the seek Thermal dingoes look relatively poor value fir money. Just take a look at the image quality coming out of the Infiray cameras to see what I meanThere are other cameras from Uni-Trend but be careful to check the resolution specifications. Prices coming out of a China are good as well. Friday is Black Friday Sale day so deals are availableFraser

author: NiallxD
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2021, 05:05:52 pm
content: Thanks Fraser. I'll do some digging! Maybe I can strike a black Friday deal too!Thanks again!Niall