Compact thermal camera under 300$ for outdoor clothing photography - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: terabit519
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 04, 2018, 08:44:15 pm
content: Hi,I spent a while browsing the forum and seeing many similar threads, but unfortunately none seems to anwser my question.I do a bit of blogging related to outdoor clothing and equipment. Recently, I realised that it would be nice to be able to check how well certain gear (eg. jackets or sleeping bags) isolates user from the cold. It would be also nice to be able to post pictures from such thermal-tests on my website. The exact pictures I want to take will usually show a standing person, I'd like to be able to show the difference between the surface of clothes, bare skin and surroundings.As I operate on a limited budget, I'd like to stay below 300 USD. I don't need any 'top tier' technology, but it would be best to have images of highest quality possible (so that they are pleasant to readers).The models I am considering are:- Flir One- Seek Compact ThermalThe Flir One has MSX system which sounds as something that could provide my pictures with a bit of pleasant detail. On the other hand, Seek has a higher resolution and lower price.There is also Flir One Pro, but I don't know if it's that better than the two other options to justify spending at least 150$ more.Thanks for help!

author: Spirit532
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2018, 09:46:12 pm
content: The reason none of the threads answer your question is because none of the options you listed provide high quality images that can be pleasant to your readers.The best you can probably do is a Seek Compact connected to a PC and using an additional(external, done by you) non-uniformity calibration.I highly suggest looking for a used 320x240 camera though. Your options are either used Seek Compact PRO cameras or older, usually composite output video cores(such as firefighter cameras).At this price range you can't really expect to measure temperatures anywhere within +-10C either way, so a composite(video only) camera core could work.

author: Vipitis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2018, 11:41:17 pm
content: For your usecase, I am suggesting a Flir ONE. Simply for the look of he blurry upscaled image and the MSX. You won't get that with seek.You should, however, not use those images as openers so your blog. Just embedded the image next to a visual image(taken from same position with fitting lens) an maybe put in 1-2 measuring spots( it could get too clunky). Use the iron pallette from Flir, or the rainbow palette for close ups(like back region or whatever) make sure to have a high thermal difference when taking those images to isolate the background and show the spots where a jacket leakes heat.SEEK will have higher resolution, but more noise, and your image won't look at pleasant. Flir makes it easier to read out data and is probably more percise when setting emissivity correctly. The radiometric jpegs give you great post processing options, like more measurements (in flir tools or joe-c) and custom pallette (in MyThermalWorld's Pallette Generator).I attached a picture I took with my phone(flir one equivalent), while not taken for this purpose - should give you an idea of what is possible.

author: Spirit532
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2018, 12:03:50 am
content: Quote from: Vipitis on March 04, 2018, 11:41:17 pmI believe a SEEK Compact PRO, if he can find one, would be the best.Here's the image it produces after a manual NUC(external, against the table):Obviously it doesn't really compete with something like an E4 or Txxx, but it's definitely up there - and it's possible to find for ~$300-400.Still doesn't fit as openers though. For that you need at least a wonderful quality 320x240 image, or better yet, 640x480.For reference, this is how a "wonderful quality" 320x240 image looks like - captured on a T440bx.

author: terabit519
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 05, 2018, 10:43:10 am
content: Many thanks guys!Just to clear things a bit,fortunately, I'm not looking for 'opener' images, but for something I'll be able to post in the middle of an article - and for this purpose the idea posted by Viptis sounds great (as it will allow to make the low resolution of thermal less visible)!

author: Spirit532
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2018, 01:14:45 pm
content: Look at the Compact PRO image though(first video). It looks a lot better than the FLIR One. You can probably find a used Compact PRO for ~$300-350 on eBay.

author: Ultrapurple
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2018, 01:52:42 pm
content: Have you thought about asking if anyone in the forum lives near enough to spend a day or so playing thermal imaging with you?I imagine that if you get the stuff you want to test lined together up it should be possible to make all the images you'll need for a while in one session. Or (and I can't believe I'm suggesting this in a public forum), find a seller who has a no-questions-asked returns policy and make sure you don't dent the camera whilst it's in your hands.Some places will also rent you a decent camera for not too much money.I agree with pretty much all the comments. For your application in particular you'll need a low noise, sensitive camera that, ideally, is calibrated (or at least has repeatable manual modes) so that you can clearly show performance differences of the various articles of clothing. The cheapest cameras simply don't have the performance you need to do this.